My DualSport Ordeal
As for where I live (NM), NM happens to be a "minimalist" state in terms of requirements for conversion to to street-legal. The conversion is done through filling out a equipment list form that is then bike-inspected for compliance before going to get your street-legal title and plate. In NM, the required street-legal equipment list are:
1.) Headlight
2.) Brake and Tail Light
3.) One mirror
4.) Horn
5.) DOT approved tires
Notice that turn signals are not required...this is a big cost-savings advantage for me,as it allowed me to get away with the stock stator output (i.e. not having to get a $150 high power aftermarket stator) to power everything. Also notice that I don't need a speedometer or odometer to be legal. I just use the stock trip meter (to keep track of mileage/gas) and a ram mounted GPS to log my speed and tracks/maps.
In terms of the 1) thru 5) list above I did the following. I did not even have to buy an expensive dual sport kit.
1.) Headlight is just the stock headlight.
2.) The brake and tail light is the Acerbis Dual Sport Tail/Brake light for about $36. Here's a link to a pic:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/ ... c_ID=80003
This tailight is mounted on the stock reart fender. I have a clever way to do this by removing the stock taillight and covering the stock taillight hole with an acrylic cover. This worked well. The Acerbis dual sport taillight is a standard bulb filament type that has the brake light, tail light, and license plate illumination. The brake light part is foot-activated with the rear brake pedal switch . This switch lets you get away with the stock stator by making the taillight slightly dimmer, and then full brightness when the rear brake pedal is depressed. The switch is sold by Fredette Racing for $30.:
http://frpoffroad.com/catalog/details.aspx?ProdID=73
3.) My mirror is just a Ken Sean folding dual sport mirror ($12) mounted on handlebar perch that accepts the standard 10mm thread. It's nice that you can fold it out of the way when riding.
4.) The horn I installed using a horn kit + battery. The battery (12V, 1.2 Amp-hr and only $12) is extremely small and tucked under the seat above the air box, and it is used only for the horn. Although, LED turn signals can be added if needed. Here is what I used for the battery:
http://www.powerfactorinc.com/Batteries/ub1213.htm
The horn kit is from Temecula Motorsports for $31. Wire the battery to this horn and it is plenty loud for the street (louder than my street-legal XR650L), and should last you a very long time beforer having to replace the battery (hours of continuous beeping):
http://www.temeculamotorsports.com/esho ... rn_Kit.htm
5.) The last thing is DOT approved tires. I didn't even to this...it wasn't even checked by the inspector.
All in all the total for my dual sport conversion was about $120.
However, this is for NM. I suppose if your state requires turn signals, it can still be done with the stock stator if you use LED turn signals. I have a way to do this, but never needed to do it.
- AtomicKDX
:
