Adventure Bike Rider Forum

Just get it Phil, there's a knack to it and once you know it you're sorted !!! As an after thought , didn't they bring in the button in 96 ?
Phil

I have read that they are electric start after 96 but this one could be an earlier model registered later on. Not entirely sure until I get there. The lady which owns it has had it for over five years and has bought a newer bike. Juat want a good little green lane machine and thought air cooled is the way to go.

It could be an enduro version, they are kickstart only.

boboneleg wrote:It could be an enduro version, they are kickstart only.

Thnx for pointing out that BOB. I always thought that only the pre 96 models were kickstart only aswell (Leccy 96 0nwards). I was looking for the 350 for ages and turned down a few as seen them advertised as a 96+ but kicker only, so I presumed they dropped an older lump in them. DOH!!!
Got meself a DRZ 400E in the end but I still fancy a 350 for that 6th gear..

Hi.

I had an XR250, always kicked over first time, and good to ride. But what i hated was stalling in ruts, or on a slippy hill, or water, then trying to kick start it.

Especially in ruts, there was no room to kick it, so it needed to be hauled out then started, by which time all my mates would be long gone.

Ive now got a wr250f, electric start and wouldn't go back.

It also has a kick start if you need it.

Nothing wrong with a good old kick start, its not a 600 we are talking about.

I had a DR 350 new in '92. It was always a pig to kick start. But was quicker than my mate's DR650 (thumbs)

When I first got my 93 it was a bit long winded to start, then I followed some instructions from an American DR350 forum which basically was just cutting a piece out of the airbox and changing the main jet and starting was transformed, and never needed to use the decompressor.

Incidentally, my DR350 is now in bits (some of which have brand new powder coating etc.) and the price of parts needed for an engine rebuild (long story) prohibits putting it back together, so hopefully parts for sale may be appearing on here soon if anyone's interested .

The right jetting is the key to a good starting bike...

What I will say though is if you are prone to stalling or falling off, a lot of bikes will then be troublesome and you will wish you had a button.

My old DR normally starts very easily, but does occasionally have a sulk when I can't quite work out "what it wants".

Despite this, and the fact that I would always prefer an electric start, I would still be willing to run another kicker, if the bike was right.

Have a DR350 enduro kickstart only (now at 390cc) since 1993!! Starts first / second kick. Problems are in deep ruts or on a hill/camber whenm yu can't get a decent swing.Like you I also have a 690 but use the DR in the winter its perfect for green laning and LDT's. Cost nothing to run oil filters £3.50 and 2 litres of oil a couple times a year. ALl the suspension arms, links and swing arm spindle have grease nipples as well so last for ever.