I have a 2016 model I bought from a friend for 3,000. It had 63 miles on it. The list of upgrades now runs to almost 2,000 dollars. The bike is fabulous stock, but it’s now a perfect bike to explore Baja, Mexico and mountain trails. Ricochet skid plate, IMS foot pegs to replace the stock ones that are the same size as the ones on the PW50, 15 tooth countershaft sprocket and O-ring chain, rear rack, Seat Concepts comfort seat, heated seat, LED headlight, Rox bar risers, heated grips, bark busters with hand guards, Clarke 4.1 gallon tank, quick release seat mounts, Lithium Iron Phosphate upsized battery, K&N air filter, battery tender, power cluster with volt meter, USB, and 12v socket, DG exhaust, JD jetting kit. There are some of my mods that make the bike a better fit for me. Again, this bike is an excellent choice for just about anyone. I’m 70 and have been riding streets and dirt for 60 years now. This little bike is part of my stable of bikes ranging from a 1200cc BMW to an xr75 Honda and everything in between.
Sounds like you got your TW200 just right! I would like to hear more about your explorations of Baja. I intend on heading down there this coming winter. I rode my truck down to Mulege back in the late 90s. Most of my experience is on the mainland though, last trip climbed La Malinche.
You are blessed to have the stable you do. I also am blessed. I have a 2019 Honda Goldwing a 1976 CT90 and a couple in between including my TW. I'm also an old man and sometimes slower is better.
I've been riding for 50 years, started out on a mini Enduro! 6' 200lbs I have a 75 DT 400 but it's just a bit much. I'm thinking about buying one. I just don't want to feel like I'm riding a mini bike!
5,600 miles of extremely rough horse trails, washed out mine roads, and old forestry roads in the Nevada desert and Sierra Nevada says yes, yes it is.😃😄
Adding acid to a battery is normal procedure for some batteries. It also ensures that you have a brand new battery once the acid is poured and sealed inside and hasn't been sitting on the shelf for years.
I own this bike and would never put an acid battery in it or any of my bikes. Unfortunately, the shop mislead you. AGM batteries are very inexpensive, sealed and readily available in all sizes online. Dropping your bike and having acid spill out is terrible and having to check the fluid levels is an antiquated practice. Nice video and great views out there.
The battery acid thing is fairly common. Advantage is that the battery can be stored on the shelf for much longer periods of time before purchase. Typically, battery shelf-life is 6 months from date of manufacture, for 'grab-N-go' batteries. Your kit can be stored much-much longer.
Yes, every battery I've ordered online came with the acid separated. If you're a zombie apocalypse prepper and have watched "The Last of Us," you'll understand the principle. :^)
I have one of these and a Suzuki DR650 and there are so many offroad situations where the TW200 is the one bike you would want to have over any other bike made. It has enough power offroad to get you where you need to be, but the truth is if there is a situation that this bike can't handle offroad then there is absolutely no chance any other bike is going to make it either. This bike will go places I wouldn't dream of trying with my DR650.
I have a Suzuki RV 200 , which is a similar machine , although the gearing isn't as low, I like the looks, kinda retro 1970s vibe ... But it is the most fun bike I've ridden , and I ridden quite a few, I brought the bike due to being able to easily get on it, I have a bad knee.... But it's a real hoot to ride.... More smiles per hour... Have fun
I don't see myself ever selling my TW. It's fun, easy, reliable, capable off road, and now capable enough on the road with modifications that I've done.
Adding the acid in the battery is very easy and sometimes they do that for shipping reasons. You can have the shop do it for free basically. Cool bike, I've looked at it a lot. I just wish the motor size was larger. I have the XT 250. I really like my 72 Honda Xl250. The seat is very comfortable. Thanks for the suggestion of the air pad. Cheers, Cool Video.
Enjoy all your videos interestingly I also own a 2022 Himalayan and a TW 200 at 75 years of age I use the Himalayan for roads paved and gravel . The TW for trails . Thanks for your videos.
