Modern Vespa

I'm finally trying out a GTS250, and the only thing that I don't like about it so far in the few miles I've ridden it is the seat height.

I tried to do a search here on MV to see if anyone had found a lower seat, but I couldn't find anything. Has anyone tried a Corbin, or cut their seat down, or purchased a custom lower seat? If this were my scooter, it would be my very first purchase or project. As I mentioned on Vespaway, the seat pan on the GTS seat has a removeable "hump" under that front bump in the nose of the seat (it's where the rain cover is stored), but even if that is removed, there's still a bump in the pan and not much foam to be able to cut away an inch or so and still have something comfy to sit on. Plus it slants downward toward the front when the hump is removed.

Since it's a loaner from Vespa, I guess I'll keep tippy-toeing it rather than taking the electric knife to it... but if maybe someday I got a GTS, it would be nice to know their are lower-seat options.

In the meantime, I'm wearing my platform boots when I ride.

thanks for any insight!

Crystal

bumping up before this goes flying off the page.

No one has found a lower seat solution? or was this discussed already and I just can't find it?

Crystal

Hey Crystal -

I'm also "inseam challenged" and have been watching for replies to your post.
I could flatfoot with knees slightly bent on my Ducati Monster but I'm on tiptoes on my new GTS.... Just doesn't seem right.
Hope someone comes up with some suggestions.

Ralph

thanks for your answer Ralph!

I've tried something today that worked without hurting the aesthetic of the scooter. I did about a 15 mile ride with maybe 10 to 12 stops, and it really improved my confidence at the stops. It's not perfect (I still wish it were shorter overall), but it worked for me and I'm going to continue to try it for more rides.

Due to the nature of my business, I had an extra GTS seat that I was willing to take some of the staples out of to try this. I really didn't want to cut down the seat, so I thought I'd try another tactic. Remember that "bump" I mentioned in the nose of the GTS seat? I took it out, and put in a piece of memory foam to help keep the shape, and then replaced the cover. Now the nose is super duper squishy, so when I'm at a stop, I shift forward as I normally do, and can reach the ground fairly well. When I ride, I sit back further so it doesn't interfere with my comfort - and I'm fairly certain it doesn't interfere with my safety (or I wouldn't do it), but try it at your own risk! I also don't know if this voids any kind of warranty.

I tried it without re-stapling at first, just to make sure it would work. You don't have to remove all the staples, just enough around the front to get at the bump. I don't know if in the long term the seat will start to look baggy. I'm hoping the memory foam will help with that. OH, and I disconnected the rain cover and just put it under the seat. It's held on only with about five or six loose stitches of thread.

When you sell your GTS, you can just put the bump back in, and even re-sew the rain cover back on.

Let me know if you try it!

Crystal

p.s. sorry that the photos got posted in a roundabout order.

I saw someone post about how they lowered the seat on their scooter by shaving the bottom of the seat foam. Sorry I can't be more helpful, but I've been scouring this website and don't recall where i saw it. But thre is a visible picture where the guy shaved the seat bottom. It seemed to work for him.

-Whoops, didn't realize it was a loaner!

Hi Wangta01, thanks for your reply!

I've cut down an ET seat before with success, but yes, since it's a loaner I'm going to avoid permanent "fixes." Still, if you happen to find that link to the GTS seat being cut down, do let me know! I tried all kinds of search word combinations without any luck.

I know this isn't ideal either, but after riding 2-up on the BV for a few days with the MRS I realized that I can now flat-foot due to my setting the rear shocks for two people. You may want to try adjusting the pre-load to lower the rear end. Obviously this can change the handling characteristics of the bike - so be careful!

Less junk in your trunk! Hehe.


Now lets get down to the serious business here.....how long is the GTS on loan? Has it made you want to upgrade? Is Vespa REALLY sure they don't need any more official bloggers?

LOL Lynn - You can always ask Vespa about joining in as a blogger. I only have the GTS for a few weeks. I would LOVE to have a GTS, but not enough to put out the money for it at this point. Maybe when it's been out a few years and the used prices start falling into my plane of affordability. I really do love my ET4 and it has a lot of miles left and has enough spunk and speed for my type of riding. I like that it's 90 pounds lighter (I still have a shoulder healing from being hit a couple years ago; I've noticed it when I take the GTS off the center stand or have to push it at all).

a bit of a side note: I wrote to the Corbin folks and they said they are looking to make a GTS seat. Just like with their other bike seats, they are asking for someone in the Hollister, CA area to let them borrow a scooter, in exchange, you get a free Corbin seat for your GTS.

