OK folks, I think that Yamaha's little TW200 has gotten enough press lately in a number of different threads to justify an official thread of it's own... Lets use this thread to show and tell about our T-Dubs, and provide others with the info and opinions of their fellow ADVers. I've got 2 TW200's. This is what they looked like when I first got them. Bought this ugly purple one first... Bought is with 11,000 miles on it. It's a 1991 model. Then I bought this little 1989 Smurf Edition for my wife... It's only got 1800 miles on it. The newer model have dics brakes up front but they only have electric start. Both of mine have electric and kick start options. I've never wished that my brakes work any better than they do now. Drums on these little beaters seem to work just fine. Just about everybody that rides a TW wants a larger fuel tank but nobody makes a large aftermarket tank for this bike. Some people have modified Clarke XT350 tanks to fit but I didn't want to go through the hassle of refitting the seat and side covers too. So I had a friend "Dead Bird" help me build a rack to carry an extra gas can (or cans). Here's what we came up with. Next.... I hate purple! Time for some rattle-can rubberized undercoating/paint and a new ebay seat cover. Still need to get rid of those ugly purple fork boots. Today "Dead Bird" and I installed one of his new products on my bike.... He's now making Round Headlight Conversions and rear racks for the TW. The headlight conversion fits up as a bolt-on and should fit a large number of Yamaha enduros. I went with a cheap $20, 7" round, Off Road lamp. It's thin and light weight since the back is cased in plastic. Dead Bird manufactured the steel protector ring and mount kit. This light is probably twice as bright as the stocker and looks way Baja. To start... Remove the plastic shroud and headlight... Total of five bolts and it's stripped to this. Plug black to black and Red to Yellow. Bolt on the new light in the OEM holes. So easy it made me . Adjust level and direction.... And you're done! The lamp I chose to use is just a single filament. It's hooked up to be "on" when the switch is in the High-Beam position and "off" in the low-beam position. Let the TW200 thread begin... T-Dubbs Rule!
The TW200 is an awesome bike. I have a 2008 and love it. I've put over 5000 km on it this summer without a single problem. Here is a picture of it when it was new.
I just bought a '90 last week for my wife to learn on. It's pretty nasty looking and in the shop now, so no pic's. Hope to get it fixed up a little and then have some.
There's enough clearance to put Chains on it! Could be fun and you won't have to destroy a set of tires over it. I like those front racks. Do you use it much? Does it add too much weight to your steering feel?
I just called him a little while ago. There are a couple others that have PM'd me about them too... His screen name is DeadBird, just send him a PM. He'll post on this thread a little later. He's got a nice old TW too. Here are a couple pics of us at Pismo.
MY XT 600 needs that round headlight on it. How much $?? Do not have to spend half the cost of the bike to get a round head light!! BIG ED XT 600 FAN!!
I made the headlight rings for Neepuk and myself. Currently I have the Flu so give me a few days to set a price. I'll offer a complete plug and play kit or just the headlight ring mount for the DIY people. This should fit yamaha TW,XT, and TT's with the square headlight and plastic shroud. PM me and I'll put you on the list of interested riders. Thanks -Deadbird
How is the power on the TW 200's? I'm looking to add a dual sport to the garage, but i just imagine the 200 would be kind of slow. I love the looks of the fat tires, and they look like a blast to ride, but do they have enough power? I'm not looking for a race bike, but i want something with a little power. Thanks, Brian
Bike has been around for almost 25 years, so it has got to be pretty reliable. I like the tire sizes for dirt riding and they seem OK for pavement, too. Trans is close-ratio, and you have to change gearing at the rear sprocket unless you are willing to split the cases to change counter-shaft. Bike does not have a low enough first gear. (Go to a 55 tooth rear sprocket, minimum...58 teeth will put 2nd where 1st was "stock"....) Oil cap. is only ONE quart. If you off-road you NEED chains from brake pedal and toe of shifter to somepalce on the frame so you don't jam a sage bush or sapling in there. Front fender clearance is so minimal you probalby cannot run ice studs with factory front fender. George Jetson styling SUCKS. Factory sprockets and drive chain will wear or stretch and need replacement sooner than they should. (DID is GOOD chain...) Sprocket/hub bolts are a rattle-fit. I drilled over-size and file-fit larger grade 5 or 8 SAE bolts & aircraft locknuts. "Is it worth it?": We'll have to see....I have just got my T-Dub "hacked" by Dauntless, and have a new, fine LL front end that HAS clearance and won't jam a pebble between tire and fender. Bike seems to have adequate power w/ 58 to 60 tooth rear sprocket for a light hack, but I don't know for sure, yet. It IS quiet and reliable and doesn't handle poorly. I can't swing the $ and time of a URal, as well as the heavier weight, and I have bet my time and paltry "treasure" that the little T-Dub will be all I really NEED. Time will tell..... Paradox Pete (pix of my T-Dub are over on the hack forum....)
Don't be fooled, the T-Dub is no speed machine but it's got low enough gears and enough power to pull me around anywhere I want to go. Top speed is near or above 70 but I don't ride it much over 55... Rarely go above 45 actually. It's like a little supermoto on really tight twisties and goat trail/roads. Slow in the sand but it floats through the deep stuff better that I expected... If the TW had too much more power it would point out the inadequacies in the suspension... As it is, it's a good balance. Not too powerful or fast so it won't overwhelm the suspension. Smooth, stable riding will make a rider faster that pure power and the TW makes it easier to be smooth, mostly because of it's awesome traction.
Got her today and I'm in love. Note to self on first ride - DOGS CAN CATCH YOU. Interesting 11 miles this evening. Also, where's the beef? I mean brakes? Here's Wheezer: <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gdSnPQNrakHa1LVOLPmOyA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dtPKGp-qUH4/SWvWFr9nerI/AAAAAAAAC5E/5hb8hfDIeLY/s800/P1120001.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/alanwhite123/TW200?feat=embedwebsite">TW200</a></td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9RGSk1JntX4Ntp6SjY7J6A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dtPKGp-qUH4/SWvWsD-R_rI/AAAAAAAAC5I/3R-b-ShbGSs/s800/P1120002.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/alanwhite123/TW200?feat=embedwebsite">TW200</a></td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8-nhMMY3-N6XnM3ZNk2R9g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dtPKGp-qUH4/SWvXd-ENFEI/AAAAAAAAC5M/rNLVLTnzuiU/s800/P1120003.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/alanwhite123/TW200?feat=embedwebsite">TW200</a></td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dnyYddG7qbJUBHpS1wBybQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dtPKGp-qUH4/SWvYDrryI4I/AAAAAAAAC5Q/oxcC3n9EKr4/s800/P1120004.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/alanwhite123/TW200?feat=embedwebsite">TW200</a></td></tr></table>
damn it, I'm just going to have to break down and get one of these things. I'm likely too tall at 6'2", and I for sure don't need another bike to try to squeeze into the garage but each and every time I see one they just sort of make me smile. When did they loose the kick-start?
