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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: basmn on September 06, 2012, 08:32:27 AM

Title: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: basmn on September 06, 2012, 08:32:27 AM
I;m looking to replace the stock seat on my brides gs500f. Is aftermarket the way to go....or is it better to mod the original and re cover it...the bike is just for recreational easy riding but wife is complaining on the 100k rides...i looked at the Corbin but it only lists for the 500e and not for the newer bikes....i would like to here your ideas and pictures would be great if you have them......
thanks ed....
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: SAFE-T on September 06, 2012, 08:36:59 AM
If you live near enough the Corbin factory, they will make a seat for your '08GS500F for free. 
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: basmn on September 06, 2012, 08:41:37 AM
how do you figure that...free is always good
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: kbankovi on September 06, 2012, 09:06:16 AM
I redid my seat on my own.  Below is the thread of my journey with pics.  It's alot easier if you have an air stapler but I managed.  Just took a 6 hour round trip ride to Iowa on Monday and my butt wasn't nearly as sore as when I took an earlier 6 hour trip on the stock seat. 

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=60789.msg702247#msg702247
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: CrownSeven on September 06, 2012, 09:38:14 AM
I went with the below company out of France.  Costs a bit of coin, results are well worth it:

http://www.topsellerie.com/en-us/seats-petrol-tank-covers-tank-bags-leg-handgrip-covers-motorbike-scooter.html (http://www.topsellerie.com/en-us/seats-petrol-tank-covers-tank-bags-leg-handgrip-covers-motorbike-scooter.html)
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: jestercinti on September 06, 2012, 09:55:14 AM
I had my seat foam replaced by Spencer:  http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php 

You send him your seat, he fixes the foam.  That easy.

Seems to work better, but not cross-country better.  I went with the Supracor LD option.  Only 5 business days from I mailed the seat until it arrived back to the Jestercinti estate.  Not bad since I live in Cincinnati, and Spencer is in Florida.
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: basmn on September 06, 2012, 01:23:24 PM
has anyone tried the corbin gunfighter lady ?
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: SAFE-T on September 06, 2012, 04:06:56 PM
Corbin needs someone with a 2001+ GS500E/F that is willing to leave their bike and seat with them so they can make a mold and test-fit it. In return they will make you a seat free of charge. Surprised that in the 9yrs Suzuki has made the 2nd gen GS500 no-one has taken them up on it.
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: rpm121370 on September 06, 2012, 04:18:48 PM
Quote from: CrownSeven on September 06, 2012, 09:38:14 AM
I went with the below company out of France.  Costs a bit of coin, results are well worth it:

http://www.topsellerie.com/en-us/seats-petrol-tank-covers-tank-bags-leg-handgrip-covers-motorbike-scooter.html (http://www.topsellerie.com/en-us/seats-petrol-tank-covers-tank-bags-leg-handgrip-covers-motorbike-scooter.html)

great looking seats, how is the comfort , I was looking at this seat  http://www.topsellerie.com/en-us/SUZUKI-GS-500--seats-petrol-tank-covers-tank-bags-motorbike_7_156.html?ref=2308

thanks Ron
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: CrownSeven on September 06, 2012, 05:37:05 PM
Quote from: rpm121370 on September 06, 2012, 04:18:48 PM

great looking seats, how is the comfort , I was looking at this seat  http://www.topsellerie.com/en-us/SUZUKI-GS-500--seats-petrol-tank-covers-tank-bags-motorbike_7_156.html?ref=2308

thanks Ron

I'm very happy with it.

Longest ride I've had so far with the new seat has been about 2 hours - and I had no complaints, its very comfortable.  It also does a better job of holding you in place over the stock seat.

The style I ordered is similar to your link, just different materials selected.  I also went for the gel insert option.

If you're patient, I do know that they put pre-made seats up for sale on ebay at a lower cost than ordering through their site (free shipping as well which is huge).  When I was looking I never ended up seeing one for a GS, but you never know:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=top+sellerie&_sacat=0


 
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: rpm121370 on September 06, 2012, 07:45:18 PM
Quote from: CrownSeven on September 06, 2012, 05:37:05 PM
Quote from: rpm121370 on September 06, 2012, 04:18:48 PM

great looking seats, how is the comfort , I was looking at this seat  http://www.topsellerie.com/en-us/SUZUKI-GS-500--seats-petrol-tank-covers-tank-bags-motorbike_7_156.html?ref=2308

thanks Ron

I'm very happy with it.

Longest ride I've had so far with the new seat has been about 2 hours - and I had no complaints, its very comfortable.  It also does a better job of holding you in place over the stock seat.

