Commonly referred to as a “sissy bar,” a motorcycle backrest is an accessory that many riders prefer to do without, simply because some backrests look ugly and can devalue your bike.

But a backrest is almost essential if you’re travelling with a passenger. Not only does a backrest improve the passenger's safety, but it will also make the ride more enjoyable for her or him. Plus, it can double as an anchor to store a spare helmet or extra gear.

But if you still don’t want to put a bulky backrest on your bike, Burly Brand—which is a motorcycle accessory and parts company based in La Palma, California—just came out with a backrest that is simple and streamlined. And it installs in 20 minutes.

TIG welded and powder coated, the Burly Classic One-Piece Sissy Bar mounts to the outside of fender rails and it comes with all the hardware required to install it. It is available in a short or tall version; the tall version comes with a compact pad. The Burly Classic One-Piece Sissy Bar is designed for Harley-Davidson Sportsters and it will fit all models from 2004 to 2014. And more applications are on the way. 

In Canada, Burly Brand products are distributed through Parts Canada.