Hi,
I am trying to decide between an '06-'08 KLX250 and a '98-'99 Suzuki DR350. I am looking for a general go anywhere, do anything kind of bike that is factory street legal and I've narrowed it down to these two. It will primarily be used for Dual Sport rides, turkey runs and maybe an enduro (non competitive). These two bikes are similar weight, the DR probably has some more low end grunt and a little more HP.
I think I like the DR because it is air cooled, good low end, valves adjust easily, it seems bullet proof and has decent useable power. I like the KLX because it is newer and the suspension seems better than the DR. I haven't ridden either so I am loking for some advice. My two favorite things to ride are the Gnar and singletrack. I rarely ride wide open trails or jumps and I am not a speed demon. The ergos should be adjustable for me since I am 6'3". My current bike is a plated Husqvarna WR125, which is great with perfect ergos for me and my previous bikes were a Yamaha WR400 (didn't like) and Husaberg FE350(great bike).
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Greg

 

I've owned both.
Loved my old DR.
Mine didn't have an electric leg but in some years it was an option.
These days i must admit I wouldn't buy a bike that didn't have it.

Stock the suspension is similar. Too soft.
Despite the KLX being water cooled and having upside down forks, its still an old school trail bike at heart.

Lot of good, cheap hop ups for the KLX.
Stock the DR does have a stronger bottom end but this is easy to fix with the KLX.

Air cooled does make the DR simpler but given how bullet proof the KLX has been, its not that big a deal. Both cheap to run and repair.

Me, I'd go for the newer bike. The KLX.
The DR is getting a bit old now.
But its a good bike and at the right price

 

I agree with Neilaction, stock vs. stock they are pretty similar but the dr350 has a little more grunt ( obviously, it has 100 more cc's and less emission controls )

But if you like to tinker with your bike, you can turn the KLX into quite the machine. It has a lot of potential.

I would go with a KLX

 

Don't underestimate the value of air cooling. The first enduro I rode on I busted a radiator shroud (75$) and bent a radiator when I drifted off the trail in tight single track. I didn't even drop the bike, it was almost stopped when a little sapling slipped between the handlebar and the shroud. I now have radiator braces but the plastics hang out there and are expensive so my riding style has become more timid.

My previous bikes for decades were air cooled XRs. The technology has moved on, time to move up in the world.

Estart, quiet engine, easy to check oil, smoothness. KLX is better.

 

I had a 96 DR350...it's a tough nut of a bike. It's heavier than the KLX, though. In spite of the radiator "problem", I'm glad I have the KLX now. In between the DR and the KLX, I had an XR650L....another tough bike. The KLX fits my desires better...and now that I put on a wider seat, it fits my seating area better, too.

Still have a KLR650 and a road bike. If I only had to keep one, it would be the KLR650, as it is the most versatile of the three. That being said, I have the most fun on the KLX250!

 

I have a friend with a DR350 of that vintage. You didn't clarify if the one you're considering is the SE (electric start). If not, the kickstart model is fairly well known to be a relatively hard starting bike...check their forums.

On the air cooling, I had 4 XR250's from '84 to '90. Air cooled motors are harder on piston, rings, cylinder, and valve train wear over time. The KLX has an outstanding cooling system that contributes to much longer and reliable component life. I'm never going back to air cooled engines unless it's an opposed twin BMW...LOL! With good rad guards or a wrap-around fuel tank, radiator damage isn't as big an issue.

I went to Moab this year for a couple of weeks with my buddy who has the DR350. His is even the true off road model that's been made street legal. My '06 KLX has a 300 jug and a Race Tech revalve on the original suspension components. My KLX whipped his DR350 in straight line speed, top speed, climbing technical terrain, and everywhere else...and it just wasn't the rider difference. I also got nearly twice the fuel mileage that he did...I think this is a direct result of water cooling and more modern engine design. The Suzuki is a tough bike, but it is definitely plain 80's technology. Frankly I like the 80's/90's Honda XR250R or L model over the DR350.

If you're looking at an '06/'07 KLX, they had 11" of travel and are the ones to get for better off roading. There was no '08 model. I'd stay with the KLX or the Yamaha WR250R dual sport model.

 

If your 6'3" you might find the KLX a bit smallish and a DRZ might be more your size. I wanted the DRZ but I eventually came to the KLX because it was a better fit.

 

Thanks for the replies. Originally I had my eyes set on the DR but then along came this KLX, that I never knew existed. It seems that the KLX can be turned into a good all around bike. The issue with the DR seems to be the CV carb isn't really that good and needs to be changed to the pumper. The KLX's CV carb, from what I have read, seems to perform better. I will probably stick with the KLX. Thanks again