From: dunne@rtsg.mot.com (Jim Dunne)
Subject: New '92 Suzuki DR350S Report
Summary: Cadillac ride, lousy seat.  Break-in sucks.
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 20:22:32 GMT

  Warning! Extreme weenieness follows.  I have only put 175 miles on
  this bike.. and <gasp> they are all on the STREET!  Reasoning:

  1) Break-in.  You're not supposed to rev the thing over 5000 for the
  first 500 miles!  Hell, 1st gear will do that easy, just climbing a
  hill.  5K is good for 55 mph on the road tho.  Redline is 9500 rpm.
  Break-in sucks.  Do new 2-strokes need it much?

  2) Tires -- the stockers don't look like they'll grip too well in the
  dirt, and it rained at inconvenient times on the weekend.  Lotsa ruts
  in my woods, but maybe the new barrier cable will keep trucks out for
  a while.

  3) I'm not sure how easily the turn sigs. come off; it's not easy or
  fun to work on anything at my lakehouse where I keep the bikes.  I
  always discover that I've left the most necessary tool or supply at
  home.  This is 1992; I hope the wires disconnect easily without my
  having to put new connectors in.  Don't want to break anything right
  out of the box on the first new bike I've ever owned.

  OK -- on to performance.  Basically, I have to agree with nearly
  everything in the Sept. {DIRT BIKE} test, DR350 vs. Yam XT350.  DR
  blows XT away, but the DR is hard to start.  It has a decompression
  lever, but you only use it to find the right piston position; it
  snaps itself closed when you are at top dead center.  Then, when you
  kick, the low ratio gives you maybe two power strokes of the piston,
  compared to 4 or 5 on other bikes.  I suppose if it's even slightly
  out of tune, forget it.  A couple of times I said toHellwithit and
  bump-started it down a hill.

  Seems to have good torque, but it sounds real funky if you lug it too
  hard.  11 in. of travel, front and rear.  I think the ride is nice and
  plush, and it's very adjustable; the ragazine thinks it rebounds too
  fast and feels "spongy".  I will have to get it in the dirt to find
  out, but I'm not a very demanding suspension user.  My '86 YZ490 has
  great suspenders, but again, weenie rider speaking.

  The seat is literally a pain in the ass.  It's too narrow even for my
  bony little butt.  You have to sit right down in the notch for proper
  control, and man do my cheeks hurt after a short time.  I hate to
  sink money into a new bike, but we all know you sometimes have to in
  order to get 'em dialed.  I'll be sending $2 to Baja Products, which
  makes DR stuff like exhausts and hopefully seats.  Any suggestions? 
  Can I stuff some more foam under the cover, or is it too hard to get
  it restapled?  My YZ's seat is fine, same style.

  Full coverage insurance only costs $145/yr, I'm very happy.  Mail for
  info.  The halogen headlight is a killer!  Brakes, controls, gauges
  are too.

  Well that's enough for now... more as I discover it.  BTW, the bike
  cost about US$3550 out the door.  Good Sucksuzie shop with a good 
  mechanic/owner.  I'll be putting lots of miles on the back roads &
  trails this autumn!

  All input appreciated...

--
           Jim Dunne 	dunne@rtsg.mot.com    ...uunet!motcid!dunne
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