I have a 1994 Suzuki DR350SE. How would the 2009 KLX250 compare? What would I gain, what would I lose (other than 100ccs) in a swap?

The old DR has electric start, 6 speed trans, front and rear disc too.

A dealer has a new leftover 2009 KLX for 3400...

Thanks,
BC

 

If yer lookin to get a new cool bike, jump on that cuz that's a really good deal.
Yea you gotta do a couple of things to open it up but ask anyone, it's not hard and it'll be worth it in the end.

 

I had a 96 DR350SE. I like the KLX250s better. The DR is a tractor, the KLX becomes tractor-like when you bump it up to 331 or 351cc's for half a grand. The DR is heavier...or, at least it FEELS heavier...I never weighed either bike. The DR has slightly more suspension travel, but, suspension upgrades to my KLX has it performing better than the upgraded DR suspension. Like any new bike, you're going to have to spend some money hardening it to get it's protection up to snuff, assuming you ride off-road, and are going to drop it occasionally. If I had the choice, I'd pick a low-priced KLX over the DR every time...even though a used, hardened DR can be had for less than 2000.00 all over the country.

 

I am a little worried about all the 17 year old components in the DR, the wiring, controls, guages, etc.

 

Wait a minute....a swap and how much money do you have to give the dealer? It can't be a straight across trade could it? If so, run as fast as you can and do it before he comes to his senses!!! LOL

 

lol, I wish! I figure the DR is worth 1700-1800. The dealer is selling the KLX for $3500. So we are talking $1800 or so in upgrade cost...

 

I've owned 2 DR350's. One a kicker S model(91) and an estart S model(97). The 91 was stock and imo not at all a great bike to own. Suspension and motor being the culprits. I upgraded the 97 with full exhaust, flatslide carb and all the suspension work I could do it to it...even some usd forks and I was a little dissappointed with it offroad...nice motor though. The klx lends itself nicely to suspension\motor upgrades with a more modern design and the ergos are much better also. Although my klx has kx suspension, I've ridden stockers with revalved componenets with good results. Good luck!

 

How would you compare the trip ability, on road, 55mph?

 

How big is the fuel tank and range on that DR? The klx has a tiny tank that will be an actual problem on longer offroad rides.

The klx doesn't come with a kickstarter so you will need to add one for a few hundred bucks unless you are confident in electric only.

Air cooled DR right? radiators and very wide plastic shrouds on the KLX make it more prone to expensive damage. You don't even have to crash it. I snagged a sapling with my right side shroud and it was something like 72$ for the plastic alone.

The KLX is an upgrade since everything is new and fairly modern.

 

On last year's Moab trip, a friend had that DR350. Though I had no scales for official comparison, his 350 felt a little ponderous compared to my '06 KLX. I kind of doubt that the weight difference was that much, though mine does have a Vapor instrument panel and full Muzzy exhaust to drop a few pounds, so I'm not sure. His bike was basically stock, and mine has a 300 cylinder installed. For some reason, on the power comparison, mine would run off and leave his 350, so I almost wonder if his was up to snuff. I've always heard good things about the DR350, but I wasn't impressed compared to my modded KLX. Another noticeable difference was that as we approached 10,000' altitude in the La Sal mountains, my bike ran basically the same, and his lost more power. I don't know...I think I'd stick with a more modern, water-cooled bike with better suspension components. Also, if I remember correctly, the SE has a ported orifice damper fork compared to the shimmed damper in the KLX. While the KLX needs revalving in the fork, you have foundation to yield an impressive fork action with a revalve on the KLX.