Don't know what the demand is in FL, but the turnover of TWs here in CA is pretty high. you could always buy one and turn around and sell it if you don't like it after a week. I took my MSF on one of those and it was a blast.

The bigwheel made it feel a little squigy at lean though.

 

I'm thinking the big tires could be replaced with street rubber?

What about the XT 250? Isn't that what Suzanne has? Can you get it set up as a sumo?

 

yes you will be a bit dissapointed coming from an SV, but they are still great bikes. I am actually looking into one myself to keep up at our cabin. The fat tires and time tested reliability as well as great gas mileage are what draw me to the tw. they have a very cult like following too. I have ridden two of them and absolutely loved it. slow as hell but incredibly fun nonetheless. I am the same height/weight btw.

 

DRZ-400SM

I am sooooo in lust with this right now.

 

DRZ-400SM

*pic of deezer*

I am sooooo in lust with this right now.

Here, let me tease you a little more....

But in all honesty, I'm only 5'6" or 5'7" and sat on the XT250 at the dealer today flat footed it. I would think it would be really tiny under someone your size. Get a deezer, it'll do everything ;D

 

I've no interest in taking it to the freeway, the fastest it would need to go would be, maaaaaybe, 50-55, most often more like 45. But it just looks like it would be fun. My first street bike was a '72 CB100, it was tiny and I looked like a big goon on it, but it was a blast. The TW has to have more power than that thing did.

 

Trav, I am looking at the DRZ also, from what I can tell they have recently restyled it and it looks better than it did a few years ago. If I could pick one up for the right price, or even trade somebody even for the 1k, I'd be awfully tempted.

 

Zach is right...the suspension travel will run out quick on a tw200. A DR650 SMed out is an option worth keeping in mind.



I have a 2003 KLX400R that has been quasi on the auction block....

 

I've heard good things about the xt250, there's even a turbo kit for it!

 

Old Sparks would rock a TW200. I've been thinking about getting a dual-sport. XT225, Super Sherpa, something like that. Hopefully, I'll see something cheap later in the fall...

 

I bought my DRZ (S model, not SM) for $2400 with 1500 miles on it and around here they are a dime a dozen. But you can find mint TW's for $1500 with the same low mileage. If you just want something to put on and not rip it up Id say go for the tw.

 

get one! I didn't know you were in S Florida?

 

get one! I didn't know you were in S Florida?

Yeah, been here a couple months now. Are you down here? I thought you lived in B-ham?

I am sorta leaning toward the DRZ, just wish I could give one a try to see how I like it.

 

John, I don't think the power will be your big issue with the TW/XT's- it's the suspension.

Yeah, you can have fun, kinda like renting a scooter. But you'll quickly find the limit of the machine and the novelty would wear off rather quickly, I think.

Now if you're thinkin about getting out and playing in the sand, the TW is about the best bike on the planet for that!

 

why not get the wr250x? Just curious, as it would be a much better bike for hooning around, and can also do freeway comfortably. The TW200 is a few generations behind in terms of suspension/motor/frame/brakes/everything.

 

The WR250X is an amazingly fun bike. Not enough power to get you into trouble, but enough to have craploads of fun on.

Buy the 'R' model wheels off ebay and have the hub machined and just swap wheels if you feel like SMing it or hitting the trails.

 

hubs machined? WTF?

 

A friend of mine had a TW200 and is of similar size. He had a blast with it just going around and exploring along back roads, etc.

