Fun and Games with a DR-Z400

[Thedktor]

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At the end of 2019, after 3 years use and quite a few thousand miles, I stripped the top end as it had started to use oil, only to find the big end was on it's last legs as well. Great!

Having just finished rebuilding another engine:

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.... I couldn't face another so the bike was partially dismantled and put in a corner - there are plenty other things I would much rather be doing, like riding(!) and luckily have other bikes.

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Oh, that one!

[Thedktor]

Of note, despite the problems with this bike (which I have loved riding), it never left me stranded, nor did the previous even older Suzuki's, the DR350's, which between them covered tens of thousands of miles, in all weathers and conditions.

Last pic, and one day, another tale about *another* bike, which may or may not be related to this.

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[bill_qaz]

Thanks for a very entertaining tale

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

Do I get the feeling that the DR-Z400 engine is a bit less durable than the DR350?

[Thedktor]

Thanks for a very entertaining tale

Thanks!

Do I get the feeling that the DR-Z400 engine is a bit less durable than the DR350?

.
Good question, and having had several of both I can't give it a definitive answer. All the ones I've had to work on have been the result of owner abuse or neglect - this DRZ had rust on the flywheel suggesting it ingested some water at some point, for example.

If I had to answer I would say the 350 is slightly more reliable, and certainly simpler to repair when needed anyway.

[bill_qaz]

Had a DR 350 from new in 2000 great bike took it to the picos and southern Ireland had it for a few years. The only thing it broke was me but that's another tale.

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[boboneleg]

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[bill_qaz]

Nice and looks like leccy start version, like you Bob no room for another.
Good buy for someone

[Thedktor]

Wouldn't it make more sense to put DR350 stuff in the, um, DR350 thread

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

People just put DR350 pics up anywhere to torment me!