Stelvio Seat

[smdl]

Hi, folks.

My recently-purchased 2012 Stelvio has a Russell Day Long seat on it that is immensely comfortable,  but extra-challenging for my 30" inseam.  I'll probably keep the RDL for longer trips, but would like to pick up a stock seat to use for short rides around town.   I'm wondering if all Stelvio seats are the same,  or if the design changed with the larger tank on the NTX?  Also, if anyone has a seat they are willing to part with, I'd be very interested.

Thanks,
Shaun

[leafman60]

The first generation Stelvio appears to have a different, though similar, seat. Attachment design is different.

The Russell is the best seat available, period. They can modify it and cut it down by removing the internal leaf spring but it will not be as comfortable.

Have you considered having your riding boots re-soled with shimmed-up, thicker soles?  No joke. A Stelvio friend of mine did just that.  A shoe shop added about an inch to his boot soles. He looked like a cool dude in platform shoes walking about but the extra inch really helped him on the bike.

He used to joke, "Now if I could only add another inch to..."


 

[smdl]

Thanks for the seat info -- I suspected as much.  I'll keep watching for one from a later model.   I wouldn't want to change the Russell seat, except possibly to recover it in a material closer to original  (the grey vinyl they used isn't a great match).

With regard to the boots, I am looking for some that have a bit thicker sole, but not to the point of being disco platforms.   :BEER:  I'm also considering lowering the bike, a bit, as I don't plan to take it off road much.  What Is causing me to hesitate is the need to modify the stands.  I'd really prefer not to do that.

Thanks,
Shaun

[Lannis]

With regard to the boots, I am looking for some that have a bit thicker sole, but not to the point of being disco platforms.   :BEER:  I'm also considering lowering the bike, a bit, as I don't plan to take it off road much.  What Is causing me to hesitate is the need to modify the stands.  I'd really prefer not to do that.

Thanks,
Shaun

I dropped my '09 an inch, by ordering an inch-shorter rear shock from Todd E. to replace the sacked-out stocker, and by replacing the front springs with higher-rate ones and sliding the fork tubes up in the clamps an inch.

The sidestand still works fine.    A little bit less "lean" but just as stable as it was before, so no modifications planned.

It IS harder to get up on the centerstand.   But since I don't use the centerstand unless I'm in the shop, I just have a 6" long piece of 1 x 4 laying to the side; I roll the back wheel up on that when I want to work on the bike, and it goes right up on the stand like before.   To save that little hassle, I really need to have a welder take a 1" piece out of the stand right above the foot.   But I probably won't bother ....

Lannis

[smdl]

Good information, Lannis, thanks.  Your comment about "sacked-out" suspension is interesting.  I'm not sure how much the suspension has changed from the earlier Stelvios to current, but my suspension seems very good, still, with about 28000 kms on the bike.  I'll need to monitor how things progress.

With regard to the rear shock, do you know the source?  Was it aftermarket or from another Guzzi?  I ask as I have heard that a Griso shock is a good solution to lower the Stelvio.

Thanks,
Shaun

[Lannis]

Good information, Lannis, thanks.  Your comment about "sacked-out" suspension is interesting.  I'm not sure how much the suspension has changed from the earlier Stelvios to current, but my suspension seems very good, still, with about 28000 kms on the bike.  I'll need to monitor how things progress.

With regard to the rear shock, do you know the source?  Was it aftermarket or from another Guzzi?  I ask as I have heard that a Griso shock is a good solution to lower the Stelvio.

Thanks,
Shaun

It was from Guzzitech "RacerX" Todd Eagan, who has a site where he provides such things like custom-length and custom-sprung shocks to your order.    I can't remember the brand now, only that I wanted the bike 1" lower and I wanted capability for a 450# payload.   It works great .....

Lannis

[Wayne Orwig]

I dropped my '09 an inch, by ordering an inch-shorter rear shock from Todd E. to replace the sacked-out stocker, and by replacing the front springs with higher-rate ones and sliding the fork tubes up in the clamps an inch.

The sidestand still works fine.    A little bit less "lean" but just as stable as it was before, so no modifications planned.

I find this interesting. My 09 as it originally came was pretty vertical on the sidestand. It was often a concern when fueling up that it might fall over. After getting a better rear spring the sidestand is now useable I get a reasonable lean. Yet you lowered yours, and you are OK with it. I wonder what is different.

[rdbandkab]

I'll take better footing over 1 inch more of travel anytime.   

[smdl]

It was from Guzzitech "RacerX" Todd Eagan, who has a site where he provides such things like custom-length and custom-sprung shocks to your order.    I can't remember the brand now, only that I wanted the bike 1" lower and I wanted capability for a 450# payload.   It works great .....

Lannis

Thanks, Lannis.  I know Todd was using HyperPro for a while, so it might have been that.  Does it have a purple spring?

Shaun

[Lannis]

Thanks, Lannis.  I know Todd was using HyperPro for a while, so it might have been that.  Does it have a purple spring?

Shaun

I found the box - it's a Penske rear shock ....

... I took a picture of the lean angle of the bike on the sidestand for Wayne but somehow my computer won't upload to Photobucket today, so I'll put it up when I can ....

Lannis

[smdl]

I found the box - it's a Penske rear shock ....

... I took a picture of the lean angle of the bike on the sidestand for Wayne but somehow my computer won't upload to Photobucket today, so I'll put it up when I can ....

Lannis

Thanks, Lannis.  Penske make a great shock!

Shaun