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Scooters - 125 to 300 => People GT 300i => Topic started by: Mscmkr on May 18, 2014, 01:45:37 AM

Title: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: Mscmkr on May 18, 2014, 01:45:37 AM
Hey everyone, I am currently looking to buy a People GT 300i and have test ridden 2 of them so far. I would love to have everyone's input on the seat. I own a Like 200i and really love the bike but the seat is horrible! I am trying to modify one right now and not having any luck so far.
    If you guys can give me as much info as possible on what you like or dislike about the seat I would really appreciate it.

   Thanks everyone and ride safe, mscmkr
Title: GT seat needs improvement
Post by: boo on May 18, 2014, 02:38:19 PM
Riding around for short runs you don`t notice anything, If you stay in the saddle for hours, it hurts your butt.
Most motor scooter seats are like this. Padding is not very good. Built for looks.
Lots of scooter riders use seat pads on many different kinds of scoots. I think scooter seats should be built right from the get go. How much would it add to the price of a scoot to put a couple of layers of gel pad in the saddle, $5.?.
Also, seats that let you slide forward, well, suck.
Apparently, people that build them don`t ride them.
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: AMAC1680 on May 18, 2014, 03:19:08 PM
IMO most scooter seats well, suck.
I have an Airhawk on all my rides.

Be Big,
AMAC
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: karl utrecht on May 18, 2014, 04:18:58 PM
I ride an '12 GT with a Ease-Back riders' backrest on it. I also have a black sheepskin on the seat that does the job for me. I routinely ride for an hour to an hour and a half without dismounting, so I think it's a fairly good test.

I think the seat is as good as almost any of the scooters I've owned. One exception might be the Honda Helix, which is like a Barcolounger on wheels.

I think one big factor in scooter seats are the varied widths of seats...and, the angle of them. That has certainly affected me more than softness.

Karlu
Las cruces, nm
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: Mscmkr on May 18, 2014, 07:40:22 PM
The thing I don't understand is, why do scooter seats tip forward? This is oposite of how I would want my seat. When I stop my ass slides forward which is painful and I have to use my legs to keep from sliding off the seat. Make it tip back and you won't have this problem. It would also be much more comfortable.  :-\
    If I built scooters they would have much different seats that for sure. Ride safe, mscmkr
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: boo on May 19, 2014, 12:42:23 PM
The thing I don't understand is, why do scooter seats tip forward? This is oposite of how I would want my seat. When I stop my ass slides forward which is painful and I have to use my legs to keep from sliding off the seat. Make it tip back and you won't have this problem. It would also be much more comfortable.  :-\
    If I built scooters they would have much different seats that for sure. Ride safe, mscmkr

Agree. Angle is a problem.
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: gilligan5000 on May 20, 2014, 02:27:13 PM
Just logged 1,618 miles on our latest 5 day trip...this seat sucks!

I was able to find some comfort sitting side saddle for a few miles at a time...then folded the passenger pegs down and rode from the passenger seat for a few miles.  This seems to ward off the pain temporarily.  On our 400 mile days I was stopping every 50 miles towards the end of the day.
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: Mscmkr on May 21, 2014, 10:54:27 AM
Can anyone please explain to me why scooter manufacturers design seats like this? I'm asking about the seat because I'm going to be buying a People GT300i very soon. The reason I'm trading up from my Like 200i to the GT is because I would love to be able to ride on the freeway as well as take much longer rides on my scooter. There are some beautiful places up north here in Arizona I would love to ride. Also, taking my scoot on an overnight trip around the state would be fantastic.
     Now, of course, just like my Like, I have to deal with the stupid seat. My Like seat is literally a torture device. There's a hard plastic ridge that goes from side to side right where my tail bone is. 35 minutes on that seat is it. I HAVE to stop and get off because I'm in so much pain. I just don't understand it. Do they think we will fall asleep while riding if the seat is comfortable?

