ninjamunky85

So now that winter is coming up I'm starting to think about getting my suspension worked over for next year. Right now everything is stock and I'd like the get the suspension lowered and stiffened up a little bit.

It looks like I'm gonna have to send out the suspension to get the work done. Just wondering where the best place to send it would be. I'm thinking RaceTech but I'd like to know if there are other options that I should consider.

Thanks,

Ryan

jeffk95z

I'm quite interested in this as well.

I have a FE390 with a second set of SM wheels that I keep swapping back and forth between.

looking to have my suspension gone through and thinking of some compromise between the 2 riding styles.

ninjamunky85

Good luck, I'm just going to send my suspension to RaceTech. I've got a friend who rides his Beta both off road and sm that sent his suspension to them and he like the work.

For me the stock suspension worked well both on road and off. With street tires I was really carving up the twisties no problem, and of course was still great off road. I did have a lot of front end dive if I was hard on the front brake, but it wasn't a big deal for me. Turning up the compression some when riding on the road would probably help.

Anyway I'm just looking to get my suspension lowered and maybe some gold valves as well. Really not anything extreme, stuff that any competent shop that does suspension work should be able to accomplish.

BTW from what I could find the sm suspension, like what came on the fs models, is 30mm lower. That sounds about right to me so that's how much I'm getting mine lowered.

Rensho

I think the FS is only 20mm lower than FE.

ninjamunky85

I thought I read that also, but that's on 3/4 inch which doesn't sound right. Actually I might end up lowering it 40mm since it's very tall with the dirt wheels.

Idle

I had a bit over 1-3/4" or 44-45 mm difference in rear static sag. (on the stand)

So in theory at least, that is what it should be at the seat aswell.
17" wheels lower it another 1-1/2" to 2".

It's just too short for my liking, hence the reason for running full length sussies now. I'm 6'4"…
It gives me somewhere to put my foot, and has much better footpeg clearance.


***This is a 2005 FS650, so ymmv with a \70°\ bike.
FWIW, my FS650 with oem sussies is taller than a buddy's FS570.

First measurement was with an 04 FS650 shock. It was the same eye to eye as my 05 FS shock when I measured it a year ago.


Second measurement was with my 05 FS shock after servicing it and removing the spacer that shortens it. *Catalyst Reaction Tuning in the SF bay area did the shock.

It appeared to be the same length eye to eye as my 05 FE650 shock.

I know, totally different bike...but that's what the older bikes mic out at.

ninjamunky85

Yeah the difference is that I'm only 5'10" with a 30" inseam so the 38" seat height with the dirt wheels is just too much for me.

ninjamunky85

So I contacted RaceTech and they quoted me over $1500 for lowering and a set of their gold valves. I wasn't happy with that price, or their customer service in general, so I decided to look elsewhere. I asked around on the SMJ forum and someone recommended motolab dirtbikes out of Phoenix.

The owner Rob is a really cool guy, I talked to him on the phone for about 20 minutes today and he was very helpful and interested in setting up the suspension for my specific needs. He recommended that I go with a 1" drop as he said that will make a bigger difference than I think.

His prices were also very reasonable. Less than $800 for lowering, custom valves, and stiffer springs. I'll be sending out the suspension after Christmas, will update this thread later when the work is done.

jeffk95z

thx for the info Ninja!

I just ordered racetech springs, .52 and rear shock P25 in hopes of stiffening things up.

I also ordered a Timbersled snowbike kit for the bike, so the heavier springs will help there as well

I'll update on how things work out for me.

threedigits

Has anyone done this the other way around ? Original FS-->FE ?