WR 450F - Modified for Street?

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OrangevaleFJR

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I'm investigating the options of getting a WR450F street legal in Caifornia. There is a round about way of doing it that seems to be working for people and it isn't all that hard.

That said, has anyone done it? If so, any gotchas I should be aware of?

I'm thinking:

Baja harness, lights, switches

Power Commander

Larger tank

Smaller sprockets (make it a little more bearable on longer road trips while not giving up too much as it's first gear is ultra granny as is)

Aftermarket seat

Anyone with input on this stuff, if you input I'll appreciate it! :D

 
Have not done this, but thought about it in the past. I had a '00 WR400 for a few years and know the bike inside and out.

First, this bike has a carburator, so the power commander will not work. Get the JD Jetting jet kit from thumpertalk.com. This is a complex carb so be careful.

Yep, Baja Designs or Electrex stator, harness. Not sure what kind of lighting you need. I liked the Acerbis dual light design for non-serious work.

What about the horn? Brake light kit and switches?

I presume you would not dual sport this bike? If so--look at 17" supermoto rims for the best traction.

Guts Racing makes very nice soft seat foam.

Larger tank may not be needed, depends on what you want. Be aware the larger they are, the harder it will be to lean forward. Larger tanks are generally for desert racing. There are 1,000 better bikes than a WR for longer distances.

Larger countershaft/smaller rear sprocket will decrease revs on the road, of course. But, it will affect the power response in a slightly negative way. I would wait until you see how fast you are really going with it first. Wind really blows these types of bikes around, and it's frankly no fun to do extended riding at 60+ on them, so you may not need it. My '00 WR would do 89mph on one tooth smaller front than stock sprockets on the road, but suffice to say you only would want to go that fast for a few seconds anyway.

These are growling, beasty motors once you uncork them. Have fun if you pursue this.

There are several companies and options that can help turn it into a decent runabout

 
I know people were able to get bikes through, but the CA DMV cracked down on them about a year and a half ago and revoked a lot of licences on off road bikes converted to dual sport.

Research it first.

 
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Yep, you'd better check it out. IIRC, 2 years ago the law was changed so that in CA one can no longer convert a dirt bike via the "Baja kit". If you can find an older bike that was converted (many Honda 400's, for example) they are grandfathered in, but supposedly, no new conversions are legal.

 
O'vale.. Having read and remembered your pre-hihjack thread..

1. I don't think you'll be able to convert the newer bike.. The VIN has changed with assigned characters in the sequence denoting it as off-road only. Maybe you've found a new loop hole, and if so, DON'T SHARE IT HERE!

2. If you can get it passed, IMHO the WRF450 is a good steed. It still carries enough oil that you won't be running shy after 70 street miles at hiway speeds. The newer Hondas suck oil and have limited quantity..

3. I still think the best bet, for suspension, durability, street/dirt-ability is an already dual-sported, used Honda Xr650. They are plentiful on the used market, run all day long, can honestly carry freeway speeds 2 up, yet are *adequate* for off-road where I define in-adequate as being equal to any BMW offering, the KTM Adventurer, etc. I've had the Honda Xr650 in places only true dirt bikes go, and this was my buddies XR.. ;)

Be very carefuly about attempting to register a newer bike as street licensed.. That's the very reason I'm currently dumping $$ into my 1987 ATK - it's already licensed, air cooled bullet-proof XR600 engine, adding Baja kit, newest elec speedo/odo and gps. Yes, GPS!

Good Luck!

 
My understang is that currentlly and for the last couple of years, unless a bike leaves the dealer street licensed, you'll never get it through DMV. The only thing you might be able to do is change a red sticker to green sticker.

Your laundry list of things you want to do tells me you've never been on a WR ;)

"I'm thinking:

Baja harness, lights, switches

Power Commander (it's carbureted)

Larger tank (There is no larger tank available)

Smaller sprockets (make it a little more bearable on longer road trips while not giving up too much as it's first gear is ultra granny as is)

Aftermarket seat" (Good idea)

Check out the WR forum at Thumpertalk.com

I have a 02 WR426 set up for dirt if you want to check it out sometime. I'm in Rio Linda.

 
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Here in Oz, WR450's, 525 KTM's etc are all sold street legal.

When Honda stopped producing the 2 stroke CR500 motocrosser, they decided to use the last batch for a street legal enduro model called the CRE500.

A mate has one & it's the most outrageous, screaming, vibrating, anti social beast I've ever ridden on the road. Top fun!

Nick

Outbackoz

 
We are talking different States so I can't speak for CA.

My friend I ride with has a wr450f street legal here in Maryland with tags.

He has the baja kit you mention which gives it a brake light and turn signals.

Our friend who is a bike mechanic installed it and he is also maryland state inspector.

He did it to do enduros which many times go on the road to get from trail to trail. Also many places even off road require it to be tagged...

The wr450f is an awesome bike.. Good luck.

 
Same here. Not sure about Calif but I have streeted several MX bikes in the past for Michigan for trail riding and the occasional road section and trip into town for gas. The first thing you want is to get a copy of the state motor vehicle code and read it for what equipment is required. There are many bits of misinformation out there about what is "legal" and what isn't. The motor vehicle code is the law so make sure you refer to it not the internet. If you are successful, keep it with you as it is invaluable in "proving" to an officer that you are legal and have the required equipment. Things like mufflers, spark arresters, lights, turn signals, license plate lamp, mirrors, are all subjective but the motor vehicle code will describe the minimum. A photocopy of the correct pages presented at the appropriate time saved me a couple of times from what I considered to be overzealous enforcement....seems like a streetized dirt bike "challenges" the local constabulary to give you a ticket for something...LOL.

