riding a dirtbike on the street

[john4533]

i have a drivers license and motorcycle license in california, but my dirtbike doesnt have mirrors, break light, ect. would i get in trouble for riding it on surface streets near my house? if so, how severe would it be?

[Aussie George]

Over here it is an offence to have an unregistered bike on the road. If it has no lights, mirrors, etc, it is not roadworthy.

The biggest problem we have here is with people riding there dirtbikes on the roads and bicycle paths/parks for a bit of a blast. The main problem with that is that most of them ride like idiots (not saying that is what you intend to do), but because they are not made for the roads, then generally their exhausts are big thumping things (in the case of your 4 stroke YZ450 etc) or alternatively screaming 2 strokes.

The main complaint we get here is about dirt bike riders, and the main reason is to do with the noise. It is anti-social and a huge pain in the *** to anyone who has to put up with it.

Recently some residents got sick of some locals tearing up and down the streets on their dirt bikes and told them to stop, shut up and get off the road. This request was met by a barrage of abuse from the (intoxicated) dirt bike riders, so the street formed a mob, and knocked them off their bikes with shovels and held them until we got there. VERY MESSY situation.

Basically I would check what is legal and make sure you comply, then also check what is socially acceptable in your area and make sure you do not tick off any people who are not fans of screaming/thumping dirt bikes.

Just my 2 cents worth and I am not implying that you are one of these inconsiderate people I am tlaking about, so apologies if it came across that way.

[Aussie George]

And as for penalty, here, you bike could be impounded and you would lose that licence rather quickly.

[Piggy]

Indiana and Michigan it's illegal. You can be cited and have your bike impounded. Believe me, your neighbors will complain unless you don't have any. Probably not worth it.

[john4533]

my bike is registered and insured, but as an ohv. i have a silencer on the pipe in order to comply with noise ordinances, but im not sure if they are the same for the street. i wouldnt try to disturb anyone or speed or anything like that, and i wouldnt be riding on the street for recreation, just to get to a designated riding area, because i have a small car and have no way of transporting it.

[Curt581]

my bike is registered and insured, but as an ohv. i have a silencer on the pipe in order to comply with noise ordinances, but im not sure if they are the same for the street. i wouldnt try to disturb anyone or speed or anything like that, and i wouldnt be riding on the street for recreation, just to get to a designated riding area, because i have a small car and have no way of transporting it.

If that's the case, you need to equip it with a functioning head light, brake/tail light, turn signal lights, a horn, a working speedometer, and any other safety equipment your state specifies. It needs to be registered the same as a street bike, and have a properly displayed license plate.

Otherwise, get yourself a motorcycle trailer. A small one can be easily towed by your car, no matter what it is

[Aussie George]

I'm not sure if they are legal there but here I know you can get small headlights, mirrors and turn signals that make a road registered dirt bike legal and do not stick out too much which can affect off road riding.

http://www.ballards.cc/Text/12028817...CATALOGUE-2008

http://www.ballards.cc/Text/12028820...CATALOGUE-2008

stuff like that. no doubt you wold be able to get the same stuff and it would probably be cheaper for you.

A headlight set, turn signals and rear tail light package with some mirrors (if required by law) shouldn't cost much, won't change your bike to any great extent as far as off road riding and should make it comply with the local laws (provided you check what they are and what is required to make your bike legal)

[danninator]

I myself ride. BUT have registered and put a conversion kit on my CRF.

Additionally my other bikes DO NOT touch the pavement. For many reasons. One its illegal, two a good way to wear down a rear tire, three a good way to give all riders a bad name and continue to feed the negative public opinion of us.

[john4533]

thanks for the info guys, i'll def. look into those accessories to make it street legal. other than that, it doesnt seem worth the risk to ride it on the street. thanks again

[Aussie George]

One of the other benefits of having lights etc is if you do go riding and something happens like you crash and it breaks something, and you get stuck out in the woods or wherever you ride, if someone comes looking, you will have something to attract attention. Or if you either have too much fun and end up realising that you will won't be home until after dark, or again something delays you like you have a puncture, or you come across a camp site with really hot girls that are into dirt bike riders, you can still make it back alright after dark.

Having said that, if you check the second link I added and look at the 3 in one headlight on the middle left of the page, you will probably best avoid something like that.

It looks ridiculous and no matter how effective it is, unless you plan on landing your bike on a runway, you will feel like a fool for spending that much cash on something so ridiculous. :D

[scott715us]

Off-road vehicles are prohibited on public roadways/highways in TN.