Grsshopper Backrest and Kawanow

[johnr475]

I just want to say thank you to all Kawanow members. I don't post much(2 finger typist) but I do read the forum on a daily basis. I get some great info from other members here.Thanks to your great suggestions I bought a Grasshopper backrest. Also, thank you to Lonnie for making a quality item at a reasonable cost. I haven't met any of you, but you are my friends. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

JohnR

[dogdoc]

Welcome to the forum John, I learn all my stuff from the forum and try to take care of most of my bike's maint. Listen and learn, and of course RIDE!

Dennis

[BandC]

I bought a Grasshopper backrest last summer after hearing about them here. No complaints about it from me, I'd recommend them to anyone!

[schoeney]

John R - Don't feel bad about the 2 finger typing...I use all 10 but they are all thumbs!

I too have a grasshopper backrest and have refered several others (that ride other brand bikes) to Lonnie. All have been satisfied.

[coacha]

Johnr welcome to the forum. I also have the backrest and it is great, made by good people.

I am lucky with the typing, I taught it for a gazillion years!

[bosko]

Hey John just keep posting more and soon you'll be like me and use 3 sometimes 4 fingers. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

I also just recently received a Grasshopper backrest but haven't been able to get the Nomad out of the garage yet. So far it feels good, I bent the bracket forward a little but I'm sure I may have to make a few adjustments. Maybe I should just wait until I'm on the road before making any more moves. :-/ For the money I am very happy with it and love the stealth mounting system and ease of install.

I haven't met anyone on KawaNOW either but it feels like family.http://emoticons4u.com/fam/fam29.gif

[sarge1057]

I purchased a grasshopper this past winter looks great haven't tried it out yet . Two fingers as well. Maybe CoachA can give us lessons. :)

[damark115]

All I use is two fingers. But thats OK because I think slow also.
I have Lonnie's backrest and I am very happy.

[rflnomad]

I too have the backrest and love it. Try the risers fom Chuckster131 as well. I have the 2 inch and it made a big difference to me.

[dogdoc]

I too type two fingers. Index on the left and middle on the right. Guess Im too used to flipping drivers off that my right finger is always ready for action. I can type pretty damn fast with just 2 fingers too. maybe 25-30 WPM. :-)

[johnr475]

I too type two fingers. Index on the left and middle on the right. Guess Im too used to flipping drivers off that my right finger is always ready for action. I can type pretty damn fast with just 2 fingers too. maybe 25-30 WPM. :-)

Thats pretty fast for 2 fingers. I would take a half hour to type 25-30WPM. Heck, It took me 15 min to type this!

JohnR

[oldbikers]

Hell I can type 80 words a minute if spelling don't count ??? Oh and I also have a Grasshopper back rest.

[grasshopper]

Thanks John and all the the others who gave us a chance I know we don't post much here anymore nit I do lurk! I am going to school full-time and trying to run the business too so I do not have a lot of free time!

[Jared]

I love this forum. I'm new to the nomad world and have learned a lot already just from ready info on here.

[mercianbike]

I have grasshopper's backrest too. I was concerned how the bracket would look after removing my rear seat. But no problem. The bracket is black and the seat is black. Hardly notice it.

[jastearns]

I've got the back rest also. I've only got a few miles on it as it is still winter here, if you don't count the flooding. I replaced a very expensive back rest, not sure of brand as it is hanging in the rafters of the garage, that was very uncomfortable.

Welcome to the forum. I can't do a lot of mechanical things on the bike but I can type like a bat out of hades. I'm getting more confident with the bike though.

[ndbigfish]

I bought a Grasshopper too and I'm still tailoring it to my liking. I put a rubber bumper between the seat bracket and the fender to control the spring in the bracket. I also put a stop on the backrest bracket that controls the position of the backrest when installed in the seat bracket. I also changed the angle of the backrest bracket to provide more firm contact with my back. Then after a footpeg adjustment it is a pretty comfortable set-up. Comfort and economy..........ah the life!

[fish]

I also have the grasshopper backrest and I can type 70 letters an hour and have every letter speled correctly http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[gghost]

Love the backrest. Took the bike into the dealer for maintenance (I do like my dealer - had to go to another town to find one I liked). People in the shop commented on the backrest and said how much they liked it.

[waterman]

Just got mine today. Installed in less than 5 minutes. Looks nice and can't wait to take it out for a test spin.

