Long Travel 658... WOW!

[Maxacceleration]

I have owned my F650GS for about 1 1/2 years now.
The main reason I own it is because it starts at 377 lbs claimed dry weight. Not bad for an ADV twin. The older I get the less I need to wrestle bikes.
And it has a great low end motor.

But its been a love hate relationship.
Seat issues (ouch!), fairing issues (buffeting, noise), etc.
I have those areas worked out to my satisfaction now, and over the summer did the OBDR (Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route).
My 658 held up great, carried my luggage and hung mostly with thumpers.
My suspension was ok, but the biggest drawback was ground clearance.
It is the runt little brother to the F800GS.

So with this much ground clearance...


My skidplate ended up like this.


So if I was/am to keep this bike I needed to give it more ground clearance, thus more suspension, for less stress and damage during off pavement riding.

And here comes my 658 Long Travel!
With 9+ inches of travel. Yeeha!

[Maxacceleration]

Here is the before ground clearance and seat height.



And the after ground clearance and seat height.



Yup its taller!

[davidadv1]

your 658 looks very mean!! really

[DefyInertia]

love it

[Reklaw59]

[Maxacceleration]

I imagine some can relate. Great bike but it doesn't quite have to be the runt it is.

I have seen the few upside down front conversions and there is a lot of details and issues to overcome.

This is the build up of the simpler, easier and less costly way of doing it.
More travel, more ground clearance, and factory looking.

[Maxacceleration]

This now is the proper little brother of the 800!

[Sasquatch]

[Maxacceleration]

Ok, this is really an easy swap in, mostly. I had a pro suspension guy do it.
He took care of any 'issues' and did the assembly.
Jay is his name and Suspensions by Sasquatch is his business.
http://www.sasquatchrider.com/index.html

Jay is a good guy and took the time to think it through to help minimize any potential headaches.
Thank you Jay... Well done!

Very straight forward really.
You can use any stock F800GS shock (or aftermarket) for the rear.
Jay measured an additional 2 3/4" in rear height with the 800 shock.
I used HyperPro with a black spring.

No need to change out triple clamps with this set-up.
We decided to go with +2" over length tubes for the front.
41mm tubes are a decent diameter and we feel certainly up to the job.
Minor addition to length really.
2" over tubes gives us the ability to slide, up or down, to adjust front geometry. Obviously staying very near to stock angle.
Right now I can still raise the bike more or drop it down some.

Then the small details come.
Relocating the front brake line to gain the necessary length needed.

Next side and center stands.
I asked Jay if he could take care of this necessary mod and he says, "No problem!"
Jay did a very nice job of putting together extension pieces for both stands.
We did not have the opportunity to see how 800 stands would fit on this bike.
Somebody will, I'm sure...

The forks have Race Tech Gold valves, appropriate springs and oil.

The HyperPro shock has the adjustable spring preload option on it.
I will have to relocate slightly the preload knob (by pulling my charcoal canister), as it protrudes out farther the the stock preload knob.

[Maxacceleration]

In this quick rundown I have blown over many details.
I'm sure Jay will chime in on questions about this suspension update.
This suspension is easily repeatable.
Jay is putting together a 'kit' for those who would like to tackle this themselves.
He will also do a turn key build for you, as mine is.
Ask him.
Jay has a great ADV following in the PNW for suspension work.

[huckleberry]

Was wondering how long it would take for someone to do this! Wish my legs were longer but wonder if he could put a cartridge in those forks? Where did you get the tubes and how much?

[raider]

So not trying to be "that guy", but I'd be interested... why did you choose to go down this path, as opposed to trading your 650 for an 800?

[markymcd]

I'm very interested on cost too. And if Jay is planning on adding all this to his site?

cheers,
Mark

[Sasquatch]

I will reply to this thread this week with a kit price both with me doing the work and without.

I will be a touch hard to get a hold of this week as I am slow this time of year, and a fellow shop owner who owns an auto repair business lost his only mechanic so I am going to fill in for him and help him out. Win-win for both of us. But if you have specific questions, reply to this thread or send me an email and I will answer it as quick as I can.

The new fork tubes were under $300 and with springs/emulators, a drop in deal. I will be producing the kit to relocate the front brake line as well as instructions on the swap.

[Maxacceleration]

Originally Posted by raider

So not trying to be "that guy", but I'd be interested... why did you choose to go down this path, as opposed to trading your 650 for an 800?

One single reason. Weight.
Show me a lighter ADV twin.