streetable 2stroke bikes

[gregp]

IIRC - 1986 Federal Law prohibited 2-stroke street vehicles over 49cc. The '84-'85 RZ 350's marked the official end of the 2-stroke street bike in the US. It is still possible to circumvent Federal law, and get State approval, though, but the importing of any bike over 49cc into the US pretty much stopped in 1986.
The last "Legal" 2-stroke may have been the Bimnota V-Due - which was made in 1997. I suspect that Bimota must have had to jump through some serious hoopage with that one. Wiki indicates that this was, indeed, an emissions issue. Ironically, it has been dubbed "The bike that killed Bimota": http://www.odd-bike.com/2012/11/bimo...ed-bimota.html

[gregp]

I still see old Suzuki GT380's and 750's (The Water Buffalo) around now and then. Kawasaki triples (400, 500, 750) are rare and expensive, 90cc singles can still be found. Yamaha R-5, RD/RZ 350/400's command a premium price - even the 250's. Honda only had a 50, I think.
In Canada, you can still find RD350LC's, though. I have known folks who have brought them here.
My brother had a "Japan only" RZV500 shipped to me in boxes. It was a fairly rare aluminum frame version. I recall that it had a little red light on the dash, that would come on and stay on. My brother later told me that it was a warning that the bike was exceeding the Japanese national speed limit.
To me, the 350's are much more fun. The 500 was a dog, but it was bone stock.
IMO, A well running, piped 350 twin is more *fun* on the street than any bike offered new today.

[tsorfas]

That's what I was thinking actually getting a bike shipped in in pieces

[aldend123]

Also note that local state law typically has a provision requiring you register the vehicle in that state if that's where it spends most of it's time...

I think the point of first going through VT is so you can get it titled and/or have a previous registration with bill of sale. This would leave you with whatever is required to register it in MA and comply with that. Not to keep it registered in VT, though I'm sure there are people who do it. But can anyone confirm that displacement restriction? Might still be a good venue for him to pick up an untitled bike and get it legal.

[gregp]

I can confirm that VT does not require a Title for motorcycles under 300cc.

[Expat]

I have a titled RZ350, plus another minus the motor.
I bought Degsys Aprillia RS250 for a friend of mine but that was track only.
There is one on WERA now for sale if you want one of those!!
I was looking at 2 titled RGV 250s a couple of months ago for $7k and an RZ 500 sold for $7k in MA about 6 weeks on eBay.
I also had a GT750 and RD400 both with titles which I sold here on the forum
You can find them if you are patient and look hard!!
Call me if you need any help!

[VTRumble]

I bought my r5 at Dave Bettencourts auction in '09 with bill of sale only. I registered it in Vt., and transferred it to MA.
It would have been a huge pain in the ass to try to just go through MA rmv. as I'm pretty sure it was either an old trade or something he picked up and never registered/ titled.

[DynoTune]

get an rz350...you can stroke em ,register them etc...
ive got a 280lb 100hp 2 stroke on the street... yes it works just fine but its not a cross country bike LOL

[Stromper]

Back in the day

Go to Canada buy what you wanted for cash

Cross border saying this is a race bike

Go to a bigger city and register it no one at least in New York looked twice.

KTM's bless their sole used to print
Not for highway use at the absolute bottom of the MSO just a snip away

[peterz85]

I own 8 legally registered legitimate 2 stroke street bikes. All are post 1984. I own a few more that are in the process of being built that will be street legal when completed.

If you know how to go through the process, it can be done the right way.

The bikes that were sold here legally, the rz350'a, are no problem whatsoever. Grey bikes you just need to do a bit more legwork. Importing in bits is not the best answer as it can be VERY costly and you will still have to plate it here regardless.

My advice to you would be to find an rz350. They are relatively easy to find, have HUGE aftermarket support from mild to wild, and can plated with NO aggravation.

Have you seen what cranks for the rs/rgvs are going for these days...lol

Pete

[tsorfas]

Good info guys thanks a lot

[breakdirt916]

how about this?

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/3885452421.html

never heard of it...but a kawi 2-stroke 250 from 1988 seems fun

[tsorfas]

The only way id buy a Kawasaki would be if it's free