Have you REGISTERED a dirt bike? Help ME!

[RollingJ]

Listen to MotoTex and MWC.

And in the future, don't buy a bike without a title, unless you get a smoking deal! An offroad title is fine, but no title sucks.

[jqueen]

Originally Posted by ed29

Not quite right. A headlight with high and low beam is required as well as a blue high beam indicator visible to the rider. The DS kits from Baja and Tusk have this all together in a nice unit.

All bikes made after 1975 have to have headlight running even during the day on the street.

Hi beam indicator doesn't seem to be s requirement any longer.

[Hood Ornament]

Don't waste money on a DS kit. Just get the KTM headlight mask for the EXC's. It comes with a hi/lo headlight. the wiring harness plugs right up. all you need is to add a cheap switch 3 pole switch for the hi/lo actuation. JQueens right, you don't need an indicator.

[TwoSmokeDS]

Originally Posted by ed29

A motor driven cycle is basically the old moped.

Not the way it is worded in the Code.

TRANSPORTATION CODE...SUBCHAPTER C...§ 541.201....
(8) "Moped" means a motor-driven cycle that cannot
attain a speed in one mile of more than 30 miles per hour and the
engine of which:
.................(A) cannot produce more than two-brake
horsepower; and
.................(B) if an internal combustion engine, has a
piston displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or less and connects to
a power drive system that does not require the operator to shift
gears.
(9) "Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle, other than a
tractor, that is equipped with a rider's saddle and designed to have
when propelled not more than three wheels on the ground.
(10) "Motor-driven cycle" means a motorcycle equipped
with a motor that has an engine piston displacement of 250 cubic
centimeters or less. The term does not include an electric bicycle.

[ed29]

Whatever... be aware that several versions of the code from various sources show up in an internet search. Some show what you quote, some show otherwise. Comes down to a case of which web site do you trust. All of them look pretty official.

In any case, the definition of motor driven cycle is irrelevant to the OP's KTM-450 situation.

You win, your web site is the final word on the definition, even if the Tx DPS web site says otherwise.

[TwoSmokeDS]

Yes. I see what you mean. TX DPS website defines the motor driven cycle with lower threshold: 125cc. That makes a huge difference. THere probably aren't very many sub 125cc dirtbike worth converting. Maybe a KX100 or CR85RB. I guess you win.

[RollingJ]

I don't want a pickle...

[DFW_Warrior]

Originally Posted by TwoSmokeDS

Yes. I see what you mean. TX DPS website defines the motor driven cycle with lower threshold: 125cc. That makes a huge difference. THere probably aren't very many sub 125cc dirtbike worth converting. Maybe a KX100 or CR85RB. I guess you win.

YZ125?

[Butte]

Originally Posted by DFW_Warrior

YZ125?

Now don't you go puttin' ideas in my head

[dentaldude]

I had a title for dirt/offroad only stamp. . I put on a mirror. hi/lo switch for headlight, Brake servos(frt/rear), Tag holder with light. Got it inspected in Roanoke. Took insurance card and inspection to local tag office. Paid fees, and had plate in hand. Recieved title as licensed vechile. Now pay taxes. It a 2002 TTR250.
I have a Brake light kit for sale. And an On/OFF switch for free.

[Tcuguy]

Originally Posted by RollingJ

Listen to MotoTex and MWC.

And in the future, don't buy a bike without a title, unless you get a smoking deal! An offroad title is fine, but no title sucks.

I did get a ridiculous deal so its all good

Do they ACTUALLY check that the headlight is DOT by the way? I want to custom make an LED set up with both Hi and Lo settings but i dont want them to say anything.

[ed29]

That depends on the inspector. If it has a clear distinction between high and low beams they are not likely to get right up close and look for the DOT lettering.

[Monkey Wrench Cycles]

Originally Posted by Tcuguy

I did get a ridiculous deal so its all good

Do they ACTUALLY check that the headlight is DOT by the way? I want to custom make an LED set up with both Hi and Lo settings but i dont want them to say anything.

No they wont check.

