Yamaha TW200 Trailway Discussion Forum

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07-26-2009, 12:48 PM OSOK Joined on 07-26-2009 Texas Posts 28 Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? I have to say that I am much more attracted to this minimalist bike than any of the more powerful models. This is kinda weird. It's not just the price - you can get just about any decent cross-breed used for the same price as a TW200... For me, its the "just enough" engine, quality product, the normal proportions - tires and seat, economy and I've owned Yamahas all my life and like em. But its still kinda weird to me to be so attracted to this as opposed to a bigger bike... So what's the attraction for you? Why'd you pick this or is it just one of your "collection" of bikes? "I don't like repeat offenders, I like dead offenders" - Ted Nugent    Report

07-26-2009, 2:19 PM Turtle Chaser Joined on 06-28-2008 Fieldbrook Valley , Northern California Posts 304 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think?  OSOK wrote: TW200... For me, its "just enough" For me it WAS just enough, now instead of a bigger bike I would rather just have a second Tdub . Maybe a third , to mod for street only, yea that's the ticket ! FTDS Ride Safe , TC    Report

07-26-2009, 2:43 PM INSTIGATOR Joined on 07-25-2008 York, PA Posts 6 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? Went into the local dealer last year for the free food and saw a TW off to the side. Showed the wife and she said I had a sparkle in my eye so I bought it. Can't beat it for fun factor. Now a year later my son bought an 09 TW and living in an area with lots of winding roads we are just having a great time.    Report

07-26-2009, 6:08 PM StevieP Joined on 06-01-2008 Irwin Pennsylvania Posts 153 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? some how or another I'm getting around 85 miles to the gallon, slapped on a 44 tooth sprocket in the rear and haven't looked back since. Great bike. More times than not, people will ask me about it and not believe it's just a 200cc bike. I like the look, although I like the round headlight look a lot better (which will be one ofmy future changes).... So far I'm all street riding and it handles like a dream in the curves..... "It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear to be stupid than to open it and remove all doubt"    Report

07-26-2009, 7:02 PM elime Joined on 07-04-2008 San Jose, California Posts 672 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? I am with Turtle Chaser!   A 55 tooth with a knobby for the dirt and a 45 tooth with street tires for every where else. I wish I had two right now.  Relatives have been dropping in and it would be nice to take them riding. I first saw one at the dealer.   I wondered if I would be "satisfied" with it so I opted for a used one.  Well it didn't take long and it developed into true love.  If you accept its slower speed, it can do about 95% what any dirt bike can do and when you are done you can ride on the street.  And if you accept its slower speed,  it can do about 95% what any street bike can do (crowded and fast freeway are definitely off limits) and when you come to the end of the paved road you can keep going.   It small, its light, its versatile, its easy to ride and it is loads of fun.  I have had people tell me they used to have one and wished they had never gotten rid of it.  I am keeping mine for a while longer.  I love it. Long live the internal combustion engine!    Report

07-26-2009, 7:33 PM OSOK Joined on 07-26-2009 Texas Posts 28 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? After looking at the pics again, I have to admit I really just like the way the thing looks - and watching the youtube vids, I like the way it sounds too :) There's just something right about it. Maybe the phat tires. Maybe its the go anywhere aspect... I know that's why I love my Jeeps... What I think is really stupid of Yamaha is that they don't make the exact same model with a 250 and maybe even a 400 cc engine. I mean, everybody here is saying how they are hard to find - wouldn't that just shout "line extension" to the marketing gurus at Yamaha? And why in the hell don't they sell a package - with skid plate, racks and maybe a trailer, etc. - espcially if they offered a bigger engine. Strange the way marketing people think... or seem not to. "I don't like repeat offenders, I like dead offenders" - Ted Nugent    Report