I rode a TW200 for the MSF course a few years ago, after decades away from owning a motorcycles in high school and college. I loved it and would've bought one...if Yamaha made a TW250 or TW300. I live in Vermont and, while there are many places to ride a TW200 on dirt, I'd frequently have to ride on pavement for an hour or so on roads where prevailing traffic is 55 - 60 MPH. If I lived closer to off-road trails, I'd definitely get one.
thanks very much for the perspective! i just cancelled my order for the CRF300L, the bike arrived and it was just too massive for me (5'6" 125lb)! after getting past the disappointment of giving up on the bike i preordered nine months ago, i've started to explore the alternatives. and looks like this channel has two out of the three bikes i'm looking at covered! tw200, xt250, and klx230s. look forward to combing through the channel here! i love the style of the tw200, and it just seems like such a reasonably sized bike compared to so many of the other dirt bikes and dual sports i've seen!
Good content, great drone footage and a good overview of one of my favorite bikes. Subscribed. One thing I did want to mention, there really is no such thing as a "TW200 battery". You can use a variety of different size, shape or chemical construct batteries in a motorcycle. I don't recommend the wet or lead acid batteries mentioned in the video as they require maintenance of liquid levels and can spill if the bike is layed down. I would recommend an AGM or gel battery that is a sealed system. No liquid acid to spill and relatively inexpensive. May be physically smaller than what you are replacing, but you just fill the gaps with foam to keep them in place. Lithium is also an option, very light weight, sealed and can have very long usable life over time, but usually more expensive.
Lithium Iron Phosphate all the way! One third the weight, mounts in any position, lasts longer, more cranking amps, no leaking electrolytes, no corrosion. I select a size that fits the battery box and end up with a battery with enough power to spin the piston off the connecting rod. 😜
Very capable bike - more than what most of us think of as a trail or adventure bike. As for adding fuel capacity, maybe think of a Giant Loop Gas Bag. It adds 1 gallon and can be rolled up when you re-fill your tank while a Jerry can or Rotopax remains bulky and heavy.
I enjoyed the video. I have ridden dirt bikes most of my life. I had a Yamaha BW 350 (basically ATV tires on a bike ) and didn’t really like that it didn’t steer like a motorcycle. I currently have a 2002 XT225 which I like but at 70 /5’5” 160 lbs. I am finding it a bit much in soft sand as I look at things differently from when I was 16 ! These dual purpose bikes last forever! I bought a replacement sealed battery (now the second since 2002) no maintenance and keep it on a tender . Kinda looking at ECBO electric or Talaria as they are so much lighter . I am interested in your riding gear .REV’T
The TW is so much more than just a beginner bike. Its fun go anywhere machine. I personally have sold off a Multistrada 1200 and an Africa Twin and still own a TW.... Its the one bike i will never part with. You need a Jimbo shield and get rid of that deathwing on the front and get yourself a Shinko 241, you wont regret either purchase.
guess I must be uber-practical...I own a KLR I did the COBDR on and lust after owning the TW200 - I rode a friends and just thought it was really fun to ride, same with a Royal Enfield. I just want really fun bikes that are uber reliable.
Most basic moto batteries come dry where you add the electrolyte, unless you buy an AGM. You can get a light weight lithium Ion battery and save a few pounds but the hassle and cost isn’t worth the weight savings on a bike like the TW
It would seem to be an excellent choice to be able to carry on a cruising sailing catamaran for when arriving at distant Ports. light weight, simplistic motor and such (easy/maintenance). Could get an InternationalTags from AAA. Or maybe a 2023 Ducati Scrambler Icon ,,,
just change to smaller tires (that fat tires makes the bike go way too slower), put some brackets (boxes), and add a charging socket for phone and you're ready to go 😊
I also had trouble starting the TW after sitting all winter. Dead battery that didn’t hold a charge. Pulled the battery and found the first and last cell were over half empty and all the rest well below the line. A few OZ of acid and the battery was good. I mentioned the issue to my son who borrowed it off and on and he said the problem was there his last couple of rides. I suspect it spent some time on its side and drained the battery. I might go “dry” cell next time, but it was a cheap fix. There was another issue too, tons of water in the tank. I drained the tank to reserve empty, drained the carb, poured the gas back in off the top, and tossed the substantial amount of water. Fired right up.
@@precipiceofgrind Stored in the garage, no water crossings. My theory is ethanol gas, pulling in moisture. I should have drained it all the way, used a fuel stabilizer/dryer like HEET, or switched to non-ethanol for the last couple of rides of the year. I think it may have been building up longer than over-winter. Reserve never lasted as long as it seemed like it should before I drained out all that water.