Id like to see the LED light you make. The reason you dont see them much is for a couple reasons. LED's that are bright enough are expensive, and LED's are directional bulbs meaning if its pointed straight ahead all the light goes straight ahead and doesnt bleed out to the side(like an LED flashlight that gives a good directional beam) so its hard to make one that will light the sides without having some pointed at an angle. Good example is if your coming up to a stoplight and your to close under it or at the side you cant see any light. Harley just came out with an upgrade LED headlight that costs $500 just for a self contained round bulb!!

[MotoTex]

About US-DOT statutes, keep in mind that these regulations are the rules for manufacturers, not for owners like us.

Most of the DOT regs have no application after the vehicle leaves the factory, unless the State regs reference them as a benchmark, like the one used for tire spec on dual sports.

Still, many manufacturers of aftermarket parts like headlights will make them to some DOT spec.

For example, the "flush mount LED signals" that came with my Enduro Kit had a DOT number on the lens. They are DOT spec truck/trailer running lights, not necessarily DOT spec for turn signals. But the Texas code doesn't require them to be DOT spec. All they have to do is flash.

[Tcuguy]

Originally Posted by Monkey Wrench Cycles

No they wont check.

Id like to see the LED light you make. The reason you dont see them much is for a couple reasons. LED's that are bright enough are expensive, and LED's are directional bulbs meaning if its pointed straight ahead all the light goes straight ahead and doesnt bleed out to the side(like an LED flashlight that gives a good directional beam) so its hard to make one that will light the sides without having some pointed at an angle. Good example is if your coming up to a stoplight and your to close under it or at the side you cant see any light. Harley just came out with an upgrade LED headlight that costs $500 just for a self contained round bulb!!

Yeah I'm using two Cree XM-L's with oval beams for lows and then four XM-l's with spotlight beams for high. I think I may get some reflective graphics made for my side panels though so people will see me from the side, your right about not being able to see me from the side.

[DaJudge]

Originally Posted by Tcuguy

Yeah I'm using two Cree XM-L's with oval beams for lows and then four XM-l's with spotlight beams for high. I think I may get some reflective graphics made for my side panels though so people will see me from the side, your right about not being able to see me from the side.

I've done this twice on a couple of DRZ400-E bikes (one of the easiest around to DS) and taught the ladies at the local DMV how to do it. You'll have to, of course, get the title straightened out before doing anything else. Personally, I wouldn't buy a dirt bike w/o title if I thought it might be DS-ed.

Before you go to get your "Certificate of Inspection" form at the inspection station, you've got to get insurance on that bike and take the proof with you. Do not assume that they will have the form. Take one with you. I would not take a DS dirt bike to a motorcycle shop to get the inspection. They are more likely to be picky about non-DOT tires and such. I'm still not 100% sure that your light set up is going to fly (possibly too many lights).

When you go to do the title app 130-U form, there's a box you check in section 17 for "change in vehicle description" and then under section 21, you check the exemption box and put "no transfer of ownership".

Good luck.

[Hellwig]

sI just got my drz400e plated finally. Get the title straight either by title search or bonded. Then get the headlight straight i wouldnt worry about the indicator. If you pull the bulb you may find it is a dual filament already if you have a headlight. Then with a soldering iron you can make that a dual hi/ low. Then mirror and buff off the offroad or not for highway use on the tires. My inspection was really very basic. I obsessed over it too and was kind of let down after they missed all my hard work. They charged me an extra dollar over the regular insp. Fee for the form. I searched the web for the form and couldnt find it. They had g pad of them at the tire shop i went to that looked like they were issued by the state.

[jimhaleyscomet]

My horn failed on my 1983 dual sport. To inspect it I took a boat air horn and just attached it to my handlebars. I am a defensive driver and would never depend on my horn to clear the way anyway! They accepted it!

I wonder if for "high" beam you could just add a bicycle light. Turn it on for "high beam".

Together the above would be a lot less than $200 dual sport kit.

[TwoSmokeDS]

What is the justification for "hi beam" anyway? I never use it.