Calling all 2013 TE449 owners - Would you buy it again?

Right. But all I'm saying that comparing to dirt models is fair since both would be considered 'off road only' if the inspection was actually done up close and such. As everyone knows, if the shop sees that it was sold from factory with a plateholder/'street legal' form then it will almost always pass to be street legal as any place doesn't care about actual emissions and noise levels - Husky dirt bikes are very loud, my TE250 is louder then any of the bikes I ride with (without exhaust screen/SA?)... And that emissions crap that WAS on it is there for a reason, so it can be sold as street legal in 50 states. If I tore out that and powered it up - theoretically no longer street legal (well definitely not in Cali...)

My 2004 Yamaha WR450 is red tagged on serial and I still got a plate for it. My buddy has a YZ250 and has a plate. It is what it is. If every place had rigorous inspections and followed the process - most TE's after people have uncorked them wouldn't get a plate as the emissions stuff that was on to make it legal been torn off, different fuel mappings increasing the emissions, and/ or too loud, I think.. therefore comparison to dirt only models is ok imo.

As you say - ride what you like and enjoy it. I couldn't really use all the power of a TE511 anyways. My 250 can get through some pretty gnarley mud pits and hill climbs. But I'm a trail rider not a racer.

Your right. Sorry.

"I have never had to have an inspection on a factory plated bike especially after I bought it and used it."

We have yearly inspections on all motored vehicles... Odd that you never had to go through inspections as part of street registering process? We do it yearly here. My te250 passed easy and was powered up... not really my point but - we do have yearly inspections every year required, though they are pretty lenient.

It's relaxed here, but it's still a sticker that is put on your plate. So it's pretty easy to tell it's not there or outdated. But again, the inspection is mostly for safety of you and others - lights, brake lights, horn.. pretty much it, I think depending on shop they may look at other things if they are anal..but that's rare, only horror stories I really don't know what each state looks for and if there are indeed emissions and noise tests ever done. Regardless of it having plate from factory or not.

I'm kind of wondering what the starting issues are? The bike is brand new and they all run hot during break-in (xf would fix that issue, forever, sorry the suspense was killing me).

Same here, although they take their own sweet time mailing you the plate. Never had to have an inspection. As long as they get their inflated registration fees
it's all good.

Isn't that the whole point? Its not the dealers, its the bike factory fresh. Sorry, but if you bought a new car that did the kind of things these bikes do, you'd take it back in a heartbeat. Usually we don't fix what aint broke, a lot of these are broke from the getgo.

Italy is sending 600 more to the US, not sure how they will be distributed.

Every 449 should be ran on the HST before handing it to the customer and this is usually not done hence the poor setup. Dealers know these bikes run hotter and come very lean and can be compensated for. Even the BMW map#3, which dealers have had now for a year and a half, but said nothing. Customers pay for this first setup, so its not like the dealer is at a hardship. Instead, most dealers are just handing off the bikes and hoping for the best.

Illustrates the point perfectly, shouldn't need a paid setup.