www.DRRiders.com

Yamaha TW200!!!

Have a line on a 97 DR350SE that I expect to mine at some point. Have been close to this DR for years and knew the original owner, from Wilmington NC (he rode the bike to Va when he moved). Facilitated sale to a very close friend in 2002 as a first bike. Worked on the thing for years for him. did all the "uncorking" carb/airbox stuff and suspension upgrades with help from Kientz. It was a very sweet running bike! torquey, light, fun. It's set up as close to pure offroad model as possible.

Then friend #1 sold it to friend #2 in 2007. Friend 2 has ridden it maybe 200 miles in the past 4 years. It's just sitting in the back of his shed, carb gummed, battery dead. Says he's trying to decide whether to fix it up or sell.. I can tell he's losing his mojo to fool with it.

sooner or later it will be mine.. muwahahaha..

Well, I'm decided. Unless a wildly spectacular deal appears under my nose for a different bike, I'm going with a DR350. Now I just have to decide if I'm willing to sacrifice electric start to save 36 pounds. I think I am even though I know I'll end up cursing myself for it one day. But just one.

Great choice. No offense whatsoever to those who suggested excellent smaller displacement motorcyles, but IMO 250cc or less just doesn't cut it on the highway, especially long distance and carrying gear. 350cc is stretching it a bit too, but it's a little better suited at least. Just my 2 cents, please don't flame me!

The DR350 really is the DR650's little brother in every way, right down to it's air-cooled carbureted heart... with a few added percs like a 6-speed tranny and internal frame-tube oil reservoir that eliminates the need for an oil cooler and allows for the smaller, lighter motor. A very well-designed motorcycle.

Mine was a kick-only and if I was a younger less disabled man it would still be mine. It was utterly dependable, starting within the first three kicks every time... once you get the starting procedure down, that is. Like most kick-start thumpers, there's a 'secret' routine that must be followed involving the decompression lever and rotation of the kick lever to the proper piston position. Once you learn it, she'll fire right up.

Mine also had the 385cc kit, which is the largest diameter piston you can bore the existing sleeve for without replacing it. That made her a real torque monster. There are also big bore kits available (with sleeve replacement) up to 440cc if I'm not mistaken.

Keep us posted on your search, even though it's not a DR650 it's still part of the family and we'll be glad to offer advice when we can.

I would go the DR route too, lots of aftermarket is the main reason.....My XT was a one kicker hot and two kicker cold. I still like my 650 no kicker best.

Awww, this is killing me. This thread got me missing my 350, so for shits n grins I did a quick craigslist search to see whats out there. First one to come up...same damn bike I had...same year ('99), same mileage, same minty fresh condition...and for $700 less than I sold mine! And its 2hrs away!

But, and its a big but...2 weeks ago my wife quit her job to be a stay at home mom for our newborn boy. Spare cash just became completely nonexistent.

This kids sooo gonna pay someday...

This is kinda funny to me. I went from a DR125 to a DR350 and now a DR650. The DR125 was pathetic and I was only 17 when I got it. It could do 95/kmh down hill but up hill would drop down to 60-65/kmh. No lies, dead serious. (I'm 185 lbs) I owned it for 1 season then traded it on the DR350. The DR350 was a trail bike and oh what a trail bike it was. Kick start no prob, tons of power, light weight. Then I met my soon to be wife... Bye bye bike. We moved in together so I sold it and bought a computer to get me through College. But I graduated and got a job, busted my balls and now have a DR650. What a vicious circle.

DR125 (1995)


DR350 (1997)


DR650 (2003)

At least you have your priorities in line. Great looking bike.

Well, I finally got one. I bought a 1998 Suzuki DR350SE with only 8,000 miles for $1,250! And with only four days before the cast on my arm comes off. It looks pretty good for being 14 years old, and with the money I saved by getting one so cheap and so close to home (only 3 hours away) I can spend the necessary amount to get it to just like new condition before I start farkling it. And I was so close to just giving in to the easy option of buying a DRZ400! Thanks for all of your suggestions, y'all really helped me figure out what my heart really wanted.