Yamaha XT 350 comments?

[JCHol]

I haven't been able to find on e of these babies in the store. No one knows
how dirt ready they are - O-ring chain? Aluminium rims?

Can anyone comment on this bike? I think the size is right for me. Most of my
riding would be trails and dirt roads, and I will need the street license.

John
Over the hill XR 250 guy

[83maniac]

JCHOL,

I had an XT350 for 4 years. They have oring chains and aluminum rims. They
are very reliable. The design hasn't changed since the mid 70s so there are
a little dated. I really liked mine but I would recommend an XR 400 with a
dualsport kit. I put Pirelli MT 21s on mine. They are DOT but have pretty
good traction in the dirt and last a long time.

83maniac
JCHol wrote in message <19990225184946...@ng-cg1.aol.com>...

[Sfurn]

I think the Suzuki DR 350 is a much better dual sport bike. The suzuki is
still by no means a dirt monster, but I think the components and engine are
better than the XT. I've riden both, and owned a DR 350se. After a short time
I realized I had no desire to ride on the street with it, and I was left with
something well short of a good dirt bike. For casual dual-sporting, the DR is
better.

[JBD]

In article <7b55dc$sab$1...@remarQ.com>, "83maniac" <ang...@gorge.net> wrote:
>JCHOL,
>
>I had an XT350 for 4 years. They have oring chains and aluminum rims. They
>are very reliable. The design hasn't changed since the mid 70s so there are
>a little dated. I really liked mine but I would recommend an XR 400 with a
>dualsport kit.

>JCHol wrote in message <19990225184946...@ng-cg1.aol.com>...

>>I haven't been able to find on e of these babies in the store. No one
>>knows
>>how dirt ready they are - O-ring chain? Aluminium rims?
>>
>>Can anyone comment on this bike?
>>

>>John
>>Over the hill XR 250 guy

I would agree with this poster and the previous one. The DR350 or the XR400
would be better than the XT. I owned an XT350 and IMHO it is the worst of the
dual sports (I didn't have a clue when I bought mine). It is a very reliable
bike and never ever left me stranded but it really lacks in the suspension
dept. I believe the XR and the DR have much better suspensions and they
appear to be slimmer as well. The other thing I would consider is that there
is not much in the way of aftermarket parts available for the XT. There are
quite a few aftermarket parts available for the XR's and I am not sure about
the DR's. For a dual sport the XR would be my choice. Of course YMMV.

Jeff
(old hippie)

[michael]

I've owned two of the XT350's(both '85s). The bike itself is fairly
reliable. Never had any weird engine or chassis failure, and I rode
my XT's hard. As far as a street mount, the 350 is counterbalanced,
so it makes for a smooth ride. Real power is lacking. If you are
doing mostly trails and dirt roads you could lower the gearing for a
little more pull. The stock suspension sucks for motocross work : P
For trails, however, it rocks. I'd still prefer stiffer springs but
the low seat height and plush ride make it a blast to navigate tight
eastern type trails.

Would I ever buy one again? Only as a second bike for freinds. There
are better street legal dirt bikes on the market today. (I know, I
own one :-)

Michael
'95 KTM400

[Keith and Manda]

I have a 93 XT350. Its been a very reliable and fun bike to own. It
does lack in suspension, and there are virtually no aftermarket products
available for it, though its been around forever. Most serious riders
would probably be better off on the DR, for its supension, front and
rear disk brakes, etc. I'm looking for a bike to replace my XT, but I
sure have loved owning it. I've ridden every twisty mountain trail in
Colorado, giant gravel pits in Indiana, Dunes in Oklahoma, and I'm going
to try my second enduro on it in a couple of weeks. Good luck on
whatever you get.
Keith