[Rokrover]

This little “Dual Sport” beauty is still in production after 30 years and has developed a cult following. The “T-Dub” is affordable, light, simple, low maintenance, economical and extremely reliable. It even has a good old-fashioned carburetor, by golly!

Why is the TW a sleeper in the US market? Well, maybe being a 200cc single with funky balloon tires has something to do with it when most are addicted to horsepower and speed. The TW is street legal and perfect for urban errands as well as dirt trails in the hills. Chain drive of course, so no worries about rocks damaging a drive belt. Far more off-road capable than the SCR950, I’d say.

It has electric start, so the TW200 is the bike I should have bought instead of the SR400 that tempted me in a moment of nostalgia. The 2018 TW200 comes in a nice sandy-beige color perfect for stealth forays in our local AZ desert.

Pictures and reviews? There’s plenty out there on the web for the curious. Here’s one to whet the appetite.

 

[flatrack]

It looks like a ton of fun!

 

[yoitsemo]

I really want to get a sailboat that's large enough to feasibly store a small bike on deck and this TW200 looks like the perfect choice for half the equation.

 

[ChopperCharles]

I loved my 87 TW200. Would do 70mph on level ground without a headwind. The tires enabled the bike to go anywhere. I mean anywhere. It rarely got stuck, and if it did it was because I forgot to air the tires down first. Deep squelchy mud? No problem. Sand? Easy. Super long hill that all the other bikes needed to get a big long head-start for, and go up full throttle? I just chugged it up the hill at an easy pace. Great bike, dirt cheap, and if you can avoid highways, it's the most fun bike to commute on. I rode that thing every day for 2 years straight. All my other bikes languished, I'd only take them out on the weekends or on long trips. The TW is great fun, I highly recommend it.

Best part is even with the trailwing knobbies, you'll be able to lean the bike WAY over on the street. Dirtbike with giant knobbies dragging a peg is not something you see every day... but it was a regular occurrence with me. Was a fun, predictable bike to practice wheelies on too.

Charles.

 

[eddie]

Funny y'all mentioned a TW200. They are fairly uncommon around these parts.
I was surprised that I saw one just around the corner on my way to work yesterday, parked in front of a local eatery. =)

 

[Rokrover]

Why looky here what showed up on my trailer today First ride proved the TW exceeds my expectations and glad to see Chopper Charles endorses the choice, too. Less is often more. Now to see if my SCR950 sulks and languishes while I zip around on this little urban assault vehicle. Well maybe a careful break in first before too much zipping, peg dragging and wheelies.

 

[Schu]

Look at the meats on that bad boy! It has to have a whole different feel riding on those ATV tires.

 

[flatrack]

Why looky here what showed up on my trailer today First ride proved the TW exceeds my expectations and glad to see Chopper Charles endorses the choice, too. Less is often more. Now to see if my SCR950 sulks and languishes while I zip around on this little urban assault vehicle. Well maybe a careful break in first before too much zipping, peg dragging and wheelies.

I love it when a new toy just shows up on my trailer And look at that, the backdrop in your photo shows the perfect spot to test it out. I've always said a true motorcycle enthusiast needs three motorcycles: a hot rod, a touring machine, and something to play in the dirt with...Since you suggest that only your SCR might sulk and languish I suspect the SR400 may have been sold or traded? Congrats on the new bike and enjoy the adventures that lay ahead!

 

[Rokrover]

Thanks Flatrack. The SR400 didn’t work out for me as it was too painful to kickstart with my bad knees. The SR got traded on a Honda Pioneer P500 4x4. Yes, another indulgence but I had to keep the wife happy.

Back to my recent bikes, this equation says it all: SCR950 = 547 lbs, SR400 = 384 lbs and TW200 = 278 lbs. The TW has an incredibly low first or granny gear so those dirt berms in the background would be a piece of cake with the fat tractor tires. Neighbors might complain but the TW is also whisper quiet so they probably wouldn’t even notice

You’re right, there is no universal bike so your essential three would be a good choice to cover most bases. There’s such variety these days to suit every whim and fancy. Hard on the pocketbook for those given to impulse when just one won't do. Anyhow, the TW200 is definitely a keeper.

 

[ChopperCharles]

Also, small world, I started, owned, and ran Yamaha TW200 Forum for a number of years, before selling it in 2013. I was also the owner of Honda CX500 & GL500 Forum, and sold it at the same time. It just became too much to maintain against hackers and spammers. I've loved the TW200s since I spent a year in Japan on Study Abroad in 1999. So many TW200s, and so many of them radically custom. Hundreds of different motorcycle magazines dedicated to modding TWs, and they were virtually unknown, with no following in the US. Love that bike, and wouldn't mind owning another one eventually.

Charles.

 

[Rokrover]

Indeed, small world Charles. I worked in Japan for three years in the early 90’s and many nights were disrupted by the Yokohama bosozoku redlining their engines and beyond. If a TW could survive that, it’d survive anything!