V7II Suspension Upgrade

[Bradkap]

Anyone upgraded the suspension rear and front ? Need to make the ride more comfortable.

[elvisboy77]

More specifics?  What don't you like?

[Bradkap]

After riding my back is killing me

[mwrenn]

Yeah, the stock suspension is like a buckboard wagon from the 1890's.  LOL
How much do you weigh?  I have upgraded my suspension with a MUPO fork kit up front, and Racetech shocks in the back.  Got a magic carpet ride now...unbelievable difference.
I weigh 175 riding weight.  Got with Todd at Guzzitech for all the parts I needed.

[Clancy]

A set of Ikons on the rear worked for me   

[Bradkap]

I weigh 210. Ride a BMW GS with esa. I know I will never make the Guzzi feel like that, but I would like to stand up straight after a day of riding.

[pyoungbl]

New springs and emulators from Racetech got the sag and travel where it needed to be, shocks from Racetech had to be mounted upside down in order to clear my rear rack but the ride is now much better.  There are lots of shock options and it comes down to how much you are willing to spend.  I'm not racing but do like to have my suspension working smoothly.  The OEM setup was simply too stiff for me!

Peter Y.

[rbm]

Any comments about full cartridge kits from Andreani instead of emulators?  Having both compression and rebound damping adjustable from the fork top seems better than Racetech emulators which requires careful trial-error modification of the oil venting to achieve the same result (but I'm no suspension expert0.  Similar to the OP, I'm finding the V7's suspension to be terribly harsh and it needs replacement/augmentation.

UPDATE: Hmm, found the following disclaimer at one web site.  "The mounting of that kit requires special knowledge and tools for proper function. On some kits also machining is necessary. If you are not an experienced suspension mechanic you might be not able to mount the kit in the right way and mistakes can lead to serious injury, death or at least a bad function and less riding fun.".  So, additional expense to have the kit mounted, breaks the cost/benefit argument.

[rbm]

I have the Andreani cartridges on my 2016 V7 II.

They only fit bikes with Kaifa forks (2012+).   Racetech emulators do not fit in Kaifa forks.

I have Marzocchi forks on my 2011 Racer.  I had my local M-G dealership look up Racetech emulators in the catalog and they gave me a part number for them -- 377-0946.  this could be a supplier number and not an OEM number.  In any case, I also went to the Andreani web site and put in my bike details.  It spit out a Andreani product for that model/year.  I know only Marzocchi forks were available in 2011; the Kaifa forks were introduced piecemeal in 2012 and fully in 2013.

I know that Todd at Guzzitech sells Mupo emulator kits and given the hardship with the Andreani cartridges and the questionable nature of the Racetech, I will most probably go with that option.

In order to install the Andreani cartridges, you have to break a weld holding a reducer in place on the inside of the fork. 

Ouch, that's not something I'd feel comfortable with either.

One thing of note.  The Italians seem to have trouble with spring rates.

It may not be just the Italians; it may be a European thing.  I bought RAM shocks from England and they seem oversprung as well.  I provided all my details to the manufacturer and they shipped me a shock pair that should have been customized to me.  I also think the springs are too stiff.

[pyoungbl]

  Racetech emulators do not fit in Kaifa forks.

Incorrect info.  I have Kaifa forks ('13 V7) and the emulators fit just fine.  You do need to take the forks apart and remove the metering rod.  After drilling holes in the rods they are re-installed, then the emulator, then springs, etc.  I initially got 1.0 springs per RT recommendation and had to send them back to replace with .80 ones.  Yes, you need to experiment with oil amount, air gap, and spacer preload but it's really simple unless you also decide to make adjustments to the emulator.  Even that is no big deal...pull out the spring and use a magnet to lift the emulator out...then reassemble.  Any adjustment can be done without taking the forks off the bike, just lift the front end off the ground/table lift and remove the fork cap.  One caution, those nuts do not have much shoulder.  I ground a socket flat so it would have a better purchase.

This after I chewed up one of the caps...that aluminum is really soft!

[waxi]

I'll just use this old thread to ask...

I finally decided to upgrade Olle shocks with something else. But what? Ikon, Gazi, YSS, Hagon or Shock Factory? I am willing to spend no more than 400€ (470$). Or should I go as the majority and just get Ikons...

[jpv7]

Racetech emulators went into my V7ii just fine.  No need to experiment really.  Just contact Matt Wiley and he will tell you settings for your weight. 

The recommended springs worked perfect for me.  Matt also asked that i drill out a couple of more holes in the emulator for better compression damping. I weigh 160lbs., so heavier riders might not need to do that.

I had no issues with the fork top, but you must loosen the pinch bolts first.

[waxi]

Racetech emulators went into my V7ii just fine.  No need to experiment really.  Just contact Matt Wiley and he will tell you settings for your weight. 

The recommended springs worked perfect for me.  Matt also asked that i drill out a couple of more holes in the emulator for better compression damping. I weigh 160lbs., so heavier riders might not need to do that.

I had no issues with the fork top, but you must loosen the pinch bolts first.

Thank you, but I am from Europe. Before this suspension would come to me, customs would charge me big time!

[malik]

On Saturday, I test rode the V7III Racer on the Old Pacific Hwy here in Sydney. The stock suspension on that (Ohlins on the rear, haven't yet found out about the forks) was superb. It took the rough sections of that road with aplomb & comfort. Better than the demo V7II Racer and also much better than the Gazi shock on the Classic & the Ikons & Racetec fork springs on the Special. The difference is significant.

I also noted that the V7 III's top shock mount is set a few inches rearward of that on my V7's, so the geometry has also changed slightly.

BTW - I also test rode the V9 Roamer - I was NOT comfortable with the riding position - foot controls way too forward & all weight is on the seat. This riding position appeared to make it a lot less controllable in the twisties. Is the wheelbase longer as well? I shall check.

[kingoffleece]

If you want a RaceTech front end you can always remove the forks and send them to Hamlin Cycles.
Jim has TONS of Racetech experience with Guzzi bikes.

[Rotten Ralph]

A set of Ikons on the rear worked for me   

Ditto

[WitchCityGuzzi]

Matris makes a drop in cartridge. No machining, no special tools.

[Socalrob]

Matris makes a drop in cartridge. No machining, no special tools.

I have the Matris drop in on order from Todd at GuzziTech.  I put Matris shocks on the rear a couple of weeks ago and they are much better than stock on my Anniversario (V7iii).  Todd mentioned a few things about the installation that inclined me to just bring the bike to him (not a huge difference in the installation costs and shipping), and have him set the adjustments on the shocks and forks for me while I am there.  I find it really helps to have a good suspension guy set up initial settings on fully adjustable suspension, and then I just play with a click here or there.

If I recall correctly, the Matris forks drop in cartridge has compression adjustment on one leg and rebound on the other.  More than $400 though.