What's a good price for a Pirate's Lair R1150R Backrest?

[Stevester]

A guy at the office has one of the now-discontinued Pirate's lair R1150R backrests for sale. He's got a '03 bike but likes the looks better sans the tail/luggage rack pieces.

http://www.piratesk12site.net/1150.htm

They originally sold for $345 but he's asking $245. It's in good condition.
What do you all think is a good price for something like this? I guess I'm leaning towards buying it even though it doesn't quite match the Rick Mayer leather saddle.

[sjbmw]

Pirate stopped making them, I am unsure if they can be bought new anymore.
It's hard to decide a "fair used price" on a specialty item, if only used ones are available.
I'd say $245 is in the ballpark if it's got no damage, and I needed one.

Part of the price consideration is what's it worth to be without one?
If you had to look for 6-12-18 months for another one would whoever you want it for no care?



FYI: In Aug 2003, I took my Honda Nighthawk with a Hondaline backrest and my kid on the back to the BMW dealer to test ride the R1150R. I left my kid standing there and rode off.
When I got back he offered to install a Pirate Rest (they were backordered on Pirate's site then don't know where he got it) and roll it into the financing. sold. The guy knew what he was doing.

[tlwood28]

I am pretty sure I read somewhere that the Pirate's Lair backrest was made by Sargent, and that Pirate's Lair discontinued the product in part because the cost to manufacture was so high (at least for the volume sold). The fabric on the PL backrest matches the Sargent fabric on its seats. In any event, you might try giving Sargent a call and see if they have them for sale.

It is a very well made piece, and incorporates seemlessly under the OEM luggage rack that also serves to reinforce the backrest. It is easy on and off.

The only other options I know of is to buy a Corbin seat and adding their backrest, buying a cargo plate from BestRestProducts.com and adding one of their backrests, or buying a top case. I don't know about the top case option, but the other two will cost you considerably more, will be no more functional, and will look must worse, that the Pirate's Lair backrest. In my view, the Pirate's Lair backrest is the only way to go. My wife doesn't like to ride on the back of the bike without it.

These are the kind of things that if uninjured is indistinguisable from new. If that is the case here, I would say that $245 is a very fair price for a hard to find item. Of course, as SJBMW suggested, a better price could be had if you are willing to wait for someone to offer one on eBay, or here, but I have only seen one offered on eBay over the last year and I don't remember at what price.

If you buy one, be sure you get the plate that fits under the OEM backrest. Without it you have nothing.

Best regards,

Tom W.

[harveyrawn]

It might be a fair price if it's worth it to you. I bought a used one in excellent condition last year for $100, which seemed to be about the market price for them at the time.

[tlwood28]

I guess its all about supply and demand. $100--about 25% of retail--is a steal.

[rockstercliff]

Bought a 2 pc. Sargent seat for the Rockster a few years ago off of flea-bay, the backrest came with it, paid 350.00 for everything. My wife wont ride without it, i would offer 200.00 for it, I really like mine, it bolts in very sturdy with the hand knob, cool accessory.

[Stevester]

Well there are no killer $100 deals coming my way and I'm not going to replace the Rick Mayer seat that I bought earlier this year, so I went ahead and picked up the Pirate's Lair backrest for $245. My rider likes it so far, we'll see what she has to say after tomorrow's all-day trip to http://www.meersstore.com/, the Wichita Mountains, Medicine Lodge, and http://www.chapsmyass.com/.
Just need to go to the hardware store and pick up a bolt to use in place of the easily-removed knob.

Anybody want to buy an original BMW tail bag? Can't use it and the backrest at the same time.
I'll probably pick up the tail bag from the Pirate's lair that they advertise to go with the backrest.

[pdiambri]

If you know anyone that wants to get rid of their Pirate's Lair Backrest have them contact me. I have a 2004 R1150R. 847.217.2800 [email protected]

[chibbert]

Wish there was something like this for my R1150RS. I had the pirate's lair backrest for my R1150R and my wife really liked it.