2009 vs 2010 FE450 Differences?

I will be making a purchase soon, likely a 2010 FE450 depending on availability in my area. However, I have a bead on a new 2009 FE450 at one dealer. I was wondering if anyone can enlighten me on the changes for the 2010 models?

Lighting, frame, suspension, motor? Are the 2010's easier to plate? Making it streetable is a goal.

Question: Where do you live?

I'll list the differences between the two in reference to your question about plating.

The 2009 was not EPA legal here in the US b/c of the gas tank, it wasn't "sealed". So, even though the 2009 bikes came with an 02 sensor per Euro II emissions standards, all bikes delivered to the US were delivered with the closed course mapping, EG non street legal mapping or leaner.

And b/c of Federal law here in the US, any bike that is not EPA legal cannot be delivered with lighting. So the 09's were delivered (to the best of my knowledge) to the US with all the lighting, it was stripped off before the bikes were shipped out to various dealers in the US. The wiring harness is there, you would just need to purchase the switches and lights, and blinker harness, and the little rear fender extender that holds the rear tail light and license plate holder.

Where as the 2010's were delivered with lights and brake light switches. As well, they did not come with 02 sensors as Husaberg had achieved the emissions goals without the use of a 02 sensor, EG, a "green fuel and ignition map" AND that is why the have the black gas tank which is sealed for emissions reasons, as well as a check valve on the gas cap vent to keep gas vapors from escaping to the atmosphere.

As far as other changes to the 2010's, they come with the 22mm offset triple clamps, and I believe slight valving changes in the suspension. I believe that they left the spring rates the same.

Also, the shroud fasteners, fuel pressure regulator plate, and fuel pump plate all use 5mmX.8mm pitch bolts instead of the wood screw type fasteners on the tank only.

So, if you can get a really good deal on the 09, it will just be a matter of pricing out what the necessary switches and lights will cost you versus the cost of the 2010. It also depends a lot on where you live, some states are pretty lax about certain things like turn signals, which you may or may not need. But to be fully legal eagle you will need the blinkers.

I would suggest you contact Rick Bozarth of Bozarth off road, his add is a rotating one at the top of pages here. To the best of my knowledge he has everything you need to get your bike set up to be street legal, and is a real enthusiast, and a nice guy to deal with.

If it was me, I'd go with the 09. You won't have to have the map reflashed as it will have the competition map already, at least the older version. Which ever bike you buy you can have them reflash the ECU with latest competition map. The 09 will just be a plug and play affair with the lights. The only nice thing about the 2010 is that it already has the rear brake light switch installed which is nice. But, if you have some mechanical skills this won't be a problem to install.

Thanks for the very detailed response, Dale. I am in North Carolina.

I currently have a 2007 KTM 450 EXC, which came street legal off the floor, so that one doesn't really count. The only other experience I have plating bikes with the NC DMV is when I bought my son a 2008 200 XC-W. This bike was titled and plated in South Carolina, and I did a title transfer here in North Carolina. That all went off without a hitch. I did add a horn and brake light switch to the 200 to make it pass inspection, but in NC, turn signals are not required, just headlight with hi/lo beam, brake light, horn, and one mirror.

In talking with the dealer on the 2009 FE450, it has lights on it, and he is going to install the brake light switch for me. I can do it, I did it on the 200, but his effort to install on the FE450 is very much appreciated.

I wonder if the "EPA tank" has resulted in a change in VIN number designation? I don't know what black magic the DMV works when they plug in VIN numbers into their computers and come back with a yes or no regarding the plate. But if Husaberg is making an effort to comply with EPA laws for street legality, then I wonder if the 2010 VIN's will go through without any red flags whereas the 2009 VIN's might get shot down?

Being street legal is not a show stopper, but if I can get it, it would open up a few more riding opportunities for me and probably ultimately increase the resale value of the bike when that time eventually comes.

