Getting a DR350 to handle well on the dirt - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

camman · 02-08-2004, 02:31 AM

I have a 1991 DR350, although I genarally like the bike, I've never been able to get it to handle well.
In fast loose conditions, the front always feels loose, front tire choice seems to be critical for the bike. Any suggetsions as to which tire works well on the front.

Worst of all though ids the high speed instability, especially in the whoops. I can go fast in whoops for maybe the first 2 or 3 whoops, but after that I have to slow down, as the bike starts to swap big time. I've heard that stiffening the swingarm helps, any opinions or advice?

Do steering dampers work well on these bikes?

TIA Camman

02-09-2004, 12:32 AM

Quite a lot can be found on the internet regarding this problem. Not much of it is cheap, though.

I believe a woman won her class in ISDT last year on a DR350, so I guess it's not a total loss.

I don't do much really rough riding on my DR, but I love to ride gravel roads and have found that once I get used to the 'loosey goosey' feel, it's pretty fast. It does fabulous power-on slides, but I admit I'm still a little nervous at heeling it over.

It had barely-legal knobbies when I got it - drove me nuts on the road. A friend changed the tires on his new DRZ400S and sold me his stockers and I love them. I'm thinking I'll do well to get 6,000 or 7,000 miles out of them, however.

Mrwurm · 04-29-2004, 08:14 AM

Sorry to chiming in so late on this thread (newbie). I have a 1998 DR350 SE and I find that it really breaks loose sideways if I apply too much power. I just picked up a Dunlop D606 to replace the worn Dunlop D601. The D606 is DOT approved (just barely). I hope it helps.

stickman0629 · 05-11-2004, 12:22 AM

I ride in the So Cal Desert so we get loose fast stuff here all the time. Its our bread and butter. First look at your tires. Had stock tires on our 04 DRZ400S and about killed myself trying to ride it. Got some serious Dirt tires (Maxxis) and this thing went from being all loose to a guided missle. After the tire change there should be a bit of normal wobble in the back and front on loose stuff. Its more like a osillation, a very predictable side to side movement. In the loose stuff slide your butt back on the seat and get the weight off the front tire and contrary to your thoughts just when you think its getting wobbly dont touch the brakes give it more gas. More gas stabilizes the whole bike.

For the whoops your on your own they are still kicking my butt, but im learning quickly. Good luck and hope this helps.

02-08-2004, 02:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
camman Newbie Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 1	Getting a DR350 to handle well on the dirt I have a 1991 DR350, although I genarally like the bike, I've never been able to get it to handle well. In fast loose conditions, the front always feels loose, front tire choice seems to be critical for the bike. Any suggetsions as to which tire works well on the front. Worst of all though ids the high speed instability, especially in the whoops. I can go fast in whoops for maybe the first 2 or 3 whoops, but after that I have to slow down, as the bike starts to swap big time. I've heard that stiffening the swingarm helps, any opinions or advice? Do steering dampers work well on these bikes? TIA Camman

04-29-2004, 08:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mrwurm Newbie Joined: Apr 2004 Location: S.E. Michigan Posts: 8	Sorry to chiming in so late on this thread (newbie). I have a 1998 DR350 SE and I find that it really breaks loose sideways if I apply too much power. I just picked up a Dunlop D606 to replace the worn Dunlop D601. The D606 is DOT approved (just barely). I hope it helps. __________________ Jerry 1998 DR350 SE

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02-09-2004, 12:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
Anonymous Guest Posts: n/a	Quite a lot can be found on the internet regarding this problem. Not much of it is cheap, though. I believe a woman won her class in ISDT last year on a DR350, so I guess it's not a total loss. I don't do much really rough riding on my DR, but I love to ride gravel roads and have found that once I get used to the 'loosey goosey' feel, it's pretty fast. It does fabulous power-on slides, but I admit I'm still a little nervous at heeling it over. It had barely-legal knobbies when I got it - drove me nuts on the road. A friend changed the tires on his new DRZ400S and sold me his stockers and I love them. I'm thinking I'll do well to get 6,000 or 7,000 miles out of them, however.

05-11-2004, 12:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
stickman0629 Newbie Joined: May 2004 Posts: 5	I ride in the So Cal Desert so we get loose fast stuff here all the time. Its our bread and butter. First look at your tires. Had stock tires on our 04 DRZ400S and about killed myself trying to ride it. Got some serious Dirt tires (Maxxis) and this thing went from being all loose to a guided missle. After the tire change there should be a bit of normal wobble in the back and front on loose stuff. Its more like a osillation, a very predictable side to side movement. In the loose stuff slide your butt back on the seat and get the weight off the front tire and contrary to your thoughts just when you think its getting wobbly dont touch the brakes give it more gas. More gas stabilizes the whole bike. For the whoops your on your own they are still kicking my butt, but im learning quickly. Good luck and hope this helps.

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