Nothing weird about adding acid. The battery starts losing life the minute acid is added. So, a ten year old battery on the shelf is brand new when serviced. A pre-serviced battery has lost life sitting on the shelf. I have never bought a bike battery that didn’t require servicing.
Except for the part about this homeless senior being able to afford it with 1990 check and post PLANdemic costs, yes... EXACTLY what I need for transportation... does anybody know how to do one of those "everybody give a dollar" donations that could help?.. Major wreck totalling Harley and fighting gov for my benefits has left me in a hole... including cutting my benefits in half by wasting time and penalizing me for it... tired of society and need to get off grid... thanks and GOD bless...
I have a 2016 model I bought from a friend for 3,000. It had 63 miles on it. The list of upgrades now runs to almost 2,000 dollars. The bike is fabulous stock, but it’s now a perfect bike to explore Baja, Mexico and mountain trails. Ricochet skid plate, IMS foot pegs to replace the stock ones that are the same size as the ones on the PW50, 15 tooth countershaft sprocket and O-ring chain, rear rack, Seat Concepts comfort seat, heated seat, LED headlight, Rox bar risers, heated grips, bark busters with hand guards, Clarke 4.1 gallon tank, quick release seat mounts, Lithium Iron Phosphate upsized battery, K&N air filter, battery tender, power cluster with volt meter, USB, and 12v socket, DG exhaust, JD jetting kit. There are some of my mods that make the bike a better fit for me. Again, this bike is an excellent choice for just about anyone. I’m 70 and have been riding streets and dirt for 60 years now. This little bike is part of my stable of bikes ranging from a 1200cc BMW to an xr75 Honda and everything in between.
Sounds like you got your TW200 just right! I would like to hear more about your explorations of Baja. I intend on heading down there this coming winter. I rode my truck down to Mulege back in the late 90s. Most of my experience is on the mainland though, last trip climbed La Malinche.
You are blessed to have the stable you do. I also am blessed. I have a 2019 Honda Goldwing a 1976 CT90 and a couple in between including my TW. I'm also an old man and sometimes slower is better.
Thank you for sharing all that words..it's gave me idea for the future if I decide to buy one .. thanks man be safe long life 💐🙂👍🏻
I've been riding for 50 years, started out on a mini Enduro! 6' 200lbs I have a 75 DT 400 but it's just a bit much. I'm thinking about buying one. I just don't want to feel like I'm riding a mini bike!
5,600 miles of extremely rough horse trails, washed out mine roads, and old forestry roads in the Nevada desert and Sierra Nevada says yes, yes it is.😃😄
TW200 eats all that up and asks for more!
It is not always about being fast, it is about enjoying the ride.
Adding acid to a battery is normal procedure for some batteries. It also ensures that you have a brand new battery once the acid is poured and sealed inside and hasn't been sitting on the shelf for years.
I own this bike and would never put an acid battery in it or any of my bikes. Unfortunately, the shop mislead you. AGM batteries are very inexpensive, sealed and readily available in all sizes online. Dropping your bike and having acid spill out is terrible and having to check the fluid levels is an antiquated practice. Nice video and great views out there.
The battery acid thing is fairly common. Advantage is that the battery can be stored on the shelf for much longer periods of time before purchase.
Typically, battery shelf-life is 6 months from date of manufacture, for 'grab-N-go' batteries. Your kit can be stored much-much longer.
Yes, every battery I've ordered online came with the acid separated. If you're a zombie apocalypse prepper and have watched "The Last of Us," you'll understand the principle. :^)
Most batteries used to come like that. Then it became a service from retailers to hage it "pre-charged. Times have changed. Lol
You’re at 10,000 feet. Down here at sea level, mine will run 70 with throttle left over. Not that it’s fun to do that lol
I have one of these and a Suzuki DR650 and there are so many offroad situations where the TW200 is the one bike you would want to have over any other bike made. It has enough power offroad to get you where you need to be, but the truth is if there is a situation that this bike can't handle offroad then there is absolutely no chance any other bike is going to make it either. This bike will go places I wouldn't dream of trying with my DR650.
