Setting up V7 Racer, no idea what I am doing

[diamondseries]

So I purchased a v7 racer a few months ago and I was wondering if you guys could help me set things up. I have been riding for some time, but am still learning the very basics of bike adjustments. So keep in mind I have little knowledge of technical terminology.

The main issue I have is that the bike is a little high for me. I am 5'6. I would like to lower the bike slightly so that I can get my feet to sit flat when I am stopped.

Because this is a v7 Racer, it comes with the Bitubo shocks and other equipment that is adjustable, but I have no idea what any of those adjustments do. Yes, I have read the manual, but I was wondering if you guys could give me a more comprehensive idea on how to lower my bike or soften the shocks and what effect these adjustments would have on my riding.   

[kirb]

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=81237.0

[kirb]

Suspenders usually have the following adjustments (some are missing one or all of these):

Pre-load: This sets the 'sag' of the bike when the rider sits on it. in simple terms, more preload adds more spring tension by compressing the spring slightly. This should not be confused as a way to 'lower' the bike.

Compression Damping: This changes the damping ability of the fork/shock under compression. Higher damping will restrict shock oil movement while in the process of compression (hitting a bump). Lower comp damping can improve bump compliance, but too much can cause strange effects (pogo effect, wallowing in corners, etc). These adjustments are 'usually' on the bottom of the fork.

Rebound Damping: This is the same as comp damping, but on the rebound of the shock/fork. These can help/hurt the ride you are experiencing when improperly adjusted. These adjustments are usually on the top of the forks.

Some forks have one side compression damp, and the other rebound damping. Keep your eyes open and read the manual. Searching youtube will help understand setup. Searching here will help with what adjustments you have available.

[rocker59]

  the bike is a little high for me. I am 5'6. I would like to lower the bike slightly so that I can get my feet to sit flat when I am stopped.
 

What is your inseam?  How far are your heels off the ground at a stop?

What you want may not be possible and keep the bike comfortable and handling well.

The front can be lowered by loosening the triple clamp pinch bolts, and clipon pinch bolts, and raising the fork tube through the clamp.  You can purchase aftermarket shocks that are lower (with less travel) than the stockers.  You can have a custom seat builder make your seat lower.

My suggestion is that you learn to be comfortable on your toes, or with one foot down at a stop.  Stock, the V7 Racer has a 31-inch seat height.  If your inseam is something less than 30-inches you have a long way to go for flat footing both feet.

Preload, Compression Damping, Rebound Damping are the three adjustments found on motorcycle suspensions.  You can do some searching on the internet for "motorcycle suspension setup" and find LOTS of reading.  And, I would recommend you do some reading before changing the settings.

[O]

This seat claims to be 1 inch lower:  https://www.af1racing.com/store/Scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=51984

[Perazzimx14]

the V7R has a wide flat seat that is not helping you having to straddle it. I would look into getting the seat narrowed as much as possible before lowering the bikes suspension. The oil pan is alread pretty close to the ground.

[pmillar]

Depending on what you usually wear on your feet, you might consider purchasing some new boots with thicker (taller) soles. This could represent a double win if it means better protection for your feet along with reducing the reach to the ground. Otherwise, I agree with the others - look to modify your seat before tweaking the suspension.  Hopefully you become more comfortable with more time on the bike. This is more likely to happen if you switched from a traditional cruiser to the V7 (IMO). Good luck!

[drlapo]

+1 get taller boots
Seriously ride the bike for awhile before making any drastic changes.
You only need one foot on the ground.
I'm 5'7" and I can't touch"flat" with both feet on any of my bikes.

[pyoungbl]

The V7 forks don't offer much in the way of external adjustment....compr ession and rebound adjustment.  To change the pre-load you need to open the forks and change the pre-load tube.  Yes you can raise the forks in the triple clamps.  I'd recommend taking the bike to a dealer (Phil, are you reading this?) based on OP's statement that he does not know what he is doing.

[fotoguzzi]

if you can get the seat sculpted narrower at the front you'll be able to slide forward at stop but still have the nice flat comfy (?) saddle when riding.
not your bike I know the the V11 had a saddle like that.

[Chuck in Indiana]

My suggestion is that you learn to be comfortable on your toes, or with one foot down at a stop.

What Rocker says. I'm very inseam challenged 28-29." You will find very few bikes that you can flat foot with both feet. That's why Harleys are such good learner bikes, and you see so many rookies on them.  True, though.. not Harley bashing at all. There is a learning curve. Generally, at a stop I have one foot down, probably just my toes depending on what bike it is.
Here's what I do:
Monitor mirrors to make sure some brain dead texter isn't about to run over me..
That's ok? .. coast to a stop, put my right foot down, and shift into neutral with my left, keeping it on the peg.
Light is about to change.. drop it in first, then motor away.
Easy peasey.
Stopping on a hill is another matter.
No brain dead cagers? Ok, bump it into neutral, stop with the rear brake and put your left foot down. Hold the brake with your right foot and/or the right hand.
Light about to change? Change to right foot down, bump in into first while holding the front brake.
Light changes.. let out on the clutch and front brake, motor off.
Does this make sense?
I don't think I've ever ridden a bike other than a hawg that I could flat foot with both feet. You really don't need to.

[spowell]

HI,

I'm 5'5 and have a V7R. When I first bought it I looked into trimming the seat foam down. The two auto upholstery people I spoke with, told me not to do it because it would be too uncomfortable. I then looked into and bought the lower gel saddle. It is slightly lower and has noticeably less padding (read: not as comfortable). I've only used it once and I'm keeping it in the small off-chance someone wants to go for a ride longer than around the block.

The solution is riding boots with a thicker sole. I bought a pair of adventure/off-road style Sidi's and now I don't think about the height. I'm not completely flat footed but, I've been more than comfortable with the bike for the last 2 years.

Good luck!

[canuguzzi]

Slightly lower and sculpted seat and thicker soled boots. Together it will give an inch easily. Changing both a little means no drastic changes for either.

Lowered suspensions usually come with as many problems as benefits. A seat can be reshaped to stock if you don't like it but perhaps getting an old used seat and just shaping that with a recover would do it. A lowered seat has the effect of raising the bars in relationship to your shoulders to check on that. Take your seat off and experiment with foam from a fabrics store. Cheap and easy to do. Get the really firm stuff, you need only a little bit.

If you have good boots, oftentimes you can have a thicker sole put in. It is bit the heels that touch the ground first, its the balls of your feet. You might bit get flat footed but if you can get nearly there that might work for you.

A little more involved trick is to take the seat off then using a garbage bag, fill it with some if that gap sealing foam they sell at hardware stores. Leave the end open, it needs air to set up. Put said bag where the seat goes and stand as you'd like to be when stopped. Wait for the foam to set and remove. Now you can compare the ideal to your current seat.

When you do this out a piece of cardboard under the bag between it and the frame. That way the foam doesn't mold into the crevaces and make if hard to take off. Shouldn't cost more than $5 or so.