V7C seat,etc.

[rbond]

Sunday was my birthday, took Monday off from work and went for a long ride. After an hour, my butt was hurting bad and so was my legs from the too high foot pegs. Only bright spot was getting 56mpg on this trip! The stock seat sucks, I put a strap on pad from Wal mart for atv's. Also stuffed a small piece of foam where the drivers bottom would be. For some reason Guzzi thins the already thin seat even more where the rider sits. I am 5'7" and even with the extra padding, have no trouble flat footing it when stopped. So, any suggestions on improving the seating? I do have some handlebar risers for up and back, have not installed yet, waiting to replace fuel filter first.

[Toecutter]

New bike? Old bike?

If it's a new bike, new seat... the solution is "suck it up and ride it, and it will soon cup your ass like an angel's hands"

If it's old... bring it to a good upholsterer... and don't pay extra for gel pads, they're garbage.

My wife and I made a couple sheepskin seat covers for ours, super cheap, super easy to put on and off. Makes long hauls (600+ km a day) a bit easier.

[sign216]

The Airhawk seat pad made a world of difference for me.  It's a lot cheaper than a custom seat, than it really does work.
It fills (slightly) with air, and one tip is put next to no air in it.  Almost none, but that's what feels best for the long rides.

It's easy to take off, and after 3/4 of the day, you can remove it, and it's like having a fresh seat again.

Joe

https://airhawk.net

[Kiwi_Roy]

I bought some lowered pegs for my Griso from these guys, made the world of difference.

http://www.knightdesignllc.com

[malik]

An Airhawk is worth trying, but I didn't like the extra height (5'11 with a 32" inseam). Pillions prefer it though. When the v7 had standard pegs & bars, I found the cafe seat to be more comfortable - more padding & narrower across the front. Once I installed the rear sets & low bars, and adjusted them appropriately, both seats were equally comfortable.

I did luck out on finding a barely used comfort seat secondhand. It is slightly softer, a little more padding, and the cover material is a lot softer. I don't know which of the many versions it actually is, there's nothing written on it, but I've attached photos.








Note that the Racer III's cafe seat is plusher & more comfortable that the standard cafe seat, although I've only experienced it for a short demo ride.

Also note that the standard cafe seat used to be extraordinarily cheap - at one time it was selling for as little as 45 Euros.

[sign216]

An Airhawk is worth trying, but I didn't like the extra height (5'11 with a 32" inseam).

Isn't that funny.  I'm 5'8" 29" inseam, and don't notice the extra height at all.  And w're both riding V7s.

[gerryp]

Isn't that funny.  I'm 5'8" 29" inseam, and don't notice the extra height at all.  And w're both riding V7s.

I'm the same height and inseam length, might have to give the air hawk a shot.  The stock seat is killing my butt.

[TimmyTheHog]

New bike? Old bike?

If it's a new bike, new seat... the solution is "suck it up and ride it, and it will soon cup your ass like an angel's hands"

If it's old... bring it to a good upholsterer... and don't pay extra for gel pads, they're garbage.

My wife and I made a couple sheepskin seat covers for ours, super cheap, super easy to put on and off. Makes long hauls (600+ km a day) a bit easier.

pretty much this...

as for sheepskin, I wrap my bike with fur towel...yes I am cheap lol, and that gained more comfort.

An Airhawk is worth trying, but I didn't like the extra height (5'11 with a 32" inseam).

I tried Airhawk once before by putting my buddy's on my bike to try. The only time I really felt "tall" is when I was on gravel road as a few area I tried to put my foot down and almost slipped...but honestly wasn't THAT much difference.

I am 29 Inseam and I had the airhawk aired up maybe 1/4 of way?

I bought some lowered pegs for my Griso from these guys, made the world of difference.

http://www.knightdesignllc.com

I was looking at those...but did you have to mod the tip of the pedals to get them lower?

[valval]

I have a 2013 stone. I put the moto guzzi 1.5 seat on it which wasn't comfortable but let's me slide back. I tried different foams and the best one I found is from sargents seats.   The foam comes in 1/2 inch and one inch thick rolls .  I ordered the 1/2 inch foam and cut out one inch of the foam from the seat . I put 1/2 inch layer Down and then the next 1/2 inch layer I cut a slot down the middle to relieve the pressure on my private parts. This seems to have done the trick. I have Knights design 1 3/8 Inch lower foot pegs and 1 inch Genmar risers . Bike is pretty comfy now. I am 6' 3" , 36 " inseam.

[kingoffleece]

Properly inflated, which is almost zero air, a AirHawk should only add 1/4 to 1/2 inch max height.  I'm surprised to read that it's making a seat too high.   Just asking, but you folks are sure it's not overinflated, which can add over 2 inches?

Gerry, you can install your seat cover OVER the AirHawk after you get the correct amount of air.  It will hold it in place better, and, of course, keep it dry.  Look at some of Jim's bikes-that what he does over both sheepskin and Airhawk.

When I picked up my V7 from Hamlin I packed my AirHawk along just in case for the 400 mile trip home.  100 miles in I needed it!  The stock seat is a torture device.  A big part of it is due to shape.  Convex and seating comfort don't play well together.