V7 III Suspension Thread

[GTM®]

This thread houses info on the V7 III. Yes it is important to do front and rear upgrades together, especially if you are outside of the target stock weight ranges (155-170 lbs in gear). If your car needed a suspension upgrade, you wouldn’t do on end only, correct? On a motorcycle, it’s even more critical.

All items we use, recommend and sell here; https://gtmotocycles.com/collections/suspension/model_v7-iii?sort_by=best-selling

Stock specs:
Front fork travel: 130 mm / 5.1"
Target total sag: 43.33 mm / 1.7"
Rear wheel travel: 93 mm / 3.6"
Target total sag: 31mm / 1.2"

I recommend pushing the forks up in the triple trees 10-20mm. This will help with stability and turn in for those who enjoy twisty road riding.

Measured with 190 # rider on board as delivered:

Stone III

Kaifa forks:
Unl. 182 mm
Stat. 148 mm
Lad. 132 mm
TSag: 50 mm
Target: 43.33mm

KYB shocks:
Unl. 360 mm
Stat. 347 mm
Lad. 319 mm
TSag: 41 mm
Target: 31mm

GTM 2S shocks:
365mm Unladen
347mm Static
317 Laden
48mm total sag out of box
Set to: 334mm
31mm total target sag

Racer III

Kaifa forks:
Likely the same as above, as they use the same forks. I didn't measure before converting to the custom front end with Ohlins forks.

Ohlins:
Unl. 362 mm
Stat. 358 mm
Lad. 329 mm
TSag: 33 mm
Target: 31mm

 

[SaulGuzzi]

I bought my bike in may this year, and im almost at 4000 miles.
I've been hitting the canyons roughly 3 times a month and commuting 70 miles round trip everyday.

I dont necessarily have an issue with the handling but I dont have experience with any other motorcycle.

Sometimes in the canyons my bike feels not as confidence inspiring but I think it may my tires which are getting pretty worn.

I weigh 200-215 lbs, what kind of suspension upgrades would you recommend?

 

[GTM®]

I weigh 200-215 lbs, what kind of suspension upgrades would you recommend?

I merged your post with this one. If you weigh 210-215 in street clothes, you for sure would benefit from an upgrade. You can peruse the online Store here, and email me direct with any questions and your budget; Info at GuzziTech.com

 

[SaulGuzzi]

I merged your post with this one. If you weigh 210-215 in street clothes, you for sure would benefit from an upgrade. You can peruse the online Store here, and email me direct with any questions and your budget.

What are some changes i would experience?

 

[Godfrey]

I upgraded My V7III Racer with proper rate springs for the Öhlins rear suspension and the full Matris K15 fork cartridges and spring kit. I weight 250Lbs (currently).

- no more bottoming at either end.
- better steering response and faster input.
- much more consistent when heeled over into a long, fast bend.
- plusher, more controlled response on sudden dips

Racer's handling is now top notch in every way, much more secure and useful no matter whether I'm pootling along or blasting through the wiggles. Well worth the money!

 

[roadscum]

I hear ya loud and clear. The best performance upgrade I can make on a bike with budget suspension is a full suspension upgrade. Add Conti R A 3's to the mix and there's another incremental improvement in ride comfort and handling. Add all the above and, as I see it, it transforms a very good bike into a great bike.

Paul

 

[Johnny_nono_57]

I'm in the process of purchasing a v7III carbon dark ( not my first bike ). I've had some that I've completely replaced the suspension and others that I've ridden completely stock. Am I wrong in understanding that the popular opinion with the stock v7III suspension is that it is over sprung and under damped? The chart up top reads for a 190# rider... I'm about 215 to 220 geared up. I'm figuring I might be good to go for awhile (2 to 3 years ) before any major suspension changes. I feel like a little added preload to the rear might be all the tweaking I need from the start given that the opinion is that it is already over sprung? My riding is mostly mild twisties through Long Island's wineries and farms with decent road quality and some limited highway trips. The dealer told me the gvwr was somewhere in the 860# range which seems to cover 2up if I wanted... that puts total rider weight somewhere around 380# ( wouldn't even really be doing 2up 99.9 percent of the time I'm just looking at it like an even bigger buffer zone on the rear shocks ). I feel like I should be good to go for at least awhile before I've completely learned the ins and outs of the bike... pros, cons, limits etc. Am I way off base here?

