Baja Designs Dual-Sport Conversion Kit
BAJA DESIGNS DUAL-SPORT CONVERSION KIT
CW EVALUATION
Street hardware for dirtbikes
MOST DUAL-PURPOSE MOTORCYCLES are compromises, often trading street legality for seemingly unnecessary weight and, inevitably, losses in performance. Enter the Baja Designs Dual-Sport Conversion Kit. According to the manufacturer, the kits contain the necessary equipment, instructions and paperwork to convert a Honda XR, Kawasaki KLX, Suzuki DR, or four-stroke Husqvarna or KTM to streetlegal status. Included in each kit is a sealed gel-cell battery, DOT-approved headand taillight, turnsignals, horn, license-plate bracket, rectifier/regulator and wiring harness, handlebar switchgear and instructions. For our evaluation, we ordered a California-spec kit for a 1993 Honda XR250. Total cost for the kit, which included an optional $14 plastic rearview mirror, was $399. While that may seem expensive, purchasing the components individually-and manufacturing the custom parts-would cost quite a bit more. The 14-page instruction manual is easy to understand, and in some instances even humorous, keeping the 3-to-4-hour installation process in teresting. Every point is handled in a step-by-step manner; there are even templates for drilling holes. Installing the kit was simple, and required only basic handtools and a power drill. Each component fit as intended (even the wires were the cor rect length), and our only problem-a loose headlight connection-was fixed after consulting the manual's trouble shooting section. Everything elsehorn, turnsignals, highand lowbeam-worked perfectly on the first try. The appropriate licensing forms for California were included with the kit, and required only signatures from the bike's owner, an inspector and a De partment of Motor Vehicles represen tative. A local dealer signed off the inspection form, and 10 minutes later, waiting lines excluded, DMV person nel had processed the paperwork. A word of caution: Licensing regula tions vary between states, and our ex perience may not be representative of each situation. After 1000 miles of enthusiastic street and dirt riding, we have no complaints or problems with the kit or any of its components. Nothing has broken, shorted out or rattled loose. In terms of added weight, even our mostexperienced dirt rider says the new parts do not affect the bike's off-road performance. If aftermarket products were includ ed in our annual Ten Best awards, Baja Designs (12843 Via Grimaldi, Del Mar, CA 92014; 619/792-0213) Dual-Sport Conversion Kit would be at the top of the list.
