How difficult is it to register a dirt bike in MA?

[Spooler]

I put a deposit on a Husky 501 only to realize it had been incorrectly listed as the street legal version. It’s a pretty good deal, so I’m wondering how plausible it is to register in MA if I just add the lights from the 501 S? Is this a total nightmare in MA and not worth the headache? The deal is good enough that adding the lights and stuff isn’t too crazy of an idea, but I do not want to be stuck with I bike I can’t register.

[Crconnor18]

Comes down to if the MSO from the dealer says “Not for Highway use” or similar verbiage. If it does say that then it’ll be a PIA but if it doesn’t I believe you can just title it as street legal and make sure it’s setup to meet DOT requirements for the annual registration.

[Spooler]

Comes down to if the MSO from the dealer says “Not for Highway use” or similar verbiage. If it does say that then it’ll be a PIA but if it doesn’t I believe you can just title it as street legal and make sure it’s setup to meet DOT requirements for the annual registration.

Thanks. I’ll have to check with the dealer. Unfortunately they’re not open tomorrow, I hope someone gets my email and responds before Thursday. I believe there aren’t many differences between the 501 and 501 S other than lights, mirrors, horn, etc, so I have some hope. I also know there are people who have registered the non-street version, but havent found any MA-specific info yet. Should have looked at the pics closer instead of just reading the dealer’s listing, but wasn’t too worried about buying a new bike from a dealer… I’m not too worried about getting my deposit back, just want to take advantage of a good deal.

[boosten lebaron]

As crconner18 said, it's all about the mso. Nothing else matters. If it's says for off road use only or dirt bike then there isn't much you can do. Not even VT will work on a brand new bike.

[SwiftTone]

Comes down to if the MSO from the dealer says “Not for Highway use” or similar verbiage. If it does say that then it’ll be a PIA but if it doesn’t I believe you can just title it as street legal and make sure it’s setup to meet DOT requirements for the annual registration.

From what I've read and heard, KTM/Husqvarna does not put "off road use only" (or similar) on the titles

Many people I've ridden have street plated their bikes, but they didn't bother adding equipment such as blinkers to have it pass state inspection. They plated the bike just so they can connect trails

[Spooler]

I’m emailing with the sales guy right now, apparently they just got their first 2023 501 S in stock, so I may go with that for simplicity’s sake… It’ll cost me like $2000 more, but might be worth it for peace of mind… have to give it a think. Looks like there’s a pretty good street legal kit for less than $500. I’ll ask the sales guy what it says on the MSO.

[SwiftTone]

I’m emailing with the sales guy right now, apparently they just got their first 2023 501 S in stock, so I may go with that for simplicity’s sake… It’ll cost me like $2000 more, but might be worth it for peace of mind… have to give it a think. Looks like there’s a pretty good street legal kit for less than $500. I’ll ask the sales guy what it says on the MSO.

How much for the none 2023 501?

Not that I'm seriously considering it as I am super happy with my FE250 but just curious.

[Spooler]

Ok, everything has worked out as well as it could. It turns out the 501 S the dealership just got is a 2022, not a 23, so I still get the $1000 rebate I was getting with the non-S. So it’s only $400 more than I was going to be paying for the non-S which is around how much it would cost me for a cheap street legal kit, plus no headache with registration.

[Spooler]

How much for the none 2023 501?

Not that I'm seriously considering it as I am super happy with my FE250 but just curious.

The 2022 501 non-S is listed at msrp, which is $11999, there’s a $1000 rebate on 22’s, and I got them to knock off an extra $700. It’s at Motorsports International in Auburn, MA.

[OreoGaborio]

It’s at Motorsports International in Auburn, MA.

I live bout 10-15 minutes down rte 20 from them. Bought a few little things from their gear/parts department but never a bike. How were they?

[Spooler]

I live bout 10-15 minutes down rte 20 from them. Bought a few little things from their gear/parts department but never a bike. How were they?

Super easy to deal with. I dealt with Eric, seemed like a nice guy and emailed back and forth with me on his day off to work on the problem. I’ve been in there many times and have dealt with their service department (years ago), but had also never bought a bike from them. They just picked up Husqvarna this year, apparently. I’ll give them a shot for service, if I need it. I definitely liked them better than Wagner.

[Spooler]

Also, anyone looking for a new Husky check their site in the next few days, they had a bunch delivered yesterday. Some 2022’s and some 23’s. I got the last 501 S, though.

[Spooler]

Paid for the bike, spent all day at the RMV, tomorrow is new bike day!

