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Scooters - 125 to 300 => Downtown 300 => Topic started by: DoubleSC on July 05, 2013, 02:27:40 AM

Title: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: DoubleSC on July 05, 2013, 02:27:40 AM
Recently, I was lucky enough to find an affordable used DT300 - I bought it, and overall was pleased, but unfortuneately the seat felt way too low.  I expected that from some of the reviews, and set aside some extra cash for customization.

However, while investigating options, I stumbled upon this article (http://forum.jorsindo.com/thread-2152161-1-1.html (http://forum.jorsindo.com/thread-2152161-1-1.html) ), which essentially points out that there are two seat options for the Downtown 300i (called Nikita in Taiwan).  In the first picture, it shows a picture of the underside of the two seats for comparison and identification, with the "Domestic" version on the left, and "Export" version on the right.

After inquiring in Taiwan, it turned out the driver seat height on the Export version was estimated to be a couple inches higher than the Domestic version.  A bonus is that it also accomodates stowage of 2 full-face helmets under the seat.  The cost was only around US$100 at the store (no shipping), so I bought it and brought it back.

Not sure why in the US we (at least sometimes) get the Domestic version, but the difference with the Export version is like night and day, and I find it to be perfect now.  For anyone who is thinking of changing their seat out to get the Export version, the part number on it is Kymco# G77200-LEA7-305-T01 .

DSC

Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: moparkid on July 05, 2013, 04:34:10 AM
What year is your DT 300? Does it have the light under the seat? Is the new seat more comfortable than the old one or just taller? Thanks...Russ
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: de-dee on July 05, 2013, 11:15:40 AM
   dont we get the export seat the adds say two helmets under the seat, but they are still not high enough, I raised my seat 2 inches,.    300i downtown
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: DoubleSC on July 05, 2013, 07:17:04 PM
What year is your DT 300? Does it have the light under the seat? Is the new seat more comfortable than the old one or just taller? Thanks...Russ

It's a 2011, and it does have a light under the seat (the light is in the tray section at the bottom - the new seat only includes the top hinged portion).  In terms of seat comfort, it's definitely more comfortable for me, but I think it's related only to the seating position.  The seat stiffness feels about the same on both.

@De-Dee - Yeah, I would have thought that we'd be getting the export version too.  I even asked the Kymco regional manager at one of the shows they'd sponsored in the area a while ago who said he would expect it to be export version as well.  He did offer to check further, but since I knew I'd be going to Taiwan shortly afterwards anyway, I decided to just wait where I could check the seat differences out in person before buying. 
 
DSC
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: mnpugdog on July 05, 2013, 08:57:50 PM
DSC,
Does it look any different from the top?
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: Moosehog on July 06, 2013, 02:09:52 AM
Very excited to hear about this.  Can it be ordered from a US dealer? Or must find a Taiwan one?
Any chance you could post a pic of it installed?
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: moparkid on July 06, 2013, 03:13:55 AM
At 5'7 my seat is more than tall enough and comfortable enough...I only wish the backrest was like 3 inches to the rear. Thought about having an upholstry shop do some modifications this winter but at the cost they were asking I think I'll just live with it because having gone on a 400 mile round trip recently it wasnt that bad and as long as I got off every few hours it was all good.
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: DoubleSC on July 06, 2013, 11:04:58 PM
There is a bit of difference in how it looks from the top.  Aside from a slight height difference for the driver section, the "nose" of the seat in front of the driver appears more rounded on the domestic version.

Unfortunately, I didn't take any before/after pics.  I'll take pics of it installed when I get the bike again (it's back in storage for a bit).   Otherwise, here's a couple pics that look to be typical of what the difference is:

Domestic: 
http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=3476.msg38843#msg38843 (http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=3476.msg38843#msg38843)

Export: 
http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=4544.msg46943#msg46943 (http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=4544.msg46943#msg46943)

As far as buying it here, I'm not sure - but the regional manager for the Western US ("Chris") offered to help find out a while back.  I'd suggest talking with your dealer and give him the Kymco part number I'd mentioned.  If they can't help you, go to the regional manager and/or direct to KymcoUSA.

moparkid - I hear you on the costs of having an upholstery shop mod the seat.  When I was checking around, I was quoted $350+.
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: mnpugdog on July 07, 2013, 02:34:53 AM
I found a couple of pictures online and it looks like it does not slope down like the domestic seat does. Now I just need to figure out how to get one. A couple on a Chinese auction site but won't ship outside the country.

Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: MotoRandy123 on July 07, 2013, 10:49:51 AM
Do you think other scoots have a different seat available?
My Yager could use a better one!
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: Paulie on July 08, 2013, 09:18:27 PM
I,m having the same problem with my seat being too uncomfortaable. I just got a new 2013 DT 300i. I lifted up the seat and on the bottom of the top portion of the seat were the part numbers of 77201 LEA7-E100. I believe this may be the domestic seat version.  I did some further checking and found the export seat 77200-LEA7-305-T01 is available at KYMCOPARTS123.Com for $169 plus shipping. Tried calling them but they were closed for the day. Trying to find out if they know anything about this particular seat and the differences.  Parts are returnable if not satisfied. I will be calling them tomorrow.  My dealer didn't have a clue as to what I was talking about
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: mnpugdog on July 08, 2013, 09:24:38 PM
Paulie let us know what you find out.
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: Paulie on July 10, 2013, 01:42:21 AM
I did some further checking and found that the xxx-305-T01 is  not the seat listed online but is really the xxx-306-T01 online.  I did some further checking and  found out from Kymco that they no longer make the xxxx-305-T01 seat  They only offer the xxx-306- model and is readily found online.  That's the same seat that came on my new DT300.  Sorry for the confusion.  I just ordered a gel pack seat cushion on-line for $89   Hope this works for me.     :)
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: de-dee on July 13, 2013, 07:26:17 PM
  I just came backi from new hampshire, and my seat sucks for long rides, so I ordered rebond foam to reform the shape of the seat, ordered from,  onlinefabricstore.   3X 24X 72 inches  74.10  from MASS.  & free shipping in USA    I hope that will get rid of the down slope that causes the sore Butt.
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: mnpugdog on July 13, 2013, 11:31:01 PM
I'm thinking the same thing de-dee. Take pictures and keep us updated on it.
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: de-dee on July 14, 2013, 01:49:03 AM
   if I only cold send pictures ,.  I dont know how  Im from the horse and buggy days,.  80 years and still riding,. 
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: mnpugdog on July 14, 2013, 02:58:59 AM
   if I only cold send pictures ,.  I dont know how  Im from the horse and buggy days,.  80 years and still riding,.


We could have you use Western Union. ;D
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: de-dee on July 14, 2013, 11:41:26 PM
  when does the stage coach go by,. 
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: Paulie on July 15, 2013, 01:10:34 AM
I just received my max gel pad seat cushion made by American Motorcycle Specialities.  Wow. did that make a huge difference for me. Rode 100 miles today and it was unbelievable what a difference it made  I didnt slide forward and my butt wasn't sore. I'm not a spring chicken anymore and sitting for long rides is hard on my lower extrimities.  The seats on the DT 300 is terrible in my opinion.  My wife has a matching DT 300 bike and she is much shorter than me and she doesnt have any problems.  I ordered a large neoprene cover gel pad seat for$89 plus shipping.  I called and talked with the owner about my bike and the problems with the seat.  I mention that others on this forum had ordered one.  He ended up sending me the more expensive one with the sheepskin cover for the same price.  Excellent company to deal with.  Very nice qualitiy.  Check out thier website.  Just sayin that this may be an option for making the ride a little easier.
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: mnpugdog on July 15, 2013, 02:34:17 PM
paulie, what does it look like? Since getting a new seat will not happen this might be the next best thing. And how does it stay on the seat?
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: AMAC1680 on July 15, 2013, 05:53:19 PM
paulie, what does it look like? Since getting a new seat will not happen this might be the next best thing. And how does it stay on the seat?

You may also want to check out ROHO Airhawk seat cushions . I. Use them for anything with wheels.
http://www.airhawk.net/airhawk-products.aspx (http://www.airhawk.net/airhawk-products.aspx)

Prices vary greatly, check around.

Be Big,
AMAC
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: de-dee on July 15, 2013, 05:58:29 PM
  if it is anything like the air hawk , two straps that go under the seat and that rubber mat for trailers shelving on the bottem,  air hawk has 6 0r 7 models for different size seats ,. 
Title: Re: Seat options for Downtown 300i
Post by: Paulie on July 15, 2013, 09:48:51 PM
mnpugdog.   You can go to the companies website that will have pics of all of the available seats.  They provide a strap that clips on to the underside of your seat and goes across the top of the seat.  Attached to the strap is a strip of Velcro.  The underside of the pad has a piece of Velcro which keeps it in place.  The bottom of the pad is made of neoprene.  I found that the seat stays in place without any type strap being used.  I got the large size and it worked great for me.  Hope this helps.  http://www.amspecialtiesusa.com/ (http://www.amspecialtiesusa.com/)