I love this bike and to be honest the stock seat is quite good as stock seats go. However, I could still do with some improved comfort as it feels as though the foam is a little soft and I substantial after an hour or so. Does anyone have direct comparison with the Guzzi high touring seat. It’s not cheap but I don’t really want to re-upholster the original, even though my wife is an upholsterer (blame my OCD 
).
On another note, I’m also looking for a rear rack to go with my Kriega luggage when camping. I see that the HB rack appears to have a greater weight limit than either the Guzzi or Givi racks, though to be honest, the OEM rack looks to be more in keeping with the lines of the bike. Does anyone have an opinion?
I see that this is a super old post and I’m surprised there are no replies as this seems like a very interesting post to me.
I have just come back from a 3900 mile tour to Spain and Portugal on my V7, and I have just ordered the high comfort seat - an early Xmas present for my bum. Ha ha. Actually, it’s not so much for the extra padding, although that will be very welcome, but more to do with hopefully getting a bit more leg room. I’m 5’10” and although the V7 is fine most of the time, on the longer trips I’ve done I find it gets a bit cramped after a while, particularly if I’m just on motorways and not moving much.
I must admit that I love the purr of the engine and at 17000 miles with no problems, despite riding through whole days of heavy rain, slow city centre crawls at 20mph in hot weather (air cooled did make me worry), and terrible roads, I now very much love my little bike, and have had more spontaneous conversations with people on the streets about it than any bike I have ever owned. Thanks Moto Guzzi.
Anyway, I’m off topic - the standard seat is great but even now I can only take it for a couple of hours, max. So I’m hoping the comfort seat will change that and I’ll keep you posted.
On this last trip I met a very nice French lady on a BMW R1250RT. We’d both got stuck by unexpected snowfall in the highlands of Portugal that closed a lot of roads and we met, both thoroughly soaked by rain, in an out of the way petrol station. We ended up riding together for a couple of days and it’s interesting to compare the character of two very different bikes (and riders). We had a good mix of very twisty mountain roads, towns and long stretches of motorway. On the twists I definitely had the advantage, as the V7 can be very fast turning with its short wheelbase. I know this from experience regularly riding alongside fellow IAM riders of GS1250s and R6s etc - on the straights I can’t match them, but on bends the V7 will raise eyebrows and in town traffic ‘catch me if you can’. On the motorway, with a Dart flyscreen and nice weather - not a chance. The Beemer could easily sit at 130kph all day, whereas I can too, but only if I absolutely have to - I did 980km in one day, but only because I was on my way to visit my dad who’d been admitted to hospital. It was an unpleasant experience. The funny thing is, riding with the French lady, she said she gets surprised comments from people all the time that a woman is riding alone. Whereas, I get surprised comments all the time that someone would tour on a V7 - particular from lots of other bikers. And then I remember what is often said about life - it’s the journey, not the destination. I’m happy to see that from a Guzzi.
Now, what about screens?
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Did you get the high seat and what difference has it made?
I’m also five ten and I can ride for two and a half hours on the stock seat - which is pretty good, but then my hips are in a bit of pain. I imagine the high seat would help here?
I can easily flat foot the bike both sides so am not worried about that, the only minor downside for me would be a styling issue as I have the Special Edition where the stock seat also comes with colour matched stitching.
I guess buying a second seat would at least preserve the stock one so it looks good for short rides and showing off and when coming to sell the bike (if I ever do - great little bike).
Hi MotoBrownie
Thanks for the reminder. I’ve been meaning to post an update, but I’ve been busy.
I’ve done about 1500 miles on the new seat, so I have a fair idea of its performance. It’s an improvement in several ways, not just the extra padding. The extra height helps my legs feel less cramped, allowing me to stay on the bike longer. Despite being more padded than the standard seat, it’s not as squishy as I expected. It’s firm, retaining the height, which I find useful. It’s also narrower at the top than the standard seat, making it feel more natural to grip the tank with my knees. I’m not sure if this is because of the seat shape or added height. Overall, I feel I have more control of the bike in this position. I also have handlebar risers fitted, as the original position was too canted forward for longer journeys, so bear that in mind.
I eventually get hip ache on this seat, but it allows me to spend at least twice as long as I did on the standard seat. I wish I’d bought this seat sooner, but it’s not much more expensive than customising the standard seat and, as you noted, I have a spare seat, which is a bonus. I’ll post a picture of the bike with the comfort seat soon, and I prefer the look of the bike with it.
One caution: double-check that the comfort seat fits your model. I had a conversation with the dealer about the new V7 sports, and it has a different seat layout. The comfort seat for the V7 stone wouldn’t have fitted it. I’ve heard that even the V7 special seat is different.
If you get it, I’d love to hear your experience.
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Thanks, my Special Edition is a Stone, rather than Special base so it should fit but good idea to check beforehand.
Have fitted the Guzzi fuel tank knee protectors today - not that it will help with comfort but maybe griping the tank. Instructions say not to ride the bike for 24 hours to allow the self-adhesive to fully bond. Oh well, it’s raining here anyway.
Here are some photos of the comfort seat
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