07-31-2009, 3:17 AM Auto360 Joined on 07-12-2007 Work in Iraq-Tucson, Az is home Posts 324 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? OSOK, I think many of us understand what your saying. In a world of where bigger is always better and with the huge advance in technology, why on earth are we looking at a bike that came out in 1987 with "virtually" no changes? It doesn't make sense...or does it? For me, the pure simplicity of the design is part of the attraction, the price and maybe a few other things that is hard to put my finger on. Maybe its the fact that you can buy your way to "coolness" by dropping "close to or more than" 20K on a Harley or other similar bike but we are maybe Mavericks in that we are going to the opposite spectrum and say who cares what others may precieve us as. Maybe we are secure in our view of ourselves and this is how we prove it but we also have the smarts to know whats fun and practical versus ego enhancing which not always but many times is the case in purchasing large bikes. I am 35 and have riding for 26 years now. Instead of going out and buying a large expensive motorcycle I did a complete 360 and bought a 2007 Ninja 250 which has 1987 technology and I adore that bike. It has taken me back to my youth. Now, keep this in mind also. Right now because I'm a civilian contractor over here in Iraq I make fairly decent money and I have no debt. I could have bought ANY bike I wished to....but that silver Ninja 250 at $3600 OTD is what I chose. True, I have a 400 and a 650 Strom but 650 is my limit now. Anything bigger is simply a waste to me but thats only my opinion. Another thing I think is I don't think I will pay over 10k for a bike because to me a motorcycle is about fun and practicality and when paying more than 10k are you really getting that much more out of it? I picture myself riding to Alaska on my 650 Strom that cost 7k and then I think, what if I had bought the BMW GS1200 for 18k....would I be happier?....would it be worth the $11,000 difference in cost? My answer was no. Again, these are my thoughts and everyone is entitled to what makes them happy. Hmmm, sorry, maybe I went off on a little bit of tangent here but I think in many ways everyone here shares a solid, singlar personality trait and while I don't have the education to pin point it, I believe it exist and that might be why I enjoy reading this forum so much even though I don't have a TW. Ok, everyone dismissed!lol. Matt 09' TW200 05' TW200 09' Grizzly 550 09' V-Strom 650 07' Ninja 250 Wanted: 85'-87' BigRed in- very good condition    Report

07-31-2009, 3:04 PM CollinTW Joined on 07-29-2009 Washington Posts 13 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? - Versatile, simplistic and rugged - Fuel economy - Easy and inexpensive to maintain - Light weight and easy to handle. (Corners like a road bike) - Practical - Affordable - Simplistic rugged design - Easy to ride thus increasing the fun factor - Retro look - BIG FAT TIRES to take you anywhere - Sexy Not necessarily in that order :) The bike reminds me of the old 1969 Yamaha Enduro 250 I learned to ride on. Got the bike at age 12 and rode it till the end of High School. It was a two stroke though. 09 ~TW 200: IMS Super Stock Footpegs |CycleRacks rear rack | Grey ProTaper grips Bikes Owned: 69 Yamaha Enduro 250 81 Yamaha XS 1100 Special 83 Yamaha Seca 750    Report

07-31-2009, 9:27 PM KIC Joined on 05-19-2008 Tucson, Arizona Posts 96 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? <BLOCKQUOTE><table width="85%"><tr><td class="txt4"><img src="/Themes/default/images/icon-quote.gif">&nbsp;<strong>Auto360 wrote:</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="quoteTable"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="100%" valign="top" class="txt4">OSOK, I think many of us understand what your saying. In a world of where bigger is always better and with the huge advance in technology, why on earth are we looking at a bike that came out in 1987 with "virtually" no changes? It doesn't make sense...or does it? For me, the pure simplicity of the design is part of the attraction, the price and maybe a few other things that is hard to put my finger on. Maybe its the fact that you can buy your way to "coolness" by dropping "close to or more than" 20K on a Harley or other similar bike but we are maybe Mavericks in that we are going to the opposite spectrum and say who cares what others may precieve us as. Maybe we are secure in our view of ourselves and this is how we prove it but we also have the smarts to know whats fun and practical versus ego enhancing which not always but many times is the case in purchasing large bikes. I am 35 and have riding for 26 years now. Instead of going out and buying a large expensive motorcycle I did a complete 360 and bought a 2007 Ninja 250 which has 1987 technology and I adore that bike. It has taken me back to my youth. Now, keep this in mind also. Right now because I'm a civilian contractor over here in Iraq I make fairly decent money and I have no debt. I could have bought ANY bike I wished to....but that silver Ninja 250 at $3600 OTD is what I chose. True, I have a 400 and a 650 Strom but 650 is my limit now. Anything bigger is simply a waste to me but thats only my opinion. Another thing I think is I don't think I will pay over 10k for a bike because to me a motorcycle is about fun and practicality and when paying more than 10k are you really getting that much more out of it? I picture myself riding to Alaska on my 650 Strom that cost 7k and then I think, what if I had bought the BMW GS1200 for 18k....would I be happier?....would it be worth the $11,000 difference in cost? My answer was no. Again, these are my thoughts and everyone is entitled to what makes them happy. Hmmm, sorry, maybe I went off on a little bit of tangent here but I think in many ways everyone here shares a solid, singlar personality trait and while I don't have the education to pin point it, I believe it exist and that might be why I enjoy reading this forum so much even though I don't have a TW. Ok, everyone dismissed!lol. Matt</td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE> Hey Matt, As much as I love my TW's, I'll trade you my 02 Twins with 800 miles each and throw in a nice 3 rail trailer for your V-Strom. Just trying to keep you happy....lol Proud Army Dad of a Warrior Princess - Military Police-Airborne-Kickin' butt in Afghanistan 2006 KLR - Red 2002 TW 200 - White -Wifey's Ride 2002 TW 200 - White -Matching toy 1985 YZ 250 - old school 2-stroke    Report

