Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: SemperVee on February 02, 2026, 03:02:14 PM
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Old trick I did on both my Vstrom1000's was to raise forks a bit approx 1 inch above triple tree to lower the front end a bit and thereby the saddle height. Doing this would Lower the windshield on the EV along with less stress on the front brake line since I have spacers acting as 1 inch risers under the stock triple tree handle bar riser - I am thinking of doing it to my 03 EV. Anyone ever do this themselves for any reason and review outcome? thanks.
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It will alter the steering geometry and CoG, something you can find to be better or worse than stock - after you make a test ride. If you lower the rear that same amount, you will retain the geometry, but you will lower the CoG further. Whether you want to lower just the front, or include the rear, one inch should not be enough to render the bike dangerous. So why not try it and see what YOU feel?
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1" is a lot, and may be too much, I'd start with 1/2 that. Most report quicker steering and turn in, but you can go too far. I'd make sure you have Sag set properly front and rear and that you are currently at the factory rake, then make adjustments from there.
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I have sag and forks set quite nicely and plan on doing it starting with 1/2 inch. Just wondered if others had done so previously to this model since it has been out so long already with so many Cali riders here. Thanks for input.
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Doesnt really matter which bike you do it to, the physical principles are the same :)
done it on my race bike all the time because it quickens steering, which can be good, but like most bike settings, there's no free lunch.
downsides are: less trail (less front end "feedback"), less ground clearance, less available suspension stroke.
like noted by others, 1" is a lot. Consider that your Cali has a bit less than 5" suspension travel, 1" is like taking out 20% of its stroke....
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It works on the v7 and v85.
It does NOT work on an EV 98 or 01. I tried on both. It will turn it into a tank!
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I move my 98EV up 20mm, it feels exactly like all the older Tonti's before the Cal2 that got longer forks & felt weird. It has shorter Earl's forks on it for sidecar use, they are like ones for a G5. I like how it feels & cranks in the curves, feels more planted. I would not go up any higher than 22mm.
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Old trick I did on both my Vstrom1000's was to raise forks a bit approx 1 inch above triple tree to lower the front end a bit and thereby the saddle height. Doing this would Lower the windshield on the EV along with less stress on the front brake line since I have spacers acting as 1 inch risers under the stock triple tree handle bar riser - I am thinking of doing it to my 03 EV. Anyone ever do this themselves for any reason and review outcome? thanks.
Did this to my wife’s 04 Stone, I don’t recall who on the forum suggested it , we put on 1” lower shocks on rear, and raised the forks by 3/4” as suggested. We also put 1” bar spacers to bring the bars back. Compared to my 03 EV these changes made it a much more nimble bike, I have to remind myself of it every time I get on. Much more sporty feel. It was a great change.
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IIRC, the salad fork is correctly positioned at 9:00 relative to the plate......
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You are changing the rake and trail when moving the forks up or down in the mounts if you are not changing the hight on the rear of the bike to match. Pushing the forks up will quicken the steering or make it “tip” in with less effort. Moving the forks up too far (shortening the rake too much) will cause a head shake. Moving the forks is a great tool to get your bike to handle for you but, don’t go past its limits.
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Don Guzzi dealer in ok city drop my V85 about 3” new shock and slip tubes about that. Guz put mark on the tube for about 2”. Rides good enough for me. I quit having fun at a 100 mph. I have went about 10,000 miles since you’ll do what feels good. Rudy
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I did 20mm on Regina's 98EV HDM but also used rear shocks 1" shorter. Intention was a shorter bike for a woman rider. Performs very well. Only drawback I find is nearly impossible to load onto the centerstand and the bike sits a little more vertical on the sidestand. You really have to push very hard to ground out any stand component in the curves. BTW, the 98EV has a mostly useless brake pressure proportioning valve which is managed through swingarm arc. Shortening the shocks changes this system. I went to the extent of fabricating a simple change to the threaded brake valve adjuster so the system performed as original (still mostly worthless).
Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA
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I've done it to almost all of my bikes. it quickens steering. Longer rear shocks/shock has the same effect. I usually start with 10mm increase by 5mm increments.. I had to go pretty far with this one due to a rear wheel change that dereased the wheel diameter by 2 inches.
(https://i.ibb.co/pr0R43jy/20250712-142739.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pr0R43jy)
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Doesnt really matter which bike you do it to, the physical principles are the same :)
done it on my race bike all the time because it quickens steering, which can be good, but like most bike settings, there's no free lunch.
downsides are: less trail (less front end "feedback"), less ground clearance, less available suspension stroke.
like noted by others, 1" is a lot. Consider that your Cali has a bit less than 5" suspension travel, 1" is like taking out 20% of its stroke....
Unless the wheel slams into the lower triple clamp, you do not lose any wheel travel by raising the fork tubes up above the triple clamp, as wheel travel is determined by the damper rod.
On average, one inch change in ride height = 1 degree change in rake. You will easily alter the rear height of many bikes just through spring preload, or by adding a passenger, and few think about that when they ride. So unless your bike is bordeline stable, most will not feel much difference by a one inch change in attitude. On a sportbike with radical geometry, sure, an inch is substantial, but not on a basic motorcycle. Even Spies, world superbike champion, claimed that he needed at least 5 mm (1/5 in) to notice a change on a superbike riding as hard as possible, but that a motoGP bike was way more sensitive. Streetbikes like the majority of Guzxis far removed from either.
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I've lowered many adventure style bikes but always lowered the front and rear.
And then had to shorten the side stands.
You'd just have to try it on your bike and see how you like it.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51865389008_0dd1a5ac03_b.jpg)
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I raised the forks on my Mandello as I was having issues with holding it up coming to a stop especially when loaded with camping gear. I didn't see much of a change in handling except it seemed to hold the line better in turns. The preload at the rear was at the lowest setting. As for the side stand it leaned over too far to start with. I thought about getting a lower shock for the rear but I didn't think it would make much of a difference. I didn't want to spend big bucks for an experiment. I got a V7 instead.
kk