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

[JeffV]

I did buy the 511, and lowered it, still plenty of usable suspension, and usable and goofy power!

Did lowering it affect the handling of the bike?

 

[Tinken]

I'm 6'6" and hardly need to lower my bike, but I did anyway. This made my MY12 TE511 handle much better and the front end wobble disappeared completely. I have been thinking about making a lowering link for the 449/511 that will lower the bikes without lowering the rear shocks.

 

[James Patton]

Handles very well.

 

[Caiman]

I'm 6'6" and hardly need to lower my bike, but I did anyway. This made my MY12 TE511 handle much better and the front end wobble disappeared completely. I have been thinking about making a lowering link for the 449/511 that will lower the bikes without lowering the rear shocks.

Lowered it past the 4mm or whatever they changed in the '12 model?

 

[Tinken]

Lowered it past the 4mm or whatever they changed in the '12 model?

Yes, 5mm past that.

 

[TooOld]

Hey TooOld,

Hows the seat height? At 37" I am a little concerned.

Gidday JeffV, I'm about 5'10, and at first found the seat height rather daunting. I thought I may have to lower the suspension to fit me initially, But once on the machine everything irons out. I have to watch where I "touch down" sometimes, but I am finding that less of a concern the more I ride.It doesn't take long to suss out the bike,and to enjoy. I love it ...if you haven't one already, get one, I reckon you'll enjoy it as much as I do. Cheers.

 

[tonskiguy]

Yes, 5mm past that.

MY12 - I mounted a 120/80-18 on the rear which I believe lowered the seat by 16mm. I also raised the forks in the clamps. This height is reasonably comfortable for my 5'9.5" 195# frame. I would buy a lowering link if one was available and then go back to a higher sidewall on the rear.

As far as buying one again, at age 50, I love the bike, but realistically, I could be happy with a tricked out DRZ. My son has a 2001, plated E model, the bike runs strong, and I think he maybe changed the oil once since he bought it new in 2002.

 

[vetxracer]

I'm 6'6" and hardly need to lower my bike, but I did anyway. This made my MY12 TE511 handle much better and the front end wobble disappeared completely. I have been thinking about making a lowering link for the 449/511 that will lower the bikes without lowering the rear shocks.

Make it. It was the "fix" on my 09 CRF 450.

 

[Huskynoobee]

For a comparison, I'm one of the few around here with a basically stock 449. I have the stock muffler, with the cat. Only things I've done were take off the emissions can, and do a TPS reset. Yes, it stalled out a couple of times, but the TPS did the trick. Oil did get into the airbox, but not for very long, and I run the sight glass to the top by the way. Other than some Motosportz and ZipTy goodies for protection and ease of maintenance, I really don't see why folks have this misconception that they need to throw tons of money at them.

Maybe I got a magic bike, maybe my dealer did a great job with set up (I hear Malcolm Smith knows a thing or two about bikes) I will be adding the ZipTy breather bottle and have them re flash the ECU. Maybe I'll even get a slip on muffler at some point, but not planning on much else.

For the value and performance I really don't think you can get a better bang for your buck. Parts will still be around for quite some time, and since its NOT a KTM, you won't need them very often unless you are a crasher or thrasher.

And please, lets just stop with the comparisons to a DRZ. You might as well compare it to a Harley, they are that different!

 

[toolguy1]

I don't see how any bike can breathe thru a stock catted muffler. I tried mine and it was pitiful. The decatting and race map II made a world of difference on mine. I too will get the reflash soon and prolly go to a FMF slip on.
I'm lovin' mine!! I'm going to Colorado in August, I hope it handles the difference in Georgia and Colorado altitudes "automatically", I'll let y'all know.

 

[Radar]

Mine is stock, not powered up, and runs great. It has as much power as I want and gets 50+ MPG. If you want it to run like a motocross racer then yes you need to mod it. I do understand that some people like to play with there bikes by making them run better. That is a good thing but it is not necessary for the bike to be what it was built for. A light weight dirt bike that is street legal .

 

[Husqmarkus]

I would not, while I really like the bike and how it handles, I wouldn't buy another.

Reasons,
Fuel range is way too low for my needs, i.e.. Death Valley, Desert rides
Vibrations from the high strung engine/ tranny combo is horrible and the same on the half dozen or so I've ridden, dampers and Flexx bars and balancing are not enough to tame these if you have sensitive hands like me.
Gearbox gearing no fun on the blacktop but you don't buy this bike for the blacktop.
Parts support very questionable in the future with the recent sale.
Bike need modified right out of the box to prevent stalling that could be dangerous.

The bike handles very well and the injection is very linear with no big power-band hits.

When they sold the company, I decided I was done with that model. Its been very fun after money dumped to make it run.

