phlooburoo
10-15-2005, 09:38 PM
Been riding with a 1-up backrest for a few miles now and figured it's time to chime in.
Excellent product! Excellent customer service! (I'll post pictures as soon as I can figure out why I keep getting upload errors from our Stromtrooper Gallery. But I can send a couple photos via email to anyone who's interested.)
He originally designed the backrest for the 650, but it works with my 1000 just fine (I think he said I was the first 1000 customer). The brackets for the backrest are mounted with existing Strom bolts; no drilling or Strom modifications necessary. The brackets have two posts which act a base for the backrest which has posts that slide over the base posts. This design allows you to manually remove the backrest as necessary without need for a wrench. Apparently you can still remove the seat with the backrest in place, but I usually ride with my tail bag, so the quick removal of the rest comes in handy.
Here's the (long-winded) rundown of events:
1 - Ordered the backrest, received it, installed it (took three minutes), rode with it, but it was too far forward to be comfortable for my back -- I have a desk job and need a bit more lumbar slouch than the average person.
2 - Sent Dan an email describing the problem, he responded promptly (always responded promptly though 30 or so exchanges of feedback and chitchat), and within a day, maybe two, he had cut new mounting brackets for me which brought the backrest about four inches farther back and shipped a new setup (brackets and rest together to ensure the whole setup fit properly) to me at no additional charge. I would've returned the original setup, but my friend who also has a Strom liked it so much he decided to buy it (at discount, per Dan's offer).
3 - Installed the new brackets / rest, rode with it, and like it sooo much better. It was far enough back to allow me to sit near the back of the saddle near the upward slope to the pillion (my normal position, for my 6' frame) and still receive some lumbar support from the backrest. And it's sturdy enough that I can arch my back over it to get a descent stretch. However, it was about one inch too far back from being absolutely perfect -- arm extension was slightly more straight than I prefer. (Yes, I'm anal, ;) but the slight added extension might've induced fatigue quicker than I'm used to.) Don't get me wrong, though, I could ride with it for the life of the bike and be happy, but why not try to get it absolutely perfect given that the designer / merchant is receptive to user feedback?
4 -- I sent a message to Dan describing the situation, and also described a brainstorm I had about adding a removable cushion that I could flip to the front of the backrest when I wanted extra support, or flip to the back of the backrest when I felt the need to slouch. He responded right away and within a couple days he had crafted me a custom cushion with straps that I could add to the backrest and flip back and forth at my riding leisure. He sent pics of the cushion, which he fashioned with a sheepskin pad to match the seat pad I bought from him earlier. I replied that I'd prefer vinyl, he created one within another day or two, and sent it my way for a very reasonable cost.
5 -- Received the cushion today and added it to the backrest. Yes, it's a perfect fit for me. I can't wait to put a few more miles on it.
All I can say is thanks, Dan, for the attention to detail. The combination of your sheepskin pad and backrest are my favorite improvements to date.
You can contact Dan at CHERDAN@WebTV.net.
I should probably add that I don't know Dan personally. I'm just a happy customer.
Backrest... $115
Sheepskin seat cushion... $45
Flippable backrest cushion... $15
Happiness on a Strom... priceless.
Excellent product! Excellent customer service! (I'll post pictures as soon as I can figure out why I keep getting upload errors from our Stromtrooper Gallery. But I can send a couple photos via email to anyone who's interested.)
He originally designed the backrest for the 650, but it works with my 1000 just fine (I think he said I was the first 1000 customer). The brackets for the backrest are mounted with existing Strom bolts; no drilling or Strom modifications necessary. The brackets have two posts which act a base for the backrest which has posts that slide over the base posts. This design allows you to manually remove the backrest as necessary without need for a wrench. Apparently you can still remove the seat with the backrest in place, but I usually ride with my tail bag, so the quick removal of the rest comes in handy.
Here's the (long-winded) rundown of events:
1 - Ordered the backrest, received it, installed it (took three minutes), rode with it, but it was too far forward to be comfortable for my back -- I have a desk job and need a bit more lumbar slouch than the average person.
2 - Sent Dan an email describing the problem, he responded promptly (always responded promptly though 30 or so exchanges of feedback and chitchat), and within a day, maybe two, he had cut new mounting brackets for me which brought the backrest about four inches farther back and shipped a new setup (brackets and rest together to ensure the whole setup fit properly) to me at no additional charge. I would've returned the original setup, but my friend who also has a Strom liked it so much he decided to buy it (at discount, per Dan's offer).
3 - Installed the new brackets / rest, rode with it, and like it sooo much better. It was far enough back to allow me to sit near the back of the saddle near the upward slope to the pillion (my normal position, for my 6' frame) and still receive some lumbar support from the backrest. And it's sturdy enough that I can arch my back over it to get a descent stretch. However, it was about one inch too far back from being absolutely perfect -- arm extension was slightly more straight than I prefer. (Yes, I'm anal, ;) but the slight added extension might've induced fatigue quicker than I'm used to.) Don't get me wrong, though, I could ride with it for the life of the bike and be happy, but why not try to get it absolutely perfect given that the designer / merchant is receptive to user feedback?
4 -- I sent a message to Dan describing the situation, and also described a brainstorm I had about adding a removable cushion that I could flip to the front of the backrest when I wanted extra support, or flip to the back of the backrest when I felt the need to slouch. He responded right away and within a couple days he had crafted me a custom cushion with straps that I could add to the backrest and flip back and forth at my riding leisure. He sent pics of the cushion, which he fashioned with a sheepskin pad to match the seat pad I bought from him earlier. I replied that I'd prefer vinyl, he created one within another day or two, and sent it my way for a very reasonable cost.
5 -- Received the cushion today and added it to the backrest. Yes, it's a perfect fit for me. I can't wait to put a few more miles on it.
All I can say is thanks, Dan, for the attention to detail. The combination of your sheepskin pad and backrest are my favorite improvements to date.
You can contact Dan at CHERDAN@WebTV.net.
I should probably add that I don't know Dan personally. I'm just a happy customer.
Backrest... $115
Sheepskin seat cushion... $45
Flippable backrest cushion... $15
Happiness on a Strom... priceless.