MT350

Neepling · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Karma :

Hi all,

my quest for a bulletproof no worries ride continues.
I'm really not too worried about top speed or being the coolest kid on the block (it's been a while since I was a kid!)

I'm drawn to the MT 350 - anyone ridden one? Got any advice?

cheers

John

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

I had an MT 500 and my advice is do not. Frame weighs a ton, saddle is over high and the LH kickstart is hard work.
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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

They are 'bullet proof', maybe - thanks to the amount of metal used.
But, certainly not particularly reliable from what I've seen.

With the price of them, the main reason to get them IS to be the coolest kid on the block.

Not particularly useful else-wise.

mattd · Scooby Slapper Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Karma :

https://www.milweb.co.uk/features/mt350.php

Seems to read that all 350s came with electric start
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Buy a C90 if reliability is your only consideration. Otherwise pretty much any other Japanese bike would be fine as long as you avoid stuff like the Kawasaki GPZ305.
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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

truslack · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Karma :

My MT500 is one of the most reliable bikes I've ever owned, starts 2nd kick, cruises at 70-80, and doesn't way 3 tons now I've stripped all the pannier racks off it.

My advice: They're pretty shit, but one of the best bikes I've ever had - go for it, as long as you don't mind a bit of tinkering from time to time.
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Current: Suzuki RG 125 Gamma, Honda H100, Triumph Tiger 800XC, Suzuki SV650 (minitwin)

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

My impression of them is that they need a constant low level of tinkering to keep them right.

Particularly with regard to the cam-belt and pulleys.

You want bullet-proof no-worries bike, buy a steel frame CBR600.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Then ride it at MT500 speeds.
Or c90 speeds for really stupid 'reliability'!

truslack · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Karma :

Drake · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Karma :

And if the belt snaps everything clears. Well on the 500 it does
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keggyhander · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Nov 2008 Karma :

My mate on his Armstrong 350:

https://i.imgur.com/6x0HYaN.jpg

Bike is very reliable.

hmmmnz · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

yeah i had the mz500 with the same engine but 500cc,
it was nothing but bomb proof, never had a belt snap, but didnt matter if it did, being a non interference engine,
kicking it over wasn't too hard, you just stood beside the bike rather than sit on it, to kickk it over, although the mz as electric start,
id buy another in a heart beat, dunno if id want to have just the kick start only model though of the mt500, having to kick it over every time would get tedious
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numpty2 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Dec 2011 Karma :

I had a test ride on the 350 and I quite liked it. I didn't buy for two reasons:
Prices seem too high to me, especially when compared with Japanese equivalents.
Fuel tank is small, with a range of not much more than 100 miles. Of course fuel tanks are small with all trials styled bikes, but 100 miles means I would be filling up every 3 days.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

To be pedantic, these are trail styled bikes.
Trial styled bikes would have much less Smile

.

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

Incredibly overpriced bikes for what you get with limited parts availability pushing prices up.

Why don't you buy a Japanese commuter for a £1000 and use the change from what you would have spent to sort out any little niggles?

truslack · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Karma :

350's tend to be overpriced, but 500's can generally be found around £500. Most parts are available NOS or re-manufactured.
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Current: Suzuki RG 125 Gamma, Honda H100, Triumph Tiger 800XC, Suzuki SV650 (minitwin)