So I've given the bike 1500 mostley dirt miles to break in the suspension. I did the same for my 06' TE-250 and it was much better than when it was new. However the 610 still beats the heck out of me. I need to get the suspension sorted. I know of a couple of shops here in So Cal (Race Tech, and Precision Concepts), and am wondering if anyone has any experience with either. I would prefer to stay local. I've got a trip planned this summer and the thought of having these parts/pieces traveling around is a bit unnerving. Thanks, R/ Mike
I just got my suspension back from a local shop. '09 TE610. He showed me the oem setup. He was very puzzled by the stock valving and thought it was poorly developed. Almost ZERO progression in the fork valving. I bought the adjustable compression base valves. The tuner said that about half of each port was restricted due to poor machine work. Overall, a lot of drastic changes were required. I will get to test it out for the first time tomorrow.
I finally found time to get the suspension back on and set the preload. Made a long test run today in the forest. What an amazing difference this revalve has made! I am glad I didn't give up on the TE. I feel as if I have a new bike, and it only cost me $300. I wish I had done this sooner. The TE had the harshest valving of any bike I've ridden. Now, it soaks up the small bumps but is very progressive on the big ones. Offroad, it handles as if it shed 30 lbs. On the road, I don't feel the expansion joints anymore. I need to remember that it is still a 320 lb porker. It is easy to get carried away now that the suspension works like it should.
I ended up taking mine to Precision Concepts. I had it revalved and lowered 1-1/2". The difference is amazing. I went on a 450 mile two day Death Valley ride back in February, and I have never hurt so bad in my whole life! It was brutal. I got back from a 1100 mile six day ride in Oregon a couple of weeks ago and it was wonderful. It is a whole new bike. Or it should be with all the stuff I've added to it (XPC seat, Safari tank, Uptite skid plate & fuel pump fittings). Don't tell my wife.
