FE/FC Any good reason to skip the 13 TE511 and get a 14?

Don't mean to sound like I'm knocking the new Austrian bikes. But I've been contemplating the purchase for a bit, and love the bike, '13. Not a big fan of the new colors, plastics, etc. Wondering if there was maybe a bad reason more so, enough to NOT get a 13, and wait for a 14.

I'm new to enduros, not to bikes, or dirt bikes, or forums for that matter.

Really looking for valid opinions, nothing silly.

Thanks!

I'm thinking about things like maintenance cycle, power, reliability, parts availability, value decline, etc.

is that close ratio tranny really that big of a problem? ill be riding often, in town mostly, with trail rides on a weekend every now and then, trips out to the desert, etc. I know it's a chief complaint, but it'll be my first dirt bike in a while. Will it bug me? Is ignorance bliss? haha

If you are asking about the difference in the 2013 TE511 and the 2014 TE511 then the answer is there is no difference.

If the question is about the TE511 and the FE501.

The TE511 is 50 state street legal the FE501 is not.

The close ratio transmission makes the TE511 not perfect. The FE501 may be, I dot't know.

I think you are a bit mixed up. The 2014 te511 (bmw made husky) has a black frame, black rims with polished hubs, and anniversary stickers. Only difference compared to standard te511.

Comparing that to the ktm built Husqvarna/husaberg. The biggest difference is the price tag that is double. (theyre blowing out the TE511/449 bikes at most dealers) Next would be parts availability and cost. Then third would be preference.

I own the 511 and Ty owns the 501. I love both bikes. Wouldn't trade my 511, rather own both.
The 501 comes stock with 60hp, tons of torque and many hard parts, including outstanding exhaust, but it lacks a license plate, lacks the throttle response of the 511, no CTS traction control, has linkage that is unprotected, has a problematic gas cap and is expensive.
The 511 is fast, snappy, can climb hills like no other and is a wheelie king. But it doesn't run right off the show room floor. It requires all kinds of after market parts to get it to function properly. Both bikes require lots of "thinW40" oil and SS filters especially on the 501. The 511 can be modified to out perform the 501, but the 501 is near its limits and little modification can be done.

Ref links to 511:
http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/and-off-to-zipty-it-goes.32707/page-3#post-315401
http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/449-511-recap-and-info.32676/

wow... well after a little light reading, and reading... and reading... I've learned a good bit. I'm bummed that the bikes, all three, KTM, Husky, Berg, now look so similar. I don't really like the blue and yellow color scheme, nor the simple, dirt bike esque plastics.
To be certain, 2014 is the new year of bikes, made by KTM, right? and 13 was the last year of the Italian/red white bikes, with the rear fuel filler, correct? Or have they made 2014 in both?

So there are NO street legal 5xx bikes from "Husky" currently? The '14s are now just good ol' dirt bikes?

Just when I think I've made my mind up... all this madness... damn it. Looks like the safe bet is a DRZ, hahaha... damn...

DRZ, euw.. No, I am going to enjoy my 511 for many years and by the time I need a new one, Husqvarna won't even look like a KTM anymore.

I ride a 2014 te511 red and white husky every day. I bought it from berts mega mall in corvina for 6500 plus tax, lic, shipping, etc.


It was cheap and they have more. I am considering a cr125 for 3900.

Make sure that you are aware that the DRZ is a completely different class of bike than any of the Husky/KTM/Berg bikes, be it Italian or Austrian. It's like comparing a Civic to a Ferrari. There's nothing "wrong" with either, but they are different bikes for different riders in different circumstances.

If you're new to enduros, it probably doesn't make sense to spend $10k on a brand new 450+ class bike, unless you know that it's what you want. The fact that you are comparing a DRZ to these bikes makes me think you don't know what you want, and/or don't understand the differences.

I'd strongly recommend that you get something that's decent but cheaper; for example, a used DRZ, or a used RFS KTM 450 (2000-2007). You'll spend 1/3 the money with an RFS KTM, get a good reliable motor in a decent chassis, and it'll let you figure out what you really want to do with the bike. A DRZ might be even cheaper, super reliable motor, but will need some work (carb, suspension) if you want to ride aggressively.

