Sweet!

As far as street legal, NC is the same way. And as of Jan this year things have gotten a lot harder. Some states are even recalling plates that have been previously issued. That was a big factor for me when deciding to get my KTM since it is 50 state street legal from the factory, I didn't want any current or future hassle. Too bad Japan doesn't make them legal off the floor in the US like KTM and Husqvarna.

 

What is it about the KTM that makes it street legal and the KLX450 not?

As has been mentioned already just about anything with lights gets the thumbs up here in oz.
And I thought we were quite though.

 

Seeing as how you're keeping your 250, your 450 will be easy as pie to make street legal. Simply remove plates from 250 and bolt them on the 450, have fun!

 

My theory is that to make a bike street legal and have that "street" approval on the title, manufactures are paying more, and then the cost is passed onto the end user. Take KTM bikes for instance. They are usually 2-4 grand more than any other bikes out there. Granted they are a great product, but I think KTM across the board is paying the US more to have the privilege of saying that any of their bikes can be made street legal because it doesn't say off road only on the title. It may boil down to sales lost if a bike maker has to bump the price up to have the luxury of being able to offer it as a DS bike. I mean why for years and years did they have 4 door Toyota trucks in other countries, but not here. I think there must have been some sort of tariff that was prohibitive to selling them here. I don't know, I'm just throwing stuff out there. But to be honest, there should be no reason that the Kawasaki 450 or other bikes can't be street licensed. Its all a money game, and has nothing to do with the environment. Same thing with riding ATV's on Forest Service roads. I can ride my KLX there but they can't? Just because of the license? Its a money game, that a lot of people are getting tired of playing.

 

The title does not say "Off Road Only" and KTM has gone through the process of EPA approval here in the U.S. The DMV looks up the VIN# and if it is not listed as street or if it says off-road, you're out of luck. And they are starting to enforce this on renewals where once they let it slide - hence the plate recalls.

Personally, I think you should be able to put the required lights, etc, on any bike and that should be sufficient. But that's not what our government thinks. I can build a home made trailer with crappy welds and marginal wheels, put lights on it, get it inspected, title it and I'm golden. But you can put blinkers on a bullet proof, Kawasaki factory built KLX450 and they say "no way". And I don't think the issue is EPA either, but like Eric said, you can title and plate some custom chopper and that's fine too. And you can't tell me that a KLX450 puts out 1/10th the emissions as one of those giant Ford Diesel Expeditions the size of a small school bus. It's all very hypocritical if you ask me.

 

It's not just about the lights. The bike has to have suitable tyres for street use, a different standard of braking performance, that may include the brake-line and/or master cylinder. Emission and noise regulations all figure in if the bike can get compliance. Most dual-sports are suitable modified by the manufacturer and the cost has to be passed on.

 

its bs if you ask me..... brian makes a good point about a trailer..... its all money... and the govt wants it...

 

So if a 450 kawi is not EPA approved like the DS bikes we ride, then why don't they just get rid of all of them. You mean to tell me that they think the emissions from a off road bike some how magically goes to a seperate place in the air? What a bunch of idiots we have running things. That's like going into a restaurant that has a smoking and non smoking section in the same place. Yea that smoke is just going to stop right where the last booth with the no smoking sign is. What a bunch of tools.[:@] And as far as the tires on a bike, its such a fine line anymore that it doesn't even make sense. Its all in who pays the right person the right amount of money. Its has and always be about money, not the right way. Sounds like we all need to move to AUSTALIA!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, lets go.[8D]

 

think about all the emmissions from everything thats not DOT approved, go carts, dirt bikes, lawnmowers, chain saws, nascar, tractor pulls, gas powered blenders,planes, trains, tanks, military vehicles, etc..... you cant tell me that they dont have an effect.... wtf....

 

I've heard of AUSTALIA, it's somewhere in South America right?[8D]