Yamaha TW200
Summary:
It’s important that you recognize that the Yamaha TW200 is not a motocross bike, but rather a potent and capable dual sport. Once you realize that it’s not a tourer or a crotch rocket you will come to see it as a comfortable bike that can hold its own both on the road and off of it.
Engine Size: 196cc
Price (new): $4,799 CDN/$3,990 USD
Comparable bikes: Yamaha WR250X, Suzuki DR200SE, Yamaha XT250, Honda CRF230M
Our Yamaha TW200 Review:
One might think that with “just” 16 horsepower and a 5 speed transmission that the Yamaha TW200 would be a slow, underperforming motorcycle that had little use outside of some occassional off-road fun. One might think that, but you’d be wrong- dead wrong.
The TW200 is a well balanced dual-sport that is openly inviting new riders to hop on and take it for a ride. Its low gearing means that cruising over 50mph isn’t exactly an ideal option, but under and up to that speed the TW200 is a puncy, peppy machine with a reliable engine that sips on fuel (we travelled 200 miles on less than 2.5 gallons of gas).
Where this bike really shines is off the road, where trails and hazards would prevent road-going bikes from venturing. The Yamaha TW200 has wide tires (for its size) and has plenty of grip- you’ll find yourself becoming more and more comfortable with just how much grip this bike seems to have in nearly any situation. Sand? No problem. Gravel? No problem. No trail? No problem.
However, this bike is not without its limitations. First, it’s lacking a 6th gear. We found that its top end was limited mostly by gearing, but having 16 horsepower certainly didn’t help that situation. A bit more power and another gear and this bike could probably do 70mph all day long. Speaking of all day long, don’t expect to do that on a single tank of gas- the Yamaha TW200 features a pint-sized 1.3 gallon tank. Sure, it may only cost you $7-$10 to fill, but you will be stopping every 150 miles for fuel.
The Bottom Line:
The Yamaha TW200 is not a highway capable bike, with a top speed of roughly 50mph before the bike starts to complain. However, around town and especially on the trails is where this bike shines. If you find yourself in the market for a bike that can go just about anywhere you point it, the TW200 could be what you’re looking for.
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Category: Under 500cc, Yamaha
I am the user for TW200-2006 model in Singapore and apparently after using this bike for 6 mths I find its very user friendly + cost of running is also low for fuel + its is really a maintance free bike —
This bike can really take on heavy weight either with pillon or with load of goods …..
Its may not be a fast speedy bike but certainly its carry safety and also handling the bike with much comfort
I bought this bike used off Craigslist- had only 600 miles and the woman who owned it was afraid to ride with her husband, who had a much larger bike, so she sold it at a great savings to me- it’s a 2007. I weight 250 so I was worried it would under perform, and I did a internet search to try to determine the max laod capacity, but could find no reference. So I took a chance and am glad I did. The bike was what I wanted, a smaller trail bike for my property and dirt roads, with an occasional trip to town. THe bike can easily handle my weight, and performs well. Very easy to handle and after a few rides I realized it handles the dirt and sand well. NOT an enduro or motocross- don’t expect jumping or those kind of thrills. But in lower gears- first and second- it goes anywhere. I am happy with this bike.
I bought a 2008 TW200 to commute to work when gas was around $4 per gallon. It was not my first choice, but I could not find a Yamaha Virago. I now ride this little bike to work almost daily and take it trail riding on the weekends. It is very stable and easy to ride. I have had it up to 67mph, but it tends to shake a little once it is past 60mph. I recommend the DOWCO Rally Pack tail bag. Remove the rubber luggage rack and the tail bag fits great. It gives enough storage space to carry a few items without having to use a day-pack.
I love the TW200. I have 2009 and it goes anywhere and everywhere. My T-dub will do 70-80mph without shaking or vibration. With it’s wide back tire, I can lean pretty deep into the corners and frequently do.
It performs phenomenally on the trail, or off-trail deep in the woods or creeks.
I added a cigarette lighter and brush guards. Great fuel efficiency. Light weight, easy to handle even in deep sand, gravel, mud, or water up to my knees. This bike does EXACTLY what it was designed to do, and also has a devoted cult following, especially in Asia.
I am a beginner and purchased a TW to trail ride with my kid. I soon found myself on local dual sport rides and with my fat tire. I was cruising through streams and dirt roads as if I had training wheels. As the experienced riders would take a spill, me the novice, would cruise right by. I can say by the end of the 200 mile day, the “experienced” riders that snickered when I pulled up had a new found respect for the TW!
Drop the rear sprocket to 38 teeth and install a 2005 sportster 3.1 gallon tank and you can ride all week without stopping and hit 70 mph no problem !
hey can u send some pic of the tank mounted.thanks ray
I will turn 68 on Friday..I am a former grass track racer (many many years ago) and I did some time on the flattrack circuits…everything from a full race Triumph half miler, to Parilla short trackers and sprints…I recently purchased a 2009 TW200 new…it is more fun than I ever imagined. I hunt and fish a lot, and it will run the dirt roads and gravel very safely, and it will go where you point it…I wish I had gotten one years ago…this is a very safe and very dependable bike, and it will take care of the rider…I ride it to work almost daily..it gets great mileage, will corner like glue on any surface, and is just a great fun bike to own…I love this bike..
I bought two of them in 2008. Very zippy and geared for climbing. I keep mine verry clean when not on the trail and the chain cleaned and oiled if inn dirt or wate. Maybe thats why my chain has so little stretch. I have had 6 street bikes and hate the sound of dirtbikes and also dislike the look of inverted shocks. The TW200 is low enough that my wife can sit on it and her feet will touch the ground and the front fender is next to the tire, not up in the air. I do get 80 mpg highway. It will go over 70mph on highway…thats as fast as I went because even with aftermarket gel grips on the handlebars, the vibrations from the knobby tires is pretty noticable and reduces the driving comfort after 15 to 20 miles on the asphalt. The Yamaha dealer said there is an optional …..primarly street tire designed for a little offroad use vs the primarily offroad knobby tires.
Now that I’m in the Ozarks in Arkansas I will probably swap the primarily offroad tires for the primarily street tires. The Ozarks aren’t anything like the challange of the Rockies at 2 miles above sea level.
We bought these bikes for traversing the hundreds of miles of mountain roads in the Idaho Rockies. They do go through streams and over large rocks with no weaving necessary. Its up and over and those tires stick to the slopes you don’t try to center on, of round rocks where other bikes would be weaving to avoid. We have the rear luggage racks Yamaha sells and they carry luggage and tents and what ever you need to go far off road.
The mufflers are certified for off road use as they wont start forest fires in the mountains. They drew looks from many who have never seen one and from fourwheeler owners who wanted cool and capabible off and on the highways.
The only complaint I have is that there are NO batteries…from Yamaha or aftermarket that are sealed.. Turning this bike over lets the acid leak out. Thank goodness they arent hard to start without the battery.
Seems the need for a sealed battery should have been obvious.