Supermotos...

flipstyledsm22 · 12-09-2020, 09:39 AM

Why are these dang things SO MUCH fun?!!!???

With that being said, how easy is it to make a dirt bike street legal in Houston? Could I just buy any dirt bike?

WaltIronSupply · 12-09-2020, 10:00 AM

From my experience it can be difficult to get it done, because IIRC dirtbikes have off-road only titles. So there are hoops to jump through. Also alot of dirtbikes do not have powerful enough charging systems to power a taillight and a decent headlight. They are super fun though!

So usually it involves adding a better battery, and finding a way to upgrade the charging system, while also mounting, and wiring headlights, taillights and a horn, buying DOT tires, passing inspections, and getting insurance. It usually costs upwards of $1000 to do it right not to mention the time investment getting the thing put together. There are kits available online that come with a Dash, lights, turnsignals etc but those kits are like $500, not including the battery and upgraded charging system.

I considered doing this years ago myself. Also keep in mind most dirtbikes are not designed to maintain road cruising speeds for extended periods of time, and usually the maintenance intervals are really short. So lots of valve adjustments and oil changes. My personal recommendation is get a DRZ400sm and beat the out of it.

Tojo92 · 11:35 AM

It really is not too difficult. As someone who has owned many dirt bikes/motards that were converted to Street legal, the main thing to know to make it easier is you must have a clear title, even if it is labeled as off-road only.

You only need to add one lever brake light so you will need a brake light with the switch on the foot brake or the handbrake, a horn, a license plate light, and DOT tires. If the bike is under 250 CC's you do not need a high and low beam, if it's above 250 CC's you will need a high low beam which may mean you could need to add that light assembly.

Once you've done those things you simply take the bike to an inspection sticker and pass inspection. Then go to the tax office with your off-road branded title and turn it in, pay your fees and you'll receive a street legal title in return a few weeks later.
The easiest route is to buy a Baja Designs kit for about $550 that has everything. That is generally plug and play. Most people say you need to add a higher output stator, but I've seen many people do it without that, just realize you won't be able to add extra plugins, and the reality is most people I know that do this aren't riding at night anyway.

As opposed to the Baja designs kit or others, you can buy the pieces a la carte and do it yourself. I know lots of people that have converted 250cc bikes for well under $250. Myself included with a DRZ250.

As mentioned above, a good bet is pick up a nice drz400sm and ride the out of it.

flipstyledsm22 · 12-09-2020, 12:34 PM

I was looking at second-hand dirt bikes and comparing the costs to DRZ's and motards. Seems like the most economical route, would be buying a DRZ. My only concern is buying an older DRZ and it having a worn out motor... But mechanical issues are not that bad I to deal with, as long as the rest of the bike is sound.

Tojo92 · 12-10-2020, 07:43 PM

DRZ's are near bulletproof. If you take a look on two-wheel Texans classified section, there's a DRZ for sale right now that used to be owned by another member named Human race, it is an excellent DRZ to purchase and I think it's at like $2,800. It is not a motard setup, but that would be easy to fix. The DRZ 400's I've had took a ton of abuse and never needed anything other than general maintenance. They really are bulletproof, although they are a little bit heavy compared to a Motocross style bike like a CRF450 or yz450 you might convert.

Japawhat02 · 12-11-2020, 08:27 AM

Super easy to do as long as you have a title. No title you have to have the vin verified by pd and its 1st come first serve and only at certain locations. Also will have to go through the bonded title stuff. Its not hard just time consuming.

kdog22 · 12-12-2020, 10:55 AM

I have mine for sale, just sayin

flipstyledsm22 · 12-12-2020, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdog22

I have mine for sale, just sayin

Let's talk... If you still have it for sale, when I'm back in Houston and semi-settled in

jbird710 · 12-20-2020, 04:10 PM

The one in Huntsville sold yesterday. The guy who bought it is planning to turn it into a motard.

Tojo92 · 01:42 PM

Not to threadjack, but I recently picked this up and it is now sorted. Freaking grin machine.

kdog22 · 12-21-2020, 02:58 PM

Sounds good man, just hit me up.

GABRIEL · 12-24-2020, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tojo92

Not to threadjack, but I recently picked this up and it is now sorted. Freaking grin machine.

Is that the 5.5 or the 4.5? you get some nice bikes.

