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XT350 Opinions/Experience please XT350 Opinions/Experience please
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 15 Jul 2005
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XT350 Opinions/Experience please
Thinking about using this bike (amongst others) for my next trip. Wouldn't mind some feedback from all you experts out there regarding reliability/suitability for long trips/known problems/any years to avoid…any useful information really.

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  #2  
Old 15 Jul 2005
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Early models made more power than later ones.
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  #3  
Old 15 Jul 2005
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I think that was the bike the Mondo Enduro boys used? In which case it would seem to be pretty good.
matt
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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  #4  
Old 16 Jul 2005
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The ME boys used DR350s. I met a Dutch chap in Kenya in 1999 whose XT350 front forks had snapped. Apparently quite spectacular. He was riding down the road at the time.
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  #5  
Old 25 Aug 2005
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I have been trying out a XT350 for my next trip and my fiance is trying out the XT225 Serow.
I think the biggest negative I have found so far with the XT350 is the kickstart. I can remember numerous occasions on my last trip where I was precariously balanced after stalling and the electric start on the Transalp was a life saviour. I also know that if you drop the bike it won't kickstart for at least 5min afterwards which could be very frustrating. I haven't really ridden the bike any great distances yet so don't know what it will be like. I would imagine the narrow seat would need some extra padding and I think I can only get 150 miles on a tank in London traffic. As for reliability...well i guess only time will tell.
i have tried my fiances Serow as well. While this has electric start, it is only 225cc so I am not sure how this will perform with my 90kg and luggage. Haven't had the chance to test the fuel range on the Serow yet but apart from it's engine size, I hear nothing but good things about this little bike and a good repution for reliability is for me the best sellin gpoint any bike can have.

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  #6  
Old 26 Aug 2005
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I owned a 350 xt in the late 80s. I treated it pretty like a bigger bike and wrecked the top end ( valves etc replaced under warranty).

After that I took it steady, used good oil, frequent changes and it lasted ubtil I sold it with about 30 000 klms.

What points I do remember include,
could be tricky to kickstart hot or cold,
not too bad off road but the hard starting could be annoying if you stalled in a muddy hole
with leaded petrol it would fly - I travelled from Leeds to the South of France in a couple of days for the Bol D`or ( about 1000klms)

Would I buy another? Probably not but that is because I have a KLR 250 and suits me well. If I needed something bigger I would go for a 600 XT as they are better catered for re spares and knowledge and probably do not weigh that much more.

I do not remember mpg or tyre usage etc but I do not remember it as been a problem.
All the best
Rob
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  #7  
Old 31 Aug 2005
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to many revs ,not enough cubes, they were never much good or popular size in oz thats for sure ,after your tour on a transalp why would you go backwards to something like this
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