Good things come in little packages: Yamaha TW200

coastsider

Adventurer
As the owner of a XTZ1200 Super Tenere, and recently, a TW200 (aka TDub) I'm lucky enough to have the best of both worlds, the big bruiser and the mighty midget. While I have taken the XT1200 off road a few times I'm no Dakar super hero, I don't find it fun wrestling over 700lbs of motorcycle over rough terrain (it's also my everyday ride). The TW200 in contrast is light (280lbs), nimble, capable as a mountain goat and as fun as it gets with your clothes on. So I thought I'd share a few photos along with some trail impressions of the TW200 and how it performed on a few backroads in a recent Death Valley trip. I'm 6'3" and about 190lbs wet, the TDub is not a large bike, but with a few mods I can ride this thing all day off road and have no aches and pains to speak of. These mods (so far) are Pro Taper ATV bars, 2" risers (I have baboon arms), larger footpegs, Procyle rear spring, Rech tech emulators for the forks, pillowtop grips, shorty levers, DG Stainless steel pipe, Shop made bash plate, handguards, Trail Tech tacho and Manracks rack/RotoPax rack. With a massive 180/80-14 rear and a 130/80-18 front this bike can float over and climb anything (I air down off road), the power output is a lawnmower-like 14bhp, but is enough if thoughtfully used. I rode Echo Canyon and West Side Road up Hanoupah Canyon and Black Rock canyon in Red Rock State park on route to DV, around 140 dirt miles in all on a mix of rock and sand. While there are many more specialized and capable dirt tools out there not many will make you smile as much as the plucky little TDub, I found myself saying 'sorry little TDub' as I dealt more punishment out to the little guy than it deserved. But with the suspension upgrade it just ate it up and carried on, and on and on, all this and 80 mpg! While it will struggle to get over 60mph on the tarmac on dirt it has adequate juice for my riding style. And I can load it on a rack on the FJ.

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xaman

Member
Nice review and great pics. I’ve had a few TWs over the years and always regretted selling them. Currently have one in the stable, and my brother has one, and Dad has one. Good bikes in their niche for sure!
 

Cummins_expo

Adventurer
Awesome! We have 2 TWs. They are a blast. I need to set mine up a little better as it gets painful to ride after about an hour. Just got the Seat Concepts kit to re-do seat. Pro Taper, risers, and pegs next on the list.
 

Cerberus44

New member
Love the little bike but I'm having a real hard time pulling the trigger on one because it has carburetion. I remember the carburetion days and they were not fun. Can anyone chime in on reliability? I live in SoCal so no high altitude or severe temperatures. Gas ethanol seems to be a big factor in carb failures from what I read. Thank you.
 

GHI

Adventurer
Love the little bike but I'm having a real hard time pulling the trigger on one because it has carburetion. I remember the carburetion days and they were not fun. Can anyone chime in on reliability? I live in SoCal so no high altitude or severe temperatures. Gas ethanol seems to be a big factor in carb failures from what I read. Thank you.
I'm in Michigan and have a 2008. I haven't had any issues, but I did take the carb off once to give it a scrub down just for the heck of it. Took me about 10 minutes.
 

gringo m

Observer
Love the little bike but I'm having a real hard time pulling the trigger on one because it has carburetion. I remember the carburetion days and they were not fun. Can anyone chime in on reliability? I live in SoCal so no high altitude or severe temperatures. Gas ethanol seems to be a big factor in carb failures from what I read. Thank you.
Don't sweat the carb. They run great and are a ton of fun. I'm in so.ca. also.
 

GCRad1

Adventurer
You get one yet?!? I’m in Costa Mesa and ride Saddleback quite a bit! Carb - no issues! But I did have it jetted for my FMF pipe and they run lean off the dealer floor. Get it and get it over GUSTIN Motorsports and tell them the Yamaha TDUB Club sent you! Let’s go TDUBBIN!!

Love the little bike but I'm having a real hard time pulling the trigger on one because it has carburetion. I remember the carburetion days and they were not fun. Can anyone chime in on reliability? I live in SoCal so no high altitude or severe temperatures. Gas ethanol seems to be a big factor in carb failures from what I read. Thank you.
 

lowrider1

New member
I have a 91 that I bought about 10 years ago. Only use non alcohol gas and never been into the carb and it runs great every year. Last trip to Moab I did on my 08 DRZ 400 but the next one will be on the Tdub. It's not a highway bike but it has a 4 wheeler rear tire and it's geared so you can walk along next to it in 1st gear. Fine ride and just wish it had disc instead of drum brakes but they do work. Carb is dead simple if you do need to address a problem but if you don't run corn juice you should be just fine. Squeeze that trigger and get one...you'll love it.
 

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