V7-850 E5 Suspension Thread

[rower30]

Had a scary moment the other day while I was traveling 90 MPH on the Oklahoma Turnpike. Hit a rough patch that bucked me off my seat while my bars were simultaneously shaking back and forth. Longest two seconds of my life.

So it's time to get serious about that suspension upgrade. My question is...are the Bitubo and Matris shocks and fork internals my only options? Which would be better suited for a lighter rider(130lbs)? Would I benefit from a piggyback tank if I'm primarily riding on paved road and only occasionally on sections of gravel or dirt? Which would be more easily serviceable? I plan to have this bike forever so longevity and ease of service is important to me.

I love the look of the Ohlins SE Blackline shocks and it's the brand I'm most familiar with as a mountain biker, but am not sure if those would be compatible with my bike (2023 V7 850 SE). I saw the GT shop had Ohlins available for previous models but not for the newer 850s.

Any advise is appreciated, thanks y'all!

You get that butt clear off the seat too! I weigh 140 and frost heaves are jump ramps. Very disconcerting hitting those. As GTM mentions, set-up is worth the price of admision. I have some $$$ Ohlins shocks set up wrong and it is worse than the stock KYB's. So be warned. I wish I knew about his shop three years ago. "Lesser" shocks done right beat the $$$ stuff thrown at you, just saying.

The V7 is such a nice bike to be on and worth the set-up. I put over 7,000 miles on mine in two months before the snow flew.

 

[rower30]

This from my 1970-2000 motocross days. The rear shock spring used to be selected based on the leverage ratio of the suspension system. With a linkage connected to the shock giving a rising rate, you'd use a straight rate spring. The lingage supplies the rising "spring" rate. With a bike with severly foreward laid down shocks like the KTM motocross models or even the new V100S Moto Guzzi that has a laid down design there is also a rising rate so straight rate springs can work with the electronic damping.

Now look at the V7 850's rear suspension. The shocks are MILDLY foreward mounted at the top. This is really too mild in my old world of motocross to supply any real progression, so a progressive spring is needed. There is no real leverage ratio from the linkage as there really isn't one with the mild foreward mount. We have 5" or so of vertical suspension travel to get right.

The next argument is a progressive "linkage" ratio really needed? This is where expertise comes in that I certainly don't have. Understanding mere concepts isn't expertise. On the V7 it seems it needs a progressive linkage (the shock springs variable wind gets you that) to get it done for street stuff. Racing is a different story.

I throw this out to get a response and in no way suggest I'm right on street bikes, unlike long travel motocrossers, there I have some expertise. But the adjustability damping / rebound is too often the big factor over what kind of spring to use, straight or rising rate. The damping is often used to try to "fix" the wrong spring and thus can't do what damping was made to do. The entire system is critical.

Find someone who KNOWS all this stuff (HERE, at this store) and has the expertise, and buy from them as the right set-up is so, so important to be happy. Look at it this way, you buy the shock AND the expertise to get it right. My V7 850 $$$ Ohlins was set-up wrong from the dealer and I'm 100% miserable. They had the information (weight/bike/commuter) and didn't get even close to right. My shocks are useless.

 

[GTM®]

My problem is the rear suspension. Should I cut and run on my S36PR1C1 Ohlins?

Yes, or find a local Ohlins agent that can rebuild them with the bike in their shop... Though from my vast experience with this, you still will be unhappy. Twin shock bikes all suffer from minimal travel, so longer shocks work in your favor. The good ones are all quite soft as to springs AND valving. All we offer are built to a spec we developed to offer to our customers. You'll never get a twin shock bike to work like a mono-shock, but all we offer is drastically better per the reviews and posts here. Hope that helps.

 

[rower30]

Yes, or find a local Ohlins agent that can rebuild them with the bike in their shop... Though from my vast experience with this, you still will be unhappy. Twin shock bikes all suffer from minimal travel, so longer shocks work in your favor. The good ones are all quite soft as to springs AND valving. All we offer are built to a spec we developed to offer to our customers. You'll never get a twin shock bike to work like a mono-shock, but all we offer is drastically better per the reviews and posts here. Hope that helps.

I assumed as much. The Ohlin's are set-up for a 220 pound rider on a race track! I'll start the rear suspension over again, and review the choices you have. They all seem to get good marks set-up properly, and that's to also be expected. I do like the idea of adjustable rebound and compression damping so I'll budget to get that but hope I never ever use it!

There has to be a compromise I agree. Getting the big bangers right means a likely firmer small bump ride and the opposite. My bike, as is, manages to do poorly on ANY sized bump. I need it to be better on small to medium bumps and I'll steer around the bigger stuff. Seems the way it is on twin shock bikes.

Thanks so much for your store and site. You have a terrific sales/store idea here!

