Hey guys. I have a 02 XR650 that I just bought a Electrex Dual Sport Kit for. Once I get the kit installed what is the inspection and registration process and how much should I expect to pay?

First you need to get some sort of insurance. I got liability only one mine and it was only about $60/year. Then take it to get inspected and make sure you get a "green sheet" when you get the inspection, it only cost $1 more. Take the title, insurance, inspection, and green sheet to the license office and have them swith the title over to a dual registration, cost about $60. Walk out with your plate and go dual sporting!

John....You've got the process figured out...How's that soon to be D/S CRF450 coming along?

We had a great ride around Big Bend last weekend...Need you to come with us next time.


Steve

I am going to do the same to a dirt version DRZ400E but want to go the low cost route vs. the full DS kit. What is the minimum I have to do to complete the inspection process.

I have heard that a working tailight, mirror, and DOT tires are the minimum. What about high/low beam on the headlight? Also what is the likelihood of going ot my neighborhood inspection center in Spicewood and getting by with knobbies?

Also, since this is my first motorcycle inspection are all inspection centers certified to complete the process or are only certain ones authorized?

Thanks for the help and once I get the plate I want to hook up with other AMSA'ers for local and Big Bend rides.

Add to your list: brake light (can be a rear switch only), and I'd bet they check the knobbies. High/low beam is required, with an indicator to show if it's high (like you can't tell!).

The place I took my bike to checked for DOT tires. So I was glad I left the old DOT tires on. I mounted the new knobbies the next weekend. Of course, I will have to put the old ones back on in Nov. or put on some DOT knobbies.

I think horn is the only other thing that I didn't see mentioned. Turn signals aren't required, and only one mirror is necessary.

Oh yeah, once I passed, he couldn't put the sticker on because I didn't have this special plate that extends below the license plate to hold the sticker. He wouldn't put it on the fender. I made my own because it was Sunday, but I know that Woods has them back by the parts counter.

I recently purchased a KLX300 that I want to license....but there was no title. What is the process for this...a title search?

Thanks,

Miguel

You have to get the police dept to do a search to prove the bike's not stolen, and you have to have a bill of sale from the previous owner. You might be able to file for a lost title, if not, you've got to try to track the bike back to the original dealer. They can give you a copy of the MSO, if you prove to them the bike isn't stolen, and you can file for a title. The best thing to do is go to the courthouse or whatever county office does this in your area and ask to speak with the supervisor. Be very polite and explain the situation and they might have mercy on you. If the guy who sold it to you has a bill of sale from whoever sold it to him, that might help make your case. The seller could also file for the lost title if he ever had a title.

One more question and it relates to the lights.

I am planning to use the stock headlight that has a low/high beam already and a non-DOT tailight. Do the inspection stations also check for DOT headlight/tailight or are they strictly focused on the tires?

Doug, I don't remember them looking at the light for a DOT cert. They just asked me to turn on the high beam. They did check for DOT on the tires though.

I got my XR inspected last month and the only thing they check was the brakes. I had to ride up the parking lot and hit the brakes. They didn't check tires, turn signals, head lights or anything else.
I think it depends entirely on how the inspector feels that day.

I may be wrong, but I think the rule is that if it is equipped from the factory with blinkers, front brake signal, etc., they have to work.

Yes, and the signals did work.

A DRZ400E, however, is not equiped with brake switches at all. I put on a rear one to make it road legal. The bike is road legal (except for sticker and tags) in TX but they didn't know the full criteria.

I just went through this process with a 2002 DRZ400E dirt model. I put a brake switch on with an Acerbis LED talilight, attached a hi/low beam switch hooked up to the stock headlight. On 2002 and later DRZ's they come stock with a 2 way bulb - just look for the 3rd wire and that is low beam. I bought a 12v horn (sold through bicycle shops), and a fold down mirror.

I also put on DOT knobbies (Dunlop 606 in rear and Pirelli on the front - note all Pirelli knobbies are now DOT legal)

I did not have the high beam indicator. I got the green sheet TJ's, who did the inspection, and took it to the TDOT office for my plate with no problems.

The only thing I learned is this was a used bike I bought and since I was licensing it for the street I had to pay sale tax! If I was smart, I would have transferred the title while it was still a dirt bike and then changed it to a street legal bike with the title already under my name.

I'm looking to convert either DRZ400E or XR400 to D/s. Any pros/cons that make one choice better than the other. Looking for lots of off road fun, but not competition, and will be riding almost daily back and forth and around work (~20miles) daily.


Thanks in advance for any help
BM

If you can find a good DRZ, it's a much better bike on or off the road than the XR400. I had a 96 XR400 until I bought my 2000 DRZ. It's a better bike in every respect except low end torque, but the DRZ has so much more power everywhere else, it's an easy tradeoff. As far as making them street-legal, I don't think there's any difference. You can buy a kit or assemble your own from aftermarket and/or junkyard parts. I went the latter route with my present DRZ, but on the XR and my 2 previous bikes, I went the kit route. The kits are great, but they tend to add stuff that you don't need in Texas, like a battery and turn signals, on/off switch to replace the kill button, hi beam indicator light, etc. Just more weight and more stuff to break. Another factor is cost, the kits are around $400 bucks now! I made the DRZ legal (enough) for about $100.

Hey Cav,I have a 99 yamaha wr 400 that is already converted and ready too go.I live in killeen if you want to ck it out--It already has all the work done for you.Email me at txmxracer@hotmail if interested--
Im gonna be out of town this weekend so i might not get back at ya till sunday pm---shane

Shane,

Got your e-mail, but now mines down (go figure it's a war zone). Anyway, I'd love to check out your WR when I come home on leave. Saw you ride with CTOR I'd like to check that out too. I've been out of riding for a while, and looking to get back in with a few of my buds from the Army. I'll give you a shout when I get into own.

Bill

Hoop,

THanks for the advice. One last ? How does the WR400/450 stack up against the DRZ? Buy the MSRP you can tell that yamaha sure is proud of it.

Bill

Bill, as much as I love the DRZ, the WR is a better bike for competition or for aggressive trail riding. More power, better suspension, and a little lighter. The DRZ will probably require less maintenance, since it has a lower stress motor. Depends on what you want, and what you want to pay.

Hoop,

Thanks, I've found quite a few XR's and WR's fore Sale on this and other boards, but it's been hard to find a used DRZ (I guess that shows that they fill a better "all around" segment) I've lined up to check out some WRs and XRs next week, but if anyone hears of a USed DRZ I'd love to check one out.

Thanks again everyone
Bill

Keep looking - I found a 2002 DRZ400E in excellent condition for $2800 and it cost me about $150 to get it street legal. The '02 is nice and will save $ on a conversion since it already has a 2 way bulb in the headlight.

I found mine on cycletrader.com from a guy in San Antonio.