Mid-Size Singles

MID-SIZE SINGLES

Yamaha XT350, Suzuki DR350S: Something old, something new

A 350CC FOUR-STROKE SINGLE is considered the ideal bike by many dual-purpose enthusiasts. It produces reasonable power and it's smaller and lighter than a 600, sort of a best-ofboth-worlds situation.

Even so, 350cc dual-purpose bikes haven't sold in record numbers over the years. Honda's mid-Eighties XL350 was universally acclaimed by the press, but was yanked after two years of so-so sales. For 1 990, a potential buyer has a choice of only two models: Suzuki’s new DR350S and Yamaha's aging (but $350 less expensive) XT350.

The engines used in both bikes are air-cooled Singles with four valves, but, otherwise, they differ greatly. The XT uses two camshafts to operate its valves, while the DR makes do with one cam. And where the DR employs a single carburetor, the XT has a dual-carburetion system —the left carburetor is always in use, while the right carburetor (a strange-looking contraption with no float bowl) kicks in after the twistgrip is turned past its halfway point. The differences continue to each bike's bore and stroke measurements. The DR has a 79mm bore and a 71.2mm stroke, while the XT is more oversquare, with a 86mm bore and 59.6mm stroke.

Neither engine produces breathtaking power, nor will either be confused for a 600 when called upon for midrange uumph. But both build power in a steady progression that's easy for any rider to control, each topping out at an identical 83 miles per hour, although the Suzuki is quicker in acceleration and top-gear roll-ons.

Acceleration isn't the only area where the DRS outshines the XT : Although 1 1 pounds heavier than the Yamaha (and almost 30 pounds heavier than Suzuki’s initial press information claimed), the DR has a stiffer frame, stronger aluminum swingarm (the XT still uses steel), larger-diameter fork-stanchion tubes, more and better-damped wheel travel and a disc brake at each wheel (there's a drum rear on the XT). The XT's fork, frame, swingarm and brakes are strong enough for a beginning play rider, but an experienced off-road rider can quickly overstress these components.

Street comfort is an important consideration when looking for a new

dual-purpose machine, and, again, the DR claims top honors here, although both bikes are far better suited to in-town errand-running than cross-state touring. The Suzuki has a fairly narrow but well-padded saddle, and the seat-to-handlebar-tofootpeg relationship is comfortable on-road and off.

The Yamaha has a lower seat height, which could be a major consideration for shorter riders, and its seat is wider than that of the DRS. Still, all of our testers complained of sore behinds after an hour or so aboard the XT. Adding to the seat's punishment, the XT's suspension is harsh and transmits shocks back to the rider's arms and legs. Another complaint, one that could be fixed easily, is a handlebar that has too high a rise for the bike’s seat height. Thus, the average-sized rider is placed in an overly upright position that makes off-road corners harder to navigate and subjects him to a lot of wind blast on paved roads.

Neither 350 has an electric starter. To make kickstarting easier, the XT has a compression release that's automatically operated by its kickstarter mechanism, and the DR has a manual compression release that, initially at least, proved a trifle confusing. Usually, each bike fired off within four kicks, but occasionally, a multitude of swings at the lever was required. In fact, the bigger Suzuki DR650S proved an easier starter than either of the 350s.

The smaller bikes retaliated on tight trails, though, where they left the big bikes for dead. The Suzuki— very similiar to the new. dirt-only DR350 — was especially sparkling: Put a good set knobbies on it and the DR350S w'ould go just about anywhere.

It's that dirtbike-with-lights design phil osophy that puts the Suzuki head-and-shoulders above the Yamaha. Our only question to Suzuki is. “When do we get to see a 600cc version built with the same thinking?" El

Suzuki DR3505

$3299

Yamaha XT350

$2949