Suzanne has the xt225 (i had it prior to her). I looked at setting it up as a sumo by getting some pre 94 ex500 wheels for it since the rear has a drum brake but never seriously pursued it. I know someone on the xt forum had successfully converted his 225 to a sumo. I loved the xt for commuting since I was on surface roads. It's light, flickable, and just puts a grin on your face. My husband also enjoyed it - when I'd let him ride it (which wasn't often and usually resulted in something getting broken). He looked like a monkey on a football on it (6'6, 220 pounds), but didn't care. And I did take him two-up on it when we were using it as our pit bike. I also used it to scoot around the staging area for a parade - jumping curbs, riding on the sidewalk, and other hooligan acts all in front of the cops - that was fun

I got to ride a friend's DRZ400 in sumo trim one day. LOVED it. After having put the miles on the xt in some dirt, I found I was outriding the bike (which doesn't take a lot with the suspension being pretty soft). The DRZ (or something comparable from another manufacturer) is what I'll probably get when I'm ready to ride again - small enough for me to still throw around but a little more grunt in the engine if I need to dodge a car or want to go on a road with a higher than 45 average speed (the xt takes a little more work to wring its neck and is NOT happy maintaining speed over 55 really unless you change the gearing). There's also plenty of aftermarket support on the DRZ for modding.

 

My buddy has a DRZ400S with street-ish tires on the dirt bike sized wheels.

Not quite as cool as the SM, but cheaper, and more versatile.

The TW is cool, but its underpowered and not very motardish. Go for a bigger bike.

 

I'm the same height as you and have a few pounds on you, and yet still had fun on my friend's TW. Oh, and it'll do around 65 too - even though this is an OLD one (kickstart/drum brakes... 89 or something I think)

 

I too am in the want a supermoto/dual sport club. Unfortunately around here used sumos are few and rarely go up for sale. The only only place to readily get them is from dealers and the msrp's are a little to steep for me for such small bikes

 

Liutis, why not a DR 650. I have one and ts a great bike. Simple, air cooled, Plenty of power. I changed the gearing,(one down on the counter shaft, three up on the rear ) added a Super Trap and rejeted the carb. It still goes 65mph or more depending how tight you want to wind it and will pull the front wheel off the ground in first gear.

 

DOOOD!!! YAMA TW200 is disgustingly slow. first gear will wheelie all day but topping out at 59mph is really weak. one of my old coworkers had one and got sick of it after a few weeks

I do have to give it credit on one front. The big knobby tires make it look tougher than it is.

 

Another option, kind of halfway between a TW and a DRZ is a KLR250. (The older ones, not the current KLX250) I had one for a while, stupid fun bike and surprisingly competent all around. At least considering what it was. Fun in the dirt, a blast around town, and even usable on the highway for short stretches. MUCH more comfortable seat than the more dirt oriented D/S bikes, I did a few 300+ miles days on mine that weren't too bad.

 

I had the DRZ-E version (street legal with a small bit of work) back in the UK, had the supermoto setup too...only an hour to switch and was great fun, there's quite difference between the E version and the S / SM. E has better carb and higher compression...as a couple of posts above said though 3x3 airbox mod / rejet / thinner base gasket (I think) / and pipe..you got a cool bike.

When I sold it the guy didn't want the supermoto stuff so i kept it...currently trying to fit it to my XR400 (Cali plate)....believe me...that no-where as easy as it sounds.

As for the TW...I did my DMV test on one...and couldn't wait to get off it..!

DRZ's are great allround bikes...lots of after market stuff / knowledge around / proven reliability / solid engines.....the down side....people want too much for them....but there's good deals out there..

 

Thanks for all the info everybody. It really sounds like the DRZ is more the bike I'm looking for. Now to find a killer deal on one.

 

Good choice, John. The problem with a lower-powered street bike here is there are too many crazy/aggressive/distracted drivers. You really need to be able to occasionally crack the throttle and get out of their way. Plus, you really can't get very far here without taking the highway.

If you're looking for a new/leftover unit, I can recommend Palmetto Motorsports in Hialeah. Ask for the owner, Todd Sandoval, and tell him I sent you. (If he doesn't remember me, ask Mario Rivera to remind him!)

 

You think all those other bikes are ugly, but think the TW200 isnt?

 

Correct.

 

big guy on a little bike, let the jokes begin.

 

I'm saving them until someone posts a picture of him on the little bike. ;D