     ride safe, unfortunately with lots of butt pain, mscmkr
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: boo on May 21, 2014, 01:38:35 PM
Can anyone please explain to me why scooter manufacturers design seats like this? I'm asking about the seat because I'm going to be buying a People GT300i very soon. The reason I'm trading up from my Like 200i to the GT is because I would love to be able to ride on the freeway as well as take much longer rides on my scooter. There are some beautiful places up north here in Arizona I would love to ride. Also, taking my scoot on an overnight trip around the state would be fantastic.
     Now, of course, just like my Like, I have to deal with the stupid seat. My Like seat is literally a torture device. There's a hard plastic ridge that goes from side to side right where my tail bone is. 35 minutes on that seat is it. I HAVE to stop and get off because I'm in so much pain. I just don't understand it. Do they think we will fall asleep while riding if the seat is comfortable?

Guess we will have to buy and use Air Hawk type seat pads for those long rides.
     ride safe, unfortunately with lots of butt pain, mscmkr
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on May 21, 2014, 03:14:05 PM
Can anyone please explain to me why scooter manufacturers design seats like this? I'm asking about the seat because I'm going to be buying a People GT300i very soon. The reason I'm trading up from my Like 200i to the GT is because I would love to be able to ride on the freeway as well as take much longer rides on my scooter. There are some beautiful places up north here in Arizona I would love to ride. Also, taking my scoot on an overnight trip around the state would be fantastic.
     Now, of course, just like my Like, I have to deal with the stupid seat. My Like seat is literally a torture device. There's a hard plastic ridge that goes from side to side right where my tail bone is. 35 minutes on that seat is it. I HAVE to stop and get off because I'm in so much pain. I just don't understand it. Do they think we will fall asleep while riding if the seat is comfortable?

     ride safe, unfortunately with lots of butt pain, mscmkr
I think the LIKE seat is made for the small Asian fellows - they seem to be OK with it - though I do see a lot of them with custom seats.
I get crazy in airliner seats....movie seats, etc. I think only the big cruiser bikes have good seats - and yet I see a lot of guys modding those as well.
I think you just have to get used to riding on 2 wheel seats to some extent (though the LIKE seat is stupidly designed) - we sit on all kinds of things for fairly short periods......then try to sit on 2 wheeled  seats and have trouble after an hour. I don't think you can get around that.
Man, if you want the bigger scoot - go for it - hopefully it has a lot bigger wheels than the LIKE for long haul stability and easing over bumps with less jarring.
I quit searching new shocks when I fixed the seat on my LIKE....but the scoot still takes a banging due to the small wheels.
More CC's and 16" wheels for me next time!
Stig
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: Mscmkr on May 21, 2014, 05:59:07 PM
Hey Stig, look into the People GT300i if your thinking about trading up. It does have 16 inch wheels and the extra CC's are amazing!! I have test ridden two so far and I'm extremely impressed. There are a couple of groups here in the valley that ride longer and faster rides so my Like just can not get it done. I am probably going to take the plunge in the next couple weeks. Have to wait to see what's happening at work first.

  Ride safe, mscmkr
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: donandrews on May 22, 2014, 12:09:24 AM
Hey everyone, I am currently looking to buy a People GT 300i and have test ridden 2 of them so far. I would love to have everyone's input on the seat. I own a Like 200i and really love the bike but the seat is horrible! I am trying to modify one right now and not having any luck so far.
    If you guys can give me as much info as possible on what you like or dislike about the seat I would really appreciate it.

   Thanks everyone and ride safe, mscmkr

Go to mredsmoto.com. He rebuilt the seat on my Like 200 for $200 and the only time I need to get off now is to refill it. The seat is gorgeous! I tried to send some pix to Stig some time ago but couldn't figure out how. He gave me instructions and I will try again. Mr. Ed moved the ridge across the seat back a couple of inches, installed memory foam and resewed a new cover without a wrinkle. Give him a call. He's a great guy even if he does ride a great big Beemer to work every day.
Peace and Ride Safe
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: claynine on June 02, 2014, 01:37:04 PM
I purchased an Air Hawk AH2MED and put it on in about 5 minutes.  Problem solved!   I think it was about $85 to the door and my bottom is happy.  Done deal!
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: Mscmkr on June 03, 2014, 09:57:20 AM
So these Airhawk seat pads are really the solution to an uncomfortable seat? Do they make you feel unstable at all. Also, do you feel like your sitting much higher on the bike with one of these? I should have my GT in about 3 weeks or so and I'm sure I will want something for that seat.

