DR350 info

[cynna]

im just after some in info about a 1997 dr350 im looking at buying.

i havent ridden a trail bike for about 12 years but am looking to get back into it. i would mainly use it for going to work with the odd trip off road. would this bike suit my needs? probably be about 80% on the road.

how much would a 97 model in good condition with 20 000km on the clock be worth?

are there any problems with this year/model i should look out for?

any other worthwhile info about this or similar models would be appreciated

thanks in advance

[Steam]

Pwoar, sounds great, that's what I want!

[merv]

Aslan has a 1999 and he seems happy with it perhaps he might comment.

My Bro has a late 1996 SE version electric start and is happy with it too and has had no major issues with it. Just the usual Suzuki things like how they aren't made like a Honda so he has had control switches break and stuff like that - its the little things that annoy but the engine and running gear have been fine.

The 350 I am sure was a better model than the DR/DRZ250.

[bart]

I had one (a 1993, but they're all the same). It was great for around town, but didn't like constant throttle open road stuff.

Very capable off road also.

Bitch to kick over some times if stalled when hot.

Electric start is magic for short buggers like me, hence the DRZ400.

[oldguy]

I had one (a 1993, but they're all the same). It was great for around town, but didn't like constant throttle open road stuff.

Very capable off road also.

Bitch to kick over some times if stalled when hot.

Electric start is magic for short buggers like me, hence the DRZ400.

DRZ400 Worth a look.

[pevs]

This (see link below)is a DR and DRZ web site.. tons of info.. bear in mind it's all a bit one eyed as they're all DR owners!!
maximum-suzuki (http://www.maximum-suzuki.com)

[Ivan]

Yeah the DR350 is awsome,

I got myne its got Weisco Piston, 385 bored out FMF pipe it goes so fucken hard

[Storm]

Or get an SG350 - DR350 engine in a road setup :D

[Denniso]

Had 3 of them great bikes only problem I found was not being able to get anything for them from wreckers as they don't end up there. starting hot is easy once you work out what they want, I found that if you go just past where the decomp clicks then give it a boot they will start first time ( no throttle ) and if you tip it over give it a few kicks full throttle , decomp in , then start as per normal . Only got rid of last one as I rooted my knee and cant trust it to stay in place in the dirt.

[clint640]

Bloody good bikes according to anybody I've talked to, there's some info on multisurfacemotorcycling.com (or something like that)

Cheers
Clint

[cynna]

thanks for your replies

this one has had the indicators, tailight etc disconnected. is it just a case of putting them back on and joining the wires or is it a job for an auto electrician?

[merv]

thanks for your replies

this one has had the indicators, tailight etc disconnected. is it just a case of putting them back on and joining the wires or is it a job for an auto electrician?
Depends whether they've just been unplugged or more of the wiring ripped out.

[clint640]

thanks for your replies

this one has had the indicators, tailight etc disconnected. is it just a case of putting them back on and joining the wires or is it a job for an auto electrician?

That stuff should be plug & play, have a look, if you're lucky all the wires should be tucked away somewhere with plugs still attached & matching colours to the wires on your lights.

If it's a bit of a mess check any loose wires out with a test light, to find what does what - check fuses too - you might just have to join some wires & crimp on some plugs. if it still doesn't make sense, then go to an auto sparky.

Cheers
Clint

[Aslan]

[QUOTE=merv;1074736]Aslan has a 1999 and he seems happy with it perhaps he might comment.

hi - I've had my street legal dirt version '99 kickstart model for 5,000Km. As the owner of a large dual sport (1150GS) the DR is perfect for more challenging rides for which the GS is too heavy - I should have bought a DR years ago :yes:

Here's a couple of useful links Jesse Keintz - DR enthusiast http://www.kientech.com/index.htm

And a thread on ADV where you can see mine among others. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174648&highlight=suzuki+DR350

I chose this over the DRZ - despite realising the DRZ is a more serious dirt bike because of the 350's relative simplicity. The only limitation I find on overnight trips is the lack of luggage capacity that I'm used to with my beemer.

I have not found starting to be a issue - push kickstart down til you feel piston is at TDC - choke on cold (none when hot) throttle closed and a single prod has her firing first time - Good luck with your purchasing - Cheers Aslan :scooter:

[rok-the-boat]

I've had no bother with my DR250 - I use it everyday and it has 70,000km on the clock.

