DR350 Thread

[smc5735]

hello everyone,

just joined the site because I picked up a 97 dr350se. Its all stock except for a white brothers e series exhaust. I'm in the process of registering it because I'll be riding about 50/50 for on/off road.

I just ordered a new speedometer gear, a Pirelli MT43 front tire and a heavy duty tube to be paired with it.

how hard is it to put on a new tire and tube? Have never done it on a dirt bike before so I'm sure I'll find out soon. Do I need any special tools?

I'll be adding pictures soon

[MadChap]

Originally Posted by smc5735

hello everyone,

just joined the site because I picked up a 97 dr350se. Its all stock except for a white brothers e series exhaust. I'm in the process of registering it because I'll be riding about 50/50 for on/off road.

I just ordered a new speedometer gear, a Pirelli MT43 front tire and a heavy duty tube to be paired with it.

how hard is it to put on a new tire and tube? Have never done it on a dirt bike before so I'm sure I'll find out soon. Do I need any special tools?

I'll be adding pictures soon

Welcome to the DR350 world. I ride the same year as you.

Tools: You'll need a couple tire spoons and I found this item makes tire changes much easier on the knuckles:

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/48/-/256/726/-/18288/Tusk-Valve-Stem-Puller

Watch this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFg44gjjDLA

[mustangwagz]

Originally Posted by smc5735

hello everyone,

just joined the site because I picked up a 97 dr350se. Its all stock except for a white brothers e series exhaust. I'm in the process of registering it because I'll be riding about 50/50 for on/off road.

I just ordered a new speedometer gear, a Pirelli MT43 front tire and a heavy duty tube to be paired with it.

how hard is it to put on a new tire and tube? Have never done it on a dirt bike before so I'm sure I'll find out soon. Do I need any special tools?

I'll be adding pictures soon

When you get your tire spoons, check the ends and edges for any burrs or shape edges. maybe run em on a rubber wheel or polish them up nice and clean somehow. lol

[_CJ]

Is there anything better than a used low mileage DR350? Really? ~$1500, 70mpg, simple, reliable, does damn near everything you could ask it to do. The combination of affordability, durability, and performance are really just unmatched as far as I'm concerned.

[EastBoundAndDown]

Originally Posted by _CJ

Is there anything better than a used low mileage DR350? Really? ~$1500, 70mpg, simple, reliable, does damn near everything you could ask it to do. The combination of affordability, durability, and performance are really just unmatched as far as I'm concerned.

This is my stance on this machine also. 'Cept I can't squeeze 70mpg out of her!

[Greg Bender]

Originally Posted by MadChap

Welcome to the DR350 world. I ride the same year as you.

Tools: You'll need a couple tire spoons and I found this item makes tire changes much easier on the knuckles:

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/48/-/256/726/-/18288/Tusk-Valve-Stem-Puller

Watch this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFg44gjjDLA

Nice video! On the link to Rocky Mountain ATV, there are a couple of videos, too (under the "Videos" tab down the page a bit). They demonstrate a similar technique. I've found these methods to be much easier than other methods I've tried. Good stuff!

Regards,

Gregory Bender

[GaThumper]

Originally Posted by _CJ

Is there anything better than a used low mileage DR350? Really? ~$1500, 70mpg, simple, reliable, does damn near everything you could ask it to do. The combination of affordability, durability, and performance are really just unmatched as far as I'm concerned.

Hard to beat, for sure, reliable, easy to maintain, great bike, I've really enjoyed mine. But if your looking for more fun and comfort on the street and less hard core off road, give her big sister a ride. The DR650 is very similar to DR350, just more power and a little heavier. For dirt roads, forest service roads, jeep trails, and twisty pavement, I'll take my DR650 hands down. But for the more agressive off road, I'd rather be on the DR350. I'm glad I have both to choose from!

[_CJ]

Originally Posted by GaThumper

Hard to beat, for sure, reliable, easy to maintain, great bike, I've really enjoyed mine. But if your looking for more fun and comfort on the street and less hard core off road, give her big sister a ride. The DR650 is very similar to DR350, just more power and a little heavier. For dirt roads, forest service roads, jeep trails, and twisty pavement, I'll take my DR650 hands down. But for the more agressive off road, I'd rather be on the DR350. I'm glad I have both to choose from!

