To do this, there are a number of things that you need to do. Unfortunately, different states have different requirements but following these steps should help you create a street dirt bike. To make things a little more complicated than simply bolting a torch on your handlebars, the DOT requires your headlight to have a switchable high and low beam, can function in the daytime as well as at night, and come complete with an indicator light that lets the rider know which beam is currently engaged.
Not so difficult really, but consider the power drain. Many street legal dirt bike conversions rely heavily on power efficient LED units to help conserve power. Why is conserving power an issue? As long as you can see it and access it quickly, you should be good, but the traditional location is what you should really be aiming for. But before we get ahead of ourselves, here are the tail light requirements:.
In some states, your tail light will need to be connected to a proper battery that can maintain a strong light for at least twenty minutes without assistance. On top of that, it needs to be able to function as a brake light for both the front and rear brakes, which is easily achieved with pressure connectors that trigger the brake light. Either way, LED units are your best friends here with regard to the battery issue.
Flashing lights are always going to trump hand signals anyway, and especially at night. It makes you more visible and allows your hands to keep control of the steering instead. The only reason not to install them is to cut corners and costs, providing your state allows it. Once again, we advocate LEDs in this circumstance because of the power issue. Mirrors are essential.
Sure, you can wing it with one, but the bigger the picture of your surroundings available to you, the easier your ride will be. So with that in mind, we recommend installing two mirrors regardless. True story.
Luckily, most enduro style motorcycles already come equipped with clamps that can accept mirrors. If not, the best alternative is to buy a set of universal clamps and mount them on your bars, or opt for bar-end mirrors. That being said, anything is better than nothing. Putting mirrors on is probably the easiest job on the list. Horns are also odd street legal dirt bike requirements.
You see, all states require a horn, but some allow you to get away with a non-electric one, while others require a fully-electric, connected horn to pass.
What we want to know is what rider is riding around with an old-school, vintage, squeeze bulb hooter? Because we want to shake their hands. To keep things legal across the board, we suggest going full electric and leaving the nostalgic squeeze horn well alone.
Luckily, horn setups are easy to procure, easy to install, and cost next to nothing. It could be a Sunday afternoon drive or a long-haul journey, but the feeling is the same no matter what! But the thrill is an awful lot different when it comes to dirt biking! Many pieces go into a dirt bike, from chain guards to chain guides and bash plates to pipe guards.
And, while it might not be the only thing you have to do, it is one of the most important! You may even want to consider an LED headlight as this will cut down on the amount of your battery use.
Another one of the rules to keep in mind is installing the taillight to light up the brake pedal and brake lever when used.
With mirrors, instead of having to remove your hand from the handlebars, you will be always in control with mirrors installed for more clear rear vision. The style of mirror you choose is up to you, but you can go with a side mirror, a wide-angle mirror, or a long-stem mirror to ensure your bike-bound safety! Many states may only require hand signals to get onto the back of your bike.
However, it can be safer and provide more clarity to go with the standard indicators since other drivers will be watching for these. Take this seriously. This requirement for Department of Transportation approved tires is not just for the law. While fuel tanks are rarely checked or mentioned in street legality for dirt bikes, they are technically required in most states. The fuel tank on your street legal dirt bike should be Department of Transportation approved and made of steel.
I bring it up now because when you have a registered vehicle, you need to have a license plate displayed. If you already have your tail lights, though, a plain old holder with the capability to attach the lights to it will work great. In fact, Indiana is the only state that requires street-legal dirt bikes to have them.
So just avoid the heartache and stress now. Just pick up a simple to install volt universal speedometer like this one Amazon link.
Getting an Off-Highway Vehicle Decal is one of the most important things you will need to do to get your dirt bike street legal. Almost every state requires it. If you get caught without one, there are some hefty consequences and fines. To get your dirt bike approved for riding on the main roads, you have to pass inspection and receive a certificate.
Getting the inspection done is a breeze, and should cost you very little money or even nothing depending on where you go. You can get your dirt bike inspected and certified as street legal at most motorcycle shops. Call a few motorcycle shops ahead of time to find out how much they charge to inspect your dirt bike. Last but certainly not least, you have to get your dirt bike registered to make it street legal. Without registration, you can get a huge fine put against you, and sometimes even points against your driving record.
You can register your dirt bike through your local DMV. In any case, it is incredibly important that your dirt bike follows all of the rules and regulations outlined for your specific state. Make sure to check the laws for your state on its specific Department of Transportation website.
I'm the co-owner of Dirt Bike Planet. I live in Star, Idaho and enjoy dirt biking with my wife and two boys throughout the Idaho mountains. Having a dirt bike that can perform as well as possible on the trails, and be easy to maintain, both in cost and time is the dream of every dirt bike owner. This is a difficult balance to reach What Does the Law Say?
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