Fitting Griso SE brown saddle on 08 Griso 8V

[GRIISO8V]

Anyone out there know whether the brown leather SE saddle will fit the 08 8V without mods? I think that dark brown leather will look awesome with the black paint on my 8V.

Thanks

 

[Penis Rotor]

Yes it will. I have a customer who just went the other way, swapping his suede seat for a stocker off an 1100. All the griso seats are interchaneable but the SE seat is actually closer in shape to the 1100 seat than the 1200.

Pete

 

[Chicago Mark]

The seat on my 09 Griso 8v is seamless, which I like. Not sure why Piaggio chose to use the Griso seat with the seams running lengthwise at the top outside 'shoulders' for the SE model. Seems like high stress points looking for a seam split.

Mark

 

[Pascal]

They never split at the seams, as it is the strongest part...

 

[GRIISO8V]

Shows how much I know about my own bike, I didn't realise the 1100 and the 8V had different saddle designs. Good to know about the SE saddle though, I might have to see if I can find one.

Thanks again,

 

[Merkurwwu]

I have actually done this on my white '09 Griso 8v. No mods required. The brown seat with the white bike looks great... FYI, brown seat isn't as comfortable. It's a little narrower and harder.

 

[rboe]

Hmmm, you guys got me thinking, I should try out my black seat before I have it modified. I find the brown seat is not even a one hour seat but to be fair it is getting better.

Darn brown seat is so much better looking though not that the black seat is a wart. The black seat looks very good but the brown seat has that something special about it.

 

[GRIISO8V]

Ok nothing's ever easy. Got the brown saddle, after a bit of a struggle it went on but now the key won't release it! Key goes in, turns ok but the catch isn't releasing, it may be that the release post isn't engineered exactly the right way but it's now stuck. Is there another way of releasing the seat catch when it gets stuck?
:angry:

 

[kmac33]

Push down on the seat when turning the key to unlock it. I have had to do this from day 1 with my Griso with the stock seat to get it to release easily.

 

[GRIISO8V]

Push down on the seat when turning the key to unlock it. I have had to do this from day 1 with my Griso with the stock seat to get it to release easily.

Bizarre, after a good half hour of trying and failing to get the damn thing off I gave up, went back to it an hour later and pop, it opened right up!
:?:

 

[rboe]

I turn the key, lift, nothing. Then I jab my knee into the middle of the seat (36" inseam) and that pops the seat. I have not idea why that works, you'd think it would relock the seat.

 

[cytocycle]

the funny thing is I think it actually said to push down in the center of the seat while turning the key to release the seat.... I had the same problem and freaked out... RTFM sometimes.

 

[The Mad Hatta!]

Ok nothing's ever easy. Got the brown saddle, after a bit of a struggle it went on but now the key won't release it! Key goes in, turns ok but the catch isn't releasing, it may be that the release post isn't engineered exactly the right way but it's now stuck. Is there another way of releasing the seat catch when it gets stuck?
:angry:

Please post pics! I was just about to order one of those SE leather saddles from a dealership's website, when I stumbled on this thread. I have an 07 black 1100, and I've always thought it would look great with a brown leather saddle, but now that you've done it.. I wanna see it before I order it! Can you believe it's actually less expensive than the black, tri-panel saddle that came stock on the 07 1100?! the stock saddle for the 07 1100 is $302, the SE is $258!

 

[GRIISO8V]

Ok nothing's ever easy. Got the brown saddle, after a bit of a struggle it went on but now the key won't release it! Key goes in, turns ok but the catch isn't releasing, it may be that the release post isn't engineered exactly the right way but it's now stuck. Is there another way of releasing the seat catch when it gets stuck?
:angry:

Please post pics! I was just about to order one of those SE leather saddles from a dealership's website, when I stumbled on this thread. I have an 07 black 1100, and I've always thought it would look great with a brown leather saddle, but now that you've done it.. I wanna see it before I order it! Can you believe it's actually less expensive than the black, tri-panel saddle that came stock on the 07 1100?! the stock saddle for the 07 1100 is $302, the SE is $258!

Will do, as soon as it gets back from service this week. Looks the dog's.
:lol:

 

[rboe]

Just a quick note to confirm the brown seat for the SE is NOT leather. Which is bummer, but in Phoenix leather may not be such a good idea. Vinyl will age more gracefully.

