Review: Corbin’s V-GTS250-6 Leather Saddle for 2006+ Vespa GTS 250/300/310
Most of the stock full-size scooter saddles I’ve had the pleasure of sampling are actually quite comfortable. They’re generously padded, overly wide loafs of foam that feel like sitting on a La-Z-Boy – that is, until some hours pass by, and the rider starts wishing for more support! Many scooter riders don’t ride their machines long distances – but I do, and so began the search for an aftermarket alternative to the stock seat. I’ve spent the last four months tearing around on Corbin’s V-GTS250-6 leather saddle which fits all Vespa GTS models from 2006 and on, including the new 310 that just debuted this year. The results are, in a word, excellent!
Designing the Corbin saddle was actually the more entertaining than sitting on it. When it comes to customization for Vespa saddles, the Corbin is in a league of its own. Riders can select from dozens of different material, color, and texture combinations each for the seating areas, side panels, welts, stitching, and logo. The sheer variety of skins, hues, and surfaces – literally thousands of possible combinations – is what sets this seat apart from other aftermarket choices, and ensures that each rider can create a truly unique solution to his/her specific tastes.
My test model featured luxurious black leather seating surfaces with vinyl side panels, tastefully highlighted by white piping and an “Italian” colored Corbin logo. Installation is straightforward and can be accomplished in under 5 minutes with only a 10mm socket wrench. The stock seat hinge is held in place with two 10mm nuts which free the seat once removed. The Corbin then takes its place using its two included 10mm bolts. (Note: Thankfully, there’s some play in the striker on the seat, if you need to fine tune location relative to the latch on the scooter. I initially had to add 4 washers per each bolt underneath the striker to get it to latch properly, but removed 3 of them as the seat settled in after use.) Once installed, the exterior contour fits snugly against the Vespa’s body panels, for a truly integrated appearance that complements the GTS’s iconic silhouette.
Out on the road, the Corbin’s rigid “Fibertech” base pan, firm “Comfort Cell” foam, and ergonomically “dished” shape work in concert to create a supremely plush experience. Seating area for the rider is a plentiful 13.5” wide x 19” long, spreading the rider’s weight over a large surface area with ample room to move around and stretch out. Seat height is comparable to stock. My testing over four months of local exploratory treks confirmed an outstanding rating for comfort, with no soreness even after 14+ hours on the scooter. It took about 500 miles for the seat to “break in,” and now it’s basically molded to fit me perfectly. There is no mistaking the luxury of the genuine leather seating surface, either.
Overall, Corbin’s V-GTS250-6 Leather Saddle for Vespa’s 2006+ GTS is a superb choice for any rider looking to upgrade for comfort, aesthetics, or both. It offers long distance functionality, outstanding build quality, and a myriad of color and texture choices for a personalized appearance to fit any taste. This saddle’s MSRP is $517.00, and an optional “Ovalbac” back rest is also available for an additional $345.00 (not tested here.)
