Modern Vespa

My GTS250ie is 1 year old Hobby riding 7,000km. Average 35k/litre

In that time I have had absolutely NO problems I am definitely a happy camper 8)

Bling etc:
- modified seat for my short legs
- LV exhaust
- Mirrors
- Jettin barbell ends
- S/Steel knee pads
- Flashing brake LED's
- Beeping indicators
- Stebel horn
- Rim stickers
- Levers (soon!)
- Wasp stickers on then off - just didn't work for me

If I may ask, what type of mods did you have done to the seat? I'm looking to buy my first Vespa, and, at 5'2", it's a tough reach to the pavement.

did you mention stainless steel knee pads?
got a picture of them?

I'm 62 inches (and three quarters) myself. I found that I did not have to have the seat shaved on an LX150 (able to get one foot down flat while seated). But did have to get it shaved on my new GTS 300ie Super.
I think the larger wheels on the GTS were the issue.
If your inseam length is at least 28" you should have no problems with the LX150 as is.

I guess "shaved" is the right term. The guy that did it was able to reduce the height by 2" and maintain the shape - made all the difference for me. Lots of guys have posted on where to get this done in the US...

Here you go...

Try Pirate Upholstery (http://www.pirateupholstery.com/). Several here have said good things about them. I sent them an email asking how much lower their options were. Here is the info they sent me. I am really considering it. They can send you a price quote if you email them. The prices are not cheap, but the seats look awesome on the website.

"The Lowered GTS seat still has the rain cover storage but it is altered
allowing us to lower it 1 3/4" to 2" and includes a Gel Pad. The Extra Low
GTS has an altered seat pan and the rain cover storage bin is removed
completely. With the Extra low seat you also lose some under seat storage
but the seat is lowered 3". The Bench seats are stock height and higher."

You can also search for some people (Buglake It think), who have shaved and/or lowered their seats themselves. You can also try the shock height. Position 1 is the lowest height. Look for a post from JimC with a good pic and description.

Where did you get those knee pads? Those are cool.

i am wondering where you got the pads from too, that is pretty cool. extra bling.

Before you do anything with seat height you may want to try this...sit a little forward in your seat...sometimes we move too far back (your butt may end up sitting on that little strap on the seat)...now if you look at where your legs are relative to the chasis / cowl...you legs are right over the widest part of your scoot. When you drop your feet...the cowl gets in the way...moving slightly foreward the chasis narrows and your foot drop distance increases. Another thing I found that helps you move towards a forward position is to put you feet slightly on the outside of the floor board and squat a little...just like riding a cruiser bike and not so upright...this might help you get into the forward position.

If this doesn't help then it's onto discussing seat height adjustment...

Please keep in mind that inseam is perhaps the overriding criteria when addressing seat height and appropriate foot drop distance...this is Part 1. (I have a 29.5 inseam and had my seat height reduced by ~ 1.5" and removed the rain cover housing)

Now on to seat nose tapering...Part 2.

Part 2 is to insure that the nose (width) of your seat is also tapered. Reducing the height will take away from the overall height and the foot drop may not be significantl since the width of the seat increased. You end up spreading you legs wider and lost the gain on your seat height reduction.

Hence you need to coordinate both...height reduction and tapering of width.

My personal resolution was Part 1 (with rain housing removal) and sitting forward...I may opt to have set tapered...it's a toss up right now).

Hope this helps!

Great job with describing what needs to be changed on the seat TB, thumbs up. By the way, is your seat leather? It is gorgeous.

Thanks! No it's vinyl...it's perfect for my needs...comfortable and minimal maintenance. Want to retain original if I move forward with the "nose job"...which it should.

Thanks Benny...take care!