Conversion to road legal? (CRF450)

[ambler]

Hi. First post. *shakes hands*
I've been living in Japan for about 10 years and will be moving back to NZ next year - I can't wait to ride on a road that isn't jammed with taxis, and that doesn't have traffic lights every 100 metres!

Before I move back, I am considering buying this sublime creature (http://66.199.249.18/crflo.jpg) to come and live with me. As you can see though it is a race bike with a fair amount of mods, and not road legal.

I was wondering if anyone has ever converted an offroad bike to be road legal in NZ, and whether you think it is worth it. I know the basics of what is required - lights, horn, probably a change of muffler etc - but is there anything major that would throw a spanner in the works? For example I read on the net somewhere that the fuel tank type on some offroad bikes means they will never be road legal - but that was for the US so I dunno about NZ. Where can I find out some details on this? Has anyone tried it?

[Paulus]

I'm interested in the idea of getting a CR500 street legal. Once again I don't know of any in NZ but I think the CR500E (Aus model) was possibly street legal over there. Some guys on the CR500 webforum seem to have managed it overseas http://www.cr500riders.com/ but I guess regulations will be very different for them. I'd go for the big 2 smoker over the 450 any day though! Anyway you aren't the only one interested so please keep us posted.

[scott411]

it can be done, i have seen a road legal KX500 done by boyles in wellington , look into DRC and Zeta kits in Japan, (you can get them here to) they do a complete raod legel kit with loom etc, powered by aa batterys, i am sure its good enough to get though the vinning process, however night riding might be a problem,

you will have to get it down to a resonable noise level, but that can be done as well fairly easily,
i can't see if the bike has a 18" rear wheel, you will need to get one as thier are very few raod legel 19" rear tyres around, much bigger selection in 18"

[ambler]

Ok I gave up on that idea.
Now I am looking at something which is already wired up with lights etc, but I'm still wondering if the plastic fuel tank it has will be a problem. I read somewhere that plastic is no good for road-going bikes... forgive me for being paranoid but I would hate to dish out my money, then get it over there and be stuck with an off-road only bike, and it's hard to find accurate info on this stuff. It's a KTM400EXC if that makes any difference.

[Buddy L]

plastic tanks are alright i think it was some of the early 2000 models cbr600 had plastic tanks??? or was that just a cover

[scott411]

plastic fuel tanks are no problem at all,

[Beeza]

Aren't ALL "Enduro" bikes by definition street-legal? They surely have to be, as some legs of an enduro race are held on public roadways. They are "only just" street-legal, admittedly, with their rubber bulb horns, mini-speedometer and tiny lights and indicators etc, but WOFable all the same. You really wouldn't want to ride one at night, for instance. They only meet the strict letter of the law by getting around it in a minimal sort of way.

[nallac]

you should be able to get a KTM400 road legal.
I read an article in kiwirider mag and it said all KTMs came ready to rego from the factory.

[FlangMasterJ]

All the KTM enduro models are road legal. Here's my 350EXC http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=11243&highlight=stolen

I don't think you would have any trouble road registering a CRF. I just don't think it's the best choice of bike to do so.

[barty5]

there was a drf 450 on trade me not so long ago that was motard and road legal so it can be done