Also remember that plates are only part of the deal. Insurance is required for the street and some insurance companies will not insure race bikes which could also stymy your plans depending on your situation.

 
I wasn't so interested in the legality, or ability to license it, I was more interested in modification that anyone had done.

Smaller sprockets for better highway cruising etc.

 
Stock setup on WR400/426/450 is 14 tooth front 50 tooth rear sprocket. Aprox. 3 teeth on the rear = 1 tooth on the front. Stock gearing is actually pretty good for around town and short freeway runs. You'll lose the low end entirely if you gear up for freeway riding. You'll have to get a different length chain as well. You get a surprising effect just going up or down one tooth on the front and you don't have to change chains like you do if you mees with the rear sprocket. With stock gearing I was having to feather the clutch a lot, a real pain is the ass on steep rocky single track. Went to a 13 tooth front and no more feathering. Ever. The front end comes up a lot easier too :D

 
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Same here. Not sure about Calif but I have streeted several MX bikes in the past for Michigan for trail riding and the occasional road section and trip into town for gas. The first thing you want is to get a copy of the state motor vehicle code and read it for what equipment is required. There are many bits of misinformation out there about what is "legal" and what isn't. The motor vehicle code is the law so make sure you refer to it not the internet. If you are successful, keep it with you as it is invaluable in "proving" to an officer that you are legal and have the required equipment. Things like mufflers, spark arresters, lights, turn signals, license plate lamp, mirrors, are all subjective but the motor vehicle code will describe the minimum. A photocopy of the correct pages presented at the appropriate time saved me a couple of times from what I considered to be overzealous enforcement....seems like a streetized dirt bike "challenges" the local constabulary to give you a ticket for something...LOL.
Also remember that plates are only part of the deal. Insurance is required for the street and some insurance companies will not insure race bikes which could also stymy your plans depending on your situation.
Well here in Kalifornia it can't be done.

From the CA DMV web site.

Off-Highway Motorcycle Conversions to On-Highway (Street) or Dual Registration 


The California Air Resources Board (ARB) established emission regulations for on-highway motorcycles beginning with 1978-year models. Off-highway motorcycles must have an emission label affixed to the vehicle indicating certification by the manufacturer for on-highway use when converting to on-highway or dual registration. Registration guidelines for off-highway motorcycles converting to on-highway or dual registration require verification of the emission label.

Off-highway motorcycles previously converted to on-highway or dual registration will not be subject to verification. Off-highway motorcycles year model 2003 and newer with a red sticker will not be allowed to convert.

NOTE: ATV OHVs cannot be originally registered for on highway use or converted to on-highway registration, regardless of aftermarket conversion kits or added equipment.

Please direct questions regarding emission certification or labeling to the California Air Resources Board at 1-800-242-4450 or visit their website at www.arb.ca.gov.
 
I wasn't so interested in the legality, or ability to license it, I was more interested in modification that anyone had done.
Smaller sprockets for better highway cruising etc.
I would drive it and see what you want. Going from 14 to 15 in the front if possible because of room will change the gear a lot. This is the direction you want to go for top end. If you wanted more low end you would go down in the front, which is not even necessary on the 450.

My 250f top end is 80mph with 13 52 gearing. I am going 12 50 which is in between 13 52 12/52. It is a happy middle.

Play with the math:

14/50 = 3.57 gearing stock

15/50 = 3.33 gearing

15/52 = 3.46 which is almost the middle between the 2 gearing...

or 14/48 = 3.42

www.thumpertalk.com and you can see what many of these guys run. Some of it is you trying diiferent combo's.

My wr250f stock is 13/52 and I am going 12/50 for better low end but just going to 12/52 is too low for many.

13/52 = 4

12/50 = 4.16

12/52 = 4.33

At the end of the day this bike wasn't made for the highway. Top speed is less than my 250f and other bikes such as a dr are more road oriented. For the occasional jump on the road to go between trails fine but not prolonged use such as a real enduro...

 
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I don't live in Calf. but WR450's are GREEN STICKER now. Thats a start.

Bikes are slow stock, throttle only opens 1/2 way. Cut throttle stop or buy YZ stop. Rejet carb. Remove muffler baffles, or buy aftermarket. Stock muffler is better than past years and not loud when modified. Some are removing air-injection systems to reduce poping off throttle.

1st gear is low, sprocket change is better for more street riding. I removed 3 teeth from rear 47 stock 50. The only time you'll miss lower gear is in tight slow speed stuff.

Dual sport tires suck off road. Knobbies work better but don't last long, and are unstable at times on road.

Bike has a surge at steady throttle openings, on the street. Jetting won't cure it. Read to disconnect TPS. I haven't tried it yet.

Seat is firm, thicker foam better. GUTS foam and new cover. BETTER

100 miles and monkey-butt starts. Need gas then anyway.

I have an 02 WR 426. Great bike.

 
Well oil beef hooked! My 2002 WR426 has a stock tank capacity of 3.1 gallons. Starting in 2003 the 450's have 2.1 gallons. A lot of guys think the WR tank is a nut buster and that's why they change it out. :blink:

Many apologies for my fatheaded comment about larger tanks not being available!

 
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Anyone know if they make a metal tank for the WR. I don't care about the weight, I don't race but the graphics always turn yellow on plastic tanks.

glenn

 
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