Setting up a new Guzzi v7 Racer

[diamondseries]

So I finally did it. I purchased my first Guzzi. I got a 2013 V7 racer with only 20 miles on it. I am super happy but have discovered I have no idea how to adjust the suspension or any of the other features that are made available to me with this bike. Can you guys help me out? Are there any video online showing how I can adjust all of the various features? If there are I have not been able to find them. I am 160 5'6 so the bike is a little big, but with some adjustments will be great.

Also, I find that when I start the bike, I occasionally put it into first gear, and I get a false positive. Meaning, that the neutral light goes off and it appears to be in gear, but when I give it some juice and release the clutch nothing happens. Has anyone experienced this problem? Anyone have a solution?

Also, I was wondering if you guys could help me brainstorm some cool things I could do with the bike down the line, i.e. any extras. I'm a new owner so I am still naive to the vast possibilities.

Thanks Guys!! 

[Perazzimx14]

Put your location in your profile. Chances there is someone on here close to you that can help walk you through how and what to adjust.

[tonUPRacer]

Congrats on your new bike! I also have a 2013 Racer. There is ALOT of info here on suspension for that bike. Do a search. Only your rear shocks are adjustable. Luckily you are close to the weight range the springs are rated for, so you may not have to tweak it too much. In my case I had to get weight rated springs both front and rear. I also purchased and installed a Matris fork kit so I now have adjustable preload on my front forks. You will need a helper to set suspension sag aka preload. This link give a pretty good walk through. http://www.gostar-racing.com/club/motorcycle_suspension_set-up.htm

As for your shifting, the transmission is a bit stiff when the bikes are new. After about 1500 miles mine smoothed out considerably. There are some folks that did need to make a clutch adjustment right away, there is also an abundance of info about that here if you do a search.

[rbm]

The rear shocks should have preload, rebound damping and compression damping adjustments.  The damper rod forks unfortunately don't have any convenient adjustments.  Preload is set based on spacers inside each fork.  Compression damping and to an extent rebound damping is determined by oil viscosity. 

You'll want to set preload on the front and rear so that you get about 35mm dynamic sag (the amount the suspension compresses under the combined weight of the bike plus the rider). It's easy to dial in using the rear preload adjuster, but the front will require measurements, calculations, disassembly and reassembly of the forks.  Luckily you're in the optimum range for the OEM springs, so maybe you'll luck out with the front dynamic sag.

Watch any Dave Moss videos on Youtube to get a good understanding of suspension tuning.  Here are links to 3 videos to get you started.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAWLaLf1Awc&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=conLHYxE_kQ&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNn2Y0QlhgM&feature=youtu.be