The style I ordered is similar to your link, just different materials selected.  I also went for the gel insert option.

If you're patient, I do know that they put pre-made seats up for sale on ebay at a lower cost than ordering through their site (free shipping as well which is huge).  When I was looking I never ended up seeing one for a GS, but you never know:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=top+sellerie&_sacat=0




if you do not mind me asking what did you pay for your seat, I am looking and it looks like you have to ship them your seat after you  get new seat

sound like it could get $$$$ real quick

Ron
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: CrownSeven on September 06, 2012, 07:56:50 PM
Nope it definitely isn't cheap.  Total came out to 420.  Comparable in price to a corbin I suppose, if they ever make one for a GS.
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: Worm on September 07, 2012, 09:09:32 AM
Quote from: SAFE-T on September 06, 2012, 04:06:56 PM
Corbin needs someone with a 2001+ GS500E/F that is willing to leave their bike and seat with them so they can make a mold and test-fit it. In return they will make you a seat free of charge. Surprised that in the 9yrs Suzuki has made the 2nd gen GS500 no-one has taken them up on it.

I would do this in a heartbeat if the factory was within a couple hours ride. But it's a couple days ride from me!
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: basmn on September 07, 2012, 05:24:45 PM
looks like I'm going to have to buy a OEM spare and start the playing with it.. .i think i will try to add some memory foam to the front and maybe a small pad to the tank area like the Corbin has...not one retailer has an aftermarket seat...very disappointed with the VERY limited amount of aftermarket parts available for these bikes...but the wife loves it 
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: SAFE-T on September 07, 2012, 08:36:51 PM
Quote from: basmn on September 07, 2012, 05:24:45 PMDisappointed with the VERY limited amount of aftermarket parts available for these bikes.

Well, maybe if people actually spent money modifying their GS500's, companies would make stuff for it. In a country of 314,323,000   you can still only find a handful of pictures of GS500's with a Corbin Seat, and this is for a bike that was unchanged from 1989 to 2000.

The Europeans seem to have more respect for small-displacement fuel misers like the GS ~ probably because their roads and licensing system keeps a lot of people from moving up to bigger bikes ~ if you really want to spend money on something considered a beginners bike in North America, AdidasGuy can point you in the direction of any number of ridiculously priced aftermarket farkles available for the GS500 over there.
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: SAFE-T on September 07, 2012, 08:37:41 PM
And I like stuff like Corbin and Sargent ~ I've had a couple of their seats on my bikes over the years.

As the number of years that I have to save for retirement seem to be vanishing faster than the value of a Greek Treasury bond, I have become more frugal. Were I to have another GS500 tomorrow and wish to modify the seat I would try this:

http://greatdaytoride.com/FAQ.html
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: 7thgear on September 12, 2012, 11:32:16 AM
A few days ago I saw a pic here of a GS, the bike had multi colour seat, front was black and the rear seat was in blue.. I've been looking for thread but not sure which one was it. Anyone knows? I am thinking to get similar seat for my GS.. Thanks..
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: adidasguy on September 12, 2012, 11:39:35 AM
You might have seen this. It is a rear plastic seat cowling painted Suzuki blue.
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/IMGP0873a.jpg)

I've ridden all day with this seat. From Germany.
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/DSC00849a.jpg)

Check local bike shops. You probably have some locals that do custom seats.
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: BockinBboy on September 12, 2012, 11:43:12 AM
Beat me to it! I was just goind to post a link to that photo... thats the one I was thinking, and its the only one posted in recent days that has blue on the rear.

- Bboy
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: adidasguy on September 12, 2012, 11:50:04 AM
Actually picture is from 2 years ago  :flipoff:
Once I got the German seat with the embroidered gs500f the rear cowling went to a member in Aust. or NZ. I got it from grommet2k and he said they used to be made by someone here on the board a few years ago.

These days you can get a nice rear cowling from Balu-Racing. I had them for the "E" and "F" but like the other cowling, they are now "down under" because they have cheaper licensing if the bike is single passenger (so they cover the passenger seat).
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: basmn on September 13, 2012, 09:27:19 PM
bought a mint used seat...should be here in a week..i'll keep ya all posted on the modification, and the condition of the brides butt ;)
Title: Re: 08 gs500f seat options
Post by: 7thgear on September 25, 2012, 09:38:25 AM
Quote from: adidasguy on September 12, 2012, 11:39:35 AM
You might have seen this. It is a rear plastic seat cowling painted Suzuki blue.
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/IMGP0873a.jpg)


Thanks, yep that's what I was talking about  :thumb: