V85TT Suspension Thread

[GTM®]

First started to announce Matris’ offerings below, figured it would be best to rename the thread to cover all.

Stock bike info:
Front and rear wheel travel: 170mm
Target sag on both: 56.66mm

All measurements with me @~180 lbs aboard.

Stock forks (non-adjustable preload): 48mm



Stock Rear Shock (as delivered): 57mm!


Stock shock weight: 9.8 lbs.



GTM Mono Option:

GTM MSHOCK V85TT

GTM M-Shock V85TT Mono SF has over 40 years of experience in the motorcycle and automotive industries with more than 25 years in the manufacture of shock absorbers, including World Superbike. Built-to-order for your weight at a very affordable cost. The single adjuster (knob) provides a wide...

gtmotocycles.com

Matris F20 Fork Kit: TC

Matris R Dark Shock (-4 turns preload): 56mm
Other settings coming soon.
Shock weight: 4.6 lbs



Matris has released their list below for the V85TT:

KD+ID;

Matris Mono KE-ID V85TT

Matris KE+ID(HYD) Monoshock for your V85TT Matris delivers not only in ride, but also with incredible quality. The KE+HYD shock shown below, is built to order for your specs. It includes compression & rebound damping adjusters, as well as spring preload and length adjustable (up to +10mm) over...

gtmotocycles.com

R Mono;

Matris R Mono V85TT

Matris R Monoshock for your V85TT This shock simply blows away any shock on the market. Fully adjustable, high & low compression, rebound, spring preload and length adjustable. Low friction seals and gold coating. Combine this with the S fork kit for the ultimate in suspension for your Griso...

gtmotocycles.com

F20S Fork Kit;

Matris V85TT F20S Cartridge Fork Kit

Matris' Ultimate Fork Cartridge Kit your V85TT Matris has mastered a plush ride yet able to really push when needed with this drop-in full cartridge kit with full adjustability; Comp/Reb. & of course preload. Built-to-order, please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery on paid order only. This kit...

gtmotocycles.com

 

[tonUPRacer]

well that didn't take long. are they providing junk suspension on this rig too?

 

[GTM®]

well that didn't take long. are they providing junk suspension on this rig too?

If the factory offers an upgrade (Ohlins shock), you can bet it's mediocre at best. Always a price-point saver for OEMs to skimp as they know people who care will spend the money to upgrade. My expectations are very low for the stock suspension.

 

[Faisal]

well that didn't take long. are they providing junk suspension on this rig too?

If the factory offers an upgrade (Ohlins shock), you can bet it's mediocre at best. Always a price-point saver for OEMs to skimp as they know people who care will spend the money to upgrade. My expectations are very low for the stock suspension.

Most reviewers and motorcycle magazines didn't have any complains about the suspension in general. Since it is adjustable, I think it's just a matter of tweeking it to your liking. My V85 rides just fine from the factory. In fact, the suspension is wonderful, especially the rear. I need to play with the front suspension a bit and get it to soften up, but the stock suspension is absolutely adequate and extremely comfortable.

 

[Poppe]

Matris just released their list below for the V85TT. I've ordered the fork kit and R monoshock for my rental. Will start a seperate suspension thread once I have the bike and new suspension in hand, but this one is just to let those know of what is now available.

KD+ID; https://gtmotocycles.com/products/matris-mono-ke-id-v85tt
R Mono; https://gtmotocycles.com/products/matris-r-mono-v85tt
F20S Fork Kit; https://gtmotocycles.com/products/matris-v85tt-f20s-cartridge-fork-kit

View attachment 17513

Does this add any travel to the bike, or will that not really be possible?

 

[GTM®]

Does this add any travel to the bike, or will that not really be possible?

Travel, no. You can raise ride height with the shock, but it would take a custom made shock and forks to extend travel equally on both ends. I suspect for whatever most will use it for, as a dirt-bike it is NOT, it is adequate. I’ve ridden sport-bikes for hundreds of miles on unpaved roads with little issues, even my California on an off-road Guzzi ADV bike gathering. Depends on the rider.

 

[Faisal]

Todd,

Now that you have ridden it, is the suspension good (after adjustments if needed), or do you still think new cartridges / shocks are necessary?

 

[GTM®]

Added the Matris R shock yesterday. I changed the name of this post to cover all suspension mods.

 

[Faisal]

Added the Matris R shock yesterday, but haven’t ridden it yet.

So you believe the stock suspension needs upgrading?

 

[GTM®]

So you believe the stock suspension needs upgrading?

Absolutely. Even Guzzi is offering the Ohlins unit. Almost every production bike on the planet can be massively improved. Suspension is usually one of the places that the accountants can retain $.

 

[timax]

Can i ask if anyone knows of any failures with the shock mounts or anything else for that matter. I thinking about trading in my V7 and building up a V85tt for 2 up dirt road touring around Australia and also shipping it OS if things ever get back to normal. Cant bring myself to buy the usual GS and our last trip through India would have been even better with our own bike.

 

[TenBelowGriso]

Any updates on how much this improved the bike? It's definitely a lovely handling thing even from the factory but the suspension leaves a lot to be desired in some cases.

 

[manofsteel1]

well that didn't take long. are they providing junk suspension on this rig too?

I would really like some info on how to lower my v85tt 2020 by about 1 inch without having to buy anything. I know abpout and how to los=wer my front tube height but what is the way to lower the rear without having to spend $$$$ for the rear. Not worried about the centerstand for I can cut that and reweld the feet on it. Really what is the poor mans fix?

 

[Vagrant]

remove the rubbers from under the seat. that's it as far as I know without cutting a shock down.

 

[StoneMike]

Hello Geese

My rear suspension has some play. With my hand i can easily rotate it slightly left and right (the actual unit, not the spring).

After a day of some rough riding (but fun!), it now squeaks with every movement like a very unhappy mouse is in there. I can manually rotate it anti clockwise a few millimeters and the squeak disappears, but then returns due to the play.

Any ideas?

M

 

[GTM®]

My rear suspension has some play. With my hand i can easily rotate it slightly left and right (the actual unit, not the spring).
After a day of some rough riding (but fun!), it now squeaks with every movement like a very unhappy mouse is in there. I can manually rotate it anti clockwise a few millimeters and the squeak disappears, but then returns due to the play.
Any ideas?

Yes, there should always be rotational movement, else call it bound. Remove the pivot bolts and grease them. Guzzi is notorious for zero grease. Joke is they spit on the bolts before assembly. Honestly, it's a terrible (cheap) design that will likely cause issues down the road.

 

[StoneMike]

Yes, there should always be rotational movement, else call it bound. Remove the pivot bolts and grease them. Guzzi is notorious for zero grease. Joke is they spit on the bolts before assembly. Honestly, it's a terrible (cheap) design that will likely cause issues down the road.

Thank you.

 

[ol phart]

Hello Geese

My rear suspension has some play. With my hand i can easily rotate it slightly left and right (the actual unit, not the spring).

After a day of some rough riding (but fun!), it now squeaks with every movement like a very unhappy mouse is in there. I can manually rotate it anti clockwise a few millimeters and the squeak disappears, but then returns due to the play.

Any ideas?

M

When mine did this, I removed the shock and found the spherical bearings in each end of the shock to be dry and dirty, I cleaned and greased them and no more problems.

 

[StoneMike]

When mine did this, I removed the shock and found the spherical bearings in each end of the shock to be dry and dirty, I cleaned and greased them and no more problems.

Thank you

 

[GTM®]

When mine did this, I removed the shock and found the spherical bearings in each end of the shock to be dry and dirty, I cleaned and greased them and no more problems.

Thanks, forgot... yes, those too.