Suzuki Dr350

SUZUKI DR350

MINI-THUMPER ALTERNATIVE

INTERESTED IN A MID-DISPLACEMENT FOUR-STROKE playbike, but not in the KTM 400’s $5429 price tag? Likewise, do you find the Husqvarna 350, the Husaberg 350 and the ATK 350 beyond your budget? Suzuki has an alternative in its DR350, which retails for $3599.

The DR350 has remained basically unchanged except for graphics updates since its 1990 introduction. The biggest news is a revised ignition, which greatly improves starting for 1993. Still, kickstarting the air-andoil-cooled, sohc, four-valve DR motor requires a little more technique than the quick-to-run KTM.

Once started, the DR feels snappier than the KTM due to its accelerator-pump carb. Although the sensation makes the DR feel faster, it’s not. As rpm climb, the Suzuki’s power builds quickly and tapers off to a flatfeeling top end. In side-by-side acceleration runs, the KTM was significantly quicker.

Suspension-wise, the DR is outclassed by the KTM. Its conventional fork offers adjustable preload and compression damping, and the shock has both compression and rebound adjustments, but the ride is very springy compared to the KTM. It performs well on small to medium bumps, and is well suited for normal trail rides, but on big bumps and hard landings, the 350 is undersuspended. It should be pointed out, however, that for a lot less than the $1930 price difference between the two bikes, the Suzuki’s suspension can be brought up to snuff.

The layout of the Suzuki fits the smaller rider much better than the KTM. Its six transmission speeds are perfectly spaced; ease of shifting on both bikes is about equal.

So, where does the Suzuki fit in the off-road scheme of things? Well, the DR definitely has lower limits than the KTM, but for the average dirtbike rider, there’s not much to choose between the two. Our Novice testers felt more comfortable on the DR. Experts preferred the KTM. Whether the KTM is worth its extra two grand will depend entirely on how good a rider you are.

Jimmy Lewis