a 1990 DR350 in power and handling? The DR was the last bike I owned and was wondering how the klx250 compares to it.

Thanks, Steve

 

A friend of mine has a '97 DR350 that's been street plated, and we even went to Moab last month. I'd say that a bone stock comparison has the DR way ahead. The DR is an off road bike with no street requirements or limitations. It has about 100cc of displacement advantage also. You're trying to compare a 350cc off road only model to a 250cc dual sport street legal model. All street legal models lose some power and add weight compared to a similar off road only model. A better comparison would be a KLX300 to the DR350.

Now, on our Moab trip, my 2006 250S was better in all respects to his '97 DR. But...my 250 has a 300 jug on it with a full Muzzy exhaust, Race Tech internals in the front and rear suspension, and all airbox and jetting mods. My bike was more powerful, got better mileage, and had way better suspension. In comparsons you have to consider the bikes as they are delivered in OEM condition as opposed to what their potential is. The KLX250S has more potential than the DR350 IMO. The DR is a good, solid bike, but it is fairly old air cooled technology.

So, the short answer to your original question is that you will probably be disappointed in the performance aspects of the 2009 KLX250S in stock, OEM condition as compared to the DR350 you owned.

 

ive riden with a few people with dr350's. they have more power stock, but a klx will out do it in everything else. never riden one, but it seams a klx would be a lot better. the only thing i do know for certain is theres old articals compairing the xr400 vs. dr350 vs. klx300.