Question about travel length.

I'm getting a FE650 04 soon with a supermotard kit included. I will be running mostly on-road as sm with 17 wheels but occasionally in the woods/gravel with 19/21 wheels. The only difference between the FE and FS bikes seems to be the travel length which is longer on the FE supension. The forks springs have been changed to stiffer 4,8Nm ones. I weigh 78kg w/o gear.

Is there a way to modify the suspension to get a shorter travel length if needed? Do you think my sm driving will be hampered because of the FE suspension or is it negligible? I'm not a pro and will not be running any races etc.

Re: suspension

Gix said:

I believe the fe has different power characteristics too, slightly milder than the fs but don't quote me on that....it certainly feels milder to my fs, but I'm running a pipe and gearing mods.

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Thanks for replying! What year is the FE / FS you have tried? I believe the 02/03s have different ignition-boxes for FE/FS whereas the 04s have exactly the same for both. For example, the 02/03 FS has SEM ignition with a hi/lo switch on the hadlebar that lets you switch between different curves.

Gix said:

Hello Basse,

You can lower the suspension and get shorter travel length with a little work (e.g. spacer tubes in the forks).

However, for most purposes, I think you'll find the stock FE suspension lets you have a good ride in sm trim. You can always adjust the damping characteristics to get you by.

Hope this helps,
Simon

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Thanks Simon! I will get the FE this weekend, can't wait Its nice to have "2 bikes in 1" so to speak, and I will see if I can't adjust the suspension if needed for SM. I found the spacer tubes you mentioned in the sparepart list.

Hakan said:

Basse,

Nothing to do with your question, but I used to know a Basse from Katrineholm while I grew up in Sweden. Just wanted to see if that is you?

If so, I guess we both left the Yamaha RD's behind.

Hakan

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Hi HÃ¥kan!

Sorry, just my web nick ;-)