-My DR was based off from Shane Nalley's DR435.- **********************************************************************After my 125 KTM bit the dust I decided to go out and by a new bike from the local dealership. I was looking for some thing that I could drive on and off road. The first bike that I came across was a Yamaha TW250, it was in my price range but it was not quit what I was looking for (the rear tire I thought was to small and wide). A week later I stopped in and looked around at the new bike they had just got in but off in the corner ware they had all of the used bikes I busted a Nut. There it was the bike I was looking for, an out right dirt bike with lights and turn signs. I went in for a closer look, the headlight was cracked, one of the turn signs was busted and some of the plastic was scratched up. But it only and a hundred miles on it with a tag priced at $2,999. Cool I told my self. It was a 350cc bigger than I had wanted; it also sat considerable high (I was use to smaller bikes). Despite it scared beauty I was in love, so I took it for a test drive. I had to get use to sitting so high but after a while I got use to it, it was time to see what it could do! I got it onto the highway and started to cruse at 70mph at 5grand with the rest of traffic, not bad I told my self but lets go faster 80, 90, 100, 110. I was doing a buck ten at 9grand, ON A STOCK DIRT BIKE! The bike was geared for high speed; the only way I could lift the front end up was to pop the clutch in first. The suspension I had noticed was vary plush and would not be sufficient off road. I bought the bike that day and rode it home. ***************************************************************The first thing I did win I got I home was to gear it down from a 16/40 to a 15/47. I lost most of my top speed but I can lift the front end up in third. Next I ripped off all the dead weight I could. The first thing was the ugly rear mud Finder (1.lbs), the steel reinforcement (2.lbs) and the license plate light (2.lbs) putting the license plate on the finder under the brake light. Next I took off the hand guards (2.lbs) because at high speeds they would push in the clutch and the brake which was not a good thing. The tool bag was cheap so I took that out as well (3.lbs). I also took off the passenger pegs (4.lbs) and upper rear chain guard (1.lbs). ******************************************************It was time to work on the Engine! With only 25hp it need more a lot more! I started off with the air box the stock one starved the engine of air. The way to go was with cycle Gear's Magic Air Box adding about 4-7hp along with a UNI Air Filter. Upon receiving the new air box I sent the hole engine, carb and new air box the Thumper Racing (not the same as this web page) where they did a 435 big bore kit and jetting for $417. The big bore kit uses stock compression, valve train and drive train, and so the bike did not loses any of its creditability. The kit added about 15 more HP. I received my engine back a few weeks later along with the over sized header I had ordered from TR. The stock muffler had to go it weighed over 23.lbs. I decided to go with the FMF PowerCore IV silencer. Whit my new muffler and header I had added about 8 more HP putting me about at 55HP. I liked this a 120% HP increment. ********************************************************************When I first got on the DR it felt like I was getting on a little kids rocking horse. I went to the parts man and asked him what would be the best route to take with my suspension. I think I blacked out when he got done telling me what I had to do. 98 RM250 fork $2232.00 that alone was about what I paid for my bike! How ever it wasn't over yet 98 RM250 triple clamp set $488.00, 98 RM250 front wheel $395.00, 98 RM250 front brake rotor $130.00, 98 RM250 Rear caliper $225.00, 0.42kg/mm Fork springs $99.50, Scotts Performance products swingarm $500.00. Over $4069.50 for just a rim and suspension off of a RM! ********************************************************After putting on new Forks, shock and swing arm from the older 89'RM I decided to put it up for the real test. A three day off road adventure with my girlfriend who was rideing her Honda 125. Don't get me wrong she is a good rider but when she bit the dust I had a hard time STOPING!!! The rear brake sucked, it couldn't stop me going 10mph let alone 35 or 45mph. The front brake would stop me or at least it would stop the bike as I kept on going forward. When we finally made it back alive I went out a bought DP Brake pads, a DP 230mm solid rear rotor. I also but on the RM caliper finally I could stop. The next time we went out and she went down, I didn't run her over.
Parts and Labor
LINKS
Amaerican Suzuki Motor CORP.
Dunlop Tire
FMF Racing
Thumper Racing 903/938-0570
Acerbis
Works Connection
UNI Filter