I have a Suzuki RV 200 , which is a similar machine , although the gearing isn't as low, I like the looks, kinda retro 1970s vibe ... But it is the most fun bike I've ridden , and I ridden quite a few, I brought the bike due to being able to easily get on it, I have a bad knee.... But it's a real hoot to ride.... More smiles per hour... Have fun
My first bike was a 74 RV-90. Luv them fat tires!! Is that the Van-Van?? Gotta love that squishy big seat. Is yours carb'd or EFI??
That was a pretty video, awesome drone scenes and good music choices. It's cool to hear a review on the TW too.
I don't see myself ever selling my TW.
It's fun, easy, reliable, capable off road, and now capable enough on the road with modifications that I've done.
Adding the acid in the battery is very easy and sometimes they do that for shipping reasons. You can have the shop do it for free basically. Cool bike, I've looked at it a lot. I just wish the motor size was larger. I have the XT 250. I really like my 72 Honda Xl250. The seat is very comfortable. Thanks for the suggestion of the air pad. Cheers, Cool Video.
Enjoy all your videos interestingly I also own a 2022 Himalayan and a TW 200 at 75 years of age I use the Himalayan for roads paved and gravel . The TW for trails . Thanks for your videos.
Appreciate you watching and supporting the channel! Both are excellent bikes and ours continue to give us plenty of adventure! Stay safe out there!
I rode a TW200 for the MSF course a few years ago, after decades away from owning a motorcycles in high school and college. I loved it and would've bought one...if Yamaha made a TW250 or TW300. I live in Vermont and, while there are many places to ride a TW200 on dirt, I'd frequently have to ride on pavement for an hour or so on roads where prevailing traffic is 55 - 60 MPH. If I lived closer to off-road trails, I'd definitely get one.
The TW200 can hit those speeds but maintaining can be somewhat touchy due to variables, wind and hills and such. Still an excellent bike!
thanks very much for the perspective! i just cancelled my order for the CRF300L, the bike arrived and it was just too massive for me (5'6" 125lb)! after getting past the disappointment of giving up on the bike i preordered nine months ago, i've started to explore the alternatives. and looks like this channel has two out of the three bikes i'm looking at covered! tw200, xt250, and klx230s.
look forward to combing through the channel here! i love the style of the tw200, and it just seems like such a reasonably sized bike compared to so many of the other dirt bikes and dual sports i've seen!
Appreciate you watching! If it were me, I'd go with the XT250. Absolutely fantastic bike, capable and bulletproof. Good luck with your decision!
Loved hearing your perspective on this bike! Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
looks like your throttle housing is loose. also you can put a lithium ion battery in that bike too and it is lighter than stock. great video!
Good content, great drone footage and a good overview of one of my favorite bikes. Subscribed. One thing I did want to mention, there really is no such thing as a "TW200 battery". You can use a variety of different size, shape or chemical construct batteries in a motorcycle. I don't recommend the wet or lead acid batteries mentioned in the video as they require maintenance of liquid levels and can spill if the bike is layed down. I would recommend an AGM or gel battery that is a sealed system. No liquid acid to spill and relatively inexpensive. May be physically smaller than what you are replacing, but you just fill the gaps with foam to keep them in place. Lithium is also an option, very light weight, sealed and can have very long usable life over time, but usually more expensive.
Appreciate you watching!
Lithium Iron Phosphate all the way! One third the weight, mounts in any position, lasts longer, more cranking amps, no leaking electrolytes, no corrosion. I select a size that fits the battery box and end up with a battery with enough power to spin the piston off the connecting rod. 😜
Very capable bike - more than what most of us think of as a trail or adventure bike. As for adding fuel capacity, maybe think of a Giant Loop Gas Bag. It adds 1 gallon and can be rolled up when you re-fill your tank while a Jerry can or Rotopax remains bulky and heavy.
I enjoyed the video. I have ridden dirt bikes most of my life. I had a Yamaha BW 350 (basically ATV tires on a bike ) and didn’t really like that it didn’t steer like a motorcycle. I currently have a 2002 XT225 which I like but at 70 /5’5” 160 lbs. I am finding it a bit much in soft sand as I look at things differently from when I was 16 ! These dual purpose bikes last forever! I bought a replacement sealed battery (now the second since 2002) no maintenance and keep it on a tender . Kinda looking at ECBO electric or Talaria as they are so much lighter . I am interested in your riding gear .REV’T
The TW is so much more than just a beginner bike. Its fun go anywhere machine.