Thanks everyone and ride safe, mscmkr
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: AMAC1680 on June 03, 2014, 10:24:16 AM
So these Airhawk seat pads are really the solution to an uncomfortable seat? Do they make you feel unstable at all. Also, do you feel like your sitting much higher on the bike with one of these? I should have my GT in about 3 weeks or so and I'm sure I will want something for that seat.

Thanks everyone and ride safe, mscmkr

I swear by them.
When inflated properly there is just enough air to keep your bottom off the seat. It adds almost nothing to the seat height unless you want it too.

http://www.therohostore.com/airhawk-motorcycle-how-to-adjust.aspx (http://www.therohostore.com/airhawk-motorcycle-how-to-adjust.aspx)
Be Big,
AMAC
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: SgtShak on July 12, 2014, 07:19:48 PM
The seat is one thing that I am not fond of on the GT300i.  I hate how the larger scooters (most brands) have to have that "drop" for the rider (or rise for the passenger) I traded my '09 People 200S for my "13 GT and I miss how I could "scoot" back a little for more leg room and I also miss the way I could rest my feet on the rear foot pegs and have an occasional sport bike feel.  You could even stand up on them while going over bumps.  The GTi's are mounted higher.  You can still use them but at a much greater knee bend.  Other than that...so far so good 
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: zombie on July 12, 2014, 08:50:14 PM
Bring it to ANY upholstery shop (auto/marine/furniture), and tell them exactly what you want done. It will most likely be under 100.00 especially if they just need to re-arrange some foam for you.

Everyone hates those OEM seats. I also have custom seats, and covers on both bikes I own. One I did, and the other I had done. Both combined didn't hit 100.00
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: SgtShak on July 12, 2014, 10:32:00 PM
That's probably the direction I will eventually take.  Right now the bike is too new to make a final judgment.  Only had it for two weeks now.....however I am coming up on mile 600 mile service already.  I only have one other observation/ complaint that is probably suited for another post....but 0 - 30 is very sluggish and sounds almost like it's flooding or fowling out or a blocked vacuum line although from 30 and above it's awesome.  I am hoping that it's just growing pains and will go away after break-in. 
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: zombie on July 13, 2014, 07:41:44 PM
Start reading up on Dr'Pulley Sliders. There is a lot of info on the forum. I think they are a must have in four stroke engines.

That's also a good observation on break in. These bikes do change as they settle in.
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: Mscmkr on July 25, 2014, 05:21:15 PM
The verdict on the Airhawk is, it's going back to the store. It didn't make the seat comfortable for me and I felt very unstable while riding. I tried a bunch of different pressures and none of them helped at all. When I had it at a pretty low pressure I felt like I was rolling around on the seat. This made me feel like I was not stable on the bike at all.
   Guess I'm going to have to look into having the seat re-done by someone. Thanks for the suggestion though and ride safe everyone, mscmkr
Title: Re: Everyone's impression of the seat on the People GT?
Post by: SgtShak on July 26, 2014, 10:43:52 PM
I have tried the Airhawk too.  Same results.  I just did not like it.  It wasn't overly comfortable and the way you move around on the seat didn't feel safe.  I tried mine on a 650 Burgman.  Not to mention that they are expensive!  When it comes right down to it, the only real fix to an uncomfortable seat is either a re-worked seat or an aftermarket. (depending on if one is available for your bike)  I have also tried the "Beadrider".  It worked for air circulation for a case of "swampass" but there is no grip.  You slide all over the seat...especially forward while braking.  My temporary fix right now is a pair Moto-Skiveez (padded underwear) like a pair of bicycle shorts.  They're not a custom seat BUT they are the best & cheapest fix that I could find.  I rode about 100 miles yesterday on my GT300i and my rear end survived pretty well.