[cynna]

Finally got one - ended up with a 99 model. I had forgotten how much fun trail bikes are. Just have to find time to go a decent ride now

[Transalper]

Is it road worthy/street legel, you proberbly seen this already...we are riding tomorrow.
If bike's ready and your up for it...
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=51855

[cynna]

Is it road worthy/street legel, you proberbly seen this already...we are riding tomorrow.
If bike's ready and your up for it...]

cool thanks for that info. i hadnt noticed that thread. i would go except i have work tomorrow.

I will have to keep an eye open for the ride threads on here in the future

might need a bit of practice first - im still getting used to a front brake that works

[cynna]

can anyone tell me what the top of the dr350 airbox is supposed to look like. mine has a hole chopped in it at as well as the side cover (which has been taped up)

i dont want to tape the top hole up as i presume there is supposed to be some kind of opening there - just not as big

hopefully there hasnt been too much shit thru the filter box.....

[cynna]

heres what mine looks like

[Aslan]

heres what mine looks like

here you are cynna - have just whipped out and removed the seat from my dr - good luck with yours - cheers aslan:scooter:

[merv]

Even your one Aslan I suspect should have had a snorkel tube in the top hole but if its running fine without it then cool.

Cynna is your bike running OK because to have been opened up that much it would probably need rejetting if it hasn't been done already.

[cynna]

thanks guys - that was quick

yeah my seems to be running ok..... will it be ok with the hole? i suppose as long as i clean the filter often it should do its job until i find another air filter housing. then again if it has been rejetted will i need to rejet it again once i replace the housing so it runs ok with the more restricted airflow?

found this diagram and there is a snorkel tube for the top hole on for your bike Aslan

[merv]

The hole and whether it has a snorkel doesn't matter much unless you are riding in a lot of water. The dust would get in there anyway as the engine sucks the air it needs, but get a foam filter wet if the water splashes in the hole and you'll stop going anywhere.

As for the jetting it depends how well the 350s could breath in stock condition. My 250, when I had it, would hardly run at all if you took the airbox cover off whereas my XR Hondas would.

[Aslan]

thanks guys - that was quick

yeah my seems to be running ok..... will it be ok with the hole? i suppose as long as i clean the filter often it should do its job until i find another air filter housing. then again if it has been rejetted will i need to rejet it again once i replace the housing so it runs ok with the more restricted airflow?

found this diagram and there is a snorkel tube for the top hole on for your bike Aslan

thanks for the diagram Cynna - I'm reassured by Merv's comment following - hope you're having fun with your DR. :scooter:

[cynna]

need to pick your brains again

my headlight has blown on my 99 dr350 x. its a sealed beam unit - is this original or after market.

i have had a look on the parts diagrams on the alpha suzuki site and both the 99 dr350se and dr350x models have standard headlights with bulbs not sealed beams. and my headlight appears to be a bit bigger. i will put pictures and measurements up tomorrow if someone is able to compare

if the sealed beam is not a suzuki part any idea where i can get one from

[Aslan]

Hi Cynna - just saw your post and popped out to the garage to take this pic.

Looks as though mine has a sealed beam unit also.

Mine is a '99 manufactured DR350X first registered in 2001. These were a dirt model - I wonder whether these lights were fitted to conform to NZ registration reqmts. Cheers Aslan

[Aslan]

if you peer at the glass in the photo I think you'll see it's a Stanley

[cynna]

thanks Aslan - looks like mine could be standard afterall. Yes it could be that they are different then the american site i was looking at for the NZ requirements. Some other drs have a smaller headlight but yours is the same size as mine but mine is a Wagner

Got hold of the non sealed unit but it has different mountings so just need to make up some spacers and should be right. Has a metal bracket with more adjustment then the plastic bracket mine has - should take too much to make it fit...

[Aslan]

cheers Cyna - sounds like your'e on track OK ;-) :scooter:

[NordieBoy]

I want a DR350 :(

[marks]

Don't headlights have to be made for either left hand or right hand drive?

Could this explain the difference between what the US sites say you should have and what you've got?

[cynna]

Don't headlights have to be made for either left hand or right hand drive?

Could this explain the difference between what the US sites say you should have and what you've got?


oops just noticed your post. yes that does probably explain the difference..... all sorted now and back in action