And they cost $1000 more while getting 20mpg less. While it might be superior on high speed pavement, it loses in the overall....IMHO.

[GaThumper]

Originally Posted by _CJ

And they cost $1000 more while getting 20mpg less. While it might be superior on high speed pavement, it loses in the overall....IMHO.

I definately wasn't knocking the DR350, I LOVE mine! I had a DR650 first, then sold it and got the DR350 and have now bought my second 650, so I've got a lot of seat time on both bikes. It really is a personal preference. Get a Suzuki, get a DR, choose your size!

I don't think there's a loser between the two DRs, just two different sizes, and they are very similar bikes. If you want smaller, lighter, less power and better fuel economy, get the 350. If you want more power and you're willing to pay a little more, deal with an extra 50 pounds, and the fuel cost, get the 650. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with either one.

BTW, in my experience, the gas mileage is not 20 mpg different. I know some owners report getting 70 mpg with the 350, but mine get's closer to 50. and my 650 is about 45 so not much difference in mpg for me. I've still got the stock CV carb on the 350, but have rejetted it with an FMF exhaust and open airbox while the 650 has a pumper carb, DG exhaust, and open airbox, so a pretty fair comparison.

Happy Trails!

[Spad]

Originally Posted by 2bold2getold

You can buy this stuff in 4 X 8 ft sheets, or cut to size. http://www.interstateplastics.com/Na...calculate.y=24 I've been making
skid plates out of it sense the "70s.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...postcount=2806

I've used it too, in theatrical applications as a glide and as a shelf liner on a piece of fire apparatus. It seems to expand a lot with temperature, to the point where the shelf liner (4'x6') moved enough to pull fasteners. Have you had this problem using it as a skid plate near the engine and headers?

- Spad

[plugeye]

Originally Posted by GaThumper

BTW, in my experience, the gas mileage is not 20 mpg different. I know some owners report getting 70 mpg with the 350, but mine get's closer to 50. and my 650 is about 45 so not much difference in mpg for me. I've still got the stock CV carb on the 350, but have rejetted it with an FMF exhaust and open airbox while the 650 has a pumper carb, DG exhaust, and open airbox, so a pretty fair comparison.

Happy Trails!

dr350 vs dr650 averaging better than 22mpg for me
the 650 was jetted with open airbox
the 350 is stock

[2bold2getold]

Originally Posted by Spad

I've used it too, in theatrical applications as a glide and as a shelf liner on a piece of fire apparatus. It seems to expand a lot with temperature, to the point where the shelf liner (4'x6') moved enough to pull fasteners. Have you had this problem using it as a skid plate near the engine and headers?

- Spad

I haven't noticed any expansion, tolerance isn't critical on a skid plate. I use the stuff called "High Density Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethelene". It's really tough and seems to bend easier when heated without cracking so bad.

[drklr]

Originally Posted by BigBob

Found a new instrument cluster to replace the beat up one on my wife's 1995 DR350.

How the hell do I get the key switch out? Parts fiche is no help.



Thanks!

Don't know if you removed it yet but this pic may help



As a previous poster mentioned, slip a small screwdriver up to push those clips.

John

[EastBoundAndDown]

I love the DR350. If I didn't use it as a full knobbies, true plated dirt bike a few times a year, I would just own a DR650. However I won't hesitate to take my DR350 anywhere. I will slip some 90/10 street tires on and a 16T front countershaft. I have a 700MI overnighter to mount washington this september, and I might just take the DR350 instead of the SV.

[ilprincipe]

It seems most people on this forum opt for a TM33 when updating to a pumper carb (I believe this is the one kientech sells?). Here in Germany most people seem to install the TM36, and my impression is that they are more widely available (also the dirt model wasn't sold that often here). I'm not really in a hurry to spend money on either, but since I saw a new TM36 for sale rather cheap, are there any advantages/disadvantages of choosing one over the other?