V7 850 shift lever length, angle and finding a boot that works

[Zimmermichaels1ea]

Well here's a problem I'm having and I'd like to find out if it's just me (probably) or have others tackled this same issue.  The bike I ride prompting this question is a 2023 V7 850 Special.

I have been trying out various motorcycle boots labeled "touring" (not the very stiff plastic adventure style boots,) and I'm having a devil of a time finding a pair that I can actually use to shift. I have tried to shift by trying to point my toe in the boot and shifting by flexing my ankle up, or by doing the motocross method of pushing my knee forward and dropping my toe down between the shifter and peg and lifting with my leg to actuate the shift.  Both methods are no-gos with most quality tour boots I've tried.

Here are some I've tried:  Rev'It Link GTX, an ordinary looking black leather tour boot won't fit between the peg and shifter even if I take it off my foot to just try!  It's a pity because that boot has the latest CE standards and a 2222 rating.
Other CE Certified boots I've tried are: AlpineStars Andes, Daytona GTX, and Forma Voyage boots....which almost worked, but sometimes got stuck between the shifter and peg causing me to have to wiggle my foot out.
Thus far, only a cheap pair of boots by Bilt work for me, but they have no safety certification and that are fake leather that's already showing much wear after only 6 months use.

With all that said............am I doing something wrong?  Should I only be looking at some super slim-toed boots?
OR
should I be trying to adjust the shift lever upwards?  Are there shift levers that are an inch or so longer?

I ask this about the bike itself because when I rode a friend's Kawasaki W800 wearing the Forma boots, they worked just fine, no trouble shifting at all, and ditto on a Ducati Scrambler that I borrowed. But on my Guzzi, the boot is just to big and I sometimes get stuck between shifter and peg.  Not fun.

Has anyone else experienced this?   

Thanks in advance for any advice and guidance for a Guzzi newbie!

[bmc5733946]

It sounds like the lever is too low, maybe adjust it up a little. I have never had a bike where the shift lever was perfect for me without adjusting it some.

Brian

[Moparnut72]

Every new bike I have bought had had to have the shifter adjusted. The Triumph was so bad I couldn't even leave the store until it was adjusted upwards. I had to put a small extension on the shifter on my Mandello to make it work the way I wanted. AF1 Racing had them in their catalog, I have made them myself. In fact I think I made the one for my Mandello but I would have to go out to the garage to check. I had to adjust both of my bikes in the last month due to new boots with a thicker sole and a higher toe box.
kk

[Dukedesmo]

I've got aftermarket (Tarozzi) levers on my LM2 but I found the gear lever too short to comfortably get my toe under it so I extended it by removing the toe-peg and making an extension that bolts through the hole with the peg positioned flush with the front of the lever, gives about 1 inch extension, making it much better and a more positive feel due to the extra leverage.





I only had to do this after buying new boots that are bigger/bulkier than my previous pair but it is an improvement even when riding in other shoes/boots.

[Zimmermichaels1ea]

Interesting!  I was under the V7 looking at the shift lever and because the pivot for that lever is in between the two mounting bolts for the peg, the shift lever has very little room to move upward at all.  I'll take some detail pictures this evening and post.
I think I might be looking at some sort of shift post extension to move the shift lever peg upwards and maybe a bit forward.

I saw an Agostini rear set on GTMotorcycles.com that would remedy this, but I don't really want to change out the stock pegs to the round ones in this set and have them shifted rearward.

[bmc5733946]

Some part of the lever, linkage, transmission lever is probably mounted on a spline. Moving that piece one spline in the direction you need to go might well be enough. On the early Breva 750s, 2004, the lever if moved, up came against a frame bracket that limited the up travel too soon. I ground and filed some excess material from the shift lever. My alteration was hidden behind the footpeg mounting bracket. The turn buckle that was on mine couldn't provide enough adjustment. My 2007 Breva 750 i was able to move the lever on the spline without encountering the same frame bracket. Where there is a need there is a way. Good luck!

Brian

[Zimmermichaels1ea]

So close....and yet so far

Here I'm wearing Rev'It Link GTX boots -- super comfortable, rated 2 2 2 2, but thick in the toe:




Can't bend my leg more, and if I try to sit any farther forward I'll be sitting on the gas tank!

[Zimmermichaels1ea]

Here's a close-up of the rear set:




I don't think I want to cobble on some sort of extension for the toe peg.
So I think I'll just quit bellyaching and buy a boot with a nice slim toe.

[bmc5733946]

That lever could come up quite a bit and that is where I would concentrate my efforts. Right now it is level with the peg. At least try to adjust it up a bit. I am convinced you can be comfortable no matter what boot you wear!

Brian

[Zimmermichaels1ea]

I think adjusting the shifter is sound advice on where to start.
I'll give that a try.

Does anyone know any specs as to how much space must be left between the shifter arm and the forward peg mount to make sure shifting is reliable?

Just by looking the shift lever seems pretty close to the peg mount when lifting the arm to simulate a shift already.

[Vagrant]

First try moving it one tooth on the spline as was suggested.

[mechanicsavant]

Concerning boots , I have a large foot , 12 /4E . The only boots that I could get were from Gasolina Boots . They are custom made to the dimensions you supply ! Several styles available too . At about $300 /pair they’re competitive with other boots . They aren’t waterproof , that’s the only downside for me .
I have no connection to them & no financial interest either. Just trying to pass the 411 along . Three years so far & they are holding up well .

[Zimmermichaels1ea]

Thanks all!

I did as was suggested and I am very pleased with the results.  Getting my toe under the shifter is much easier, and I am able to try a variety of boots.

So far, I like the Alpinestars Belize Drystar boots best.  Even though they are adventure boots, I can easily shift with them on and they carry full level 2 CE ratings.