V7lll Suspension is a PITA...Literally!!!

[kingoffleece]

You won't be well served by having incorrect spring weights-no matter what the objective is.

[Vagrant]

I thinking is that with a shaft drive you are never going to be given plush, long travel suspension. Again, my thinking is if they fitted a CV joint instead of a UJ they could get more movement.
Tell that to a VS owner!
My 2003 Brve does have crap suspension. Going to 10 weight in the front made a big difference to the Marzocchis. I run the preload on the rear backed off as far as it can go and it is about right for two-up or a decent load.

[gearman]

keep in mind �plush� and �controlled� don�t necessarily play well together.  My DR650 has something like 10� of travel & will float over just about anything but dropping it into a curve at 90 is not exactly it�s strong suite.  Conversely, most sport bikes are a bit of a handlful on a fire trail...

What are all those diamonds in your post.I have seen them before and dont know why they are there.

[Guzzi Gal]

What are all those diamonds in your post?  I have seen them before and don't know why they are there.

I think it has something to do with the font used by the posters device not being recognized by the forum.  It happens to posts I make from my phone, but not my laptop.

[egschade]

I think it has something to do with the font used by the posters device not being recognized by the forum.  It happens to posts I make from my phone, but not my laptop.

Correct - things like ampersands, bold, quotes and even questions marks aren't even recognized by my PC. Something to do with control characters being blocked. I also don't see the emoticons anymore - just the description.

Not sure if it's me or the forum...

[Lcarlson]

Correct - things like ampersands, bold, quotes and even questions marks aren't even recognized by my PC. Something to do with control characters being blocked. I also don't see the emoticons anymore - just the description.

Not sure if it's me or the forum...

Fortunately, it doesn’t really matter, as the posts are perfectly comprehensible even with the missing punctuation.

[Roebling3]

My notion, a rather long time ago now:
 MG is literally a boutique mc manufacturer. The V7 line in particular aught to be offered as a base chassis with a list of pick and choose items:  suspension, wheels, brakes, exhausts, fairings, seating factory colors.
 The notion of buying a bike, having already acknowledged the short comings and thus paying 2 X for material changes + labor is foolish from the start.
 I believe the change in marketing would lend a certain panache to a brand that already has built in exclusivity.
 I lived in CT for many years. I've known Jim Hamlin for quite some time. My son knows him very well.
I wanted one more mc. It needed to be a Guzzi. I've had as many as 6 @ one time. I still have 4, including a V7 IIIR purchased last July. 
 Jim Hamlin is one of those rare dealers that will 'make it fit', if you're interested.
I wanted better suspension, handle bar placement and foot controls. Rather than a special or Anniversario, (+ pay for and swap parts), it was less expensive to get a Racer w/a better frt. end.
 Jim offered Legnano bars, a different saddle and I chose a K-Tech frt. end. It also didn't leave the shop w/out an all metal fuel filter, the NGK hi-tension conversion and cast wheels - - - which I made $$ in the swap.
 All the body parts, including the frt. fender are @ the paint shop. The wheels were powder coated. I'm waiting on decals. Another week and it should be ready for re-assembly.
 My only complaint? It would be great 100#'s lighter.  Good fortune,  R3~   

[ohiorider]

I've been down that route a couple of times, in more recent times vs 'back when.'  Seems like the manufacturers must conclude that those of us buying their lower end machines must not care about suspension.  (Hey, what do these buyers know .... they must be amateurs!)

Well, hate to break it to them, but they'd be way ahead if they would really concentrate on the suspension on their lower end bikes.  I'm now about ready to part company with my 2014 CB1100.  I thought, surely to Gawd, Honda, of all manufacturers, would understand that buyers of their retro bike would expect compliant suspension.  Wrong!

However, if you read the CB1100 forum, it would appear as though there is only a small number of owners who think the suspension sucks.  I'm one of those, and am tired of futzing with the bike, so it is up for sale.  I will remove the Ikon shocks and replace the stockers on the bike before selling, since so many owners seem to think 'all is well' with the stock setup.

Bob

[Muzz]

 MG is literally a boutique mc manufacturer. The V7 line in particular aught to be offered as a base chassis with a list of pick and choose items:  suspension, wheels, brakes, exhausts, fairings, seating factory colors.
 

When the Baby B came out MG offered at the same time a rear suspension upgrade. They were a piggy back unit, but who made them I don't know.

[Rich A]

I have a little over 400 mi on my V7III Special now--I don't think the suspension is that much worse than the other eight Guzzis I've had (~130 k miles on them, 'course two of those were loops). I did adjust the preload on the shocks and that helped a bit.

Rich

[kingoffleece]

So much depends on the road conditions.  I'd venture to say that most, if not all of us who have expressed dissatisfaction with the as supplied rear shocks have experienced the getting thrown out of the seat thing.  That's just unacceptable.  Not just my experience with V7's.  Four newish Bonnies were all that way too, and all were modded to fix that issue.

Strangely enough, my wife's new $5000.00 BMW G310R monoshock is WORLDS better that any of the Bonnies or the V7 as supplied.

[Rich A]

So much depends on the road conditions.

