V9 Bobber & Ohlins

[ff73148]

Has anyone mounted Öhlins on their Bobber? Thanks.

[wittangamo]

No personal experience with Ohlin, but the S36PL replacements available now and I believe to come standard on the new sport model adjust preload but not damping.

I opted for K-Tech Razor Lites on my Roamer, which are adjustable for both, as well as length. The fact that they cost less was gravy. Like ‘em a lot.

[twowheeladdict]

No personal experience with Ohlin, but the S36PL replacements available now and I believe to come standard on the new sport model adjust preload but not damping.

I opted for K-Tech Razor Lites on my Roamer, which are adjustable for both, as well as length. The fact that they cost less was gravy. Like ‘em a lot.

I believe the Ohlins on the new bobber are fully adjustable.  From Moto Guzzi site.  "Swingarm Twin‐sided with 2 Öhlins fully adjustable shock absorbers"

the photo shows both rebound and compression damping as well as preload. 

Sounds like your K-tech Razor lites only have rebound and preload?

[wittangamo]

Thanks, twowheeladdict. I stand corrected on the Sport Bobber, those Ohlins are three-way adjustable. My dealer couldn’t find a part number or cost for those.

My Razor Lites are two-way, though you can order different spring rates based on rider weight, etc. K-Tech does offer a three-way Razor IV, but they were too pricey for me, especially since I was also installing their Tracker fork cartridge kit up front.

I’ve heard people say a suspension upgrade transforms a Guzzi small block, and now I know they’re right.

[LowRyter]

They put Ohlins on that bike with huge front tire?  Really?

[twowheeladdict]

They put Ohlins on that bike with huge front tire?  Really?

Nothing wrong with that tire.  More contact patch while leaned over.  Less risk of a washout. 

[LowRyter]

Nothing wrong with that tire.  More contact patch while leaned over.  Less risk of a washout.

Really? I don't see any fat fronts on any road racing bikes,  but see them on flat track though. 

[kballowe]

Where are ya'all purchasing those shocks ?

[twowheeladdict]

Really? I don't see any fat fronts on any road racing bikes,  but see them on flat track though.

Compare the profiles.  The road race bikes are wide.  They are just low profile sidewalls. 

You don't see Roamer size front tires on road racing bikes either. 

[wittangamo]

Where are ya'all purchasing those shocks ?

You’re waiting on a new V9 Roamer, correct? Make sure you give the stock suspension a fair shot and a few thousand miles before you spend big bucks on upgrades. Have the dealer check sag and adjust rear preload at the first service. Handling is pretty good unless you push hard or find the bike bottoming on big bumps to the detriment of your spine.

As far as I can tell, Ohlin only has the preload-only rears for sale currently and nothing for the front. You can find those here. https://gtmotocycles.com/products/ohlins-v9-shocks (As noted above, MG is promising fully adjustable rears on the Sport Bobber, but I can’t find those for sale anywhere.)

Meanwhile, K-Tech has some good V9 (and V7) options. https://www.ktechsuspensionusa.com/MotoGuzzi-V9-2018-parts.aspx

There is also Matris. https://www.af1racing.com/store/Scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=3012&description=V9+Roamer+Performance+Parts

Another thing to keep in mind is that rears can be bolted on without much fuss, but front suspension requires some expertise to assemble, disassemble and tweak. Best to find a specialist to do the install and tune it to your preferred balance of comfort and control.

I went with K-Tech because they have a good rep and reviews, and had an experienced dealer in riding distance. YMMV.

[mjptexas]

They put Ohlins on that bike with huge front tire?  Really?

I had a Sportster with a 16 inch fat front tire. I had upgraded the shocks and fork springs.  You'd never confuse it with a Ducati, but it did handle surprisingly well.

[ff73148]

Thanks everyone for their feedback. I've decided to go with K Tech Razor III Lite. Getting them from Jim Hamlin.

[kballowe]

Thanks everyone for their feedback. I've decided to go with K Tech Razor III Lite. Getting them from Jim Hamlin.

OK, and please come back and post up your opinion on the new shocks.


Thanks,
Kevin Ballowe

[ff73148]

OK, and please come back and post up your opinion on the new shocks.


Thanks,
Kevin Ballowe

I won't get them for a few weeks. Will do.

[wittangamo]

For those who may have missed it a few weeks back, here’s my take on the V9 Roamer’s ride and handling before and after the K-Tech front and rear suspension upgrade.

The suspension felt harsh as delivered. It was fine at moderate speeds on smooth pavement, but when I got aggressive in the corners the front tended to follow surface irregularities and the rear felt jittery on bumpy roads.

Taking off some preload at the rear made it more forgiving, but only until I hit a pothole. At that point the rear would bottom and send a jolt up my spine.

I spent some time looking around for suspension upgrades and found few for the V9. I finally came across a British company, K-Tech, with racing roots and some offerings tailored to the V7.

Best of all, I found a suspension specialist a three-hour ride from home who was willing to custom fit and install the parts. Kenny Martin at MRP Motorsports in Pasadena, MD, deserves a giant shoutout for his patience in arranging to special order the bits needed, tweaking them to transform the handling of my bike, and even delivering it to my house in Virginia when a blizzard warning delayed pickup.

I wasn’t trying to make a silk purse from a sow’s ear. The V9 is designed as an easy rider, fun and easy to live with, not a road warrior or track day bike. That said, I tend to push harder than the average old fart and wanted to improve handling and comfort at the same time.

The K-Tech rear shocks and front cartridge inserts are sturdy, beautifully made and fully adjustable. I’ve only ridden a few hundred miles since, but with Kenny’s setup the earlier problems have all disappeared.

The ride is still firm, but not uncomfortably so, and the feel is much better. Small bumps disappear and big ones don’t upset the bike. I feel more confident in the twisties, and less tired after a long highway run.