 

[MotoDad]

I assumed as much. The Ohlin's are set-up for a 220 pound rider on a race track! I'll start the rear suspension over again, and review the choices you have. They all seem to get good marks set-up properly, and that's to also be expected. I do like the idea of adjustable rebound and compression damping so I'll budget to get that but hope I never ever use it!

There has to be a compromise I agree. Getting the big bangers right means a likely firmer small bump ride and the opposite. My bike, as is, manages to do poorly on ANY sized bump. I need it to be better on small to medium bumps and I'll steer around the bigger stuff. Seems the way it is on twin shock bikes.

Thanks so much for your store and site. You have a terrific sales/store idea here!

Very much agree. My '24 V7 with the setup GTM sent me is a different bike. Left a review on the site as well. Shoot GTM a message at the sales@ email mentioned above if you haven't, you'll be glad.

 

[artkodiak]

I purchased the Shock Factory 2WS shocks and a Matris fork kit for my 2023 V7 from the GTM Store (check link above). I’m excited about the upgrade! While I have some experience working on cars, I’m not familiar with fork work. I have read on the forum and in the product reviews that the fork kit install is easy. I have read the instructions (English translated from Italian) that came with the kit and I’m not clear on how to do it. The less I know about something, the more literal I am. Is there a fork kit install outline for dummies? . Thanks!

I got the Matris front and rear upgrade (from GTM Shop, of course) & am going to try install early April (due to recent back surgery). Being equally unfamiliar, and therefore literal, I seem to be in the same boat as you... Any input is welcome

 

[jbhotchkiss]

Finally installed the Matris fork cartridge kit on the 2024 Stone Ten.
Nice product, but included instructions are lacking - am thankful for the installation instructions/tips on this forum. Only thing I would add is to use a breaker bar when removing that bottom bolt - leverage is your best friend in this scenario. Use the extended m8 hex bit and your trusty breaker bar to slowly and carefully turn that bad boy until you get that crack, and it lets loose. Luigi likes Loctite.

Raised the fork legs 10mm and added a new wave rotor and HH+ pads to improve handling and braking. So this upgrade, together with the previously installed 2ws (+20mm) shocks should make for a nice package. Still need to set sag, though, and no doubt make some adjustments after the maiden ride in a day or two.
I'm 200+ pounds, and the fork settings are the Matris recommendations:
- 6 turns preload
- 15 clicks compression
- 15 clicks rebound

For those of you about my size who have installed this kit, would you mind sharing the settings you're using? I'm just curious.

Thanks, GTM for offering this kit (and all the products in the store) and this forum, without which I would not have had the confidence to attempt this installation.

 

[GTM®]

Just added, fully adjust Ohlins PBs;

Ohlins E5 V7-850 STX36P Shocks

Öhlins Fully Adjustable Piggybacks for '21+ V7-850 IV Trofeo Ohlins fully adjustable shocks for your '21+ E5 V7-850 IV - All models. Yellow or Black springs available, see selections above. Built to paid order ONLY -- Please Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery, custom ORDERS ONLY: Subject to a 30%...

gtmotocycles.com

 

[jbhotchkiss]

Finally installed the Matris fork cartridge kit on the 2024 Stone Ten.
Nice product, but included instructions are lacking - am thankful for the installation instructions/tips on this forum. Only thing I would add is to use a breaker bar when removing that bottom bolt - leverage is your best friend in this scenario. Use the extended m8 hex bit and your trusty breaker bar to slowly and carefully turn that bad boy until you get that crack, and it lets loose. Luigi likes Loctite.

Raised the fork legs 10mm and added a new wave rotor and HH+ pads to improve handling and braking. So this upgrade, together with the previously installed 2ws (+20mm) shocks should make for a nice package. Still need to set sag, though, and no doubt make some adjustments after the maiden ride in a day or two.
I'm 200+ pounds, and the fork settings are the Matris recommendations:
- 6 turns preload
- 15 clicks compression
- 15 clicks rebound

For those of you about my size who have installed this kit, would you mind sharing the settings you're using? I'm just curious.

Thanks, GTM for offering this kit (and all the products in the store) and this forum, without which I would not have had the confidence to attempt this installation.

Front good as is - don't see a need yet to deviate from the initial Matris recommended settings. HUGE improvement!
Rear feels a bit harsh, so need to adjust.
Still need set sag using that SLACKER gadget that I bought.

 

[Farilpieno57]

Front good as is - don't see a need yet to deviate from the initial Matris recommended settings. HUGE improvement!
Rear feels a bit harsh, so need to adjust.
Still need set sag using that SLACKER gadget that I bought.

Glad to hear! I plan to install the Matris kit on my '22 Stone in the near future.

 

[GTM®]

Still need set sag using that SLACKER gadget that I bought.

Not directed at you Jeff...
From the top, setting and balancing sag AND valving, front AND rear is paramount to posting your thoughts here. One end misadjusted will amplify the issue with the other end. I keep saying again and again and again, that if you upgraded your car's suspension, would you focus on only one end? If so, I'll stop posting.