I have the Add On (Big Bike) arm rests that attach to the passenger hand holds. I like them because they do not mount to the trunk antenna mounts, hence can cause damage to the trunk in a tip over, wreck, etc. The trunk mount styles also need to be swung out in order to open the trunk. Not so with the ADD ON passenger handle mounted style. A BIG plus IMHO.

The only negative comment about them is that the nylon tension washer they supply in the swivel base will wear out soon. No problem. easy to replace with washers available at any hardware store.

We love 'em.

Ride safe.

 

We have & like the Big Bike Parts armrests. As mentioned above, the plastic/nylon washers will have to be replaced. I used aluminum washers, from the local hardware store. Don't have to worry about them rusting. With the BBP armrests, you don't have to swing them outward, to open the trunk. Some other brands(not sure which ones), you have to swing both armrests out, to open the trunk lid. We have covers on ours.

 

Ditto on the BBP A/R. Wife loves 'em, left side is starting to wear from swinging out to mount/dismount, but like mentioned before, washers are easy to replace.
Go for it, she'll love 'em!! :wink:

 

armrest

I have the kury armrest. You do have to swing them out to open trunk all the way. I like the way they look better, but can be an inconvenience. Try to find some bikes to look at and compare.

 

How many are there out there with cup holders?

 

arm rests

The only problem with the handle mount arm rests is they mess up your seat. They leave a great big impression on it. Also great care needs to be taken when removing the seat handles or the arm rest will scratch the heck out of the saddle bags from flipping down when one of the bolts are removed. I now have a new custom seat and I don't want to use them
because I can't sell the seat with out the arm rests due to the large impressions.

Doug

 

I have Khrome Werks driver backrest and passenger armrests installed. They install under the passenger handles. They don't interfere with trunk opening. Easy to install and look good. They come 3 different ways, 1. Armrests alone, 2. backrest alone or 3. a one unit combination of both. I haven't had them long enough to have any washer problems likd some describe but if it happens it appears to be the same fix as others. Their web site is http://www.khromewerks.com/

 

Re: arm rests

The only problem with the handle mount arm rests is they mess up your seat. They leave a great big impression on it. Also great care needs to be taken when removing the seat handles or the arm rest will scratch the heck out of the saddle bags from flipping down when one of the bolts are removed. I now have a new custom seat and I don't want to use them
because I can't sell the seat with out the arm rests due to the large impressions.

Doug

Doug:

Have had the BB AddOn handle mount arm rests for 3 years and no impressions in my stock seat. If you have a custom seat, maybe that could be a problem.

Whatever works.

 

I have the Big Bike/Showchrome ones also. (probably the same as the Add-On version). They do have their drawbacks as mentioned, but what doesn't?

The Kury is definitely the best looking, but as usual, they didn't do their homework, and having to move them out of the way to open the trunk would get old real quick.

The Butler Mug holder, (IMO the best out there), mounts to the Big Bike armrests quite easily.

 

arm rests

No never used them with the custom I won't. If you just mount the arm rests the plate that goes againast the seat hole to hole makes a heck of a mark when you take it off. Maybe mine could be show chrome. Bought them from Venco but they look exactly the same.

D

 

i had the kury, they had to be moved out of the way to open the trunk. very annoying.

I tried to take them off and the main swivel pin broke off in the cone shaped retaining nut.

don't want to use them anymore and now my bike is all chewed up installing the mounting brackets.

oh well... live and learn.

 

I am also looking for arm rests. It looks like none are avalible that don't have at least one downside. I don't like the idea of having to swing them out to open the trunk. I don't want to buy one where everyone warns to not lean too hard on them. Leaving marks on my seat....I don't think so. I have a Hondaline CB passenger PTT button and it looks like that won't work with the Big Bike arm rests. My wife loved having the arm rests on our 1500. It looks like we will have to do without armrests until the next generation of Goldwings.

 

Don't let these comments discourage you. I would think that most people would agree that most of the downsides mentioned are minor. (except for having to move them to open the trunk.

Yes, the one marketed through Big Bike Parts (Add-On/ShowChrome is not perfect, but it does the job. The marks left on the side of the seat will only be a factor if you remove them. The foam may even relax with time. The Goldwing seat doesn't last that long anyway. The PTT switch can be relocated. Do a search on how to do it right here.

It has been a worry for many years (going way back to the GL1500) that armrests mounted on the trunk at the antenna mounts could result in a cracked trunk, and it makes sense considering the leverage the armrests have. But in the 5 years the bike has been out, I have not read of anyone actually having a problem, so the trunk is apparently stronger than people think it is.

The only time the Show Chrome ones really annoy me is when I have to remove the seat. It makes an easy job a bit of a hassle having to take the armrests off. It can also be a pain to clean the area around the handle.

Don't avoid them completely. Just pick what is most important to you and decide from that.

I wonder if anyone here has CAD experience. We should design our own perfect armrest and show the mfrs how it should be done. :lol: Then once that is done...........

 

Marks on seat from armrest

The grab handles as I recall have a cone that fits into a matching indent in the seat. Would it be possible to make 4 conical spacers that go between the armrest bracket and the seat? And I have CAD experience if someone has an idea for a different design.

 

I thought about that awhile back, and I'm sure that Big Bike parts did too. The problem is safety. Those grab handles need to be rigidly mounted to the frame. If you start adding spacers you will likely degrade the integrity of the mount.

 

Has anyone looked at or tried the ones from honda?