General info wanted on Yamaha TW200

[Croolies]

Im new to this site :)

but im after some info on a yamaha tw200 as a cool little commuter/fun bike

does anyone have any thoughts on this bike (2005 model)

flaws etc

ive previously had a suzuki gn250 as a student type bike and after around the same or less power bike

i havent actually seen the price tag of this bike but could someone give me a general price on this bike with full road costs etc

cheers



by my car to fund my future bike
http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=44273144

[skidMark]

don't know about the bike but um most people upgrade to something more powerful than a gn not the same or less i can't understand your logic lol

oh and welcommin to the sitenhousin :wari: :niceone:

[Motu]

Check out Yamaha's site...http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/10/home.aspx

They've been making them for sometime now,it's still popular so they still make them.Same motor as the XT225 Serrow,a willing and indestructable motor,and electric start.The fat tyres make them good in sand,if you have sand to ride on that's a plus.

Don't listen to people who try to tell you you need a bigger/faster/better looking bike - that's your choice to make,not theirs.

[Croolies]

my logic is well i dont have any :)

im after a 4 stroke off road bike that looks cool

im after a basic fun bike as the ones on trademe "pitbikes" look like they will break and the tw200 seems a great choice iand if i wanted a fast bike i would get a a sport bike

with that site above with the $38 a month is that for nz? as if it is ive found my self a bike :apumpin:

but is it a reliable bike? cheap to run? how much is it for a wof and reg for a year etc on 200cc bikes

and with the motox tracks would it be able to go round them fine? not jumping or anything just a bit of dirt and bumps

[Motu]

They are bullet proof reliable and run on the smell of an oily rag,no idea about the money side of things.I've never rode one,but have rode the XT225 which is almost the same bike - suspension and brakes are not very good,but the fun factor is pretty high,well up to trail riding at a leasurly pace.As for going fast,I get a lot more fun out of pushing a slow bike beyond it's limits than scaring myself on a bike too fast for the conditions.

[F5 Dave]

Funny I was just reading about them on Rick Siemans blatherings (ex US mag dirtbike ed) & his advice was avoid, the fat tires make them handle heavy in anything but sand & just go for a std bike.

Makes sense, no one else is really making that sort of thing & can you imagine how much tires cost?

[Baldog]

I'm looking to buy a TW200 too, and have done a little research that may help you. Most of my info was gathered from e-pinions. The general opinion is the TW200 is a really fun bike that is great for commuting and is unstoppable in the dirt/sand/mud due to it's torquey little motor and big tyres. Not so great for jumping due to it's limited and softly sprung suspension, and not particulary agile in tight conditions. But for general trail riding, great.

What surprised me was it is also apparently great in the twisties, very stable with a huge amount of grip. Not overly fast (about 110k's) but more fun than just about anything up to this speed. Some excellent ratings on commuting as well. Most of all people just say how much fun it is! Not highly recommended for long highway use, although some said it was fine.

The engine and is purported to be bullet proof which is expected given it's output and long history. No comments on economy, but it should be excellent given the bikes weight and capacity. Just keep an eye on tyre pressures as those massive tyres could create some drag.

In New Zealand the price advertised on the Yamaha web site is $5499 incl GST, yet when I went to a dealership I was quoted $6799, and second hand dealers are asking around this price. The dealer I spoke to said that the bikes hold there value well, but they don't stock them because they are perceived to be expensive. I think what may have happened is Yamaha has dropped it's price, but the dealership I went to was unaware of the change. Either that or Yamaha NZ has copied the Australian website and not changed the price.

I'm buying one. To me it seems to be a fun, cool looking, simple and reliable bike that I'm sure I'll really enjoy. Oh, one last thing, apparently they are the easiest things to ride, full stop. I'll commute on it in Auckland, and when I return to Fiji I'll use it to discover the 100's of kms of tracks they have in the interior. Hope this was of help. Don't let some people's negative opinions put you off, I think you'll find they are more than likely hard core dirt bikers who look down there noses at the TW200 because it isn't uncompromising. Bet it's just as much fun or even more fun due to it's versatility.

[Alan Roy]

I bought one of these a couple of years back ex Trade me. What a mighty wee machine! Having owned bikes up to the fantastic XR600, the wee Yammie is a fantastic bike for an aging chap. First time up the Waimak River with my two brother in laws and they ( and I ) couldn't believe how comfortable the ride is. Amazing machine, not in speed, but in general rideability. Since then I've had it up the Mount Greenland Road over at Ross and it performed effortlessly. Anyone looking for a neat, fun machine could do a lot worse. Wish they were still for sale new here as I'd buy a brand spanker.