Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Yamaha TW200 discussion

I'd like to ask, talk about... or otherwise discuss the Yamaha TW200 pictured below. You see, I've recently seen the wisdom in acquiring an on/off road bike... logical when you consider my passion for biking combined with the fact that I live in a place where for every highway mile, there's probably at least 10 off road miles to be had. Back country riding, exploration and challenges far out way that which main roads offer.

I want to get out into my backyard... a place untouched by cruisers alone. I want to snort through overgrown trails and washed out roads where only bears fear to roam. I wanna ride the road less traveled in this endless mountainous place I call home. I want to brush along logging roads both past and present to lakes, streams and alpine meadows not well visited or even known. And I ask... is the Yamaha TW200 up to the challenge? It seems to be. I love the fat tires which it seems could float over mud slides, washouts and shale! It's centre of gravity is low and apparently it's a bit of a workhorse for even seriously demanding terrain.

From what I understand this is a remarkable bike. But can it kick up gravel when I command it to, and tear a strip off a dirt trail when needed? Can it? Does anyone here know of, or have any experience with this bike? If so... I'd love to hear....

We only get the 125cc here, I am told its slow, probably caus it has them big wheels to turn.
I would go for a Yamaha XT660,

Or a Kawasaki KLX250.

MCN (USA) recently tested one.

There's a pretty extensive TW200 thread on advrider.com

For my money I would prefer a used Yamaha XT225, XT250 or Kawasaki KLX250S.

One o' the things I like about the TW200 is those fat wheels. I'm thinking the thing would just kinda float over anything soft. And it is light enough to maneuver over and around most obstacles in the bush. About 90% of the use I'd get outta it would be off-road, the other 10% would be just to get home.

Sounds good, go for it. It looks like a good explorer. Throw on a rear rack and you're good to go. Fuel capacity could be greater, but you can always carry extra gas. Owners love them.

Keith, is that 2-stroke oil injected from the rear? Or just full on 4-stroke? My old man bought 72/75 yamaha enduro 250 brand new way back when and she still starts up on the 2nd kick. I learned how to ride that when I was 12 and I never felt like it didnt have enough power. I was wondering if thats the blaster 4 wheeler 200cc engine with oil injection?

It's a 4 stroke... they call it the 'Thumper.'

Some good owner reviews over at ThumperTalk.com

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=715989



It doesn't sound like it's much of a gravel thrower though.

Thanks for that Steve... I read every account on that forum and not surprisingly the consensus is the thing doesn't have much oomph. I'm still warming up to the idea of riding one. My use of the bike will be 90% back country riding so I'm not concerned about keeping up on the highway. If I find a used one for a good price I'll go for it!

Mountainman, I know what your thinking about those wider tires seems to make sence, but a good trials tire or a semi knobby tire is better. Why you ask. The thinner tire penetrates the soft gooey stuff that offers little to no traction and gets down to the firmer bottom of the goop. I've been riding in the dirt since the sixties and I thought the same as you and learned from my mistakes. The Yammy, your looking at would be a 80% on road bike or good dirt road type and 20% off road. To go off in the mountains and a lot of, off the beaten track, a more dedicated off road bike, will make your excursions a lot more fun.