05 FE650 SUSPENSION - OR LACK OF

How much do you weigh? Did the dealer set the sag for you? What terrain do you ride. What class rider are you?
Yes, the suspension will need to break in. I don't think I would start making dramatic changes until at least 10 hours of operation.
As far as the vibration goes, there is a little in the 650's. If you are getting alot, I would check ALL of the fasteners on the bike.
The fact that the dealer did not even set the tire pressures bothers me.

I would set the sag and ride it awhile before changing springs. when I got my 04 FE650 the suspension was a little harsh, after 8-10 hours of break in it really got plush. I have never made any adjustment on it since it rolled out of the crate. Other people have ridden the bike and commented on how nice the suspension was.
By the way, I am a 250 pound "c" rider who is not much for "mixin it up".

Calling FRYGUY or AJT. I think they have experience with your bike. I can not say for the 05 650 but my 01501 needed stiffer springs front and back for my fat as* 201lbs to get the best out of it. Might check that the front axel is right and you are not binding the forks.Loosen pinch bolts with the wheel off the ground and spin wheel then apply front brake firmly several times to center the axel. Fluid level, sag, break in, like berger said. Should be better than a jap bike out of the box Vibration exess is usually caused by a loose motor mount.

My 05 450 took a long long time to break in the suspension. I was really surprised at how firm it was initially. I would give it ten to fifteen hours and then change the fluids, adjust the sag and the clickers to suit you.

Hi Chubba,

Have a look at the forums and find my first ride thread with my 04 550. The bikes are basically the same yours having a differnt stroke.

In short, I weigh 175 pounds ( 79.5 kg) and am an Amtateur/Epert level desert racer here in Souther California. I went to .44kg springs in front, and a pds 8 spring in the rear. My bike was soft right out of the box, like way too soft once I got past the initial 3 hour break in and started to put some power down.

Here's my advice. Set the sag with you and all your normal gear on, with you standing on the bike in a normal riding position and a half tank of fuel. Have someone help you balance the bike and someone to measure it. Set the sag at 4" I'm not sure what that is in mm's. Do this by having the measuring person push down on the rear of the bike and let it up slowly, take a measurement. Then have the measuring person lift up on the bike and let it down slowly (all this while you are starnding on the bike) . Split the differnce between these two and you will get a true measurement as it will eliminate the variations caused by the stiction of seals bearings etc... Now, measure the sag of the bike without you on it. If that measurement is less than 25 mm, then you definitely need a new spring as you are having to put too much preload on the spring. These bikes as well as the kattooms are extrememly sensitive to ride height adjustments. After you have set the sag, set all the clickers back to stock to make sure that you are only adjusting one thing at a time.

Myself, whenever I get new bike, I break it in for say 15 hours then I take the suspension off and have my suspension tuner set it up for me. It's the best money you spend on your new toy, next to a Scott's steering stabilizer.

Hope this helps,

Dale