Agreed. Most of the roads around here are quite good--we don't get many potholes and frost heaves as it's so dry and it doesn't freeze that often. The weight of the rider and riding style also make a big difference, too, I'm sure.

Rucg

[malik]

Before you commit to spending big, check that what you have is set up properly (do what I say, not as I do). When the V7C suddenly started skipping the rear end over bumps, I first changed the fork oil - badly in need of refreshing - and that solved that problem. Cheaper than having the rear (Gazi) serviced. It may be that the factory put the incorrect amount of oil in your forks. It's the easiest thing to check first, and the cheapest to fix.

I've ridden a demo V7III Racer over a bumpy road that jars the V7C, the Special & the V7 II Racer. The III merely floated over those same bumps. I suspect that III may have been set up properly by the dealer and has given me a target for what is possible.

While I'm up here visiting Qld on the V7C, I'm going to have the Gazi's serviced - they have been on for some 120,000km - then change the fork oil as well. It will be interesting to note the difference over country roads.

[gearman]

Fortunately, it doesn�t really matter, as the posts are perfectly comprehensible even with the missing punctuation.
[/quote               ]It makes it hard to read. Punctuation makes a difference. For instance:" You are an idiot ",is different than "You are an idiot?'

[rider33]

What are all those diamonds in your post.I have seen them before and dont know why they are there.

‘not really sure, it only happens here,  might be an apple thing....

[mechanicsavant]

I also am no fan of the on suspenders. That said , the price point is why . Being a gentleman of a certain size springs were my issue ,to get the sag correct I had the rear spring adjusters about 65% used up &added 3/4"spacers to forks . At same time I dealt with the fork fluid,that helped. One thing that took the "edge" off the bumps was radials tires! I got 6k mi. Out the demons. About 8k m. I went w/ stiffer springs on oem shocks & new fork springs. Mad my own preload adjusters out of stock fork caps.Now w/ me & my camping gear (70lbs)  I'm no longer crashing & banging off the stops! Another observation, suspension travel as listed is optemistic at best at least by my tape measure. It's not ideal ,what is ? But tolerable .I still take my other bike on long tours (R1200r) but my V7 is still a hoot ,like doing a polka w/100lb girl!

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

O.P. here

I went ahead and ordered Ikon shocks and springs made to order for my weight and riding style.  After reading all of the responses I feel that this is my best option.

Again,  THANK YOU so much for your invaluable feedback, I truly appreciate it.

Mario

[rider33]

good call, I was surprised how big a difference it made when I switched out the shocks on my Bonneville.  Be sure to report back on what you think once you have them on.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

good call, I was surprised how big a difference it made when I switched out the shocks on my Bonneville.  Be sure to report back on what you think once you have them on.

Will do

[kingoffleece]

Take a few moments and set the sag.  It does make a BIG difference.  You'll need to do it one more time at around 500 road miles as the springs will take a bit of a set.

[motogoro]

sigh,...  this thread is killing my dreams.  well, okay, day dream of owning a V7 III. 

this does sound very similar to the complaints I have about my wife's Sportster 883 Low

<back to lurk mode>

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

sigh,...  this thread is killing my dreams.  well, okay, day dream of owning a V7 III. 

this does sound very similar to the complaints I have about my wife's Sportster 883 Low

<back to lurk mode>

O.P. here
Please don't let my whining short circuit your V7III plans. Overall it is a really nice bike. For one, it is drop dead gorgeous. You will be staring at it for hours. The motor is fabulous. It is extremely comfortable. Just be cognizant when going over ice heaves!

[egschade]

I went ahead and ordered Ikon shocks and springs made to order for my weight and riding style.  After reading all of the responses I feel that this is my best option.

I just sent emails to both Ikon and Hagon with my riding style, weight and ride expectations for shocks and front springs. Will be interesting to see what package each recommends.

[kingoffleece]

And, even stock, it's better than the 1.3 inch travel of the 883.  That's another bike that really improves with aftermarket shocks.

[egschade]

sigh,...  this thread is killing my dreams.  well, okay, day dream of owning a V7 III. 

this does sound very similar to the complaints I have about my wife's Sportster 883 Low

<back to lurk mode>

Owning a V7 III and having ridden a Sportster Iron I can tell you the suspension is night and day difference. I would say the V7 is 'decent' suspension, just a bit harsh and undersprung for me. The stock Iron shocks are just plain punishing on anything but a smooth road.

[rider33]

many bikes where style is the driver take a hit in terms of comfort in general and suspension travel in particular.  In the Harley line check the stats and more often as not the special version gives up travel in the styling bargain,  not good if you actually intent to ride much.  Classic Roadsters generally are better as the design does not necessitate slamming the suspension.  Still tho, the quality of the suspension varies.  Having owned three now (W650, 865 Bonneville, and the V7/50) I would say the iii is the best of the lot in terms of suspension.  It’s not plush like a Goldwing or lazer sharp like a sport bike but it gets the job done.  In matters of suspension there is no absolute, only relative truth & that specific to you and the roads you ride.  Don’t rule it out, ride one & decide for yourself, the only opinion in the end that matters.