New Guzzi bliss!

[pShenk]

Hi everybody! A little over a week ago, I bought a 2003 V11 sport, and straight away rode it three hours from Grass Valley to Redwood City. The previous owner had some high handlebars and a pretty soft suspension, and I must say, I was starting to doubt my decision. Within 30 minutes, my right hand was starting to get numb from the vibrations, the steering was wobbley... the whole bike torqued to the side reving it at idle.... and the speedometer showed only *general* speed in the 75-90 mph range. I had just come off owning two Ducatis... a Monster 800, and then a tricked-out 748. I went to bed that night wondering if I had made the right choice.

 

So, the next day, I took a few hours and put the stock clip-ons back on, adjusted the suspension (as well as I could, after reading lots about it on this forum) back to stock, and added some gel handgrips. I took it out for a ride, and MUCH better. Now bar vibes were more in the line of "feeling the power" than "tenderize my hand-meat". To my pleasant surprise, I found that the V11 sport was actually living up to the "sporty" tag! Sort of like a mix between the Monster and the 748, wrapped up in green retro amore.

 

So, then I took it down to Moto Itailiano in San Jose to pick up a brakelight switch I had busted, and started asking Julio about mufflers. Well, before you know it, I had bought a pair of the Guzzi TIs, complete with chip and rearset

 

It rained a lot this weekend, so today was the first day I got to really take it out for a spin since the new pipes, and... oh joy! So smooth, so melodious... everything was in harmony. The nearly endless torque and the raw, throbbing power. It's so easy to ride, so much more so than the 748, and it has so much more charm and oomph than the monster. I'm sure I'll continue to tweak and adjust and modify, but right now, it's pretty golden. I'm totally happy with my purchase

 

I'll post pics when I get some good ones.

[orangeokie]

Hi everybody! A little over a week ago, I bought a 2003 V11 sport, and straight away rode it three hours from Grass Valley to Redwood City. The previous owner had some high handlebars and a pretty soft suspension, and I must say, I was starting to doubt my decision. Within 30 minutes, my right hand was starting to get numb from the vibrations, the steering was wobbley... the whole bike torqued to the side reving it at idle.... and the speedometer showed only *general* speed in the 75-90 mph range. I had just come off owning two Ducatis... a Monster 800, and then a tricked-out 748. I went to bed that night wondering if I had made the right choice.

 

So, the next day, I took a few hours and put the stock clip-ons back on, adjusted the suspension (as well as I could, after reading lots about it on this forum) back to stock, and added some gel handgrips. I took it out for a ride, and MUCH better. Now bar vibes were more in the line of "feeling the power" than "tenderize my hand-meat". To my pleasant surprise, I found that the V11 sport was actually living up to the "sporty" tag! Sort of like a mix between the Monster and the 748, wrapped up in green retro amore.

 

So, then I took it down to Moto Itailiano in San Jose to pick up a brakelight switch I had busted, and started asking Julio about mufflers. Well, before you know it, I had bought a pair of the Guzzi TIs, complete with chip and rearset 

 

It rained a lot this weekend, so today was the first day I got to really take it out for a spin since the new pipes, and... oh joy! So smooth, so melodious... everything was in harmony. The nearly endless torque and the raw, throbbing power. It's so easy to ride, so much more so than the 748, and it has so much more charm and oomph than the monster. I'm sure I'll continue to tweak and adjust and modify, but right now, it's pretty golden. I'm totally happy with my purchase 

 

I'll post pics when I get some good ones.

89974[/snapback]

 

he he he . . . Those Ti's make a world of difference, no?

 

Congrats. Another Guzzi V11 chose a doting owner!

[Ouiji Veck]

Yea...Ducs are the best thing in the world.....

'cept for Guzzi. All the fun of a monster, all the torque of a tractor.

Nice to be able to ride below 4000 rpm huh?

[Guest nerocorsa]

Hi pShenk!

 

Every time I'm on my V11 I have the same wide grin on my face, it won't stop

[pShenk]

Thanks for the welcome!

 

Yeah, it's a lot of fun. I think I need to raise the back (via preload) or lower the front a bit (via raising the forks in the triple clamp). I've ridden it to work the past two days, and it's a little squirrely at speed, or under acceleration. It's not awful, but not quite completely planted like I want it. Any thoughts on this?

[Frenchbob]

Thanks for the welcome!

 

Yeah, it's a lot of fun. I think I need to raise the back (via preload) or lower the front a bit (via raising the forks in the triple clamp). I've ridden it to work the past two days, and it's a little squirrely at speed, or under acceleration. It's not awful, but not quite completely planted like I want it. Any thoughts on this?

90240[/snapback]

 

Research Ratchethack's past posts on this.

[Baldini]

...I think I need to raise the back (via preload) or lower the front a bit (via raising the forks in the triple clamp). ... Any thoughts on this?...

 

Welcome to Guzzi!

 

First thing - get sag sorted. Make sure springs in there are good for your weight (many find them undersprung).

 

V11 is rear end heavy. Riding quick, it helps to get your body weight far forward as pos. I raised forks about half inch in the triple clamps - helped steering & feel a lot. Mine is Scura (Ohlins), shock is longer than LM dunno about fork length. Try it & see a little bit at a time, but watch on clearances guard/oilcooler etc, also sidestand to tarmac!

 

Dunno what tyres you're on, but there's a lot to be gained (steering/grip) over oem Bridgestones by going to sportier Diablos or Pilot Powers etc. Oem 020's cup on front giving v insecure feel. Some tyres also v sensitive to pressures - can cause handling issues.

 

There's also a thread you should check out in technical topics - re slack swing arm bearings causing wobble. Leftside rear wheel bearings also worth keeping an eye on.

 

More than most, Guzzis work well the smoother you ride em. They're v heavy, rear biased & a little flexible. They don't respond well to sudden inputs. Take time to get to know it & the V11 is a lovely bike to ride

 

Good luck!

 

KB

[pShenk]

Thanks people!

 

I tried searching for Ratchethack's posts, but search seems to be broken. I only get a blank page clicking the search button, or even going from a profile page to "show member's posts", etc.

 

I did find some non-Ratchethack posts dealing with suspension. Last night I went to adjust the rear pre-load and ended up removing the fuel tank. One of the reasons I wanted the Guzzi was to start wrenching on motorcycles more

 

I ended up tightening the spring oh, maybe 4 or 5 full turns at least, and now it sags about 1/2". The guide I was going by said to shoot for 1/2" to 3/4" loaded sag... Does this sound right?

 

I haven't ridden it yet... will take it out tommorrow and see how it feels.

[Baldini]

... guide I was going by said to shoot for 1/2" to 3/4" loaded sag... Does this sound right?...

 

Laden sag, front & back: between one quarter (stiff) - one third (soft) total travel with rider + riding gear, seated normally.

 

Exact no's vary with available travel, bike/rider/riding style etc....but yours sound a bit low: Ohlins give: 25-40mm Rear, 35-50mm Front (from full extended).

 

There's a current thread on technical topics re suspension set up you could check out. There's good set-up info on http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1427

 

KB