[Spooler]

Got it home, hopefully I can get a little dirt in tomorrow. Nothing too intense until I get better skid plate, hand guards, and some other protection. Did pretty well on the street on the ride home. The dealership didn’t install rim locks like I asked, shouldn’t have been too hard for them since they had to take the TKC 80’s off due to recall anyway…

[Spooler]

I got it out yesterday and hit the dirt roads in and around Rutland State Park. Not gonna do anything more serious than that until I get it better setup, but so far I love it. Got the break in oil change done today and then took it for a spin around town, it does pretty well on the road too, especially now that the Battlecross tires are scrubbed in.

[OreoGaborio]

NIce.

Shoulda hit up Hodges with a handful of us yesterday.

[xrocket21]

Got it home, hopefully I can get a little dirt in tomorrow. Nothing too intense until I get better skid plate, hand guards, and some other protection. Did pretty well on the street on the ride home. The dealership didn’t install rim locks like I asked, shouldn’t have been too hard for them since they had to take the TKC 80’s off due to recall anyway…

awesome!!!

I know I hated the flame outs on mine, esy fix though!

https://www.bestdualsportbikes.com/p...-501-excf-xcfw

(out of stock though)

Made a HUGE difference. Claimed 54 to 70HP gain and gets rid of the flame outs.

[Spooler]

awesome!!!

I know I hated the flame outs on mine, esy fix though!

https://www.bestdualsportbikes.com/p...-501-excf-xcfw

(out of stock though)

Made a HUGE difference. Claimed 54 to 70HP gain and gets rid of the flame outs.

I think Taco Moto Co has something similar in stock. I’m planning to see how it goes before I go that route, but I do foresee a new end cap and some kind of tuner or ECU in my future.

[xrocket21]

I think Taco Moto Co has something similar in stock. I’m planning to see how it goes before I go that route, but I do foresee a new end cap and some kind of tuner or ECU in my future.

sweet! I am super happy with my end cap, its way too quiet and sounds bad stock, the end cap just opens it up and is far from obnoxious.

And FYI, the stock tail is two piece, you can take off the big part and you're still left with a place to mount the plate and a brake light and you just need to figure out blinkers.

Oil changes are a bit tedious with 2 screens, a filter, 2 drains, etc.

[Spooler]

sweet! I am super happy with my end cap, its way too quiet and sounds bad stock, the end cap just opens it up and is far from obnoxious.

And FYI, the stock tail is two piece, you can take off the big part and you're still left with a place to mount the plate and a brake light and you just need to figure out blinkers.

Oil changes are a bit tedious with 2 screens, a filter, 2 drains, etc.

I’ve got an integrated tail light and blinkers ready to install, just going to grab my inspection sticker first. The inspection guy down the street seems pretty lenient, but don’t want to push it.

The oil change was definitely a little tedious, but I can live with it. I didn’t check the valves like the manual says, maybe I should? Any thoughts? One hour seems kind of low for a valve check… I have a larger gas tank coming, maybe I’ll just check them when I install that.

[Spooler]

I got my hand guards half installed last night before realizing the stock grips come with a solid plastic end cap that does not seem easily removable… So now I’m waiting on new grips…

[tls25rs]

I didn’t check the valves like the manual says, maybe I should? Any thoughts? One hour seems kind of low for a valve check… I have a larger gas tank coming, maybe I’ll just check them when I install that.

Agreed that 1 hour is a short interval to check the valve clearances. The intent may be to catch any assembly errors early so that they do not grow to become an issue over the life of the motor.

My older Cagiva era 510/530 variant Husqvarna valves very rarely moved if at all throughout the very strenuous life of the motors (albeit those motors didn't last all that long with the road racing abuse they were put through. Cranks and pistons mostly caused their demise) Haven't heard anything about the KTM variants being an issue with valves moving a whole lot either.

- - - Updated - - -

I got my hand guards half installed last night before realizing the stock grips come with a solid plastic end cap that does not seem easily removable… So now I’m waiting on new grips…

Are they ODI lock on grips? If so the end punches out pretty cleanly and then you can clean up the I.D. of the grip with a utility knife.

[xrocket21]

I’ve got an integrated tail light and blinkers ready to install, just going to grab my inspection sticker first. The inspection guy down the street seems pretty lenient, but don’t want to push it.

The oil change was definitely a little tedious, but I can live with it. I didn’t check the valves like the manual says, maybe I should? Any thoughts? One hour seems kind of low for a valve check… I have a larger gas tank coming, maybe I’ll just check them when I install that.

Whoops, sorry, I looked at the pic again and didn't realize it didnt have plate and lights. I thought your was basically the Husky version of my 500 EXCf?

I haven't checked valves yet, maybe I should...

[Spooler]

They are ODI, not sure about specific model. But googling it that is what they look like. I’ll give it a try, thanks

[Spooler]

Whoops, sorry, I looked at the pic again and didn't realize it didnt have plate and lights. I thought your was basically the Husky version of my 500 EXCf?

I haven't checked valves yet, maybe I should...

No, you’re right, it’s almost just like the EXCf. I think the pic just cut off the giant tail.