SWM RS650R Suspension Info & Tuning Modifications

A special Italian oddball built out of bits from several other euro bikes, but it can be made to work harmoniously and cope with Aussie conditions.

The RS650R looks like an old Husky TE630 engine in a new frame. Its priced well and has few competitors in the big bore trail bike sector, the Suzuki DR650 being the most obvious. 

SWM RS650R Forks

Although originally designed around defunct Marzocchi forks, Fast Ace 43mm forks are now used, and we have run these on the dyno and found a few interesting points. The seal drag of the stock seals is very high, amongst the highest we have tested. The cartridge is 23mm, a quite unusual size. From a damping perspective the fork seals produce most of the low speed damping force so if you replace the seals with a low friction seal like SKF you may find you need some damping force to hold the fork up. Of the 2 bikes we have done, both 2019 models, one had 0.53kg/mm linear springs, the other a progressive spring starting at 0.44kg/mm and not progressing much, not in the 210mm of travel anyway.

We have heard the Fast Ace outer fork tubes have issues with the anodising wearing off internally at low hours, something to be aware of. The aluminium also doesn't take well to anodising. We have looked at fitting WP fork outer tubes.

SWM RS650R Shock

Another euro specialty suspension supplier, there is a Sachs monoshock. You can see the ribbed piggyback reservoir peeking out from under the rear fairing to keep cool.