Tojo92 · 12-24-2020, 10:15 AM

5.5, of course. :-)

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12-09-2020, 11:31 AM	#3
Tojo92 AKA Mongo Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cedar Park, TX Feedback Rating: (7) Posts: 5,636 Experience: 10+ years Trackdays: 10+ Bike(s): 1994 Ducati 900 SS/SP DS FI Restomod 2008 Aprilia SXV 550	It really is not too difficult. As someone who has owned many dirt bikes/motards that were converted to Street legal, the main thing to know to make it easier is you must have a clear title, even if it is labeled as off-road only. You only need to add one lever brake light so you will need a brake light with the switch on the foot brake or the handbrake, a horn, a license plate light, and DOT tires. If the bike is under 250 CC's you do not need a high and low beam, if it's above 250 CC's you will need a high low beam which may mean you could need to add that light assembly. Once you've done those things you simply take the bike to an inspection sticker and pass inspection. Then go to the tax office with your off-road branded title and turn it in, pay your fees and you'll receive a street legal title in return a few weeks later. The easiest route is to buy a Baja Designs kit for about $550 that has everything. That is generally plug and play. Most people say you need to add a higher output stator, but I've seen many people do it without that, just realize you won't be able to add extra plugins, and the reality is most people I know that do this aren't riding at night anyway. As opposed to the Baja designs kit or others, you can buy the pieces a la carte and do it yourself. I know lots of people that have converted 250cc bikes for well under $250. Myself included with a DRZ250. As mentioned above, a good bet is pick up a nice drz400sm and ride the out of it.
	Last edited by Tojo92; 12-09-2020 at 11:35 AM.

12-11-2020, 08:27 AM	#6
Japawhat02 02 Tona Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: P-land Feedback Rating: (1) Posts: 7,445 Experience: 10+ years Trackdays: 10+ Bike(s): 2006 Speed Triple	Super easy to do as long as you have a title. No title you have to have the vin verified by pd and its 1st come first serve and only at certain locations. Also will have to go through the bonded title stuff. Its not hard just time consuming.
	__________________ 2002 Brittish Rocket

12-20-2020, 04:10 PM	#9
jbird710 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: League City Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 101 Experience: 10+ years Trackdays: 10+ Bike(s): 2017 Africa Twin (Tricolor) 2003 Honda XR650R 2006 Honda XR650L 2001 Harley FLHTCUI 2001 Honda XR400R	The one in Huntsville sold yesterday. The guy who bought it is planning to turn it into a motard.
	__________________ 9 Hondas, a Harley, and a basket case Suzuki - Need a larger garage.

12-21-2020, 01:31 PM	#10
Tojo92 AKA Mongo Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cedar Park, TX Feedback Rating: (7) Posts: 5,636 Experience: 10+ years Trackdays: 10+ Bike(s): 1994 Ducati 900 SS/SP DS FI Restomod 2008 Aprilia SXV 550	Not to threadjack, but I recently picked this up and it is now sorted. Freaking grin machine.
	Last edited by Tojo92; 12-21-2020 at 01:42 PM.

12-09-2020, 10:00 AM	#2
WaltIronSupply Fun Specialist Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Katy TX Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 42 Experience: 9 years Trackdays: 3 Bike(s): 2018 Triumph Tiger 800 XCX Whichever bike my boss wants me to demo	From my experience it can be difficult to get it done, because IIRC dirtbikes have off-road only titles. So there are hoops to jump through. Also alot of dirtbikes do not have powerful enough charging systems to power a taillight and a decent headlight. They are super fun though! So usually it involves adding a better battery, and finding a way to upgrade the charging system, while also mounting, and wiring headlights, taillights and a horn, buying DOT tires, passing inspections, and getting insurance. It usually costs upwards of $1000 to do it right not to mention the time investment getting the thing put together. There are kits available online that come with a Dash, lights, turnsignals etc but those kits are like $500, not including the battery and upgraded charging system. I considered doing this years ago myself. Also keep in mind most dirtbikes are not designed to maintain road cruising speeds for extended periods of time, and usually the maintenance intervals are really short. So lots of valve adjustments and oil changes. My personal recommendation is get a DRZ400sm and beat the out of it.

12-10-2020, 07:43 PM	#5
Tojo92 AKA Mongo Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cedar Park, TX Feedback Rating: (7) Posts: 5,636 Experience: 10+ years Trackdays: 10+ Bike(s): 1994 Ducati 900 SS/SP DS FI Restomod 2008 Aprilia SXV 550	DRZ's are near bulletproof. If you take a look on two-wheel Texans classified section, there's a DRZ for sale right now that used to be owned by another member named Human race, it is an excellent DRZ to purchase and I think it's at like $2,800. It is not a motard setup, but that would be easy to fix. The DRZ 400's I've had took a ton of abuse and never needed anything other than general maintenance. They really are bulletproof, although they are a little bit heavy compared to a Motocross style bike like a CRF450 or yz450 you might convert.

12-24-2020, 10:15 AM	#13
Tojo92 AKA Mongo Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cedar Park, TX Feedback Rating: (7) Posts: 5,636 Experience: 10+ years Trackdays: 10+ Bike(s): 1994 Ducati 900 SS/SP DS FI Restomod 2008 Aprilia SXV 550	5.5, of course. :-)