I personally have sold off a Multistrada 1200 and an Africa Twin and still own a TW.... Its the one bike i will never part with.
You need a Jimbo shield and get rid of that deathwing on the front and get yourself a Shinko 241, you wont regret either purchase.
Nice ridding in Southern UT, I need to trailer down from the great north winter
T-Dub seems like such a fun bike. Milk crate is a common mod.😂
guess I must be uber-practical...I own a KLR I did the COBDR on and lust after owning the TW200 - I rode a friends and just thought it was really fun to ride, same with a Royal Enfield. I just want really fun bikes that are uber reliable.
hello i have the last year available in Australia 2006 model i ride it as a back up bike allways fun to ride , great fun , enjoy
No more TWs in Australia after 2006? No bueno. Same thing with the DR650.
You can get AGM battery for any bike including a TW200. Best are lithium batteries.
Most basic moto batteries come dry where you add the electrolyte, unless you buy an AGM. You can get a light weight lithium Ion battery and save a few pounds but the hassle and cost isn’t worth the weight savings on a bike like the TW
Everyone giggles on a T dub
Its true!
It would seem to be an excellent choice to be able to carry on a cruising sailing catamaran for when arriving at distant Ports. light weight, simplistic motor and such (easy/maintenance). Could get an InternationalTags from AAA. Or maybe a 2023 Ducati Scrambler Icon ,,,
A set of handle bar risers makes a big difference
I would love an updated version of this with an EFI motor and six speed transmission. I don’t ask for much!
just change to smaller tires (that fat tires makes the bike go way too slower), put some brackets (boxes), and add a charging socket for phone and you're ready to go 😊
I also had trouble starting the TW after sitting all winter. Dead battery that didn’t hold a charge. Pulled the battery and found the first and last cell were over half empty and all the rest well below the line. A few OZ of acid and the battery was good. I mentioned the issue to my son who borrowed it off and on and he said the problem was there his last couple of rides. I suspect it spent some time on its side and drained the battery. I might go “dry” cell next time, but it was a cheap fix. There was another issue too, tons of water in the tank. I drained the tank to reserve empty, drained the carb, poured the gas back in off the top, and tossed the substantial amount of water. Fired right up.
Good that it was easily dealt with. Curious about all the water in the tank? Left outside in rain, condensation, creek crossing?
@@precipiceofgrind Stored in the garage, no water crossings. My theory is ethanol gas, pulling in moisture. I should have drained it all the way, used a fuel stabilizer/dryer like HEET, or switched to non-ethanol for the last couple of rides of the year. I think it may have been building up longer than over-winter. Reserve never lasted as long as it seemed like it should before I drained out all that water.
Nothing weird about adding acid. The battery starts losing life the minute acid is added. So, a ten year old battery on the shelf is brand new when serviced. A pre-serviced battery has lost life sitting on the shelf. I have never bought a bike battery that didn’t require servicing.
Will be perfect if it has kick starter, round headlamp and atleast 10liter capacity fuel tank.
I wanted buy a new one but could not find any. Ended up buying a Venom 250 mini chopper for $2k instead.
In my area a new TW are pretty hard to come by.
I.ooking for a bike that will fit my wife . I think this is the one. Thank you for the video
Yes, but didn't launch in India.
Weird. Watching a bunch of other reviews showed it going 70-75 mpg? Now I'm confused.
75 mph on the TW, I'm sure it's possible. Sustainable? Can't say.
I think he meant mpg.
So is this a non starter for someone who's 6'2"?
Thanks.
I’m 6’1” and with risers and taller bars no problem
Has anyone ridden by way of back roads across the U.S. on a TW200?
Except for the part about this homeless senior being able to afford it with 1990 check and post PLANdemic costs, yes... EXACTLY what I need for transportation... does anybody know how to do one of those "everybody give a dollar" donations that could help?.. Major wreck totalling Harley and fighting gov for my benefits has left me in a hole... including cutting my benefits in half by wasting time and penalizing me for it... tired of society and need to get off grid... thanks and GOD bless...