2010 or 2009?

It's time to replace the '05 TE510, I can't decide if I should try to get 2010 TE450 or try to save a few bucks on a leftover '09. My '05 has been incredibly reliable and still runs awsome but with 15,000 miles or so I feel it's only a matter of time before something catastrophic happens. Are the changes on the '10 that big, are the KYB's that much better? Bills MC in Salem, OR has a leftover '09 on Ebay with a buy it now price of $5895, that seems like a steal, I wont have the cash for 2 weeks and that Ebay bike I'm sure will sell easily so I wont fret too much about that steal. Deciscions!

I haven't ridden the '10 model so I can't say how much better the KYBs might be (and I believe the swing arm was shortened too), but I'm very happy with the way my '09 handles. There are a few other differences at least in the UK models, for example the headlight is much improved if that matters to you, which it does to me as I often have to ride home in the dark on public roads in winter time. So I bought one of the '10 headlight units and fitted it to my bike, which wasn't too difficult to do.

Is there any way you can get to test ride an '09 and a '10, either at a seller or maybe some kind person on Cafe Husky who lives close to you would let you ride theirs? That's probably the only way you could be sure whether you think the '10 is enough of an improvement to be worth the extra cost, but I'm pretty sure you'd be happy with either bike.

I think the Marzocchi forks are great with a revalve and think Husky went with KYB for cost reasons not performance. I am sure if we worked at Husky and tested KYB and Marzocchi side by side they'd perform very close and the choice would likely come down to cost.

I say get the 2009 and save some cash. BTW, the 2009's look better anyway.

Now if you were looking at the 250 there is a lot more to consider.

NC

I was actually told that by the salesman before I bought my 09, but I wasn't sure how much faith to put in it as the 10s were still not due in for a little while at that stage and I was deciding whether to wait or not so I figured it was probably in his interest to play down any differences. Doesn't necessarily mean it wasn't true though, and as far as know they've been straight with me about everything else.

I'd be curious to hear from anyone who's ridden both 09 and 10 as to whether there is a significant difference in the forks, but I'm certainly very happy with my zocchis even without a revalve.

Not and apples to apples comparison but....My new KYB sprung machine actually responds to clicker adjustments. One of the guys I let ride my bike noted how stiff the front was so I backed them out today for giggles. Going from 11 clicks in to 2 made a world of difference for me. Can use the whole stroke with no mid-stroke hit. My 510's stock Zokes felt the same no matter where the clickers were set and would choke on high rate hits, note-they were also open chamber unlike my KYB's. As NC mentioned, once the Zokes are worked over by a professional, they are awesome.

I did get a little time on F2G's 09 txc today. Those closed chamber Zokes didn't feel bad at all. His clickers are backed all the way out.

Hi Sharpie1. 15,000 on the old girl is good. What needed to be done to her during this period, how many revalves. new pistons, rebores etc. I would love to know when the mechanics needed touching up.

Cheers.

Absolutely nothing that wasn't self caused. The worst was I put too long of a bolt in the valve cover that cracked the exhaust bearing and it exploded in the top end, luckily I found all the pieces so it was no big deal.

Assuming I have a working one at any given time!

A have a nasty habit of letting the worst mechanic in the world work on my bikes....

OK, pretty much a done deal, I'm getting the '09 TE-450 from Dan and Ann. I could save some dough by going to Oregon but I'd rather support MotoXotica. Whenever I've needed anything, Dan has got it for me quick. The FI scares me a little but I guess I'll keep reading here to figure it all out. Can't wait to pick up the new ride.

Well, not totally local, still a three hour drive for me but my real local dealer is close to useless, they are more into selling Victories than helping out with parts and what not.

I'm supporting you too, indirectlty through Dan though.

I may need to get another Motoz tire once the stock front wears out, I've had one on the front of the 510 for over a year and it still tracks great. Now if you only carried MT-43's...