Still, it looks damn good. Still looking at having a custom seat made and have not come up with a better color.

 

[The Mad Hatta!]

Just a quick note to confirm the brown seat for the SE is NOT leather. Which is bummer, but in Phoenix leather may not be such a good idea. Vinyl will age more gracefully.

Still, it looks damn good. Still looking at having a custom seat made and have not come up with a better color.

Even the center panel is not leather? boo. I've contacted a local upholsterer that specializes in motorcycle saddles as well (to see if reupholstering my saddle would be cheaper than buying the SE saddle), and I'll be bringing her my saddle tomorrow to find out. I may have her do my seat in the deep, saddle brown leather that I've been wanting. As long as it's taken care of, leather will certainly age better than vinyl. All I keep thinking of is the beauty, color and character of my parent's well used horse saddles; and how great that will look on a mean bike like the griso.

 

[GRIISO8V]

Just a quick note to confirm the brown seat for the SE is NOT leather. Which is bummer, but in Phoenix leather may not be such a good idea. Vinyl will age more gracefully.

Still, it looks damn good. Still looking at having a custom seat made and have not come up with a better color.

Even the center panel is not leather? boo. I've contacted a local upholsterer that specializes in motorcycle saddles as well (to see if reupholstering my saddle would be cheaper than buying the SE saddle), and I'll be bringing her my saddle tomorrow to find out. I may have her do my seat in the deep, saddle brown leather that I've been wanting. As long as it's taken care of, leather will certainly age better than vinyl. All I keep thinking of is the beauty, color and character of my parent's well used horse saddles; and how great that will look on a mean bike like the griso.

The centre section isn't leather, it's made of some kind of synthetic stuff but the rest of the saddle is. Even Guzzi describe it as "premium leather". I've treated mine and if it isn't real leather then it's a bloody good imitation. Overall it's a great looking addition to the black bike.

 

[GRIISO8V]

Ok nothing's ever easy. Got the brown saddle, after a bit of a struggle it went on but now the key won't release it! Key goes in, turns ok but the catch isn't releasing, it may be that the release post isn't engineered exactly the right way but it's now stuck. Is there another way of releasing the seat catch when it gets stuck?
:angry:

Please post pics! I was just about to order one of those SE leather saddles from a dealership's website, when I stumbled on this thread. I have an 07 black 1100, and I've always thought it would look great with a brown leather saddle, but now that you've done it.. I wanna see it before I order it! Can you believe it's actually less expensive than the black, tri-panel saddle that came stock on the 07 1100?! the stock saddle for the 07 1100 is $302, the SE is $258!

 

[rboe]

Just a quick note to confirm the brown seat for the SE is NOT leather. Which is bummer, but in Phoenix leather may not be such a good idea. Vinyl will age more gracefully.

Still, it looks damn good. Still looking at having a custom seat made and have not come up with a better color.

Even the center panel is not leather? boo. I've contacted a local upholsterer that specializes in motorcycle saddles as well (to see if reupholstering my saddle would be cheaper than buying the SE saddle), and I'll be bringing her my saddle tomorrow to find out. I may have her do my seat in the deep, saddle brown leather that I've been wanting. As long as it's taken care of, leather will certainly age better than vinyl. All I keep thinking of is the beauty, color and character of my parent's well used horse saddles; and how great that will look on a mean bike like the griso.

The centre section isn't leather, it's made of some kind of synthetic stuff but the rest of the saddle is. Even Guzzi describe it as "premium leather". I've treated mine and if it isn't real leather then it's a bloody good imitation. Overall it's a great looking addition to the black bike.

The seat has a black elastic band which is stapled to the base so I can NOT inspect the edge of the seat. But the strap is visible and it's synthetic. Certainly looks to be the same material as the seat and it does not feel like leather. Now that said; it looks damn good and will be less of a maintenance issue than real leather.

 

[The Mad Hatta!]

I've had my saddle at an upholsterer for a few weeks, and should be getting it back today. The center panel on mine IS black leather, and it will be staying. The two side panels and the strap are being replaced with a beautiful dark chestnut leather. I bought some URAD leather conditioner and URAD Mr. Jojo leather weather-proofer to take care of it. I'll post pics when I get it back.

Oh yea, as I suspected, that SE saddle looks great on the black bike GRIISO8V!