Burgman 650: Back Rest Removal

I never liked the back rest that came with the Suzuki Burgman 650. It seemed so out of place; and in fact it was. A normal build person would not receive any support from the back rest, because it is either too far away from the pillion's butt or the pillion has to sit so far back, s/he would sit on the edge of the rear seat — a rather uncomfortable experience.

Since I hardly, if ever, ride with a pillion passenger, the next best thing was to remove the back rest altogether. Said, done!

I wondered around the Suzuki Burgman 650 thinking how the back rest would come. Well, wondering did not help, but a closer look did. 

Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive Back Rest: Before and After

Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive Back Rest On and Off

How to Remove the Back Rest

You may want to have a look at the pictures first, and try to make sense of the back rest assembly, before getting on with removing it.

Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive Back Rest Unveiled

Remove the two black clips facing the seat.

These are unlocked by pushing the centre pin in by some 3 mm, and then pulled out.

Then remove the coloured plastic piece you just removed the clips from, and pull it towards the seat.
It is interlocked with the backside of the rest on its left and right side. Apply sensible force not break anything.

Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive Back Rest: Front-facing Cover

Now Remove the Back Rest Cushion.

It has two plugs in its lower horizontal third, which rest in a larger rubber ring, and is also affixed to latch at the top.
To remove the backrest pull the lower part of the cushion slightly angled upwards and towards the seat. Once the two plugs popped out of the rubber ring, lift the cushion upwards, sliding it off the upper latch.

Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive Back Rest Cushion

Remove the Back Rest Rear Cover

The back side cover is affixed with four Philips cross head screws to the back rest frame. Remove these screws to remove the backside panel.

The last step is the removal of the frame. Simply remove the 3 hexagonal bolts. The frame can then be lifted off, and the rubber seal can be removed too.

Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive Back Rest Rear Cover and Frame

What to Do with the Empty Space?

There are three options:

1. Do nothing
2. Put rubber plugs on the three holes
3. Put a luggage rack on

I have chosen the third option. Since the rack — a genuine Suzuki part — is not available in Australia, I ordered it from the U.S.A. Here the description.

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