08-01-2009, 8:58 PM QWERTY Joined on 11-22-2006 Posts 2,360 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? True, a TW will do 95% of what a dirbike will do, and 95% of what a street bike will do, but no other motorcycle in the world will do 100% of what a TW will do. I have done thousands of miles on interstates on my TW, even one of those thousands in 21 hours.    Report

03-10-2010, 8:22 AM Hendragster Joined on 12-18-2009 Largo, Florida Posts 114 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? I love it b/c no other bikes look like it. Most dirt bikes/dual sports "kinda" look alike  I saw a TW200 for the first time (I think 7 years ago) when I was in college and I really loved it. Now (7 years later) I have one and love it so much...meaning I always have fun on it and even just to look at it I smile. T-dub rocks!!! Ride... 1985 Honda Astrea800 - Dad's bike I rode when I was 8 1994 Honda Astrea-Grand100 (stolen in 1999) 1976 CB125 - built into a dirtbike (sold) 2006 Yamaha Scorpio-Z225 (in Indo) 2005 TW200 (in Florida)    Report

03-10-2010, 1:12 PM srs713 Joined on 09-14-2008 Wichita, KS Posts 440 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? It's like a scooter with knobbies. An all-terrain alternative to the Vespa. The TW satisfied my immediate need for a fuel efficient commuter ride, with the benefit of off-road fun on the weekends. And with so many dirt/gravel roads here in Kansas I'm not restricted to city riding. I can take this bike camping or visit friends out on their farms without worrying about road conditions. Stephen S. '07 TW200: 15/50 sprockets, O-ring chain, D2Moto foot pegs tweaked carb (127.5 jet, 0.019 needle shim, idle screw @2.25), Rubbermaid "Action Packer" on homemade brackets    Report

03-10-2010, 6:55 PM JerryT Joined on 07-18-2008 Crossville Tn Posts 265 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? They are just plain fun no matter how you use them. What more reason could a person want? TW200 2005    Report

03-10-2010, 9:21 PM TW-87 Joined on 02-01-2010 Manitoba, Canada Posts 305 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? The word I would use is "elegant". TW-87 1987 TW200, 15/44 sprockets, DID O-ring chain, Award winning, "Quick Release" Action Packer :-))    Report

03-11-2010, 7:36 AM OakCliffThumper Joined on 07-04-2009 Dallas, TX Posts 79 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? Sometimes, something just seems "right." I have purchased two houses in my life. Both times we looked and looked and looked. Finally, you walk into a place and immediately know you are done looking. This place is "right." That's the same for me with the TW200. I looked at several small dual purpose bikes. When I saw the TW, I was done looking. It was just "right." At that point it became a matter of finding the one I wanted. Now, I have my 2001 and am having a ball with it.    Report

03-11-2010, 9:08 AM Wayne Joined on 07-22-2009 Idaho panhandle Posts 118 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? When I took my riders training, prior to being able to get my motorcycle license they had TW's for us to use. By the time the class was over I wanted one. I think one of the biggies for me was that I could sit on it and stand flatfooted. In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them.    Report

