Hi all...I'm new here. I got a 2006 M50 this past June and I love it. Not having riden anything more than a dirt bike in the late seventies, I found the M50 to be a really easy bike to get used to. The controls are perfectly placed and and it's low enough for a guy my size (5' 9") to easily get both feet fimly on the pavement when stopped. As far as the seat goes...I really can't compare it to another bike, but because I ride a lot of bumpy back roads, I'm seriously thinking about the gel seat. Thanks -