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[TNCarters]

I liked mine all the way down as low as it would go to just rest against my lumbar back area but found I could not get a good enough grip to get it back out that low.  I've taken to leaving mine up at least one notch higher so I can grip the spring loaded post better if out on the road.  I've had to use channel locks on the spring post more than once to get it out.  HD makes a fancier spring loaded support with adjustment lever but don't think it fits under our stock seat.

[JoeVibe]

I removed mine before taking it home from the dealer...never used one.  It didn't have a spring but I've come to learn it was suppose to have one.  When I sold it to a member here on the site, they asked about the spring (that's how I found out it should have one).  I had never had a drivers backrest on any of my bikes so the spring was a new thing. 
The backrest was easy to remove HOWEVER that may be because of lack of said spring....

Speaking of backrests, if anyone requires the mounting hardware for the drivers backrest to fit a '14 on, I removed mine and it's available....

Hang on to it for me! If it'll work on my Road King I can use it.

[RGlideKid]

You think removing it is tough?  Wait till you try to get her back in!   

Seriously though, just be advised that you have three heights to set the rest at, plus 3 different forward/aft settings you can use.  Once you get the seat off, you'll see what I mean.

Everyone fiddles with that darn backrest...   

[ACfixer]

It fits nicely in the trash can once removed. 

[ultrarider123]

Hang on to it for me! If it'll work on my Road King I can use it.

You got it, Joe.  I replied to your PM.

[ultrafxr]

It fits nicely in the trash can once removed. 

Each to his / her own for sure.  That's why they make Fords and Chevys, Coke and Pepsi, chocloate and vanilla. heel shifters and toe shifters.  But for me the back rest is a must have item.  Just can't ride comfortably without it.   

[KVSteve]

I liked mine all the way down as low as it would go to just rest against my lumbar back area but found I could not get a good enough grip to get it back out that low.  I've taken to leaving mine up at least one notch higher so I can grip the spring loaded post better if out on the road.  I've had to use channel locks on the spring post more than once to get it out.  HD makes a fancier spring loaded support with adjustment lever but don't think it fits under our stock seat.

I'm thinking that it's just down too low to grab with my hands and finger tips aren't strong enough to compress the spring.
I'll try the channel lock when I get the bike back from the dealer.

[DesertHOG]

I've read through the manual and it shows a spring loaded attachement you just squeeze to remove from the bike.
There is no way this can be the same setup on the stock back rest with my new bike, it's solid and if it's "squeeze to remove" you must need to be superman.

Anyone know how to get these things out?

Thanks
Steve

ah, takes me back to 2007 when I bought my first Road Glide. How in the world do you remove that damn backrest? 
Let alone putting it back in place @@@! 

[OBB]

I'm thinking that it's just down too low to grab with my hands and finger tips aren't strong enough to compress the spring.
I'll try the channel lock when I get the bike back from the dealer.

Careful with those around the seat. You don't want to scratch or tear it up.

[KVSteve]

Careful with those around the seat. You don't want to scratch or tear it up.

I will tape the jaws with duct tape or electrical tape
 

[CVODON]

Sorry, but my 2000 RK had the same backrest and mount that my new bike has. You must have had an adjustable one on your earlier bike (14 years ago) but I was correct in my 16 year comment. I had a 2000, 2005, 2009, 2011 & 2015 and all were the same.

[Major Tom]

Have run with a backrest ever since I gave up exercise. I take mine off every time I remove the seat. Some are a little more difficult than others. Best not to squeeze them as it will only lead to tears. OBB has it right. If you slide your thumb down inside the gap in the seat as far as you can and push one side towards the other then rock until it engages the next notch up. Keep doing that and it will come out. Same deal reinstalling. Bit of stuffing around I know but it works and once you get the hang of it the process is pretty easy.

Cheers Tom

[King Glide]

I install and remove mine by removing the seat screw in the back and reaching under the seat. I found that method a hundred times easier than reaching into the hole from the top.

[CVODON]

This is amazing, how can something that is so easy confuse people to the point that one guy wants to throw it in the trash. I washed my bike today, it took less than 3 seconds (watched my clock) to remove the backrest from the lower mounting hole. No vise grips or channel locks, no removing the seat to gain access.
Look at the bracket and the backrest while you have the seat off, try it a few times without the seat in your way. This is too easy to cause this much grief.
I can't ride over a hundred miles without one due to the two back surgeries. As mentioned above been using one for 16 years and never had a problem getting it out, or in.

[KVSteve]

This is amazing, how can something that is so easy confuse people to the point that one guy wants to throw it in the trash. I washed my bike today, it took less than 3 seconds (watched my clock) to remove the backrest from the lower mounting hole. No vise grips or channel locks, no removing the seat to gain access.
Look at the bracket and the backrest while you have the seat off, try it a few times without the seat in your way. This is too easy to cause this much grief.
I can't ride over a hundred miles without one due to the two back surgeries. As mentioned above been using one for 16 years and never had a problem getting it out, or in.

Bike comes home tomorrow, will try it again as suggested now that I know a bit more about how it's installed
Part of the problem is that you can't see how it attaches, this post has made it clear so should be no problem now.