I took delivery of a new 2015 V650 about a month ago, but have yet to ride it since I was holding off on getting a new plate until April 1st when I renew my other bikes. Thanks to the return of Winter and re-salting the roads - I still haven't ridden it.

Something I had read on here lead me to check the chain as others had reported tight adjustments from the factory/dealer. Mine was taught w/o any weight, which meant it would be even tighter w/ me on it. I had the bike up on a swingarm stand and noticed the slack, or lack of in my case, seemed about the same. Decided while I was adjusting things, I'd try out my Motion Pro chain alignment tool for the 1st time & could see things were crooked. Not terribly, but out enough to warrant a correction. I noticed the marks were significantly different from side to side, but didn't care because I adjust by flats on the cap screws. Try as I may to get the chain straight, any adjustment on the left side carried over to the right. That tells me that the system for holding the wheel in the swingarm must be plenty sturdy since it won't allow for any tweaking. Anybody else run into this? Incidentally, the difference in marks between sides was just shy of one full mark both before loosening things up initially and after getting 1 1/4" of freeplay.

Nearly one full mark off? Could you confirm that your Motion pro alignment tool is well calibrated by laying a straight edge on your rear sprocket?

Did you remove the axle and any spacer? Is your rear brake caliper in proper position on the axle and in its swingarm slot?

It's a machined part, but I will check it against a straight edge on the sprocket. The caliper appears to be seated & in proper position from what I can see. I can adjust the chain super loose & then start tightening the left-side adjuster. Any movement made by the left moves the right an equal amount even w/ the axle snugged to create drag. I've owned over three dozen bikes & have never run into this before. I wouldn't mind so much if the chain were straight. I'll check the tool against a straight edge & report back. Thanks for your response!