Converting dirt bike to street-legal

No Worries · 08-06-2009, 12:54 AM

Has anyone done this? I saw an early 90's KTM 300 EXC real cheap and wondered how difficult is it to get it registered if it never was before? It has a headlight and tail light, so I guess the stator can charge the battery. It may need a mirror and horn. But what about getting a two-stroke registered if it was not EPA-certified before? I would just like to take it out on some old mining roads. I have an SUV, not a pick-up.

BobTheBiker · 08-06-2009, 01:56 AM

trust me, if you wanna get to old mining roads with your bike in an suv, you just need another friend to help load it. myself and a buddy have done this with a "compact" suv before, works wonderfully.

but honestly, I dont think you're gona get that bike registered to ride on the street. converting dirt to road legal is a LOT of headaches.

derf · 08-06-2009, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobTheBiker

trust me, if you wanna get to old mining roads with your bike in an suv, you just need another friend to help load it. myself and a buddy have done this with a "compact" suv before, works wonderfully.

but honestly, I dont think you're gona get that bike registered to ride on the street. converting dirt to road legal is a LOT of headaches.

And for the cost of the conversion and inspections and everything else you would have to go through you could get a street legal dirt bike for the same price or possible cheaper

Chris S · 08-06-2009, 08:57 AM

Really depends on the laws of your state. In CA, forget it. In TX, you can tag just about anything w/ 2 wheels and lights.

Speedracer42 · 08-06-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris S

Really depends on the laws of your state. In CA, forget it. In TX, you can tag just about anything w/ 2 wheels and lights.

What he said ^. It varies wildly by state. Here in Oregon it has gotten all but impossible to tag anything for the street that was not specifically sold that way from the dealer. In some cases they have even issued plates to guys and then revoked them not long after.

goof2 · 08-06-2009, 02:39 PM

It may have a headlight and taillight, but in most states those have to be changed. Most require a high beam and a low beam. Your state may also require a DOT approved headlight lens. A lot of the non street legal dual sports have a running light in back, but there is no brake light build in. You may need to replace it with another light as well as add a pressure switch to your brakes to trigger it. Add in DOT tires, turn signals if required, a horn, mirrors, etc. and it adds up pretty quick.

mutley · 11-25-2009, 04:37 PM

get away with out light , lidercators, even use a beer can for a front mud gard i did annd it pass because the law dose not state any dimensions for it

t-homo · 01-25-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutley

get away with out light , lidercators, even use a beer can for a front mud gard i did annd it pass because the law dose not state any dimensions for it

I'm not really sure what that means.

TYEster · 11-25-2009, 05:27 PM

I do know when it comes to dirtbikes you'll need more than just the lights and a mirror.

Not only did my lights require a battery, they needed a stronger stator too. Plus it must've been a bitch for the previous owner of my bike to figure out how to not ghetto rig the wiring which he did. I imagine finding a place for all the wires and cables and what have you, must be tough on a bike that's designed to not have any of that.

The plus is, since the brakelight and low-beam don't work on my bike, I'll be ripping all that garbage off and keeping pure offroad.

Krabill · 12-03-2009, 12:43 PM

Go pick up a WR250R and hit the road.

08-06-2009, 12:54 AM	#1
No Worries Keyboard Racer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mile High City Moto: Old Superbikes Posts: 1,016	Converting dirt bike to street-legal Has anyone done this? I saw an early 90's KTM 300 EXC real cheap and wondered how difficult is it to get it registered if it never was before? It has a headlight and tail light, so I guess the stator can charge the battery. It may need a mirror and horn. But what about getting a two-stroke registered if it was not EPA-certified before? I would just like to take it out on some old mining roads. I have an SUV, not a pick-up.

11-25-2009, 04:37 PM	#7
mutley Kneedragger Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Didcot/oxford/england Posts: 117	get away with out light , lidercators, even use a beer can for a front mud gard i did annd it pass because the law dose not state any dimensions for it __________________ If it works take it apart. if you dont need it get rig of ie. 5kg's = 1bhp or there about. They say Life is a waste of Time, and Time is a waste of Life....so let's all get wasted and have the time of our lives !! I've been dating this girl for a year and now the nagging starts.." I wanna know your name !" and things like that... :-( everyone has the right to be stupid.....I just abuse the privilege !

12-03-2009, 12:43 PM	#10
Krabill WERA Yellow Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Moto: 08 WR250R, 12 XTZ1200 Posts: 558	Go pick up a WR250R and hit the road. __________________ www.wrrdualsport.com www.designatedvaping.com

08-06-2009, 01:56 AM	#2
BobTheBiker too much time on my hands Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: the northern district of god damn Moto: 01 ZX6R, looking for more now. Posts: 1,802	trust me, if you wanna get to old mining roads with your bike in an suv, you just need another friend to help load it. myself and a buddy have done this with a "compact" suv before, works wonderfully. but honestly, I dont think you're gona get that bike registered to ride on the street. converting dirt to road legal is a LOT of headaches.

08-06-2009, 08:57 AM	#4
Chris S Kneedragger Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Austin, TX Moto: '07 KTM Super Duke (for sale), '07 KTM 300 XC-W Posts: 171	Really depends on the laws of your state. In CA, forget it. In TX, you can tag just about anything w/ 2 wheels and lights.

08-06-2009, 02:39 PM	#6
goof2 AMA Supersport Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4,756	It may have a headlight and taillight, but in most states those have to be changed. Most require a high beam and a low beam. Your state may also require a DOT approved headlight lens. A lot of the non street legal dual sports have a running light in back, but there is no brake light build in. You may need to replace it with another light as well as add a pressure switch to your brakes to trigger it. Add in DOT tires, turn signals if required, a horn, mirrors, etc. and it adds up pretty quick.

11-25-2009, 05:27 PM	#9
TYEster With MORE TYEstosterone Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: TX Moto: '12 KX450F / 08 YZ250F #512 / 07 KX65 #1 Posts: 1,429	I do know when it comes to dirtbikes you'll need more than just the lights and a mirror. Not only did my lights require a battery, they needed a stronger stator too. Plus it must've been a bitch for the previous owner of my bike to figure out how to not ghetto rig the wiring which he did. I imagine finding a place for all the wires and cables and what have you, must be tough on a bike that's designed to not have any of that. The plus is, since the brakelight and low-beam don't work on my bike, I'll be ripping all that garbage off and keeping pure offroad.