DR350SE advice please
 

Hi All.
I'm on the lookout for a late DR350SE and would like to hear about any particular engine or chassis issues I should be aware of so I can check them out when buying. I want it for a road bike rather than a green laner.

Thanks in advance,

Geoff

Is there really nobody in this forum who can reveal the secrets I need to know about??? Come lads and lasses, tell all!! :innocent:
Geoff

Hi,

I've just bought a DRZ 400, which is a REALLY late DR 350. It's so new to me that I cannot comment on much yet, except reputation.

The green lane crowd love them. Pretty much bullet proof as far as I can tell.

The Mondo Enduro lot took them round the world and did their best to destroy them but the bikes continued on stoically. Try contacting Austin Vince and he might be able to tell you a lot.

Sorry I've not been much help.

I

When I brought mine there was a great website running http://www.dr350.com/ but it has been down for the last 6 months so I think it could be off for good.

The biggest problem I saw in the bikes I was checking out was the side stand would rub on the swing arm, there were a few more issues but these were inside the engine which you couldn't see before buying anyway!

I have been on the road with mine for the last 6 months, the biggest issue I have with it is engine temperature. Doing long days in 40 deg temps (not to mention the road temps) my bike seams to be running really hot even though i have good wind flow around the engine. I wish i had done more research on adding an oil cooler. I just recently see a mod for another bike on AVD which looked amazing.

Just ask if you have any other questions...

Dr
 

Hi.
On the electric start models there can be a extra wear on the camshaft due to the auto de-compressor mech.
Check that the gears shift ok as the pivot pin on the gear selector mech can break.
Make sure the rear swing arm sits straight as it's not a one piece casting but the two side forks bolt onto the pivot boss.
The battery and some of the electrics are a bit exposed by the rear wheel so can suffer.
Just do the usual checks for true wheels/discs, head bearings and that there's not too much play in the rear suspension linkages ect.
Crush rubbers and sprocket carrier bearings can suffer on the DR's that have them fitted.

Great bike, takes the abuse and leccy start model will accept a retro fit kick start as a backup too.

Dave.

Suzuki DR350 Advice
 

Thanks for all the comments Guys. I've now bought a 1999 model with only 6,000 miles on it. I'll keep all your comments in mind when I start prepping it for some long trips.
Geoff

Some time back I have posted a link to an engine killer issue. You will have to search HUBB for that.

Also, check out ADVRider and Thumpertalk.