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Guzzi handling

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faffi:
I know I have mentioned this many times, that I am not great fan of the handling I've experienced with the majority of the Guzzis I have ridden. The nicest one was the Cali EV, despite the horrific riding position and handlebar shape, plus my son's 2009 V7 Classic.

Recently, I read that the EV had an extended swingarm and lazier geometry than the earlier Tontis. That reminded me of my Honda VT500FT Ascot, which also had lazy geometry. Very lazy. My brother hated its handling, because he use a lot of power through the handlebars in order to change directions. The Honda did not take kindly to that, what with the chassis not being strong enough. I am gentler, and the only time I noticed insecurity with the way it handled was when I fitted much longer and firmer shock absorbers. This quickened the steering, and not to my liking. After I raised the front a similar amount to the rear through much stiffer springs and sufficient preload, handling was great. I recall Cycle magazine claimed that the Ascot steered with very little effort, but slowly. The GS550E (GSX550E in Europe) from the same year was said to be able to steer much quicker, but required more effort.

There have been other bikes as well that my brother loved and I hated, and vice versa. For instance, the Triumph Daytona 900 and Kawasaki 750 Turbo both felt like their steering was welded, they both need an insane amount of force to get the bikes to change direction. When my brother had those, I owned a Suzuki GSX600F Katana, which steered with little input, but not too quickly. When we swapped bikes, riding out onto the road, my brother almost turned 180 degrees to return back where we came from, while I almost ended up going straight because the bike did not react to my inputs.

I have concluded that I prefer very light steering combined with predictable, deliberate change of direction, as in not nervous. What about you? Do you like to wrestle your bikes, or do you prefer a bike that just goes where you want with little effort?

Clifton:

--- Quote from: faffi on May 10, 2026, 04:01:03 PM ---I know I have mentioned this many times, that I am not great fan of the handling I've experienced with the majority of the Guzzis I have ridden. The nicest one was the Cali EV, despite the horrific riding position and handlebar shape, plus my son's 2009 V7 Classic....

I have concluded that I prefer very light steering combined with predictable, deliberate change of direction, as in not nervous. What about you? Do you like to wrestle your bikes, or do you prefer a bike that just goes where you want with little effort?

--- End quote ---

Faffi have you ridden a V85?

davethewelder:
Yeah V85TT handles great, better than my V7-850 Stone Ten.  On the V7 I raised the fork tubes 1/2", better.  For the most part newish bikes just need to have the suspension set up for the rider and proper air presure.

PeteS:
I was out on my V100 yesterday and thinking how effortlessly it changes direction. Just think it and it goes where you want it. The V85 is just about as good.

Pete

faffi:
No, I have not ridden any modern Guzzi - my V9 Roamer is the latest version I have rolled on. Most modern bikes tend to handle very well, though.

Forgot one thing about handling - I want it to me neutral. Many bikes I have ridden have required constant pressure on the inside or, more rarely, outside handlebar to retain their trajectory, something I find annoying.

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