I have a 1982 honda XL 500R Dual Purpose Motorcycle, is it street legal?

Question

I have a 1982 honda XL 500R Dual Purpose Motorcycle, is it street legal?

Answer 1

All XL Honda models were street legal when sold new. XR models were offroad only.

Answer 2

um... neither i or anyone else here could tell you.... first of all laws regaurding the street legal issue vary by state to state... second of all we're not talking about a new bike here... over that period of time i wouldn't be suprised to find out the only thing original is the frame itself.... meaning any number of modifications were done to it, including adding in the things to make it legal.... (if it wasn't already)

"Yes, it is ! Dual Purpose means, street and dirt i.e. both. You can drive off road as well as drive it on the street like a regular motorcycle.

Proof of this is the headlamp and tail lamp. If your bike was not street legal, these items would have been missing."

WRONG, the headlight and tail light isn't to pass DOT laws, it's for illuminating your trail at night, and the brake light is so your buddy can see you're slowing down, no matter how dark it is and he WON'T slam into you...

in addition to head light and tail light (atleast in texas) you need front and back blinkers, and a liscense plate.

i KNEW i was forgetting something.... yeah you needa  horn and mirror too.

Answer 3

The "L" in XL designates it as street legal.

"R" if it was an  XR would designate it as off road use only.

Answer 4

Nice bike 500r  

depends on the law where you are.

get some infor on wots legal and wots not on the road.

you might get away head light and tail light  pre 82

i dont think you need indicators.

Answer 5

Yes, it is !  Dual Purpose means, street and dirt i.e. both.  You can drive off road as well as drive it on the street like a regular motorcycle.

Proof of this is the headlamp and tail lamp.  If your bike was not street legal, these items would have been missing.

Answer 6

if the bike is still set up like it was from the factory / dealership, yes.  The XL model was what was commonly referred to as the enduro model back in those days (I owned several).  it came with a true title that did not have "for off-road use only" like its racing brother the XR (which was a true race bike).  the XL came as street legal in all of the 50 states.

with that said though, a lot of modifications could have happened since new to make it no longer street legal.  

most states require a headlight with both high & low beam, a tail light with both a running light and a brake light operated by the rear brake, 1 mirror, DOT approved tires and a current license plate as a minimum.  

other states require 2 mirrors, blinkers, state inspection sticker, speedometer, etc.

it all depends on if the bike is "stock" and you have a title to where you can get a license plate ... then yes, it is street legal in all 50 of the states in the USA.

Answer 7

Since no ne told you how, contact your local DMV, they can usually give you exact knowledge on whether or not the vehicle can be ridden on the street.

As built, I am fairly certain the XL met all state's laws, but the laws regarding dual sport motorcycles have been under fire for the past few years, so you could be illegal.

You may also want to check in with American Motorcyling Assn.  They usually have a resource center that can give you the skinny.  

As pointed out already, bikes generally need headlamp, taillamp, turn signals (if built with them), horn and ***A mirror*** (some states require left hand mirror).  Some states require the headlamp be able to remain lit with the engine not running (may need to replace a battery for this test).  

It's a great dual sport, albeit a bit heavy, have fun!