I believe that if the 8th number in the vin is a 3 or a C, that is where the trouble starts out here in PRK (peoples republik of kaleefornia). In other states it's not a problem. If you got a 200 ktm two smoke plated then you won't have problem.

Heck, if it will seal the deal have the dealer get the plate for you!

I hear tell that West Virginia is VERY willing to plate a vehicle, basically no questions asked!

DaleEO said:

I believe that if the 8th number in the vin is a 3 or a C, that is where the trouble starts out here in PRK (peoples republik of kaleefornia). In other states it's not a problem. If you got a 200 ktm two smoke plated then you won't have problem.

Heck, if it will seal the deal have the dealer get the plate for you!

I hear tell that West Virginia is VERY willing to plate a vehicle, basically no questions asked!

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Calif. even has this on one of their web pages. It is confusing because according to federal VIN standards the 8th position can mean anything - nothing is mandated. Plus I have seen bikes that are clearly not street legal (XRR for example) that have a zero in that position.

That said, here is what to look for:


See the wording highlighted in yellow? If it says something like that then you are fine. There is a slight difference between 49 state legal and 50 state legal (calif.), but for the most part look for that wording on the VIN sticker near the steering head.

Otherwise, if the VIN sticker says 'not street legal' or 'illegal for highway use' or 'off-road use only' or something to that effect, then the bike is not 49/50 state street legal and even if you get a plate now, down the line your state may change its laws/rules/regs/mind regarding licensing such a bike. WA state is going through that now and some people are getting a rude awakening.

As far as I know the 2010 MY were maybe green sticker legal, but not 50 state street legal. The 2011 570 (FE/FS) will be 50 state street legal, including Calif. - the 450 and 390 will be "EPA legal" which means for states like Calif. you can get a green sticker.

Again, you may get away with it now, but a few years from now?? :?:

Which to get depends on how much risk and value you put on having that plate without worrying that it may go away. Just don't be surprised if in the future that an iffy plate gets pulled or you can't get a plate in another state. It is happening here to some people and then they act all surprised and upset. The dealers don't tell you the risks, if they mention it at all. The manufacturers know it is happening and don't say anything. The state doesn't say anything until it is too late. You have to watch out for yourself.

CodeMonkey said:

WA state is going through that now and some people are getting a rude awakening.

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You guys in Washington State need to get a class action law suit going against your states DMV for the pre existing bikes that are licensed.

If your DMV previously licensed those bikes, and are now trying to make that law "post de facto" or retro active for our non latin speaking friends, then they are going to have a problem. Even though states rights has it's merits, it explicitly states in the United States constitution that no state make make laws that are "post de facto". Any such laws are null and void. The bikes that are currently street legal must be grand fathered in, and these new laws can only be made to affect "new" licensing.

DaleEO said:

CodeMonkey said:

WA state is going through that now and some people are getting a rude awakening.

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You guys in Washington State need to get a class action law suit going against your states DMV for the pre existing bikes that are licensed.

If your DMV previously licensed those bikes, and are now trying to make that law "post de facto" or retro active for our non latin speaking friends, then they are going to have a problem. Even though states rights has it's merits, it explicitly states in the United States constitution that no state make make laws that are "post de facto". Any such laws are null and void. The bikes that are currently street legal must be grand fathered in, and these new laws can only be made to affect "new" licensing.

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No. The problem is that they are plating bikes that *ARE NOT* street legal - but they don't know it. When they find out, then they say 'oops - this bike was mistakenly given a plate' and pull the plate. The plates are given out without the bike being inspected - except in some cases when it comes from another state. So, they have a reasonable excuse. The owner whines but most owners know or suspect their bike is/was not street legal.

First, the RCW (WA state law) has a clause about 'off-road vehicles' including motorcycles. It does not define what 'off-road' in a way that you could say 'this is off-road' or 'that isn't off-road'. Most laws are written that way so that they are flexible.

