Help programming/tuning dirt bike

[NikoD]

Hey folks,
Like many people before me I used be sworn electric motorcycle denier.
That was until 2 years ago when while visiting a friend in the countryside I got to ride his recently purchase surron.
Ever since I’ve been hoping to be able to have version of that type of bike that is a little more comfortable and geared for city riding, but most importantly STREET LEGAL (registered insured etc.).
Since that isn’t even close to existing and I refuse to settle for a much more expensive and much more heavy Zero motorcycle, I decided to make what I want happen myself if possible.

I have a pretty solid idea that I ripped from reading a bunch of custom motorcycle forums from back in the day and about how you can get a custom made motorcycle insured and registered that I think I can apply to my situation. The problem is that my engineering skills and free time are non existent.

I’m looking for someone knowledgeable in electric motorcycle conversions or custom builds in the GTA (Toronto area) who can help with a unique project. Here’s what I’m working with:
• I currently own a high-performance electric dirt bike that’s a beast in terms of torque and speed, but unfortunately, it has no VIN or CMVSS certification, so it’s not street-legal, not insurable, and can’t be plated in Ontario.
• My plan is to purchase a cheap used motorcycle or moped that already has a VIN, is plated, and can be insured, and then transplant the electric components (motor, controller, battery, etc.) from my high-powered off-road bike onto this legal frame. The goal is to end up with a custom-built, “fully legal”, “insured”, and “registered”electric motorcycle that treads the line between a Vespa and dirt bike , what some people call a “dirtped”.

I am aware that is not completely legit or perfect way to get around the street legality issue, but I think it’s probably the closest thing to being anywhere close legal in the unfortunate scenario of an accident. I also just don’t feel comfortable simply saying ,frock it, and riding around on a completely illegal motorcycle like a lot of people seem to do these days on moral basis along with possible liability.

If this sounds like you have experience with—or if you know a shop or person who does this kind of work—please reach out or drop a comment.


Thanks in advance!

 

[j bjork]

It sounds to me like the easiest way to go would be to just buy a stark varg EX, with more street oriented tires it can probably work really well on the street too. And street legal. Aren't used zeros cheap in the states? (a lot cheaper than getting something custom built) I think there are less heavy, more off road but still street legal versions? Maybe not as available in Canada

 

[NikoD]

It sounds to me like the easiest way to go would be to just buy a stark varg EX, with more street oriented tires it can probably work really well on the street too. And street legal. Aren't used zeros cheap in the states? (a lot cheaper than getting something custom built) I think there are less heavy, more off road but still street legal versions? Maybe not as available in Canada

I considered the varg when the road version came out but it’s too big too tall and too powerful for what I’m imagining. The zeros are still very expensive in Canada and I also just don’t like them. What I ideally wanna end with is a moped that’a electric can hit speeds of 70 80 kmh and can handle some gravel or mud or back country road without feeling like it’s gonna break down any minute. The enduro aspect of what I want is like 80 % looks and 20% actual real life off road applications. My real hurdle in all this is to find something that fits those criteria but will also be able to be insured and registered.

 

[neptronix]

Here in the USA we can legally convert any vehicle to electric.
This is the quickest path to legalizing the vehicle. You just need to pass a basic inspection.

Not sure how the law works in Canada.

The only other variable i can think of is if the existing prebuilt bike's components were designed to work in any other vehicle, or if insane amounts of fabrication would be required, because they weren't designed for general purpose DIY usage. Hopefully this is not the case.

 

[amberwolf]

My real hurdle in all this is to find something that fits those criteria but will also be able to be insured and registered.

Your first step in that would be to check with your local authorities to see what the requirements for such vehicle are. Then check with insurers to be sure you can then insure the converted vehicle. In both cases be sure to get in writing what is required so you don't waste your money and time on a project that at the end cannot be registered / insured.


Most likely, at minimum, it would have to be something that already has a VIN and clean title, so most likely you will have to find an existing motorcycle, dirt bike, or whatever, that already has these, that you can buy (used, perhaps), and then use at least the minimum required parts from it to build from.

Some regulations don't have a minimum number of parts, and you could use just the part of the frame the VIN plate is affixed to in your build. Some require much more than that, perhaps just the entire frame, perhaps most of the vehicle must remain original.

But that's your first hurdle, and so must be your starting point, if you require a registered and insured vehicle.


After you are assured of those, then your next step is to determine the power required to do the job you want it to do under all the conditions you require that to happen, hills, road conditions, winds, etc. Then take that power and average over your required operational time / range, to get a battery with enough Wh to do it for as long as you need it to happen. These things are covered in other build / etc threads here in this subforum and elsewhere, in more detail.

Then you can find a motor / controller / battery to do that job, of whichever type you want to use (hubmotor, middrive, etc), based on what you want it to do, and how much space you need in the frame for your battery, etc.

Simply transferring parts from another "bike" may not be sufficient depending on the weight of the new bike vs the required power to do what you need it to.

 

[SlowCo]

Ever since I’ve been hoping to be able to have version of that type of bike that is a little more comfortable and geared for city riding, but most importantly STREET LEGAL (registered insured etc.).
Since that isn’t even close to existing

Do any of these come close? : Street legal electric motorcycles in Canada

 

[NikoD]

Hey folks,

Anybody in the Toronto/ gta area that can help me program parameters/power modes and throttle response for an electric dirtbike I got as a gift and have no idea how to set up? The thing is all power all the time or snail pace. I know the controller on it is capable of this type of tuning but that’s the start and end of my technical skill and knowledge. Looking for someone that could perform that type of tune up for me for a fee.

Thanks in advance.

 

[NikoD]

Anybody in the Toronto/ gta area that can help me program parameters/power modes and throttle response for an electric dirtbike I got as a gift and have no idea how to set up. The thing is all power all the time or snail pace. I know the controller on it is capable of this type of tuning but that’s the start and end of my technical skill and knowledge. Looking for someone that could perform that type of tune up for me for a fee.

 

[NikoD]

Anybody in the Toronto/ gta area that can help me program parameters/power modes and throttle response for an electric dirtbike I got as a gift and have no idea how to set up. The thing is all power all the time or snail pace. I know the controller on it is capable of this type of tuning but that’s the start and end of my technical skill and knowledge. Looking for someone that could perform that type of tune up for me for a fee.

 

[amberwolf]

Merged all your duplicate threads for the same thing in different forums to your most recent one. Please don't create multiple threads for the same thing.

 

[NikoD]

Sorry I didn’t know it was wrong I’m new to the forum,thank you for your help and patience.

 

[SlowCo]

And it might be handy to at least post as much info and photos you have of the given dirt bike to see for us here.