Modern Vespa

Also I read here that the Super's seat is firmer, but someone working at my dealer said they were the same except cosmetically.

Lastly the bore and stroke is (are?) different. How does that translate?

It could be better. You're restricted a bit with removing the hump as the plastic moulded underside dictates the profile somewhat.

Bore and stroke

Not sure what you are asking. Different from what?

Bore is the diameter of the cylinder.

Stroke is the distance the piston travels within the cylinder.

Is that what you were asking?

No. I find the GTS300 seat to be the least comfortable of the GT/GTS line.

The GT200 seat (which will fit nicely on a GTS frame) is, IMHO, the most comfortable.

I've seen various answers on other threads, but since Jess chimed in, perhaps he (or someone similarly knowledgable) can answer the following:

Is the plastic part of the GTS seat the same as the GT200? I ask because I had a local seat guy shave down the foam on my GTS seat and add a little padding to even it out even more... but I can still feel the hump under there.

1) Compared to the "regular GTS with the rear rack included.

2) How does the different bore and stroke figures of the two GTS models affect performance?

They're similar. AFAICT, the front half is the same and the hump is the same, but the rear part of the GT200 seat is cut out to accommodate the factory "duckbill" rack, while the GTS250/300 seat goes all the way down to completely cover the shroud surrounding the gas filler neck.

The padding, though, is different. It's sculpted differently, and I think the density is different. So while the hump is there in the seat pan of the GT200, the foam around it doesn't reinforce the hump so much.

In the CB2012 prep thread, I showed my seat pan modification where I de-humped the GT200 seat. Let me see if I can find that.

Here you go: start reading at this post, and work down:

https://modernvespa.com/forum/post1337089#1337089

Thanks. I may see if my seat guy is willing to try that. Barring that, I suppose I could always send it to Pirate (with a link to your thread) and pick it up when I am in the US in August.

We're talking about the extra seat I have thanks to my donor scooter, so no hurry.

If you are comparing the GTS300 Super to the GTS300, the bore and stroke are not different (75X63). Are you referring to the previous GTS250?

I much prefer the GTS seat to the GT. YMMV.

How about the GTS seat as compared to the LX (which I currently have).

I have two GT's and therefore two GT seats.
The black 2006 seat is considerably softer than the white 2005 seat, and I am beginning to prefer the harder one. More support for the long rides.

But both are fine. So much better than the split level seats with little seat backs on the BV or other maxi bikes. I cant stand those.

Unfortunately I've never sat on an LX so I can't help you there. Sorry!

VESP our not getting rid of the LX are you?

I had Pirate do a de-bump of my GTS seat, so I could sit further back: it was good for a couple of months, then his favored gel insert broke up and it became worse than ever.

I think I might be dahlink. I'm semi-retired now and will be riding more:

1) with more longer distances (over sometimes bumpy pavement and "possibly" on the freeway).

2) more riding double

3) truth told, I was sorry I didn't get red, so I can re-do that one too

I had Pirate shave the seat down 3 inches in front (I'm inseam challenged). Got the seat in April, so far no problems and I actually can put the balls of my feet on the pavement at a stop. The seat is much flatter than the stock seat, and it's comfortable enough. At age 62, nothing feels quite right anymore so I've given up trying to find seat perfection.

Only been riding two months, so not sure how much my opinion is worth, but I find the GTS 300 seat hump to be just a little bit too close to the front of the bike for perfect comfort (I am just under 6' tall). So sometimes I sit in front of it, and then when my legs get cramped, I sit ON it. But after a few miles that gets old, too. I tried sitting behind it for about 2 seconds, but found that I could not confidently steer with my arms stretched that far..... I have not attempted to ride with a passenger yet, perhaps when I do so I will find the hump to be perfectly suited for that.