Along comes DOL (Dept. of Licensing). They have the authority according to law, and mandate to decide, what is street legal and what isn't. That is how laws work - the law is written, an agency is given the authority and mandate to enforce the law, and the agency makes its rules/regs/policy which have the authority of law - but those rules/regs/policies don't have to be voted on; they just have to publish them with a waiting period.

Over the last 15 years they have gradually gotten stricter about 'dirt bikes'. Around '99 to 2002 they started saying no more 'dual sport conversions' of off-road motorcycles. Since then they have slightly changed their rules. The latest rule I can find in the WA state register says that if the MSO/title has anything about 'off-road only' on it, then no plate - otherwise you can get a plate. The dealers of euro bikes have been exploiting this because many euro dirt bikes don't have that wording in the MSO for WA state (I have heard it is there for some other states - so apparently KTM makes different MSOs for different states).

So, the state is well within its rights - it has a law that says 'off-road only' vehicles don't get plates. It has given the DOL the authority to decide which motorcycles are 'off-road only', and the DOL has a reasonable rule in that regard. The problem is that the DOL is in the process of tightening up the rules. The rumor is that they have asked KTM for VINs of bikes that are 'off-road only'. My suspicion is that they are doing this because they don't want to incur the cost of an in person inspection of the VIN sticker - which is one reason they stopped the 'dual sport conversions' which required an inspection.

In the future, I expect that WA state will say that all motorcycles manufactured after 1978 to 1982 (when they started the EPA/FMVSS cert program) must be have an EPA/FMVSS cert. You are safe if your bike has that cert - in all 49/50 states - it is federal law. Don't have the cert? Too bad - so sad - you are at risk. Simple as that.

Take a look at the wording on the VIN sticker on a '09 Husaberg - you will see what I mean.

A shorter version is that 09's don't say anything on the COO (certificate of origin) and the 10's say "for off road use only" so getting an 09 titled is easy and a 10 is very hard. That's why I bought the 09 and I got my plate four days ago.

There are so many small manufacturers that the VIN database is very incomplete. If a VIN doesn't come up in the computer but there's nothing on the COO that say it CAN'T be titled then you'll be given a title.

It may be different for some states but at least here once you get a title for the bike it's legal. My KTM SX was titled in CO and that title flew right through NY DMV.

Anyway, if you can get an 09 get it.

Gregor

sakurama said:

A shorter version is that 09's don't say anything on the COO (certificate of origin) and the 10's say "for off road use only" so getting an 09 titled is easy and a 10 is very hard. That's why I bought the 09 and I got my plate four days ago.

There are so many small manufacturers that the VIN database is very incomplete. If a VIN doesn't come up in the computer but there's nothing on the COO that say it CAN'T be titled then you'll be given a title.

It may be different for some states but at least here once you get a title for the bike it's legal. My KTM SX was titled in CO and that title flew right through NY DMV.

Anyway, if you can get an 09 get it.

Gregor

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Obviously the MSO/titles and laws/policy vary by state. I am not saying people shouldn't get a particular MY just because it doesn't have EPA/FMVSS cert - I am just saying be aware of the risks and weigh them according to their needs/desires, and that over time laws and policy can change considerably, so don't be surprised when it happens. With the cert you are pretty much immune, without it you are subject to their whims. People are finding this out on the west coast; Calif especially, but also OR and WA are clamping down.

I am trying to spread the word so people will not be caught unawares, and to maybe goad dealers and manufacturers to be a little more upfront with their customers about the risks. After all, we can't come back at them so we have to deal with the repercussions. I will keep that in mind the next time I want to buy something - I put high value in honesty, especially when the person may lose a sale because they were honest with me.

Very interesting, sakurama, I would have thought the opposite, but what you say could be true. Things do vary greatly state by state, though. For example, you can plate just about anything in Texas, and just about nothing in California. Go figure. CodeMonkey - I hear you, and that is very good advice. If I was issued a plate, and it later got revoked, I would not be happy, but neither would I be crushed. For me, the plate is (very) nice to have, but not mandatory.