Considering trying to make a dirt bike licensed for street use

[pavulon]

I know there at least 2 street legal XR650R guys on here (syncroid--hi Dan! and MMARSH ). I was wondering if you fellas (or other converted bike owners) did the work yourselves or bought them converted? Apparently, Wisconsin won't let a bike be converted but will allow a bike licensed in another state to be licensed here. Michigan will allow a conversion if it passes inspection and does not require residence for licensure. I'm sure you can see where this if going when I tell you that a local XR650R has become available.

Any experiences would be appreciated!

[dlockhart]

Originally Posted by pavulon

I know there at least 2 street legal XR650R guys on here (syncroid--hi Dan! and MMARSH ). I was wondering if you fellas (or other converted bike owners) did the work yourselves or bought them converted? Apparently, Wisconsin won't let a bike be converted but will allow a bike licensed in another state to be licensed here. Michigan will allow a conversion if it passes inspection and does not require residence for licensure. I'm sure you can see where this if going when I tell you that a local XR650R has become available.

Any experiences would be appreciated!

I think as you noted it all comes down to the state and its policies. A friend had a plated CR500 in wisco for a few seasons. That was a bit crazy for a street bike.

[911SauCy]

I've a buddy with a cfr450r made into one wicked street legal supermoto.
Blinkers
Head/Brake light
Horn
License plate light
DOT Rubbers
...oh, and now he has to pay taxes on it...
Bunch of other cool stuff for longevity and user friendliness
-trans cooler
-risers
-loud pipe
-weighted flywheel
-different sprockets
etc etc

I originally bought mine for this exact purpose but sold it instead of the 911 when shorty arrived. This bike rolls out on 600 streetbikes until about 90mph and is untouchable in the tight twisties.

[LakeCleElum]

Washington State changes the rules every few years.....You jump thru all their hoops, get an plate and next thing you know, they cancel your title......

[jhynesrockmtn]

I've been researching this in WA and decided I had better just get a DRZ that was street legal from day one. Currently you can buy kits for bikes like the Yamaha WR450F and get a license but I would fear that changing in the future as Bob indicates. In talking to a dealer here, this will get more vs. less strict as time passes but the laws in each state differ quite a bit.

[ckelly78z]

I'm currently restoring a 1998 Kawasaki KLR 250 that sat idle in the Florida heat full of fuel in my BIL's garage, so it is completely street legal with a title.

Up until the point I got the Kaw, my son and I had matching late 80s Honda XR200R that are a lot of fun off road. I don't know about the titling process for a non-street legal bike, but I would think you could buy the parts from an Honda XL bike and convert it rather easily.

[sand_man]

Is that essentially what this is (dirt bike converted for street):

[pavulon]

really? Was that supposed to be in green?

If not, that's a track bike. A street bike could be almost anything but should have a dim-able headlight, turn signals, brake light, DOT tires, a mirror, speedo, horn and a plate light (maybe more) to get licensed. There are supermoto bikes that look like that (dirtbikes on street tires) but that one is a track rat...and looks like it would try to kill me.

[Cajundaddy]

XR650L is a whole lot easier.

I think someone still makes the DOT kits for these bikes but the DMV process can be emotionally draining. I would rather stick glass shards in my eyes than jump through all the ever-changing governmental hoops but I think it is possible if you want it badly enough.

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by pavulon

...A street bike could be almost anything but should have a dim-able headlight, turn signals, brake light, DOT tires, a mirror, speedo, horn and a plate light (maybe more) to get licensed....

Meh, those are minor details and only add unnecessary weight...

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

I've been researching this in WA and decided I had better just get a DRZ that was street legal from day one. Currently you can buy kits for bikes like the Yamaha WR450F and get a license but I would fear that changing in the future as Bob indicates. In talking to a dealer here, this will get more vs. less strict as time passes but the laws in each state differ quite a bit.

^^^This! I know you said "a bike just became available" and I get that we are all motorheads and love working on bikes and cars.

But before taking the leap you might want to pencil out what it is going to cost to convert a dirt bike to a street bike Vs buying a 'dual purpose' street legal bike (we used to call them enduro bikes).

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by sand_man

Meh, those are minor details and only add unnecessary weight...

I have unnecessary weight too (or I'd be writing about anXR250 or something) so what's another 5 pounds? As for the details, do you by chance happen to have a taste for beer and work for the UP of Michigan DOT?

[sammyg2]

I don't get it., A good high performance street bike has stiff, limited travel suspension.

A good off-road bike is just the opposite: soft, compliant, long travel suspension.

Seems like an off-road bike on street tires would dive like no one's biddness on hard braking and it would be real tough to hold a line in a corner during throttle roll on or off.
What am I missing?

[syncroid]

Hi Scott, A big plus one for the Baja Designs conversion kit. My bike had it installed when it was brand new. I have since replaced the front harness and installed a keyed ignition. It is really a plug and play install.
The XR650R is a great bike. I just wish it had an electric start.
I was just at the bike shop last weekend buying parts to service mine and saw another one for sale there. I think it was a 2000 or 2001. (already plated too. )

[pavulon]

Doh! Did you happen to notice a price? Miles? Condition? Best guess on shipping to Northcentral WI? You're a bad influence, Dan.

Originally Posted by syncroid

Hi Scott, A big plus one for the Baja Designs conversion kit. My bike had it installed when it was brand new. I have since replaced the front harness and installed a keyed ignition. It is really a plug and play install.
The XR650R is a great bike. I just wish it had an electric start.
I was just at the bike shop last weekend buying parts to service mine and saw another one for sale there. I think it was a 2000 or 2001. (already plated too. )

[syncroid]

I went by the bike shop tonight to pick up some more parts. The bike was gone. I remember it needed tires badly. Otherwise it looked pretty good.
I did some major work on mine this last weekend. Full service, new sprockets & chain, brake fluid & coolant flush, and finished installing the rest of my Trail Tech Vapor computer.
Next on the wish list is to put in the Baja Designs dual output stator. Kind of thinking about the Fluidine radiators and fan kit too. Doh!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hydrocket]

I've done this a couple times. Once with an XR650R. I dialed up Baja Designs and got their kit. Install..DONE!

The other time I pieced together a kit for a DRZ400.

[fastfredracing]

I've been out of bikes for a while, but why not just buy an XL? were they not basically just the same bike already DOT legal right from the factory? Then , do whatever you want with it.
I've also been in the market for a dual sport. Although, I've got my heart set on a two stroke KTM 300. I wanna mix some oil

[Hydrocket]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

I've been out of bikes for a while, but why not just buy an XL? were they not basically just the same bike already DOT legal right from the factory? Then , do whatever you want with it.
I've also been in the market for a dual sport. Although, I've got my heart set on a two stroke KTM 300. I wanna mix some oil

No. The street bikes frequently have heavier components (and sometimes steel tanks). Plus they often have smaller carbs, less aggressive cams, etc. It's more expensive to go the way you're suggesting.

The XR650R is a beast compared to an XL650. Not even the same bike. The XL is air cooled..the XR liquid. The XL is 50 pounds heavier. Suspension in the XR is miles better. Gearbox is better too. The XR has won the Baja 1000, 500, etc.


KTMs, however are VERY close to one another in terms of street vs dirt.

[Reg]

Late 80's early 90s Yamaha DT200r was a blast. 2 stroke and lightweight. Fond memories of mine. Similar to a 125 motox but with blinkers. Wish I still had that one.