[Todd]

Waterman, you'll love it!

[Cajunrider]

Welcome from Louisiana, John. I type with 8 fingers and the left thumb for the spacebar. Not very speedy but I can get my point across if I have enough time. Good luck. Who is Lonnie??? I must have missed that thread. He's the guy to get the grasshopper backrest from?

[waterman]

Welcome from Louisiana, John. I type with 8 fingers and the left thumb for the spacebar. Not very speedy but I can get my point across if I have enough time. Good luck. Who is Lonnie??? I must have missed that thread. He's the guy to get the grasshopper backrest from?

Lonnie owns grasshopper limited.

[waterman]

Waterman, you'll love it!

Thanks Todd. I may have to go home now and give it a try. After looking at the weather forecast, it doesn't look promising to get out on the bike for the next week +. A major snowstorm/blizzard is moving in tonight thru Friday and 2 chances of snow next week.

[badnomad08]

I haven't had a chance to post about it yet, but I just got my new grasshopper backrest in the Monday before last. I have only got to ride about 5 hrs or so with it and so far I really like it. I ordered the taller version just for the looks of it. The normal version sits just below the top of the passenger seat. The one I have is one inch taller and sits just above the edge of the passenger seat, which I like better. My backrest probably has a little more "give" than the normal one does, but that is the only thing I would change. When riding you just get used to it and it does support my back. If I put a cloth or something between the bar and the passenger seat, it would probably make it firmer. I would like to get more information from you "ndbigfish" on what you did to improve yours. All-in-All, it is the best bang for your buck!!! This product is wonderful and looks great. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[waterman]

Took a quick spin last night with the backrest. Only change right now is I may bend the bracket to push it forward more. Other than that, it is very, very, nice.

[barrynfla]

Does anyone have a good, safe way to bend the bracket a little forward without the use of a vise? I'm very surprised at how many of my friends and neighbors do NOT have a vise!

Thanks.

[ndbigfish]

Use a couple of adjustable wrenches (Cresent type) to bend the backrest bracket a little. Support the back of the backrest bracket where it attachs to the backrest cushion. I got the best movement forward by installing a bumper that I made from the rubber from the stock grips. I cut piece about 3/8" width and the length that the seat bracket is wide. When I applied double sided carpet tape to the rubber. Then I pulled the seat bracket forward and inserted the bumper between the bracket and the fender. The rubber had taken a hard set to the radius of the grip and has started to peel from the tape a little. So I need to find another adhesive to attach the rubber. The bumper keeps the bracket forward and dampens the movement to the rear during use. I'm not good with a camera but I will try for some pics.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/nd_bigfish/Bckt_Bumper.jpg
This is the bumper and stop to control depth into bracket.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/nd_bigfish/SeatPosition.jpg
This is the "new" position of the backrest relative to the saddle.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss69/nd_bigfish/Stake.jpg
This is a picture of the back of the stop/backstop bracket showing the staking of the fasteners to eliminate vibrating loose.

[ndbigfish]

Bump

Badnomad08,
Look at the pictures that I attached.

[gregg877]

Sounds interesting, can somebody post a link so I can check it out? Please?

Thanks, Gregg

[waterman]

Sounds interesting, can somebody post a link so I can check it out? Please?

Thanks, Gregg

Here you go.

http://grasshopperlimited.com/

[barrynfla]

Thanks, nd. Pics are very clear and so was your explanation. Cool mod!

[ndbigfish]

A nice coat of glossy black paint is missing from the pictures, but it is easier to see the stop prior to any painting. A more forward backrest position is more comfortable for me.

[egetaseb]

Will grasshopper's backrest only fit stock seats or after market seats (mustang)?

Thanks

[grasshopper]

I have the 1500 model done w/mustang seat hopefully we can wrap the 1600 up as soon as it warms up!

[egetaseb]

Hi grasshopper,

I just checked your website. I only saw one backrest for the 1500 Nomad. I am sorry for the silly question but is that the same one that will fit a mustang seat?

[grasshopper]

No I have not had the final word on the Mustang version will have by the weekend and I will add it to the site1 I sent two out and talked to one gut this morning he was going for a ride on Wed and would call me!

[Top Cat]

grasshopper, my wife has a Honda shadow 2008 C-2 with a solo seat off an Aero.
Will the shadow seat you advertise for the 1100 shadow work on this bike?
Also, how ya commin' on my special order ??? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif