kubiaks tw650

[AST236]

I've never ridden a TW200 but I"ve always heard pretty good things about them. Here's a noob question though.

The fatter tires look, for lack of a better term, floaty, like those on an early three wheeled atv. How does this thing handle. I'd guess they help absorb some shock but do they bounce at all?

[kubiak]

Originally Posted by RingSteel

Wow. Awesome work!
I'm a huge fan on the TW200, even with all it's shortcomings. Your bike rocks!

thanks Rim
thanks RingSteel! i wanted a tw so bad but like you i kept thinking if i would be happy with the power and size drop. i finally decided to go for it and modify the dakar. if a manufacturer made a bike like the tw with a bigger engine i think it would be one of the most popular dualsports around. i cant believe the how big the tw crowd is! looking at all the custom tws on the computer is amazing. i see all the tws they turn into choppers,bobbers,cafe racers and so on but i love the looks of the stock tw, i wanted to make mine look like a stock tw lol!

[therealbigman]

Wow , Now thats cool .

[kubiak]

Originally Posted by AST236

I've never ridden a TW200 but I"ve always heard pretty good things about them. Here's a noob question though.

The fatter tires look, for lack of a better term, floaty, like those on an early three wheeled atv. How does this thing handle. I'd guess they help absorb some shock but do they bounce at all?

i didnt notice any floating feeling with the tw tires, they do feel a lot more stable and cushy though. it kind of feels like going from a old pu truck to a cadillac. the tires roll over and cushion the edgy bumps and smooths them out and it feels like i have extra suspension now since the tires absorb more of the rough stuff. i had a blast today riding up to the hills and riding the trails. where my bike used to catch ruts and rocks and shoot the backend of my bike all over the place it now just goes right over the top of all that stuff and goes straight.

[NJ-Brett]

The big tires do not bounce, at least not if you run the pressure right.
Air them way down and the grip goes way up and the ride gets much better.
Roots, ruts, sand, ignore it all.
When I had my TW, I did 750 miles in the pine barrens on it and never fell down, despite going places I would not have taken any other bike, just because it would have been a pain in the butt and too much work.
The TW made it easy and fun to ride there.

I even thought the motor was ok, you could lug it or scream it, it was always happy.

I have a hard time imagining it with better suspension and real power...

[kubiak]

Originally Posted by NJ-Brett

The big tires do not bounce, at least not if you run the pressure right.
Air them way down and the grip goes way up and the ride gets much better.
Roots, ruts, sand, ignore it all.
When I had my TW, I did 750 miles in the pine barrens on it and never fell down, despite going places I would not have taken any other bike, just because it would have been a pain in the butt and too much work.
The TW made it easy and fun to ride there.

I even thought the motor was ok, you could lug it or scream it, it was always happy.

I have a hard time imagining it with better suspension and real power...

hi, yea the tires make a big difference for sure, what psi is the best on the tw tires on and off road? the rear says 33 psi max but that is way too high for off road.i had them at around 14 psi and they felt good is that about right?

[Cumbacheech]

I never get tired looking at your work! Great job as usual!!

[kubiak]

Originally Posted by Cumbacheech

I never get tired looking at your work! Great job as usual!!

thanks Cumbacheech! good to hear from you.

[Wattner]

Kubiak ....always bringing the trickiest, coolest shit on the planet! Love your thoughts, ideas and your skills of fabrication are over the top!!!!

Cool, cool bike!!!!!

[AST236]

What's up Wattner? You still rockin' an XRL?

[NJ-Brett]

I think I ran mine around 6 or 8 psi.
I just kept letting air out until they had some sag when sitting on the bike.
I was tempted to run them lower, but had a 6 mile street ride to get to the dirt...

Originally Posted by kubiak

hi, yea the tires make a big difference for sure, what psi is the best on the tw tires on and off road? the rear says 33 psi max but that is way too high for off road.i had them at around 14 psi and they felt good is that about right?

[Wattner]

Originally Posted by AST236

What's up Wattner? You still rockin' an XRL?

Yes...CW has 3 more he is building, but I have been riding the GSA and moped more than the "L".... Ft. Lauderdale is not conducive to the Honda. I'll be heading out to Georgia or North Carolina soon to get some riding in on the "L", and would like to plan a fall trip for a week or so. Damn work gets in the way though!!!!

[kubiak]

Originally Posted by Wattner

Kubiak ....always bringing the trickiest, coolest shit on the planet! Love your thoughts, ideas and your skills of fabrication are over the top!!!!

Cool, cool bike!!!!!

good to hear from you Wattner, thank you!

[kubiak]

Originally Posted by NJ-Brett

I think I ran mine around 6 or 8 psi.
I just kept letting air out until they had some sag when sitting on the bike.
I was tempted to run them lower, but had a 6 mile street ride to get to the dirt...

i will have to try it with the lower psi, maybe i can bring a c02 air pump with me to the trails so when i get back on the road i can add some air back. thanks for the info!

[G-Mac]

Originally Posted by kubiak

i
if i had the money i would buy a ktm 950 super enduro and do it up with fat atv tires and rims. maybe in a few years. shot some semi flat black on the rear rim like the newer tws for now till i get my spoke kit then i can powdercoat it.

If you do buy the 950 let me know what you want for the GS or TW or what ever is appropriate to call that mean looking beast. I LOVE IT!
Cheers