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Rasied suspension anyone?

4K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  rodhotter 
#1 ·
Hi all,

Has anyone installed the factory suspension kit to raise their Gunner one inch over stock? If so, has it made a noticeable improvement in cornering clearance?

Not a Victory owner but I am thinking about pulling the trigger on a new Gunner and only concern is clearance (I am coming off a Moto Guzzi). Also looking at a Harley Fat Bob which seems to have better cornering clearance in stock form compared to the Gunner.

Thanks,

Mike
 
#2 ·
The inch longer shock that is standard vs low does make a difference.
If youre coming from a GUZZI where the first things to scrape are the rocker covers then youll be dissapionted in anything else in the cruiser category I reckon.
All jokes aside mate have you ridden both the Harley and a Victory yet? ...you probably should ride both.
A man of GUZZI tastes will probably gravitate more to Victory if hes Kool Aid free.
Next step on your gunner is to ride it for a few thousand, run it in, learn its limits cos it has them for sure.
My Vegas is basically the same platform and I came from a GPZ900R Kwaka that would also touch down if ridden very hard, not often but occasionally scrape.
The inch longer shock will help, but, once youve broke it in and learned how to get it around corners smoothly, and wore out those silly scrapers and half the ends of your pegs.
Then splash the cash on a Progressive brand shock, set up the sag and rebound to suit. If you carry a passenger set it up with them on it too, itll be a bit harder solo but still good.
Then youll have the best ride possible (youll change the fork oil to full synthethic shortly after cos the rear will demand a better front.)
Add some better tyres you have confidence in and youre ready to ride rings around Harleys.
By then youll have the hot up breathing bug bit.
Decent exhaust(aftermarket) Torquetubes, spark advance, fast action throttle, maybe hotter cams.
Mate youll be in motorcycle heaven:)
 
#3 ·
pegs

Polebridge sounds like you are going to need to relocate your footpegs reward abit also possibly. Post up some pictures when you get it. Pictures of stock and then with the raised shock and if you do the more rear positioned pegs them also. Victorys do handle good for the most part. I got a Cross Roads and the floor boards are back as far as they can go, farther than stock. Still ride with my feet on the back of the floorboards a lot of the time. Good luck on the new Victory! I also have a Guzzi, but it is all apart right now. PS if you do the HD thing go ahead and you can post some pictures, but you will always wonder "should I have went witht the Gunner?":confused:. Good luck.
 
#5 ·
To all,

Thanks for your feedback. Yup, the Guzzi V11 Sport can really corner and I like the manner in which it makes power. My problem with the Guzzi is two fold. First, is a very weak dealer network. It is in the shop for repairs as we speak and that shop is almost two hours one way from my home. It is in another state. Secondly is the cost. Looks like I may need a new clutch. They will not be sure until they tear it down. For those of you that do not know you need to either remove the engine from the frame or take off the back end and transmission to get to the clutch. The dealer is giving me an estimate between $1,000 and $3,500. That being said, I really do like the bike so I may keep it even if I do get a new bike.

As far as the Gunner goes I really like the lines on this bike and I have sat on it an it seams quite comfortable to me. I don't think I will need to relocate the foot pegs rearward for reasons of comfort. Compared to the HD it seems to me that the Gunner has more modern lines and overall design. Particularly in the engine department. I do see it as the more reliable of the two but...there will still be the dealer network issue. There are Harley dealers within ten minutes of my house and a lot more of them in general. In addition I imagine the Harley will hold it's value better that the Victory.

I am leaning (no pun intended) towards the Gunner simply because I tend to hold onto bikes for a long time so resale is not that big an issue for me provided I like the bike. I also suspect that, although the nearest dealer is much further away, I will probably not be needing a dealer nearly as often with the Victory. In addition the price for the Victory is much better.

Really only two things holding me back. One is my concern that I will be disappointed by the lack of cornering clearance and the other is my wife (I already have two bikes and I find that women seem to be a bit more pragmatic about these things than men). I think I can convince the wife as I am already looking to unload one of the bikes (anyone interested in a 2001 Apilia Falco with a LOT of extra performance bits?). The other I guess will get answered when/if I get a test ride.

Your feedback has been a big help. If anyone has actually been troubled by clearance issues and installed the longer shock and spacers please chime in!

Thanks,
Mike
 
#6 ·
Yeah Ive already said my Vegas (same as a Gunner really) has the longer shock and advised you to go Progressive.
Suggest you re-read my post all the infos in there.
Your choice...
 
#11 ·
for fat bob $$$$ you could get a Hammer S my fav! i bought a preowned 13 hammer in 13 after testing a dyna not so superglide. the Vic engine is much smoother with more power as well. sad you can't get a test ride, here in USA filling out the dealer insurance + decent riding apparel helmet required or given by the dealer sometime. Vic cruiser models vary by looks + a few tech differences + they all use the same great 106 engine. their modern design makes them feel lighter than they are + the maintenance is so very little, just changing the oil is it for some time, one hole i drain plug + filter no lift necessary!!
 
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