Don't worry, I know they're not the same class of bikes... I guess I'm just saying I want the reliability of a Civic with the reward of a Ferrari, haha...
I want to ride it a few days a week, errands, etc. and take it out to some trails, either riding it there, or hauling it. But I want to use the thing, and not be afraid to break my new expensive bike. I was looking more into a 690 Terra, but don't feel that it'll be that much better (usability/reliability/etc.) than a 511.

I've been told by a few now that a 511 would NOT last me long riding it on the street often, a freeway every now and then, that kind of thing. Just save it for off road. But if that were the case, I wouldn't buy it!

Can a 511 be a street able, reliable bike? If I was sure of it, I'd be at Berts now, signing my name! I like the options from Zipty and others, definitely helpful. Like that oil recirc kit, awesome. I'm fine with having a spare fuel bottle tied to the tail, but if that's not my biggest concern, I'd have to move on....


All that, combined with all the changes @ Husqvarna/KTM/etc... man... My head is gonna pop!

a 2014? Thought 2014 is the new blue/yellow KTM bike. 2013 being the last Italian made red/white. Or is the 2014 just the same bike, but the last of the italians? and the YEAR number is NOT the important part, but who made it? Sorry, every time I think I have this figured out, some new piece of info comes into play!

If it's red and white it's a 2013/2014 Italian bmw, white blue and yellow it's gonna be the new ktm/husky. I actually like my 2013 te 449 better than my 2013 te 511, 449 has more top end like a 450 would revs higher, the 511 is a torque monster and pulls your arms out of your sockets. 449 I have not had any flame out ever, 511 I have. Now I've got it figured out both bikes are pretty awesome. BUT, to really get the power out of them, fmf power core, map 3, jumper installed and I run stock front sprocket and 40 tooth rear with motard set up for street use. TINKEN has a vast knowledge of these bikes, he recommends oil recirc kit to save torque limiter and oil changes very regularly for long engine life. If your used to a 450 the 449 is great, if you want a torque monster 511 can't be beat, matter of preference. Plus for 449 I paid $5400 plus fees, 511 was $5700 plus fees, california fees, a new ktm husky from what I've read is about $10,000 plus fees. By the time you spend $300 for pipe, jumper comes from dealer free, map 3 $50, maybe sprockets you'll still save quite a bit of money and get a bigger bang for your buck with the red and white bike.

There is a difference between unreliable and maintenance intensive. These bikes should last a good while if you take care of them; I wouldn't be surprised to see a 511 get 20,000 miles with mixed use. However, they are race-based bikes, so you can't just expect to change the oil one a season and be done with it. They need frequent oil changes and stuff will break/wear out faster than you'd expect on a car (or something like a DRZ). Just the nature of high performance.

You might also want to consider a used 610/630. That would be right between a 511 and a Terra in terms of performance and usability.

Picked up my 14 Te511 at Bert's 5 days ago ..same deal $6500 plus tax & license. Can't beat the deal. Really a fun bike. You can always get the extended warranty as well.

well... just threw down a deposit on a new TR650, (red and white BMW/Italian) (not sure if theres a new one, don't think so...)
$6k plus TTL and fees, about $7300 OTD. I'm happy with that deal, and from what I've read, it's more than fair!

Super excited, but now I need to read up on any of the little issues that I learned about with the 511s.
Thanks for all the input everyone! Glad to be here, on a Husky (soon) and really excited to get out and ride more!
Te Dug, you might have bought the one i was drooling over. haha... hope they wiped it off!

I am still beating around the idea of buying a second one....one supermoto one dual sport....This is seriously the most fun bike I have owned. It doesn't have quite the power my old husky 450 had but it is very close, and a much much better chassis offroad and for the street. Not sure what it is about it, but with dirt wheels I can take a twisty road like a bat out of hell, faster than I ever thought possible. It just rails. Also it is super easy to ride offroad, I took my 511 on some trails the other day and you just twist the grip and the thing climbs right up anything. It is awesome.