How much "better" is the DRZ

[SPL]

Sorry if this has been done before, but I did quite a bit of searching before posting, and I can't find a DR350 V DRZ400 discussion.

So, the question is this;

Given a relatively small price premium (say 200 - 300 quid) between the last of the DR350SEs and a 2 year younger DRZ400S is there any reason to consider the 350s?

My instinct is to think newer must be better, but would I be wrong?

 

[Timpo]

I'd have either.
If I could find a brand new DR350R, i would have it, hands down.
DR - excellent fuel economy, cheap parts, very easy to ride, bombproof engine.
DRZ - bags of midrange power, cheap parts , bombproof engine, very cheap to buy good example.

 

[nick.ct]

Biased opinion from me....................

I have a 350 coz its aircooled, simpler, is still far more capable than me, already battle scarred and was less than half the price of a 400

Good 350s are becoming difficult to find especially with electric start

 

[Smiler400]

Biased opinion from me....................

I have a 350 coz its aircooled, simpler, is still far more capable than me, already battle scarred and was less than half the price of a 400

Good 350s are becoming difficult to find especially with electric start

I got the DRZ for the electric start, had an XR250 before that, which was kickstart and fookin hard work starting it sometimes.

 

[SPL]

Thanks for the replies guys - quite interesting reading - I expected "get the 400" to be the stock reply - so I'm glad I asked the question now

What do you reckon to pay for a 350?

There's a 99 SE with 12K miles on Ebay that's not too far away from where I live, starting price is £700 (and there is a reserve above that) so I'm guessing he's probably looking for 4 figures.

That seems a bit strong to me given the bikes I've seen changing hands on here in the last few months; There's been a couple of nice 400S's change hands on here for around £1300 recently, and these were 3 or 4 years younger that the one on Fleabay.

Quite hard to get a feel for price being a newcomer to the DRs, as there are not many of the 350s for sale currently. Are they really work that kind of money, or is he being optimistic?

 

[Fanum]

Bear in mind that the drz is still in production (although updated) and there may well be a lot more farkles, mods and add-ons for them

 

[nick.ct]

I reckon it'd be hard to get an electric start 350 for anything much less than £1K. Do you have the link for the one you've seen on eBay?

The miles quoted are likely to be meaningless, condition is all and most will have had many owners.

There are 3 listed in the Classified eBay section, all are over £1500. I had a look at the ones in the Staffs dealers window to see what extra you're getting for all that money. Not much extra IMHO. One of them at least has just had new plastics to freshen up its appearance

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/zeberdi1/...&_odkw=&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3911.c0.m270.l1313

 

[Lee Frost]

I was watching a 1999 DR350 on Ebay last week to see what it fetched. It went for £1600.50. They're getting rare so prices are going up. More DRZs around so you'll get a newer bike for less money. Both are great trail bikes.

 

[SPL]

Blimey! £1600 for a 12 year old bike

I think a DRZ of nearer 1/2 that age for the same money seems like better value.

 

[david a hall]

Sorry if this has been done before, but I did quite a bit of searching before posting, and I can't find a DR350 V DRZ400 discussion.

So, the question is this;

Given a relatively small price premium (say 200 - 300 quid) between the last of the DR350SEs and a 2 year younger DRZ400S is there any reason to consider the 350s?

My instinct is to think newer must be better, but would I be wrong?

Get yourself a copy of Tera Circa Austin Vince and company, 350's DR round the world. I have the 400 its an excellent bike, the 350 is a bit more comfortable, softer wider seat.

 

[Benjamin M]

Get yourself a copy of Tera Circa Austin Vince and company, 350's DR round the world. I have the 400 its an excellent bike, the 350 is a bit more comfortable, softer wider seat.

or indeed the Mondo Enduro for that matter, makes for a good read. Surely any seat can be made more comfortable if required though... I certainly wouldn't let a bad seat put me of a good bike. Tony Archer is often dropped into conversations regarding reworking seats

 

[Timolgra]

I had one which was bored out to 380.....I forget how many times the flippin thing broke down.

But, that's not how they should be, I remember when the DRZ first came out and it recieved great reviews in TBM etc. when compared to the 350 but who pays any attention to TBM

350, a bit crude by todays standards, but still one on the great small duel purpose bikes

 

[Dazzle]

Both available at similar prices, I bought a new 03 DRZ only had it 6 months
but prefer the old DR350 I have now strange but true

 

[B4ndit]

Bear in mind that the drz is still in production for

Production ended in 2007. Any bikes around after that were ones left in dealer showrooms.

 

[muppix]

Production ended in 2007. Any bikes around after that were ones left in dealer showrooms.

... And I've got one of the last ones ever made.

 

[ridersofthelosttrail]

Production ended in 2007. Any bikes around after that were ones left in dealer showrooms.

The DRZ 400 E's were re-introduced to the UK in 2009, and then the dealers weren't selling enough of them, so they stopped again in 2011. They still exist, but are hard to get hold of in the UK.
Shame as they are brilliant.

 

[B4ndit]

The DRZ 400 E's were re-introduced to the UK in 2009,

Never saw any of those during my haunts around the Suzuki showrooms. Shame.

I got the feeling the DRZ died as its a carb model and doesn't satisfy the strict CA emissions regulations so i am suprised the E made a brief comeback.

I also have one of the last DRZ SMs in stealth black. Just waiting for some scrote to nick it as all the teenagers seem to drool over it.

Best round town bike bar none IMHO.

 

[trophydave]

The ebay £1600 DR350 is back up for auction again.It's near me and whilst I would like one I ain't spending that much on one.

 

[nick.ct]

The ebay £1600 DR350 is back up for auction again.It's near me and whilst I would like one I ain't spending that much on one.

I saw that too, this will be the third time. Looking at the bidding and bidders from the previous listing I am more than a little suspicious

 

[Lee Frost]

Seller getting a mate to put in a high bid to push the price up?