[water warrior]

The back rest is nice and good for a long sit. In combination with a Corbin seat you will feel pampered. The Corbin itself is a vast improvement even without the backrest as you sit a lot more erect and body weight is supported better.
I can sit erect away from the B/R and be comfy or lean back a little and put my feet up on the highway pegs and really relax.

 

[Buddugly]

A friend of mine has the Dan Vesel back rest on his DL1000. I tried it out and loved it. Gives a lot of good support to your lower back. Going to add to my 650 along with a Seargent seat.

 

[bower100]

Don't have the Vesel backrest but I have a large ventura tailbag I install on the DL backwards... it sits right on the passenger seat. When packed with clothes it acts as a cushioned backrest that I truely love. Not that I always push back on it... I don't, but shifting the body from way-up-front upright to back-in-the-seat pocket, against the backrest is the way to get lots of miles in in a day....IMO.

Dave

 

[Valentine]

Back Support

Perhaps in addition to a backrest or instead, you may want to consider a "kidney belt" such as used by weight lifters. I find them to relieve any back muscle fatigue on 200+ mile trips.

If you are unsure, go to a local drug store and purchase a cheap velcro one.

 

[deuce]

Thanks for the replies, folks. I think I will add the back rest as my first new farkle. Valentine, I have been riding around on my wife's Burgman, and wearing a back brace definitely helps.

 

[KevinP]

The Dan Vesel (Vessel ?) products are nice quality, affordable, adjustable, can get with comfy sheepskin cover, and are inexpensive. Corbin backrests are $199 I believe PLUS the cost of the Corbin seat which is not much different than a gel seat IMO ... I've had Corbins on three bikes (CB900F, VX800, and XR650L) and I only liked it on the VX800 whereas the others NEVER were remarkably comfortable after 2 hours or more.

I've only used the Vesel passenger backrest which my wife loves (adjustable fore to aft) with sheepskin cover. The rider one looks neat too but I don't have a bad back (yet).