Wholeheartedly agree; I would add: the oil puking issue seems to be of great concern and should never require an aftermarket modification to bring it up to manufacturers specifications. Go ahead let me have it now that I have spoken the truth here

 

[Motosportz]

Wholeheartedly agree; I would add: the oil puking issue seems to be of great concern and should never require an aftermarket modification to bring it up to manufacturers specifications. Go ahead let me have it now that I have spoken the truth here

No one is going to "let you have it" I think we are all fine with your opinion. I rerouted the breather hose with a longer hose ($5) and a filter ($4) after the third ride and have never looked at it again and had zero issues. $10 dollars and 10 minutes was all it took to solve my "issue". I agree there should not be an issue to fix but it was simple and no big deal for me. The stalling is a EPA thing and now fixable by a $40 reflash. The KTM 350 is far worse BTW as I ride with many of those. I nicknamed them the "stallmaster". Fuel range can be an issue for some but there are solutions, Nomad, Safari, IMS. This is not really a long range bike and if that was the mission probably should have looked for something else. It will go 60-90 miles on the stock tank which is about like anything else out there stock in this category of bike. The discontinuing the model and part supply might be a real concern one day. Time will tell.

 

[LandofMotards]

Parts issue won't be a concern. I hear Walt is going to start making 4 stroke parts lol

 

[McKay]

I got one of the 'good ones', never puked oil or dirty'd up the filter.
However, the $40 update was not available in 2011, 12 and only just now became available. Before this many of us had to buy a tuner just to make it run, some of us were lucky and didn't have the stalling issues. Looking around it appears most of those folks are sea level riders to a few thousand feet. I live next to the Sierras and that is my local spot, the bike simply would not perform up there. I bought mine with the promise of tanks being available soon, still hasn't materialized and Id be surprised at how many are actually made now the model has been sent to the boneyard.
They are super bikes, very easy to ride and FUN. I've been fortunate enough to almost double all those qualities with a new toy
For the right price they cant be beat.

No one is going to "let you have it" I think we are all fine with your opinion. I rerouted the breather hose with a longer hose ($5) and a filter ($4) after the third ride and have never looked at it again and had zero issues. $10 dollars and 10 minutes was all it took to solve my "issue". I agree there should not be an issue to fix but it was simple and no big deal for me. The stalling is a EPA thing and now fixable by a $40 reflash. The KTM 350 is far worse BTW as I ride with many of those. I nicknamed them the "stallmaster". Fuel range can be an issue for some but there are solutions, Nomad, Safari, IMS. This is not really a long range bike and if that was the mission probably should have looked for something else. It will go 60-90 miles on the stock tank which is about like anything else out there stock in this category of bike. The discontinuing the model and part supply might be a real concern one day. Time will tell.

 

[jimmyc]

Although my is a TXC449, I put a Sicass kit and plated it for dual sporting.
I love the bike ( power up mod II and akrapovic can ).
I'm 56 , been riding street my whole life and woods recently the last 3 years.
Thinking of making it a SuMo . got mine for $5600
Dealer here are selling 13's TE449/511 for $5999+ taxes

And yes I would buy another one or three or 4, heheheh

 

[jerbear610]

I Looking around it appears most of those folks are sea level riders to a few thousand feet. I live next to the Sierras and that is my local spot, the bike simply would not perform up there. .

Interesting. I live in the valley but most of my riding is in the Sierras. When I was having the real bad flame out issues I was getting frustrated as hell. Right after
I installed the FMF I went up to our cabin where it's approx 5000 to 6800 range and the bike ran absolutely flawlessly. Not a single flame out the entire time.
When I returned home to the valley it was back to the flame out issues. This was prior to getting the JD or PCV.
In a nut shell. I'm approaching 3000 mi on my 2011 TE511 and love this bike for what I use it for which is woods trail riding and dirt roads. Having the plate is
what makes it perfect because I can legally ride the mountain highways or some FS roads that don't allow dirt bikes.

 

[James Patton]

I was one who was happy with the stock bike with an FMF on it. I have only done a few mods, did not have to do them,
But each one was an improvement. I ride mine in the woods, tight stuff some and the map made the slow 1st gear
Riding much more pleasant. As soon as I figured out to only put a quart in it I have had no issues.
I certainly would still love the bike stock, but love it even more with a few tweaks...

 

[My848]

Hi,

With what you know about your bike now, would you buy it again?

Im an old guy (44) and am considering getting back into riding one last time. I can get a good deal on a 2013 TE449 ($7800 OTD thats including CA tax, set up, reg) and was wondering if you recommend the bike at this price.

If I don't get the TE, I'll be buying a WR250R or DRZ400 , which are about $1400 less, but no where near the bike the Husky is.

A little background: I rode dirt bikes pretty much my entire life until 2000. I raced a few races in District 36. I'm 6' tall and weigh about 240lbs. I'm not sure about how much advanced ridding I have in me so I'm not sure I need a TE449, but the price is right.

I pad $6,600 OTD for my 2013 TE449 (brand new) and Yes I would...

 

[JeffV]

I pad $6,600 OTD for my 2013 TE449 (brand new) and Yes I would...

Hi! Thanks for the info. In what state are you located?