MOTORCYCLE - TW200

[Code54]

I have been looking around at small duel sport bikes and found I have a strong interest in the little Yamaha TW200. I was wondering. if anyone owns one and what everyone's thoughts were?
For me this is a fun bike. Something just to run around on the back roads by myself or with some friends with duel sport bikes. I am really not looking to go off-roading, mostly very back county road, some gravel and dirt roads. It looks like it will run 55 mph so that is good for the area I want it as I am not interested in riding the highways. I started riding 43 years ago and had a motorcycle on and off over the years. I am short so the low height is appealing and they seem to be more of a putt around the backroads type of machine far more than a lot of other bikes. I did look at the XT250 and a KLX230S which are nice machines but dont seem to match what I am looking for as closley.

 

[Peter 315]

The fuel tank is small only 1.8 gal. I guess its depends how far you plan on riding. Yamaha does make a nice motorcycle. I see the klr650 for sale around the 5 to 6k but they are heavy.

 

[Code54]

Yep - I figure I have a solid 100-mile range but I can normally find fuel in all the little towns around here. I also plan to throw a rotopak in the rear just in case.
The KLR is nice but a different breast for sure. About 460lbs, and a high seat height (thinking maybe 35 or so inches) and a ton of power. A TW is 31" seat height, very wide tires, thinking 280lbs or so curb weight, and not powerful, about 16hp. Yep a little lawn tractor has more power - lol
In case someone has never seen one:

 

[Peter 315]

Klr650s seat is 32"

 

[Peter 315]

I was looking at the DR650 and KLR650 but might have to wait till next year. I have a bike to ride now but want a dual sport also.

 

[YanmarFever]

Love that bike!
However, people drive like complete idiots around here while texting.
I know cause I drive my tractor on the road to the farm and I get passed at 55 mph in a 40 speed limit.
We used to own a honda fatcat 200 however we sold it when we moved (big mistake) wish I still had it.

That tw200 probably gets 50-60 mpg so thats not to bad, but they are not cheap to buy.
I paid $1187. for a new fat cat back in 87.

 

[sea2summit]

A TW is on my list, they have been pretty scarce for a while. There are tons of mods out there for racks/fuel/trailers/etc to make it do whatever you want. Unless you were going to be on a highway or need to travel extreme distances it's a great bike for a lot of the reasons you mention.

 

[BUXFAN1911]

They are slow and clunky but a fun off road toy. They are not very road friendly and I would not plan on doing anything greater than 50mph for more than a mile or two. Easy to find parts for them as they have been relatively unchanged for 20+ years.

 

[Cougsfan]

Other options are a Kawasaki KLX300 or a Honda CRF300. New, they are about $1000 more than the TW200, but they are still very easy to ride and probably more versatile than the Yamaha (they will go down a paved road at highway speeds when you need to). All are good bikes though.

 

[JasperFrank]

The TW200s are great bikes, and bullet proof. It takes a liitle for me to adjust to the larger wheels when I'm on one. They just feel different then a normal DP bike. I've had my SR 500 for 41 years. It is also a great outback, gravel road bike based on the TX 500.

 

[Code54]

Found a new 2023 and picking it up tomorrow. It just fits what I want perfectly. SUPER simple, carb, will do 55 mph, wide and low, and is not really that expensive.
We have SO many 1 1/2 lane roads, dirt roads, and gravel roads nearby I can ride for hrs if not days. To get to them I have to jump on a light traffic 55mph road (most cars go about 45mph due to it being rough and not straight for more than 25' at a time) for less than 2 miles. After that most riding will be in the 20-25mph range. We even have some roads where the road goes in and out of the creek for miles so the wide tires will aid my traction in places like this. For example, here is one of the named county maintained roads where I will be riding:

 

[swreeder]

I had a TW200 AKA ”thumper” for several years. I used it on Forrest service roads and single track trails in the rockies for elk hunting. Great little bike, tons of accessories, very stable and low center of gravity. Found it lacking power sometimes at high altitude (carb tuning), but nothing that bothered me. I was never in a hurry, just a very fun get around bike.

I sold it when I moved and regretted it ever since. They hold their value and are almost impossible to find in good condition used.

 

[Code54]

Quick followup.
I got the bike and have to say it is a great little machine. It is not a powerhouse or an off-road screaming demon but a really nice ride around the backroads and enjoy the ride/view type of bike. It will run 55 on the big 2 lane if needed but that is about all the faster it really wants to do.
On the back gravel roads, it was nice and stable and sort of tractor-like. Pretty torquey little motor and the wide tire pulls without spinning which is perfect. Not a Ninja but a lot of fun and sort of a two-wheeled ATV..