449 / 511 recap and info

As the BMW era is over and the 449 / 511 platform is sure to be dead soon I would like to recap my experience for those that might be looking to snap up the spectacular deals on these machines.

Much hated by the mags, BMW haters and reviewers but seemingly loved by most real customers this bike has been very polarizing. Many saying how stupid forward thinking of the CTS, rear tank, interesting plastic design, tank located air filter and other features are. Many bashing the Taiwanese motor. Just seems it got off on a really bad foot. Then it seems only a few people wanted to race it and could do well on it. This left an odd bike with many crap reviews and endless spewing from the haters.

The bike is what it is. I have always been drawn to husky for the uniqueness and this Germany / Italian red headed step child really upped the stakes here. Very odd and polarizing bike.

My thoughts on the bike are well documented here and on TT. I like it, it has treated me well and think i will be enjoying it for a long time. I am one to swap bikes out a lot and have owned tons of new and used bikes with MANY of them being huskys in the last decade.

for those of you new to even thinking about this bike based on the fire sale here are some food for though bullet points.

1. Bike has been very solid. No oil and water leaks around the water pump and various sealing seams like the older motors.

2. Almost zero issues with crank and con rod bearing failures the older motor had

3. Valves have not moved in over 4000 miles.

4. oil comes out very clean and is very EZ to change with the side drain and EZ access filter.

5. Air filter is a little hard to see if the far end is sealing right, takes a bit to get to it and is an odd setup. That said it seems to stay about 4x as clean as a conventional located airfilter and has proven to me anytimes to make the bike a submarine in water crossings. In the end I like the design.

6. Rear filled underseat tank. I can see how this would be an issue for racers and is also hard to upgrade to a larger tank. This has largely been a non issue for me and works fine. the Nomad tank I run gets me 100 plus miles. there is also Safari and IMS big tanks if needed. Were are covered here even if they are odd solutions to an odd problem.

7. Wear parts seem to last forever on this bike. At over 4000 miles I am still on the stock pads, the chain and sprockets seems last far longer and IMHO this is due tot he CTS keeping constant tension instead of whipping at the sprockets as everything changes length on a conventional setup. Valves never move.

8. Hydro clutch has been bullet proof. None of the slave cylinder issues that seem rampant on the older motor.

9. Rear inverted linkage is brilliant, has zerks, makes the lower shock bolt as EZ as a PDS none linkage, works great. Superior design IMHO. No linkage to drag over rocks and logs and no way to bend it all up.

10. Wheels have been rock solid

11. KYB suspension has been very good, i am still on my stock fork seals (unheard of for me). Sending it off To ZipTy to upgrade and service as it is time but pretty happy with the stock stuff (TE model)

12. Overall fit and finish is VERY good.

13. Battery box is integrated into the under seat tank and captures it perfectly and no ejecting into the air filter (impossible) like all the older models did.

14. CTS countershaft sprocket changes are EZ and not the nightmare some had suggested / speculated. The bonus is you can grease the swing arm bearing EZ and they are very simple to get to. To me the CS sprocket change being slightly harder than conventional is completely offset by the EZ of the swing arm bearings to get to and service.

15. Keighn EFI is far superior to the Mikuni stuff on the older bikes. Not perfect but far better.

16. I have not heard of any fuel pump issues on these bikes which is rampant on the older bikes.

17. I like the see through fuel subtank, give quick indication of how much gas is left that is EZ to check while riding the bike.

18. Head bearings have a far better seal and as such life than the older bikes.

Handling. Some find it odd and off putting, some don't even notice it is different and some embrace it. I have zero issues with it and think the bike handles nice for a 260 pound e-start big bore four stroke. Is it the sharpest turning most accurate bike i have ever ridden, no. Is it quite acceptable, planted like crazy and rewarding, yes.

CTS, IMHO works fantastic, brings really no down side for my type of use and does not bring the maintenance nightmares many thought it would.

Issues?

- Oil breather and oil level is a issue with several solutions. Not a big issue but needs addressed.
- Air filter is odd to service and hard to tell if the back side is sealing. Not really an "issue" but not as simple as a standard screw on cone shaped air filter to service and feel positive about the seal it provides.
- rear fuel fill. None issue for me but can see where racers and thick mud riders could struggle with it some.
- Flame outs right off idle. Some have it worse than others. Some fixes, not a huge issue but is there.
- Shifter, kinda odd shaped and to high. Hard to get to the mounting bolt to tighten or remove.
- Crank mounted clutch makes the cover stick out and feel odd and in the way for the first ride or so. then you get used to it and never notice it again unless you trade off bikes a lot.
- rear fender is more complicated than it needs to be.

So if you are interested in one of these machines look over my list and see if it fits you. IMHO the bike is very well built, the motor is rock solid, a complicated machine that seems to be well put together so it does not cause major issues. I really enjoy mine for what I use it for, DS and faster open riding. For tight trails it is not my top choice as i have an amazing 165 for that but will handle those situations amazingly well too.

I know many love to hate this bike. Thats fine, I really enjoy it, like the crazy uniqueness and it has been a very solid performer for me. Makes great power once uncorked, loves to wheelie for miles. Seat concepts seat and Nomad tank has made it an amazing DS bike. Stops people in their tracks and they come look and ask questions about it as it is obviously different and cool looking. Been a real fun ride. Sad that this model did not receive big upgrades / focus and move forward. I think it has a lot to offer and a few years refinement would make it an amazing bike.

Ride more.

Oh, as I have really enjoyed this bike for 2 years and 4000 plus miles it is time for me to upgrade it. Will be sending the suspension to ZipTy and the clutch for EFM for the autoclutch deal. this will allow me to run higher gearing and tackle tight trails EZer while still cruzing 65 plus on the roads and transfer sections.

I rode mine completely stock but with the provided power up plug installed and was happy. Then I decatted the stock muffler and found some power. Then I cut the stock can off, welded a muffler I had here on it and lost all the huge ugly and gained more power. Then JD asked me to borrow my bike to setup the EFI tuners and I got a bike back that went from nice kitten to OMG. So yes, you can actually make the bike run good for nearly no cost or for not much investment make it FAST. Several solutions for the oil overflow deal from cheap and ugly to engineered and very cool. The basic bike is VERY good, some Ez upgrades and it is fantastic. Where you go from there is all on you.

In many states you cant do that. It needs to have the right VIN and paperwork or no plate.

In many states including Oregon and California if it did not come from the factory with a plate you are not getting one. Washington just overturned this last year so we are free to plate dirtbikes now. Liberating.

Thanks a lot, Kelly. I did not need to see this
I've ridden a couple 449's and one 511 and I loved them all. Really. I was super impressed with the 449 and would love to own one, especially if I can get a decent deal on one. I'm trying to justify it to myself, then I have to get it past Eric. I'm just afraid that one more bike is going to push him past the tipping point and then I'll be looking for another place to live



And, yeah, no more plating dirt bikes in California, no matter what color sticker they come with.