Here in California, the term “dirt bike” essentially exclusively means off-street recreational vehicle. Some road-legal motorbikes will draw heavy inspiration (eg dual-sports like the DR650) or truly are dirt bikes with added equipment to make them legal, but these would be called motorcycles or motorbikes and registered accordingly.
Being able to ride one’s own two-wheeler from home to a vehicle recreational area in California is the domain of dual-sport motorbikes or certain smaller electric dirt bikes that are eligible for moped registration, both options requiring some level of license.
In Australia, are those rules consistent between all the states? I’m sure different US States regulate dirt bikes differently too, but it’s not something I’ve ever looked into in detail.
Here in California, the term “dirt bike” essentially exclusively means off-street recreational vehicle. Some road-legal motorbikes will draw heavy inspiration (eg dual-sports like the DR650) or truly are dirt bikes with added equipment to make them legal, but these would be called motorcycles or motorbikes and registered accordingly.
Being able to ride one’s own two-wheeler from home to a vehicle recreational area in California is the domain of dual-sport motorbikes or certain smaller electric dirt bikes that are eligible for moped registration, both options requiring some level of license.
In Australia, are those rules consistent between all the states? I’m sure different US States regulate dirt bikes differently too, but it’s not something I’ve ever looked into in detail.
There are differences between the states on licensing, but the categories of registration are more universal.
As well though, bikes like the DR-Z400 are literally just dirt bikes, not dual sports. You can get them with or without a VIN and lights etc.