I believe I have the same seat on my GTS 250 and I hate it. Needs more padding. Definitely thinking of sending my seat out to these guys to be
re upholstered and gel added. http://www.pirateupholstery.com/photos/scooterseats/#GT

P.S. I''m 5'9" and 150lbs. I consider the bump a non-issue. For it to bother me, I'd have be sitting back too far (and hurting my back in the process).

there is no "right" answer to the seat question as everyone is a little different.
I'm 6'2" and generally want to sit futher back than most, typically exactly where most manufactures put the "hump" that seporates the rider from the passenger sections. I also just switched from the flat GT200 seat to the stepped GTS seat (to change the rack, not because of the seat actually). Given that, you would think I would not like the GTS seat as well. As it turns out,
it doesn't really matter that much to me. Now whether that's because of the foam, the hump, or just my ass going numb from sitting on seats for years designed to fit someone else I can't say. It does suggest, however, that the only way to know for sure is for you is to sit on one because in the end, that's the only fit that matters.

When I had my 300 Super, I found the seat to be completely unbearable after 100 miles or so. I looked into having the seat redone, but the price scarred me off. I opted for the Airhawk seat cushion and have never looked back. May not add much on the looks end, but it completely changed my riding experience. Worth the money if you are looking for a relatively cheap improvement to your comfort. Also, it can be removed in about 10 seconds if you don't like the way it looks.

I've just done 450 miles in a day on my 300 Super Sport. The seat becomes uncomfortable at around 80 miles on it. The GT seat is definitely the most comfortable.

Wick,
Do you recall what size/model Airhawk you bought. The bum goes numb after just a few (50) miles while riding my GTS 300.

I have the medium cruiser size Airhawk and it works great on the GTS seat.

Why is that hump there? I have never felt comfortable on a scoot with a hump. Many scooters that I have been interested in have been eliminated because of that hump.

IMO the seats on earlier scooters were way more comfortable than the current models.

The intent I believe is to seporate and slighlty elevate the passenger from
the driver, there by avoiding the dreaded "I'm looking at the back of your head all the time" syndrome as well as helment slap at stops. That can work if you happen to be the exact size it was designed for (or smaller). If you are larger tho, the hump tends get in the way in general and limits your ability to move
around. On 100HP sport bikes, it can also keep you from sliding off tho on
22HP scooters that tends to be less of a problem.

I use the medium cruiser size as well. Best investment I have made for my scooter hands down.

Another note. There are two different types of Airhawk. The original Airhawk and the Airhawk 2. The difference is the bladder. The original has a thicker bladder and has a longer warranty. Look around online for the best price. Brick and mortar stores can charge as much as $200 for the original. I bought mine for less than $125 shipped. Also, look up Airhawk on youtube. That is what finally sold me on it.

I had a local upholsterer shave off the hump on the GTS 250 for around $80. He was able to keep the original material. Then when I traded it in for a 300 Scoot Richmond swapped the seat. That eliminated the piping as well.

GT. I found no need to adjust it. They sell for $60-150. I've bought and sold a half dozen and finally got my favored color. I liked them so much I had two in my stash. I sold the one I paid the most for to get most of my expense on it back. Then I sold my last backup to someone here. I'm thinking that was dumb. They're getting as common as hens teeth. Although one recently went for $100 on MV. A steal in the current market IMO.

I sold mine and I regret it even though I don't have an immediate need for it. It's a great seat.

That, and the specific spot in the seat where the hump is the most pronounced also allows clearance for helmets in the underseat bucket. Which is really a pity, since none of the helmets that people actually wear fit under there. But it allows Piaggio to publish pretty pictures with pretty (useless) copter helmets in the underseat bucket to show how convenient it would be.

'good point. Given the 3XL full-face I have to wear on my freakishly large head, the closest my lid ever gets to that bucket is to sit on top of it. My daughter's helmet does fit with the bucket of her XL50 tho. Then again,
I think her helmet could almost fit inside mine was well.....

I think the GTS Super seat is comfortable as far as padding goes, but since I'm 6'4" with a 36" inseam, I cannot sit back far enough for knee comfort with the hump.

I traded another MV member my Super seat for their GT200 seat and rack and have been very happy. I've also acquired a matching backrest from another member that I'll install when I get some free time.