Long Travel 658... WOW!

[Maxacceleration]

Originally Posted by grndzr0

You would be into it less money, but then you do have the small diamiter fork tubes, which are not as strong as the larger 800's.

Ryan

I think the upside down forks are over played. No doubt they have a strength advantage, and unsprung advantage.
But I don't hear many with standard forks bending them, breaking them or speaking of flex all over the place.
41mm tubes are fairly beefy.
Except for the small few, these beemers are not ridden at their limit.
Mine won't be, but I now will be able to push harder, or do tougher terrain more confidently.
It seems the F800 crowd say its ok to spend and upgrade on their 800, but say to stay away of doing so on the 658.
The needs are different between bikes.
I only call my improved 658 a better little brother...
The 658 can be bettered for a modest amount.

[grndzr0]

Originally Posted by Maxacceleration

I think the upside down forks are over played. No doubt they have a strength advantage, and unsprung advantage.
But I don't hear many with standard forks bending them, breaking them or speaking of flex all over the place.
41mm tubes are fairly beefy.
Except for the small few, these beemers are not ridden at their limit.
Mine won't be, but I now will be able to push harder, or do tougher terrain more confidently.
It seems the F800 crowd say its ok to spend and upgrade on their 800, but say to stay away of doing so on the 658.
The needs are different between bikes.
I only call my improved 658 a better little brother...
The 658 can be bettered for a modest amount.

Sorry if I sounded like I was downplaying your conversion.. I wasn't and I think its totally BA.

The post I quoted sounded like they were coming to the conclusion that there wasnt much of an advantage with starting with an 800.

And the 800 does have some advantages, at a 2k price tag.

Again awesome build, and im sure that many will follow. You have inspiried me to look into beefing up the front end on the wifes 650.

Thanks again!!

Ryan

[Guyonabike]

Now that you have had some time on the bike. What is the quality of the suspension like? Yes you have more travel but is it better? I am very interested in this mod but am still uncertain if this is the way to go or if I should be doing a complete fork swap.

Anyone out there done a swap for a longer travel fork on their 658?

[huckleberry]

check lucas m's posts he took a 658 put a ktm front end on it, an 8 shock and body work.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=662093

[Maxacceleration]

Originally Posted by Guyonabike

Now that you have had some time on the bike. What is the quality of the suspension like? Yes you have more travel but is it better? I am very interested in this mod but am still uncertain if this is the way to go or if I should be doing a complete fork swap.

Anyone out there done a swap for a longer travel fork on their 658?

Guyona, I have not a whole lot more time on my bike. Its freezing out! LOL

Initial feel was the front end is stiff.
My suspension guy says forks (fork oil) are stiffer in freezing weather. Anyone have experience with this?
Race Tech guts are adjustable, so its a matter of nailing it on adjustment (on my bike).

I think you could do longer fork tubes ONLY and a 800 shock and keep the stock plush suspension and have the height increase and a pretty nice bike.

The rear HyperPro shock feels real good and has the 9" of travel.
My forks still have the stock 7.1" travel although the bike is at equal height f & r (due to the longer tubes).

Right now my bike is not as plush as it could be - it needs some more dial in time...

[Guyonabike]

Thanks for the info. I think if I do something it will be a similar mod to yours. I need the extra clearance and better quality suspension at the same time, but I want to maintain the stock wheel size.

[Tonopah]

The original poster was looking for increased ground clearance on his 658 as a top priority and he got it. For me, I don't want greater seat height as I am short in the first place and like the ability to flat foot my 658. Also, my "off pavement" is only dirt roads and for me that's all it will ever be. I did want to improve the suspension however.

Ricor intiminators in the forks and a Ricor shock pretty much transformed the bike. Way better ride and control.

[JRWooden]

Originally Posted by Tonopah

... Ricor intiminators in the forks and a Ricor shock pretty much transformed the bike. Way better ride and control.

I have the intiminators and am amazed at the improvement - esp. the diving on braking

Is this the rear shock you used:
http://store.ricorshocks.com/product_p/bmw-gs-650.htm

... on sale now ... $340 bucks knocked off the price ...
Still it punches a big hole in $800 with the hyd. preload adjuster.

[alskee750]

So is your seat height about the same as the 800? I'm 6'1, 198lbs and would like this mod on my soon to buy f650 :-) heading to Max BMW on Saturday to test drive and pick a color....

[Tonopah]

JRWooden: yep -- that's the one. No external pre-load adjuster on mine.

[JRWooden]

Originally Posted by Tonopah

JRWooden: yep -- that's the one. No external pre-load adjuster on mine.

Thanks!

So if you elect not to drop an extra $200 on the preload adjuster you get the conventional
pair of threaded-what-the-hell-ever-they-are called "nuts" that you adjust by spanner?
Is there pretty reasonable access to get in there and do that?

[Tonopah]

Don't really know yet -- still looking for a C-Spanner (hook spanner). Haven't found one off hand yet but I haven't looked too hard yet either. If I had to do it over again, I think I'd spring for the preload adjuster and be done with it.

[JRWooden]

Originally Posted by Tonopah

Don't really know yet -- still looking for a C-Spanner (hook spanner). Haven't found one off hand yet but I haven't looked too hard yet either. If I had to do it over again, I think I'd spring for the preload adjuster and be done with it.

Thanks ... I'm thinking like you!

[Tonopah]

Suggest you contact Brian at Ricor directly. He is really helpful. Tell him Tonopah sent you!

Brian@ricor.com

[Tonopah]

Correction:

Brian@ricorshocks.com