Looks like kerry@corbin.com is the right place to send a note.
Kerry Martinez
Corbin Pacific, Inc.
R&D Assistant

- Crystal

We had that on here a while back ... but I don't think any GTS owners are ready to give up their seat for 3 weeks. Maybe they will get a bite this winter!

Thanks for the pictures Crystal. I didn't even realize that there was a "structure" (other than really firm foam) under the bump! It's not shown in the Parts Book. Surprise !!
I really wouldn't miss the rain cover at all but I would not like to lose the appearance and texture of the tan seat material. Using memory foam sounds good I think but you know more about this than I do.
It's encouraging that Corbin is interested in this (if I lived on the west coast I'd lend them my bike! I think Sargent might be interested also, and they may be willing to do custom work.
I think i might try to talk to auto upholsterers in the St. Louis area and see if any have expertise in two wheeler seats (or saddles as Harley riders call them).

Ralph

Sargent makes nice seats. My husband just got a Sargent seat for a Suzuki Vstrom and it looks quite attractive with its red piping on the black seat. It is soooo much better looking (and more comfortable) than the Vstrom stock seat. If they would do one for the GTS, I would strongly consider buying one whereas I am not interested in a Corbin seat.

Karen

Crystal,

I just installed a new Corbin Seat on my GT200L, and it definitely sits lower now, I would guess by an inch, maybe a bit more.
This makes a HUGE difference to me. I am 5'9", but with only a 27 inch inseam, so I really notice the difference..

Just my 2 cents worth...

Ernie

Ernie -

Any chance that you could post a picture of the bike with the Corbin seat? I know it won't be anything close to what a possible GTS seat would look like.... but I'm curious.

Thanks,
Ralph

Since I think Crystal is away from her computer, this is just a BUMP to keep this topic visible a bit longer. There must be other "tippie toe" GTS owners out there.
So if you have thoughts on mods for lower seat for GTS, Corbin seat, Sargent seat or "Other", please post.
Jess, I hope that bumping is not a breach of etiquette (couldn't find anything in the rules)..... anyway, I won't bump this thread again.

Ralph

I usually use this:


Just include the following in your post:

Here's a pic of my Corbin saddle. It's been shaved one inch, and in this pic you can compare it to the height of the blue GT and the red GTS next to mine (the white one.)

What does "BUMP" mean?

It means to post an insignificant comment in a post so that it will be "bump"ed back to the top of the page, making it current and getting people to see it. Usually done when an important thread (or one that you have a vested interest in) has fallen off the main page or is about to do so.

Thanks Jess.... Now I feel much more like a member of the group
But I still want to hear from the short folks !!!

Ralph

Yes. I like it, looks good !! If they can do that for the GTS and offer it in something like the tan material on the Black (Nero) model..... I'm in !!

Don't think we need the rain cover.

Ralph

That Corbin seat looks great. I tippy toe, but I'm getting used to it. I have a 29" inseam and can't put both feet flat on the street. The only time it has been an issue is once at the gas station I had to stop and put one foot down. I should have looked first but didn't and put my toe down in someone's oil puddle causing me to slip. Fortunately I didn't drop my scooter, but did get a bit of a pulled muscle in my left groin. I think had I been taller and been able to just place my whole foot down I would have had a better chance at not slipping.

Last edited by Benito on Thu Sep 14, 2006 5:19 am; edited 1 time in total

Did you mean "if you sell you GTS" ?
This ride is an absolute keeper, me no sell!

I'm 5ft 6 and have no issues, actually prefer sitting higher in traffic.

BTW Nice corbin Len!

Len, that seat looks nice. Did you ask them to lower it one inch, or is that how it comes standard? I know they can customize seats to your specifications and was wondering if you ordered it that way. I prefer the height of the stock seat and just wanted to know for future reference.

Thanks,
Karen

I have a 29" inseam, and asked them to lower it 1". I can put both feet flat on the ground now when I stop, which I really like.

Len

Len, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the comfort and quality of the cut down Corbin as compared to the stock seat. I suspect they'll have a similar seat for the GTS by next spring.

Ralph

Ive made a few. And was able to keep the rain cover. The hardest part to work around is that there is already very little foam where you sit

The Corbin saddle for the GT is comfortable, and I like the way it's scooped out a little more so you sit with the small of your back up against the scoop.

