TW 200

tntmo

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Nov 10, 2017
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649
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San Diego, CA
I'm probably in the minority on my opinion on these bikes, but here's my experience:

I had always wanted a TW200 until I borrowed one for a weekend riding in the desert with my family, my daughter's bike was broke down so it was her temporary fill in. She is a decent rider but not aggressive at all so it should be a good fit, right?

I had figured that the big rear tire was going to be great, floating over the soft sand areas. Yeah, it didn't float over anything, it just plowed. The engine has no power to help get that rear tire to do much else other than plow through stuff. The suspension was bottoming out with a small teenage girl on it. And for a small bike it was pretty heavy, so she got sick of picking it up. If we stayed on flat hard packed stuff it was pretty good, or if we went slow through bumps it was amusing enough.

I understand the appeal for some people, it's a low seat height non-threatening machine for people to putt around on. If you want to go at any sort of pace quicker than that it will leave you disappointed. At least the resale value is great.

People love this bike, but not I. As usual, my tastes are not in the majority and I'm ok with that!
 

Sierra1

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Nov 7, 2016
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14,812
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Joshua TX
Your experience kinda reflects my bike's performance with the smaller back sprocket. Sluggish off the line, and low power. When we put the OE sprocket back on, it was like a different bike. We haven't ridden in sand, but it has great traction on everything else. My 200lb FJR son loves riding it, and is amazed at the traction it has. He rides it in/out of a creek, and up the wet grass banks. Regardless, it's not a dirt bike. TW stands for Trail Way. I'd say it's about perfect for that use.
 

AZMike

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Sep 18, 2016
Messages
338
Location
Tucson, AZ
TW7.jpg

Went through the carb, changed the oil, adjusted the valves, cleaning and adjusting everything. I will rebuild the forks this weekend. It is a cathartic activity for me to play with this little bike. It really is fun to ride and at 6'5" I am sure it is fun to watch me ride it. Gonna take the S10 for a spin this weekend first, then the TDub for shits and giggles.
 

tntmo

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Joined
Nov 10, 2017
Messages
649
Location
San Diego, CA
View attachment 91057

Went through the carb, changed the oil, adjusted the valves, cleaning and adjusting everything. I will rebuild the forks this weekend. It is a cathartic activity for me to play with this little bike. It really is fun to ride and at 6'5" I am sure it is fun to watch me ride it. Gonna take the S10 for a spin this weekend first, then the TDub for shits and giggles.
That's a clean one, must be a bit older one because I think they got a disc brake in the front at some point?
In my post about not liking them, I guess I need to re-think that a bit. I have a Trail 90 that is just for the S&G rides, the TW fits that category pretty well after I consider it.
 

Sierra1

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Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
Wow, I didn't even notice the lack of disc. Or that it had a kick start. He said it was a '00, last year of that generation. No changes since, except for graphics.
 

AZMike

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Sep 18, 2016
Messages
338
Location
Tucson, AZ
The front tire is a Shinko Trail Master 700. Seems to do very well so far. I rode it around yesterday about fifteen miles. It is a little mule as I am in fourth gear before you get across an intersection. She is happy at about 45 miles per hour after that she starts to bray. I rebuilt the forks and replaced the headset bearings.
 

Sierra1

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Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
My son has had my wife's up to 75mph. . . . topped out and screamin' like a banshee. Speed is not the TW's forte. Being the easiest bike to ride and going anywhere is though.
 
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