03-11-2010, 9:26 AM TW-87 Joined on 02-01-2010 Manitoba, Canada Posts 305 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? Seat height is a big one for me. I owned a TT350 before the TW200 and especially trail riding, if you have to put a foot down when the wheels are on high spots and your foot is in a hole........ TW-87 1987 TW200, 15/44 sprockets, DID O-ring chain, Award winning, "Quick Release" Action Packer :-))    Report

03-11-2010, 10:51 AM uktw125 Joined on 06-05-2008 Devon, England. Posts 143 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? I bought my TW after a long period of illness that meant I was unable to manage the weight and physical size of my other bikes, an old BMW G/S and a Honda XL600lmf especially loaded up with camping gear. I still own these but I will not sell the TW as I rediscovered the joys of easy, fun, and here in the UK quite unusual, biking. I simply just enjoy it.    Report

03-11-2010, 9:08 PM Kev250R Joined on 06-27-2007 Fullerton, So.Cal. Posts 386 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? Ditto what everyone else has been saying.  My TW fits me like my favorite pair of shoes.  Very versatile machines. --Kevin '03 TW200 - Odyssey battery, IMS Super Stock pegs. '03 TW200 - Odyssey battery, IMS Pegs, FMF Exhaust    Report

03-14-2010, 7:02 PM cdsdave Joined on 05-12-2008 Posts 21 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? I had never owned a motorcycle in my life but in junior high I rode my friends Honda 70 in his backyard most every weekend. And now 32 years later I am going into my 3rd riding season on my 08 tw. What an easy bike to ride on trails and road. Fun and satisfying to ride and easy to maintain. Last year I picked up a KLX 140 as a pit bike to help me increase my skills faster and to get around even easier on the tight technical single and two track trails on my property and that bike is fun to play on but it is so one dimensional compared to the do everything of the tw. I keep asking myself if I could only have one bike which would I sell and even though I spend a lot of my time riding technical trails I would keep the tw for it's go anywhere appeal. Lucky for me I can have a couple bikes and maybe more if I could come up with something else I would have fun on. That ninja 250 sounds interesting.    Report

03-18-2010, 8:49 PM gottoaz Joined on 05-30-2009 Posts 6 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? In researching before I bought my 05 last year one of the things that convinced me was the people that own these bikes. I was sold on the bike before I ever saw one, and it does have something to do with being comfortable in your self. 05    Report

03-19-2010, 3:48 PM TW-87 Joined on 02-01-2010 Manitoba, Canada Posts 305 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? How about the advantage of being able to tune the carburetor with a "plug chop" at WOT without exceeding the speed limit. Now how many bikes are there out there that you can do that with ? TW-87 1987 TW200, 15/44 sprockets, DID O-ring chain, Award winning, "Quick Release" Action Packer :-))    Report

03-20-2010, 4:13 AM Justice Joined on 04-13-2009 Victoria, B.C. Posts 83 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? Great bike to learn "how things work" on.  I smile every time I walk by it :D    Report

03-22-2010, 8:54 AM ktrout01 Joined on 10-22-2009 Bristol, CT Posts 52 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? I've always been a fan of non-mainstream vehicles. I've owned a VW Thing, as well as many other air-cooled VWs. I just can't see myself with the lemmings who follow normal convention. My daily driver is a VW Jetta TDI with over 200,000 miles on it and still going strong. I've turned a wrench on all my vehicles so high-tech vehicles don't really interest me. I can tune my TDI with a laptop and usb cable and that's as far as I want to go with it. I'm certainly not opposed to new technology, I've worked as a network admin and currently run an engineering plant but I just like simple vehicles. The TW is just enough bike for me and I plan on keeping it a long time. While I wouldn't turn down a Harley or other big bike I certainly don't need one to look at myself in the mirror.      Report

03-25-2010, 2:22 PM srs713 Joined on 09-14-2008 Wichita, KS Posts 440 Re: Attraction to this bike... is weird don't you think? Ok... gottoaz, I have GOT to hear the story behind your avatar photo. Were you on that bike?? Stephen S. '07 TW200: 15/50 sprockets, O-ring chain, D2Moto foot pegs tweaked carb (127.5 jet, 0.019 needle shim, idle screw @2.25), Rubbermaid "Action Packer" on homemade brackets    Report

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