Has or Can this be done?

[InDenial]

Hi i'm new to the forum and the motorcycle world (i'm a car guy) and i'm looking to get a bike. now i want something with a small engine for insurance (i am only 19) but everything i have seen that i can afford i'm not really interested in.
Now i got this idea and was wonder if anyone has heard of this being done or knows if it can be done. i want to rebuild say a 250cc Honda dirtbike motor and put it in a fullsize CBR body. i'm thinking nice looks of a fullsize crotch-rocket, and low insurance of a small cc engine. If anyone can help me out with info on this and if it would be street legal, I live in Ontario Canada, I'd really appreciate it.
I was also thinking of rebuilding a 125cc and putting that in one of those mid sized pocket bikes...would that be street legal? they have all the lights and signals after all...

thanx,
Jordan

[Sev]

I know it's illegal to put a pocket bike on the street.

And the mechanics of installing that little motor into that big frame is going to be remarkably tough.

[TechTMW]

http://www.aprilia.com/models03/road/en ... html?id=27

Don't drool too much

Sure, the aprilia is pretty expensive to start off with, but the build you are considering doing is probably more expensive. Seriously.

Anything can be done ... but usually that "anything" requires piles of $$. It's unfortunate that the smaller CC bikes don't appeal to you, but you must consider that this will be your First bike, not your last. So what if you ride something for a year or two that you don't really like the looks of. You can upgrade to something really hot when you can actually afford it.

[Sev]

Man that Aprilla is SWEET!

[BuzZz]

I would think that the insurance company is going to see 'CBR' and not give a fiddlers fvck what engine you tell them is in it. They will base thier quote on the CBR heading. They know nothing about bikes, just about stats on bike accidents.

I'd get some quotes before diving in and carving up a bike.

just my

[ninja79]

actually, it will be even more expensive than cbr because the bike is custom-built. That immediately triggers a red light with the insurance. Really stupid idea. Get a ninja 250 -- it's an excellent beginner bike.

[paul246]

actually, it will be even more expensive than cbr because the bike is custom-built. That immediately triggers a red light with the insurance. Really stupid idea. Get a ninja 250 -- it's an excellent beginner bike.

Absolutely, that's your ticket right there! Can have your choice of used or new and you'll have a ball riding this bike.

[safety-boy]

Hello InDenial,

I am very pro-Kawasaki, but still think the Ninja 250 is a good start on a street bike - they are fast, but the lower power should be more forgiving for rookie mistakes. Definitely take the MSF course - might give you a break on insurance, might get you out of the DMV driving test, and you get to try things on a bike you don't mind droping. Also, chances are you will be on a 250cc Nightwing, or similar, so you'll better know what a 250 (albeit poorly maintained 250) is capable of.

Also on insurance, my understanding is that the real breaking point is 1000cc (I think that is right) - this is perhaps why you see so many 99Xcc bikes?

Last thing (I am wordy this morning!) - look for a used Ninja 250. My Kawa EN450 is an '86, and I am the third owner - it runs better than the wife's '06 Suzi Blvd S40!

--Dave

[SuperRookie]

And Honda already makes a sweet CBR125...just cant get it over here in the states...man that sux

[Dichotomous]

it runs better than the wife's '06 Suzi Blvd S40!
--Dave

well thats cause the S40 runs badly, not to say your other bike doesnt run nice, but go to www.suzukisavage.com and find some of the free or ungodly cheep adjustments and tuning tricks available for that bike. took me all of 1hr to get it running beautifully. it will run better afterwards.
I would still say get the 250 or 500, depending on which you fit on better and if youfeel like interstate driving