New Moto Guzzi Door Mats Available Now
I'd start with the tyres - you may find that that's all that's needed.
My V7II has already gone through some of the process of becoming more capable of handling some off-road excursions. Up here in New Hampshire we have lots of public roads not maintained by the towns (Class VI highway roads). These roads are often old farm roads, logging roads, and single lane rural routes that municipalities intentionally neglect to avoid cost of repair and liability.I’ve so far made the bike lighter with a high-mount exhaust, lithium battery, and aluminum mudguards; more protected with engine guards, handlebar guards, and pannier racks; and in the near future will be mounting spoked wheels converted for tubeless tires, with 80/20 dual-sport tires being the minimum off-road tread that I shoot for. From these mods alone, I’ve been able to ride some deep’ish rugs and puddles, and over some mid-size rocks. But let’s see what else can be done.On a previous post of mine that got removed for complaints, someone mentioned about investing in brake disc guards, which I hadn’t thought about. I didn’t come from a dirt bike background, and was unaware of these protectors. Anybody know any brands/models that will fit the V7?Also looking at getting off-road foot pegs, but the factory pegs for the Stornello don’t come with removable rubber inserts for paved roads. Opinions on these when used on highway? Too much vibration on pavement I wonder?Notes on front/rear suspension are welcome. Again, I don’t have too much knowledge other than the fact that my front is bottoming out occasionally these days. Perhaps some heavier oil is in need? I might consider lifting the back to make the lower part of the oil sump lift.I also plan to eventually add a sump guard, be it the beefy-looking and priced Agostini, or fabricating my own.Any other thoughts/suggestions/recommendations certainly welcome.Also, if you’re interested, here’s a recent trip on a couple of these roads. It’s one of the easier Class VI roads I’ve traveled so far, but it does get a little tight 3/4 of the way in. I’m new to editing and uploading videos, so please excuse the royalty-free cheesiness of the soundtrack: https://youtu.be/1tYTbHDXiPs
You mentioned that you were going tubeless. I only tubeless dual-sport F/R pair I have found, with an 18" front tire, is Kenda K-761. The front tire's rotation arrow is labeled "drive". I suggest mounting the tire with the arrow "backwards". I have over 10,000 miles on the pair on my V7II Stone.Another good choice is Shinko 705, the size for the front is 4.10-18, but it is tube type.To be able to access all of the "good' dual sport tires have the front wheel re-spoked with a 19" rim.Regarding the Agostini skid plate: To me it looks like the first good hard hit would bend the mounting studs and you would have a hard time removing it. Do you have to remove it to change the oil filter?I have never notice any difference between footpegs with or without rubber inserts, as far as vibrations, etc, are concerned. I have over 32k miles on my V7 with the Stornello/Stevio off-road pegs. For some better off-road footpegs check out PivotPegz - Stelvio pegs fit the V7.Dan
You don’t need 12” of suspension travel or disc guards to cruise class 4 roads. I did most of the Puppy Dog Route with a 1200 Sport on street tires. I’m heading out in an hour to do part of in on my Ducati Scrambler. 30-40% of my riding has been on dirt roads in VT and N.H. this summer. IMHO, the most important thing is to slow down and not punch a hole in the sump or oil filter. There’s no really solid way to mount a true skid plate under a V7. The day you start slamming into ledge or sliding the bike over logs you’re going to kill it. Get some sort of sump protection under it but understand that a Guzzi isn’t a KTM. It’s not a dirt bike and never will be but it’s absolutely capable of happily cruising tens of thousands of miles of gravel road as long as you ride within its’ capabilities. Cut a pair of PVC spacers and preload the fork springs. I’d start with 1.5-1.75”, ride for a weekend and if it still bottoms cut a pair a little longer. MT60’s fit and can be run with or without tubes. That’s it. Sump guard, pvc spacers and a set of tires. You don’t need anything else.