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V7 III Suspension Thread

B4DDF718-44BF-45F6-BDD4-7E2B0947EF1F.webp So after a quick lunch time ride over the worst roads in town I can only imagine that the Old shocks were Springs on Sticks... NO DAMPING !!!

The new GTM 2WS Twin Shocks actually damp the spine jarring jolts I used to experience on these same roads - WELL worth the investment.
I really don't know why I'm keeping the old ones in a box... to serve as a Bad example ???l

Over 250km this evening and the ride is just great, smooths out the little stuff and take the major pavement issue in stride, no surprises !
A great product ! *****
 
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DeadEye said:
So after a quick lunch time ride over the worst roads in town I can only imagine that the Old shocks were Springs on Sticks... NO DAMPING !!!

The new GTM 2WS Twin Shocks actually damp the spine jarring jolts I used to experience on these same roads - WELL worth the investment.
I really don't know why I'm keeping the old ones in a box... to serve as a Bad example ???
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I chucked mine in the trash bin
 
I am thinking of getting 20mm lower shocks, which means lowering the front as well. I know that perhaps the easiest way is to pull the fork tubes up through the triple trees (as in the GT video on Youtube), but it's also possible instead to cut the spacers/spring blocks by 20mm right?
 
Maj Steve Trevor said:
I am thinking of getting 20mm lower shocks, which means lowering the front as well. I know that perhaps the easiest way is to pull the fork tubes up through the triple trees (as in the GT video on Youtube), but it's also possible instead to cut the spacers/spring blocks by 20mm right?
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I may have a set in stock for a special price if you have an older V7. No, properly lowering forks internally is more involved. You can Google it if you’d like.
 
Hi all, I'm fairly new to all this still so a lot of the talk in this thread is a little too technical. Just looking for a recommendation. I have an '18 V7 III Special and looking to see if I can upgrade the shocks. I'm a big guy, 300lbs. Where should I start? I'm looking to start improving the bike.
 
misterwes31 said:
Hi all, I'm fairly new to all this still so a lot of the talk in this thread is a little too technical. Just looking for a recommendation. I have an '18 V7 III Special and looking to see if I can upgrade the shocks. I'm a big guy, 300lbs. Where should I start? I'm looking to start improving the bike.
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Welcome to the GT Forum. The very first post of this thread... All items we use, recommend and sell here; https://gtmotocycles.com/collections/suspension/model_v7-iii?sort_by=best-selling
All shown there are very good. The GTM versions (also the cheapest) are built to order, and can made longer as well, no additional charge.
 
vagrant said:
Look in the store above. I'd go 20MM longer for a bit more stroke and get the non progressive springs for your weight too.
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Thank you! I just didn't know what mm is considered long or short or anything ha. thank you
 
Godfrey said:
While the V7III is not expensive in the context of today's $20,000 bikes, I don't consider $10,000 an inexpensive machine. :)

My Racer came with the excellent Öhlins rear suspension units albeit with springing more suited to a rider who weighs about 150 lbs. The OEM fork felt crude and unresponsive by comparison. So I installed an uprated set of springs on the rear and a Matris cartridge fork kit on the front, with matched springing. Now I have proper springing at both end as well as both adjustable compression and rebound damping to set the bike up with ... Both have needed a couple of fine adjustments over time so having both has been a major plus. Not inexpensive but well worth it, to me.

I also upgraded the wheels so that I could use tubeless radial tires. That was far less necessary than the suspension upgrade as well as far more expensive, but it also improved the bike by a significant and noticeable increment. Happily, I could afford it too. The V7III frame and engine are definitely worth these improvements. It makes me think that the only reason Guzzi didn't include this grade of equipment as stock was to keep the selling price down in the acceptable range; I'd rather have the frame and engine be supported by suspension and wheels/tires that allow them to be used fully.

Both of these sets of upgrades are practically invisible to the eye to the uninformed viewer, so I guess I'm not going to make much of an impression with the custom crowd. :D

G
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Godfrey, I would be interested to know what the spring rate in your Matris full fork kit was? I am about the same weight (240+ in street clothes, and I am riding a V7 III Special. The Matris kit I was offered has only .65 N mm springs which seems even slightly less that OEM springs! Can you pass on your experience here?
 
I've got about 2500 miles on my recently purchased V7III and I'm ready for better rear dampers. I weigh 210, ride solo only, and carry only a regular sized tank bag. Most all recommendations I read are concerned with fast riding. My days of dragging pegs are far in the past and all I drag now is my ass so I want the softest, most comfortable set up I can get. If any geezers out there have something you're satisfied with I'd like to hear about it.
 
Bill Meyer said:
I've got about 2500 miles on my recently purchased V7III and I'm ready for better rear dampers. I weigh 210, ride solo only, and carry only a regular sized tank bag. Most all recommendations I read are concerned with fast riding. My days of dragging pegs are far in the past and all I drag now is my ass so I want the softest, most comfortable set up I can get. If any geezers out there have something you're satisfied with I'd like to hear about it.
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You will not go wrong with anything I have in the STORE linked above. On the lower budget side of things, either these; https://gtmotocycles.com/products/gtm-s2w-ifp-twin-shocks --OR-- these work very well; https://gtmotocycles.com/products/bitubo-v7-iii-twin-shocks - these being able to be had quicker if that matters to you.
Also, NEVER ignore the front end. A balanced bike is paramount as to spring rate and damping. If you wanted to upgrade your 4-wheeled vehicle, you'd never do one end at a time. I have several affordable options; https://gtmotocycles.com/collections/suspension/model_v7-iii?sort_by=best-selling
 
I can vouch for these two-
  • MATRIS V7 FORK SPRING KIT WITH ADJUSTERS
  • GTM 2WS TWIN SHOCK
These took what I felt was a bit soft front end and a bone jarring back end and made the bike more stable and much more pleasurable to ride than it was.
I have yet to drag a peg, ever... :worried:
 
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vagrant said:
I believe you can get by with 20MM longer and I would do that.
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Come on man. ;)
I developed, tested and confirmed this to work and be beneficial (circa 2013), and now two brands offer them this way that I sell (GTM 2WS & Bitubo).
 
Bill Meyer said:
Thanks for the info guys. The fork will get some attention but it's tolerable for now whereas the rear REALLY wants help.
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Welcome. I've also stated hundreds of times here that you don't know how bad the front is until you correct the back. I recommend you re-read my words above on both ends at once.
 
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