 

[GTM®]

Am I wrong in understanding that the popular opinion with the stock v7III suspension is that it is over sprung and under damped?

Well congrats in advance in the purchase!
You would be wrong in that assumption. While the V7III suspension is better than all of the previous versions, there is still loads of improvement in upgrading if you are over 180 lbs in gear. All said, buy it and ride it, and choose from there. Hope you’ll add your info to the Registry and Pic thread once you take delivery.

 

[Johnny_nono_57]

Thanks... I appreciate the response. I'll update the registry soon.

 

[Vagrant]

drop the front forks 10MM after you try it stock for a while. most likely you will back off the rear spring pressure. I think they set it for 300LBS!

 

[GTM®]

Always check and measure sag. I think you will find that the harshness can be chased down to too soft of spring and minimal travel for riders over 180 lbs. Again the Mk III is better than the older models, but far from good.

 

[avlis]

drop the front forks 10MM after you try it stock for a while. most likely you will back off the rear spring pressure. I think they set it for 300LBS!

Is there a DIY on dropping the forks? As simple as loosening the clamps and measuring carefully before re-tightening?

I'm probably 150-ish lbs. newbie but I think the fork on my V7III is kinda harsh. Lots of shock transmitted to my arms. Thinking about the Matris conversion kit sold here in the store. Would this kit be worth the investment or is it geared more for heavier/aggressive riders?

 

[GTM®]

Is there a DIY on dropping the forks? As simple as loosening the clamps and measuring carefully before re-tightening?

I'm probably 150-ish lbs. newbie but I think the fork on my V7III is kinda harsh. Lots of shock transmitted to my arms. Thinking about the Matris conversion kit sold here in the store. Would this kit be worth the investment or is it geared more for heavier/aggressive riders?

No, but as your wrote, just be sure to support the bottom of the bike of course.
The Matris kit is built to weight, and is a fantastic upgrade.

 

[Robert Gibson]

Is there a DIY on dropping the forks? As simple as loosening the clamps and measuring carefully before re-tightening?

I'm probably 150-ish lbs. newbie but I think the fork on my V7III is kinda harsh. Lots of shock transmitted to my arms. Thinking about the Matris conversion kit sold here in the store. Would this kit be worth the investment or is it geared more for heavier/aggressive riders?

Although not related to the V7, I replaced both the front and rear suspension on my Cali 1400 with with Matris units, (Todd's recommendation). Personally speaking, apart from the GT-Rx fuelling mod this is the best investment you can make. It certainly transformed the handling on my bike and if you buy from the store Todd is on hand to advise on set up etc.

 

[GTM®]

I just got in from testing a new affordable alternative for the rear twin shocks. As shown below, they are built to order for your weight and riding style.

Purchase info and specs are available here; https://gtmotocycles.com/products/gtm-s2w-ifp-twin-shocks - I will honor the introductory sale pricing through the end of the year. For the price, I am pretty impressed. Nice build quality, and after a tweak of the spring preload to correct sag, and a quick balance of the damping to match the stock forks, I rode my hilltop test loop. I first rode the stock KYBs as a baseline, then these. Difference was remarkably better. Firm, but plush and compliant. They took the sharp edged bumps and reflector hits very well. No more hard kick in the seat.
Are they top shelf good? No... but as an affordable alternative, or those that just want a good replacement to the stock shocks, these get two thumbs up.

They can be had for all model small (and big!) blocks back to the late 60's. The model list is below the pic.

I added the specs on the first post of this thread.



V 35 C 350 : 82-87
NTX 350 : 86-90
V50 V50 II V50 III V50 Monza : 77-85
V 5 C 500 : 82-87
V 65 FLORIDA 650 : 82-87
V 65 GT 650 : 82-87
V 65 SP 650 : 82-87
V 65C 650 : 82-87
NTX 650 : 86-90
V 65 650 : 92-87
V 7 SPORT 700 : 67-77
750 S3 : 75-79
750 SP / TARGA : 90-93
NTX 750 : 91-94
NEVADA 750 : 98-09
NEVADA 750 : 10-13
750 BREVA ie : 03-10
V7 / V7 II : 08-16
V7 III : 16+
V9 : 16+
T 3/4 850 : 75-82
T3 CALIFORNIA 850 : 75-82
850 LE MANS I / II : 76-80
850 LE MANS III : 81-85
T 5 850 I / II / III : 83-87
CONVERT 1000 : 75-82
G 5 1000 : 79-85
SP 1000 : 77-82
SP 1000 II / III : 83-87
1000 LE MANS IV / V : 84-88
GT 1000 : 87-93
STRADA 1000 : 93-94
CALIFORNIA 1000 : 82-93
CALIFORNIA 1000 II : 81-87
CALIFORNIA 1000 III : 87-93
CALIFORNIA 1000 III INJECTION : 93
CALIFORNIA 1100 CARB/INJECTION : 94-97
CALIFORNIA 1100 EVOLUTION : 97-00
CALIFORNIA 1100 EVOLUTION : 01-02
CALIFORNIA 1100 EVOLUTION PI : 02
CALIFORNIA SPECIAL 1100 : 99-00
CALIFORNIA JACKAL 1100 : 99-01
CALIFORNIA STONE 1100: 00-01
CALIFORNIA STONE 1100 : 01-02
CALIFORNIA SPORT 1100 : 01-02
CALIFORNIA STONE METAL 1100 : 02-03
TITANIUM SPECIAL SPORT 1100 : 02-03
ALUMINIUM SPECIAL SPORT 1100 : 02-03
CALIFORNIA 1100 : 03-05
CALIFORNIA TOURING / CLASSIC 1100 : 06-08
CALIFORNIA VINTAGE 1100 : 06-13
CALIFORNIA 1400 : 13+

 

[Andrew Joy]

Maybe a dumb question, but I have completely stock suspension on my V7iii Milano and I'm just short of being able to flat foot it. I'd like to lower it a bit to be able to flat foot while stopped. Is this a bad idea? hard to do? Anything I should know beforehand? Is it just as simple as adjusting the preload setting on the rear shocks? I'm not well versed in motorcycle suspension yet.

 

[GTM®]

Maybe a dumb question, but I have completely stock suspension on my V7iii Milano and I'm just short of being able to flat foot it. I'd like to lower it a bit to be able to flat foot while stopped. Is this a bad idea? hard to do? Anything I should know beforehand? Is it just as simple as adjusting the preload setting on the rear shocks? I'm not well versed in motorcycle suspension yet.

Preload should not be used to lower a bike. It is used to set proper sag as noted in the video above. Shorter shocks and sliding the forks up in the triple tree/clamps are the best to lower the front.

The GTM 2S shocks and Matris offerings can be made to order to length for no additional charge. The 2S is shown in the video above; https://gtmotocycles.com/collections/suspension/model_v7-iii?sort_by=best-selling

 

[Hippo-Drones]

Have just dropped my front end down the forks 11mm on my V7, seems to turn in a bit easier now, I may try incrementing it down to 20mm as suggested in the OP. I have a trackday coming up on it so it'd be ace to have it a little sharper for it!

 

[Vagrant]

I added GT's straight springs to my forks for my fat butt weight 800 miles ago. I need to do the front tire so I will change the fork oil from the stock at 9500 miles. IF YOU have changed yours what weight do you suggest and how many ounces or distance from the top of the fork with springs installed do you suggest for the V7III?
Thanks

 

[GTM®]

I added GT's straight springs to my forks for my fat butt weight 800 miles ago. I need to do the front tire so I will change the fork oil from the stock at 9500 miles. IF YOU have changed yours what weight do you suggest and how many ounces or distance from the top of the fork with springs installed do you suggest for the V7III?
Thanks

20w and 10mm higher than spec.