The Yamaha TW200 - should I?

[Garandman]

The TW200 seems to be a mad blast. The "fat tire flier" is street legal but can't keep up on a highway, has modest suspension hardware, ground clearance, etc.

But they just seem like a bike that is mad fun to ride, on or off road. They are $2,000 to $2,500 used. Is it crazy to buy a bike you know you won't ride more than a few times per year?

[Chippertheripper]

If you got the scrilla, you might as well dive in.
Ya know, just to keep the miles of the tiger, for the Starbucks/pizza runs.

[Paul_E_D]

Seems a little...short for you!

[nhbubba]

I'd do it if I had the will and the scratch. You only live once. But then I've been saying that a lot these days.

Does seem like a helluva lot of overlap if you already own a WR250 though. Isn't yours plated? What's a TW200 do that a WR250 doesn't?

]Is it crazy to buy a bike you know you won't ride more than a few times per year?

You mean like a track bike?

[Kitt]

not if you have a dually already... I had a few of these, LOVED them... then got bored and have none in the garage.

[Stromper]

I loved mine

Everyone should have one for a while

Goes and does everything just can't run with the big dogs

Or more apt it is a wonderful Burro but don't enter it in a steeple chase

Get in Get out cost you near nothing.... great forum support too

[TTD]

I'm with Kitt on this. I was going to get a TW200 also so investigated them pretty heavily... I was only planning to use it as a pit bike for the track days though.

[Imbeek]

I'd ask myself: does it do anything better than bikes I already own? I do agree with Stromper's point about free use, though, if you can sell it later for what you paid. I often use that logic to justify stuff like this, and it is valid. Already nearly fully depreciated toys rock.

I'm at a point where the pleasure of buying and using stuff is often outweighed by the inevitable self loathing later on when I look around my house at all the crap/stuff/toys I've bought in my life. On the other hand, I guess that as long as most can be resold, its better than hoarding every last cent of your dough away and having it go poof when, eventually but before I retire, the illusion of our relentlessly whored out currency's value....um.....forget it, I digress!

Did I mention I saw a pretty cool looking Gretsch mandolin for $199 at guitar center last night? (And that I already own plenty of guitars and basses that I can play, plus keyboards, a banjo, and a ukulele that I cannot)

[bryco13]

Only go around once, treat yourself. Plus, after next summer when I have more monies I can buy it.

[Garandman]

Only go around once, treat yourself. Plus, after next summer when I have more monies I can buy it.

Oh, so it's kind of a public service? WILCO!

[gamorg02]

I just got one in the end of May and its a blast! Although I regrettably overpaid digging into it a bit more, they do seem to retain their value quite well.

[aldend123]

If you have the money and the storage, why not? As said above, they seem to hold their value well so there's little to lose.

Hold on to it for a few years until your son turns 16? Or how bout a spare bike so he can take a friend on a trail ride?

[breakdirt916]

Not sure why everyone likes these!

Seems overpriced for a bike that resembles the power and suspension of a pit bike

I gotta find one and try it already

[Point37]

love mine!...probably won't ever sell it...it's a 2000 (last year with the kicker on them) and i got it for $1500...

[Point37]

http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/4497635902.html
http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/4544167548.html
http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/4469034288.html

[Garandman]

http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/4497635902.html
http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/4544167548.html
http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/4469034288.html

Thanks, I debated older with kick starter or newer, and decided newer model year, so this one is in the truck!

I rode it up and down the street a couple of times. The tires feel funny on the street, it doesn't have much power, I think they will do 70 on a really good day, and first gear is almost too low to be street usable. I returned with a big smile and bought it! The paint is really shiny for a 2009 and the rest of the bike looks great as well. 2200 miles on it.

[Point37]

yea that's just about what it is...you can put a kicker kit on it if you want...they really haven't changed much over the years...added front disc brake lost the kicker...first gear is fun in the woods but useless on the road...mine tops out around 65ish but some of the guys get them to around 70ish...

more info if you need it...i'm on there under the same name...
http://tw200forum.com/index.php

one stop parts store...
http://www.procycle.us/bikepages/tw200.html

differences over the years...
http://tw200forum.com/forum/general-....html#post4984
"'87's had one-year-only charging systems and ignition modules. Aside from that, they are essentaially no different from an '88-2000 model. They're becoming a parts problem with regard ONLY to the electrical systems.

In 2001, Yamaha giveth us a front disc brake, (but taketh away our kickstarter) slightly more alternator output, a new CV carburetor, and a resetable trip meter.

So basically the bike has had 3 versions of charging system, picked up a disc brake and lost its kickstarter in 24-odd years.

All plastics are interchangeable from year one to present. Lots of lovely Barbie colors over the years if yer into that. lol

The basic motor is the same and all parts will interchange except for the left side covers, which have slightly different castings to accomodate the different charging and CDI systems over the years. Later models had a self-adjusting cam chain adjuster. Intake manifolds, carb boots and cables are a bit different between the early and late carbs but late also fits old, and vice-vera.

Quality control has worsened considerably on the later model motors, so watch for base gasket leaks. Yamaha has issued a Bandaid in the form of an "improved" base gasket, but the real problem stems from random batches of crappy cases. Some suck, some don't.

All front end parts will swap between years. The disc front end differs from the drum only in the left lower legs and that the lower triple tree has a tapped hole for the brake hose mount.

The late model carb drives from the right, early model's cables are on the left.

Swingarms and rear wheels are all the same.

Disc front wheels have thicker spokes and the spoke lengths and lacing pattern is different from a drum. Same spoke count. As far as I'm concerned both are equal in terms of actual braking distances. It's more a matter of "feel" than effectiveness. Pick yer poison here. Drums don't bother me at all. I own both.

The rear brakes are all the same. They blow.

Gas tanks are all the same except later models got a smaller gas cap and Cali models have a fitting for a vapor hose.

Early models have better starter solenoids, relays, and electrical components overall, IMO.

Later models have more output and slightly more sheltered and better protected wiring harnesses.

Lower fork legs lost their drain screws at some point. Early models had them. Huge maintenence issue.

Kickstands, frame gussets and welds are better on the older units. Whether this was neccessary or not is arguable, but they are different.

While this is not a rant against Yamaha, be aware that numerous cost cutting measures like this have been initiated over the years. Most were also accompanied by some fairly significant improvement. Most are insignificant in the real world, but can complicate parts ordering and modifications. Recently some have discovered that the rear muffler mount location has been changed slightly, for example. So even though a 20 year old muffler is identical in every other respect it won't fit the latest and greatest. The good news is that the bike is rock simple to begin with.

The only real interchangeability problems I've encountered have been between the electrical systems, wiring harnesses and switchgear. Lots of variations here, with minor, sniggling changes to the various connectors and components."

[Garrett]

The safety officials at COTA use them. I kinda want one but I'm too cheap.

[Garandman]

In! With luggage rack. Now all I need is a cup holder for Starbucks....

[bryco13]

If you wouldn't mind keeping a record of all the maintenance and could farklize it up for me, I'd appreciate it. Ill be in touch next may.

[Stromper]

TW200 react to a wide range of tire pressures for different conditions

[nhbubba]

Luggage rack? Yep, I can dig it.

[Paul_E_D]

That rack on the TW is for 6 packs only. No luggage allowed.

[Garandman]

My wife, son, and daughter have all laid claim....

Edit, what is a "six pack?" Is that like a 30 pack, only smaller?

[Paul_E_D]

They drink beer?