Driver's Backrest for stock seat - Utopia vs Smart Mount

[flat6bagger]

How do you keep water from soaking into the seat padding with either one of them?
I know they have cover things,but it would be impossible to be water tight I would think.

[hiflyer]

I bought the Utopia before the smart mount came out, hated the look and feel. it was too big, so I took the pad from a HD backrest I had sitting in the garage and mounted it to the Utopia hardware. If I were buying, it would be the smart mount.

[CheesyRider]

Hiflyer, that Utopia looks really good with the HD backrest.

Does anyone have photos of an unaltered Utopia on their bike?

[CheesyRider]

I found a couple Utopia pics online:





It actually looks pretty good to me, but I think I'll go with the Smart Mount. I'm going to wait until Memorial Weekend to order in case there are any sales.

[flat6bagger]

Ok,still no one has answered my question.
How do you keep water from seeping past the backrest and not soaking the seat foam?

[hiflyer]

Ok,still no one has answered my question.
How do you keep water from seeping past the backrest and not soaking the seat foam?

I don't, and it doesn't. Even with the backrest. The only way to get water in there is to force it.

[flat6bagger]

Thanks hiflyer!
I hesitated buying a backrest that you have to cut the seat because I didn't understand how it could possible seal enough to not let water get into the foam.
I like the smart mount a ton better.
The looks,style,everything about it.
I had the Utopia backrest on my Royal Star Venture.
I always felt it just didn't look like it belonged on the motorcycle,but was a nice backrest.
They don't seem to care if their backrests look like the seats on the motorcycle they are designed for.
To me it is the "one size fits all" mentality.
That alone will keep me from buying one from them.

[dickiedeals]

Ok,still no one has answered my question.
How do you keep water from seeping past the backrest and not soaking the seat foam?

Utopia provides a thick vinyl plastic gasket with adheasive and velcro. When the backrest is removed the cover snaps over the hole and seals it as well.. Hard to explain and I can't find any photos on file. Actually keeps it dry...............Dickie

[Doug44]

Hiflyer, that Utopia looks really good with the HD backrest.

Does anyone have photos of an unaltered Utopia on their bike?

Here you go fresh install last week totally stock