GSA Seat Lowering

[developer]

I thought this might be useful for anyone with a GSA who just wants that little extra contact with the ground, come stop time.

I'd faffed about researching seats and part numbers and bought a standard GS seat off here - hence lower - that turned out to be a standard GSA seat (the black/grey one in the photo) before just taking my own standard GSA seat to Autotrim Direct in Rubery, Birmingham and having it modified.

He basically took out the "bench" section - the bit that your buttocks rest upon, hence preventing you getting your feet down (in my case).

I'd already done the low position and Wunderlich bungs stuff, but to no avail

Will it be "all day comfortable"? - unlikely, but I'm not a mega miler, so it's a risk worth taking to feel that bit more secure

£50 well spent I reckon.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

That looks like a very smart job and you can't argue with the price

 

[London Chris]

That does look good.

Could I just ask;
1. Is this the company?http://www.autotrimdirect.co.uk/
2. I,m assuming P&P on top, right?

The most important question;
3. In terms of real world/context, how much more did it give you? Did you move from tippy toes to balls of your feet?, that kind of feel.

Many thanks

Chris

 

[developer]

Yes Chris - that's the company - actually just a bloke in a workshop, surrounded by upholstery etc.

I was able to drop mine off as it's localish to me, so no postage.

I can now flat foot whereas before I was on the balls of my feet, so I'm hopeful it's enough - time will tell, as I haven't fired the bike up yet this year.

 

[London Chris]

Ta ever-so. That is a double helpful reply. Great real world context too.
Thx again
C

 

[fred_jb]

Maybe consider buying a low chassis version next time, assuming the current bike isn't. Might mean you then don't need to have a low profile seat with the inevitable loss of padding, or have it set in the low position, both of which measures result in a more acute bend of the knees. I am over six foot, but have only average length legs and a long torso, so I bought the low chassis version, both for my last GS and the recent 1250 replacement. It doesn't look obviously different, benefits from a slightly lower centre of gravity, and still has plenty of ground clearance. This means I can have standard height seats (I got the Exclusive seats for extra comfort), have the seat mounted in the high position, and still get my feet pretty much flat, which is a big help, especially when heavily loaded with pillion and luggage. I don't see any downside to this choice.

 

[developer]

Maybe consider buying a low chassis version next time, assuming the current bike isn't. Might mean you then don't need to have a low profile seat with the inevitable loss of padding, or have it set in the low position, both of which measures result in a more acute bend of the knees. I am over six foot, but have only average length legs and a long torso, so I bought the low chassis version, both for my last GS and the recent 1250 replacement. It doesn't look obviously different, benefits from a slightly lower centre of gravity, and still has plenty of ground clearance. This means I can have standard height seats (I got the Exclusive seats for extra comfort), have the seat mounted in the high position, and still get my feet pretty much flat, which is a big help, especially when heavily loaded with pillion and luggage. I don't see any downside to this choice.

I don't disagree Fred - I'm 5'11" but not overly long in the leg.

Looking back, I sat on the standard height model in the showroom, and the dealer and I thought it was the right height for me, when allowing for slightly higher motorcycle boots - a lower chassis version wasn't discussed, and I ordered a standard bike accordingly - however, height at engine off in the showroom isn't the same as height with engine (and ESA) on.

I'll report back as to whether the new seat height has worked.

 

[developer]

For the interested masses, the bike is much more manageable now and doesn't seem any less comfy.

I sit "in" the bike now whereas before I sat on it, and haven't noticed any particular forward slide towards the tank.

Suspension is now back on Auto, and is much more compliant than before, when I was bouncing along on Min.

£50 well spent I reckon

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

For the interested masses, the bike is much more manageable now and doesn't seem any less comfy.

I sit "in" the bike now whereas before I sat on it, and haven't noticed any particular forward slide towards the tank.

Suspension is now back on Auto, and is much more compliant than before, when I was bouncing along on Min.

£50 well spent I reckon

Great info, and obviously stating the obvious, but have you tried the setting MIN in the ESA it makes a massive difference in height, and has no real impact onroad, as I imagine you do mostly onroad and not offroad, and also staing the obvious again, for the bike to retain the MIN setting you need to have that little enduro plug on the bike, otherwise everytime you turn the bike off it goes back to default.

 

[developer]

Great info, and obviously stating the obvious, but have you tried the setting MIN in the ESA it makes a massive difference in height, and has no real impact onroad, as I imagine you do mostly onroad and not offroad, and also staing the obvious again, for the bike to retain the MIN setting you need to have that little enduro plug on the bike, otherwise everytime you turn the bike off it goes back to default.

I've was running it at Min before the seat mod and I found it softly sprung and bouncy over bumps, which I didn't like.

 

[fred_jb]

I've was running it at Min before the seat mod and I found it softly sprung and bouncy over bumps, which I didn't like.

That is probably because in AUTO mode the suspension knows what weight it is dealing with and can fine tune the damping accordingly as damping requirements will vary a lot depending on the load on the bike. I suspect the MIN and MAX settings don't do that.

 

[vRSG60]

I’ve just bought a low chassis GSA but because it’s the red & black seat it wasn’t the low seat. They only come in black.
I took mine to Caulfield Leather in Hyde, Manchester and for £60 he dropped the height 25mm
A great job. All done in half an hour or so but well worth it for the extra confidence it gives.
I’d recommend Matt for anyone in the North West wanting any seat work doing.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Doc]

low chassis gsa for me as i am a short arse.Easily flat foot it and more confidence when loaded up with luggage and a pillion.