I like the material on the new GTS saddle, because it looks less slippery than the leather I chose for the Corbin saddle.

All in all, it's a good solid saddle for the money.

How much was it pray tell?

http://www.corbin.com/vespa/gt.shtml

Click on the order tab. It shows a price of $299.

Hi Len,

When I called Corbin about a month ago, I was told they couldn't make a lower seat. I am hoping they told me that because I didn't make it clear that I was asking for a custom seat or that I would (depending on the cost, of course) be willing to pay extra for that modification.

I guess I am asking how you went about getting your seat and whether it was prohibitive to have it done. I feel the least comfortable on my GT when it's stopped because I can't put my feet down all the way, and a 29" high seat would make a huge difference for me.

Thanks!

Robyn

Robyn,

You might try back again and tell them you want their custom GT seat with a nose job. When I ordered a Corbin seat for my Suzuki and asked for it lowered, they said that was called a nose job. Sometimes just talking to a different person helps.

I also find the GT stock seat a tad high for me and would love to find a way to lower it or get a custom saddle type seat like Len.

Hey Len, does Corbin consider it customizing to lower it by an inch? If so, did you pay extra?

Has anyone had a custom Sargent seat made for their GT/GTS?

I am 5'5" and 150 lbs, with a 28" inseam (a true inseam, no imagination at work here). The seat height of motorcycles has always been a problem I have had to deal with over the years. Especially with BMWs and off road bikes. I wouldn't know how to act if I could flat foot a motorcycle. I once owned a Yamaha VStar Custom 650, flat footed with knees bent, 25" seat height. Sold the bike real quick, hated the cruiser look and handling of the bike.
Anyways, I have always taken the seats off of my bikes and had a local furniture and car seat recoverer take out some of the foam and reshape the seat. The difference was usually a half inch to an inch. Doesn't seem like much but it makes a big difference.
Also, I have always worn boots with a substantial heel while riding, never a flat soled boot or shoe. Never a heel so large that it made me appear that I "wanted to be taller". Thats my little secret.

There is a very big difference between riding a motorcycle tippy toed and a scooter tippy toed. At least on a scooter you can move off of your seat in a sticky situation.
Later
Terry

Last edited by trider on Wed Dec 20, 2006 5:45 am; edited 1 time in total

This topic was discussed a while back. The folks at Corbin are looking for a GTS rider to volunteer their Scoot. In return they will get a free seat. A CA rider should go for this. Please see the email response from Corbin:

Hi John -

Thanks for your interest in our product. I am actually looking for someone to loan us their Vespa GTS so that we can make a saddle for it. Are you located anywhere near (or within drop-off distance to) Hollister, California? If so, we'd love to borrow your scooter when you get it.

We have a program in place where I find people that are interested in letting us borrow their vehicle for development purposes. Saddles are usually a 4 week loan. In exchange for your generosity, we give you the first production piece we make for your bike or scooter.

As far as the height / clearance of the saddle goes, that is very dependant of that is very dependant on the structure of the frame on the scooter. We really try to get the saddle as low as is physically possible and yet comfortable for the scooter itself by dishing the basepan and foam. I've seen some scooters that have a post directly under the saddle area that would preclude our being able to lower the saddle great amounts, but we'd really have to look at the frame to know better.

If this is something that would work for you - please let me know. You can contact me directly at 1-800-538-7035 x275. If you are not within the range to bring your scooter in yourself, spreading the word that we're looking for a loaner would help get the saddle to market.

Thanks -
Kerry

I got it a couple of weeks ago, and it has made a big difference in my ride. While I cannot completely flat-foot (it must have to do with the width because I have a 30" inseam but am narrow), I definitely feel much more nimble and comfortable. Part of the problem I had with the GT200 stock seat was that bump where the rain cover goes -- it always got in my way), but now I can move easily back and forth on the seat, and that's given me way more confidence and comfort.

I now feel the way I did on my old Honda Aero 50 (in other words, very at one with the bike), except I go much faster, and of course, the GT is more elegant.

Congrats Rweisman,

Nothing beats feelin good on the scoot.

x

So the Corbin seat for the GT200 wont bolt right onto a GTS I take it?

I have heard that a GT200 seat can be fit to a GTS250, but not the other way around.

I've asked Corbin for custom heights in the past and have always been accomdated. Just tell them at time of order that you want the driver's section one inch lower than standard.

Hello Robyn, if you get a chance can you post pictures of your new Corbin seat? And if I can ask, how much did you pay total?