I can see where you might think the seating on the Downtown is tighter. During me ride of about 30 minutes, I noticed the seating position is different than the other scooters but in the end, I didn't notice it much after the initial feeling. I am 5 10 and round in the middle. The first time I put my feet up to ride, I noticed a difference but not anytime after that.
I think they kept you feet closer to you in an effort to make the bike more nimble and to get the seat lower, and keep good lean angles, the foot rests had to be shorter and maybe a touch higher off the ground. They also seem to position your feet and little lower in the front but that may be my fuzzy memory.
