Mini Adventure bike - TW200

ChopperCharles · 01-02-2007, 09:20 AM

It's not fast, but it works. Need a beefier rear shock for when it's loaded with gear, and my top speed is cut by 5 to 7 mph due to the wind resistance on the highway, but it looks badass at least. *THIS* is the bike to take through Mongolia! Heh.

Charles.

OnlyVees · 01-02-2007, 09:46 AM

How cool is that... and I hear those back tires last forever.

freeflow · 01-02-2007, 09:55 AM

dog damnit...still kicking myself for passing on a 88 with 3K miles for 1200$....another will come around I hope...

ChopperCharles · 01-02-2007, 10:33 AM

My rear tire was used up by 3300 miles, but the PO had them way under-inflated and the tires were cupped pretty badly for it. Front tire also needs replacing soon, but it's at 4500 miles now.

Bought this bike for $500, repainted, removed rear fender, new headlight, speedo, handlebars, grips, short clutch lever, lucas taillight, brake shoes, and turnsignals. Plus the ammo boxes, which are removable in about 5 minutes. (5 minutes to take everything off, including the brackets. 20 minutes to put it all back on).

Funny thing is I ride this bike more than my big street bikes. It's small, flickable, and FUN. Slow, but it'll fold a peg up (and in my case drag the saddlebags) on the street with the stock knobbies.

Charles.

Photog · 01-02-2007, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChopperCharles

My rear tire was used up by 3300 miles, but the PO had them way under-inflated and the tires were cupped pretty badly for it. Front tire also needs replacing soon, but it's at 4500 miles now.

Bought this bike for $500, repainted, removed rear fender, new headlight, speedo, handlebars, grips, short clutch lever, lucas taillight, brake shoes, and turnsignals. Plus the ammo boxes, which are removable in about 5 minutes. (5 minutes to take everything off, including the brackets. 20 minutes to put it all back on).

Funny thing is I ride this bike more than my big street bikes. It's small, flickable, and FUN. Slow, but it'll fold a peg up (and in my case drag the saddlebags) on the street with the stock knobbies.

Charles.

If you EVER decide to sell it, I'm in Raleigh.

scarysharkface · 01-02-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChopperCharles

It's not fast, but it works. Need a beefier rear shock for when it's loaded with gear, and my top speed is cut by 5 to 7 mph due to the wind resistance on the highway, but it looks badass at least. *THIS* is the bike to take through Mongolia! Heh.

Charles.

That, my friend, is AWESOME!

John

WestRider · 01-02-2007, 10:46 AM

Very cool...those are great bikes...my wife has one that is a kick to ride...if only there was some easy way to make it a 350!!

Hannibal-8 · 01-02-2007, 10:58 AM

No doubt the TW is a great off-road beastie. You've done a great job on yours. I'm thinking about saying goodbye to my white scheme and following yours. Very no-nonsense and stealth. The ability to carry 3000 rounds of 7.62 is not bad either. Thanks, Rich p.s. Watch out for the cans and your feet. I had cans on once and managed to ride over my boot - yowwzza - my foot still hurts.

Desi_Kermit · 01-02-2007, 11:14 AM

thats one wicked bike !!!

Cornbread Red · 01-02-2007, 12:48 PM

Lol, ADVer's who dig this kind of off-the-wall ride are MY kinda people!

Bitchin' little scoot!
Chip

ChopperCharles · 01-02-2007, 01:26 PM

Next step is to mount some PVC pipe so I can carry my fishing rod. My whole point to this, honestly, is to have a bike I can ride down to a river or lake and go fishing. As it stands, I park the truck and then hike a mile or two, and I can't take a big cooler that way. I plan to load one can with beer and ice, and the other with my gear, and ride right up to the river bank. (I've drilled drain holes in the bottoms of the cans just for this purpose). I never considered taking this long distances... it's capable if most of the trip was offroad and two-laners. 60mph is comfortable cruising... I *could* do it, but unless I was going to hit at least 50% unpaved, I wouldn't really consider it.

As for running over my foot... yeah, I've noticed my heels tend to get caught under the cans when I paddle-foot around. I'll have to be careful.

Overall, I'm quite happy. I still think I need a beefier shock, though. I'm a big guy, and me plus a full load of luggage are doing the suspension no favors

Charles.

Photog · 01-02-2007, 06:25 PM

After spending time on the 1150GS I'm convinced that what I need is a pair of TW's for camping and exploring.

I'd love to hear more about it and your rides.

blimpman · 01-02-2007, 07:02 PM

Looks like a great machine to have fun with... and go ANYWHERE....

Kudos on the nice setup!!

OrmondGS · 01-02-2007, 07:14 PM

I just picked up an '86 with all of 510 miles on her - looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor. Can't wait to get her broken in properly!

Beachboy · 01-02-2007, 07:16 PM

That looks like fun. I think I start watching for a good used one. That would be a good "loaner" bike to keep in the garage for those friends who just have to ride with you, but who haven't ridden in the last 15 years....

01-02-2007, 09:20 AM	#1
ChopperCharles ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Durham, NC Oddometer: 155	Mini Adventure bike - TW200 It's not fast, but it works. Need a beefier rear shock for when it's loaded with gear, and my top speed is cut by 5 to 7 mph due to the wind resistance on the highway, but it looks badass at least. THIS is the bike to take through Mongolia! Heh. Charles.

01-02-2007, 09:46 AM	#2
OnlyVees Moto-journalist Joined: May 2006 Location: 32°17'31.37N, 110°51'27.00W Oddometer: 875	How cool is that... and I hear those back tires last forever. __________________ 2 kids, 1 wife, no bike.

01-02-2007, 09:55 AM	#3
freeflow get in or go in Joined: Dec 2004 Location: GB-Wisconsin Oddometer: 12,916	dog damnit...still kicking myself for passing on a 88 with 3K miles for 1200$....another will come around I hope... __________________ .... wait til you get younger to chase your dreams......

01-02-2007, 10:33 AM	#4
ChopperCharles ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Durham, NC Oddometer: 155	Tires My rear tire was used up by 3300 miles, but the PO had them way under-inflated and the tires were cupped pretty badly for it. Front tire also needs replacing soon, but it's at 4500 miles now. Bought this bike for $500, repainted, removed rear fender, new headlight, speedo, handlebars, grips, short clutch lever, lucas taillight, brake shoes, and turnsignals. Plus the ammo boxes, which are removable in about 5 minutes. (5 minutes to take everything off, including the brackets. 20 minutes to put it all back on). Funny thing is I ride this bike more than my big street bikes. It's small, flickable, and FUN. Slow, but it'll fold a peg up (and in my case drag the saddlebags) on the street with the stock knobbies. Charles.

01-02-2007, 10:46 AM	#7
WestRider Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Back in Idaho!!! Oddometer: 793	Nice ride! Very cool...those are great bikes...my wife has one that is a kick to ride...if only there was some easy way to make it a 350!! __________________ ------------------------------------------ 2006 DL1000K6...The fast dark red one... 2005 XR650L...latest addition 2005 TW200...wife's bike 1977 CT90...an original adventure bike

01-02-2007, 10:58 AM	#8
Hannibal-8 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Saratoga Gap Oddometer: 107	No doubt the TW is a great off-road beastie. You've done a great job on yours. I'm thinking about saying goodbye to my white scheme and following yours. Very no-nonsense and stealth. The ability to carry 3000 rounds of 7.62 is not bad either. Thanks, Rich p.s. Watch out for the cans and your feet. I had cans on once and managed to ride over my boot - yowwzza - my foot still hurts.

01-02-2007, 11:14 AM	#9
Desi_Kermit Dont worry eat curry ... Joined: May 2005 Location: Marietta, GA... Oddometer: 157	thats one wicked bike !!! __________________ Psst ... I know why a dog sticks his head out of a car window. “Keep thy eye on the tach, thine ears on the engine, least thy whirlybits seek communion with the sun” – John 4:50

01-02-2007, 12:48 PM	#10
Cornbread Red Fart's dust Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Asscratch Ranch, Roosevelt AZ. Oddometer: 1,529	Lol, ADVer's who dig this kind of off-the-wall ride are MY kinda people! Bitchin' little scoot! Chip __________________ ...Nowhere to go, and all day to get there...

01-02-2007, 01:26 PM	#11
ChopperCharles ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Durham, NC Oddometer: 155	Next step... Next step is to mount some PVC pipe so I can carry my fishing rod. My whole point to this, honestly, is to have a bike I can ride down to a river or lake and go fishing. As it stands, I park the truck and then hike a mile or two, and I can't take a big cooler that way. I plan to load one can with beer and ice, and the other with my gear, and ride right up to the river bank. (I've drilled drain holes in the bottoms of the cans just for this purpose). I never considered taking this long distances... it's capable if most of the trip was offroad and two-laners. 60mph is comfortable cruising... I could do it, but unless I was going to hit at least 50% unpaved, I wouldn't really consider it. As for running over my foot... yeah, I've noticed my heels tend to get caught under the cans when I paddle-foot around. I'll have to be careful. Overall, I'm quite happy. I still think I need a beefier shock, though. I'm a big guy, and me plus a full load of luggage are doing the suspension no favors Charles.

01-02-2007, 06:25 PM	#12
Photog Charismatic Megafauna Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Cackalacky Oddometer: 46,053	After spending time on the 1150GS I'm convinced that what I need is a pair of TW's for camping and exploring. I'd love to hear more about it and your rides.

01-02-2007, 07:02 PM	#13
blimpman Trail Rider on the mend! Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Lake County Florida - The Flatlands Oddometer: 704	Looks like a great machine to have fun with... and go ANYWHERE.... Kudos on the nice setup!! __________________ '08 Yamaha R² '07 KTM 200xc '90 KDX200 (Donated to my Ohio riding friend, Bill) http://www.floridatrailriders.org

01-02-2007, 07:14 PM	#14
OrmondGS Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Central Florida Oddometer: 210	I just picked up an '86 with all of 510 miles on her - looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor. Can't wait to get her broken in properly!

01-02-2007, 07:16 PM	#15
Beachboy Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2006 Location: where the river meets the sea... Oddometer: 421	That looks like fun. I think I start watching for a good used one. That would be a good "loaner" bike to keep in the garage for those friends who just have to ride with you, but who haven't ridden in the last 15 years....

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