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

[Motosportz]

You are forgetting 90% of the people who have TE449 or 511s uncork them naturally, which does not I'm theory, make them 50 state legal. So in that regard, you can compare to dirt only models. Granted, since almost every shop doesn't care that you uncork a "factory" 50 state legal. I know when you do all the almost necessary mods to TE models, they are no longer 50 state legal under rigorous inspections. But like I said, no shop really cares as long as the "from factory" setup is 50 state legal they are generally fine passing inspection and registering for street. Funny how easy to forget how tame all the TE models are from factory which is what make them 50 state legal, but no one actually rides them that way.. Well most.

And I never said DRZ are faster then TE, from what I remember.. But for most TRAIL riders, not racers, reliability is a big factor. Two different animals.

I modded my WR450 to be street legal, I'm mechanically declined and it was quite easy. $500 total cost, and I didn't have to drive 3 hours to shop to reflash or try to diagnose stuff they weren't familiar with!

Does not matter that you modified them unless someone is going to do a close inspection which almost never happens. What does matter is that it came from the factory as a plated bike so you get a plate and keep a plate. Many people were pissed here in the NW when they got a nasty letter saying there plated KTM was not palatable and was removed. So now everyone buys a plated bike and strips it and powers it up to varying degrees. In most cases is is much EZer to power them up than try to make a non street legal model street legal and some states flat don't allow that at all. As for DRZ -v- 449/511 IMHO the 449/511 is hands down far superior to the DRZ in most everything performance wise. As for reliability the DRZ probably wins that game but most are finding the 449/511 quite reliable as well. Maybe not 40K reliable but very reliable all the same. All good bike just chose what works for you and enjoy.

 

[henson802]

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.

 

[Motosportz]

the TE449/511 is super quiet with the stock huge muffler. I have never had to have an inspection on a factory plated bike especially after I bought it and used it. Everyone in this area buys the plated bike and uncorks it so it will run right and never looks back / has an issue.

 

[James Patton]

Your right. Sorry.

 

[henson802]

"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.

 

[oregonsage]

"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.

In Vermont...wow.... The Northwest states are pretty relaxed about this since we have minimal smog problems. Annual inspections in CA and AZ are common.

 

[henson802]

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.

 

[oregonsage]

They just inspect our money after we mail it in.

 

[Motosportz]

"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.

Oh, sorry to hear that. My bad for assuming.

No one ever looks at the bike here. Buy it, dealer sends in paperwork, plate shows up int he mail. From there on out you simply pate the every 2 year tabs and your done. Only time I have ever had to have anyone look at the bike was from another state with a questionable title or for one that had a lost title.

 

[Huskynoobee]

Keep to the 2011 if you don't want overheating issues and starting issues

???? I would think my 2011 should have more issues than a 2013. I'm supposed to have a weaker frame, faulty wiring harness, and a too high seat. I do dig the black rims, kinda bummed they went with bare aluminum.

 

[Tinken]

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).

 

[jerbear610]

No one ever looks at the bike here. Buy it, dealer sends in paperwork, plate shows up int he mail. From there on out you simply pate the every 2 year tabs and your done.

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.

 

[Motosportz]

I like these bikes so much I would love to snag this and make / leave it all off road.

http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/2011-tc449-zero-hours-brand-new-4200-pa.34259/

But no money right now.

 

[McKay]

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.

There is nothing wrong with your Huskys, sounds to me like poor dealer setup. If you are willing to give me a few minutes of your time in another thread, I can have all three of your Huskys running better than expected.

 

[Tinken]

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

 

[Tinken]

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.

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.

 

[Motosportz]

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

Hopefully directly to me

 

[Motosportz]

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.

Unfortunately a lot of dealer only care about the sale, the end. Not there to learn about the bikes or sort things out just there to sell a bike. Were lucky to have an awesome dealer int he NW in BMP / Bills that truly care about the customer and bike setup. Find a good dealer and stick with them.

 

[oregonsage]

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

Ive been wondering when they were going to figure out a way to get some of those 11,000 bikes out of the warehouses and onto showroom floors

Good to hear that they managed to break the best one's loose.

 

[McKay]

Customers pay for this first setup,

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