Total Motorcycle Community Forums

MotoF150, I appreciate your input. However, I'm not looking for an offroad motorcycle. If I was, the DRZ400S would get serious consideration. It is a very nice bike.

I'm looking for a commuter, 15 miles each way, fastest speed limit is 50mph. In this part of Texas, the ground moves, causing some concrete roads to shift and break. The chunks of concrete then move in relation to each other, and the road becomes like a roller coaster ride. Street bikes often bottom out--their suspensions simply are not up to the task. Tires take a beating on the edges of the concrete slabs. Also, I ride sitting down. The TW200 appears to have sufficient suspension and fat tires that should work well on sub-standard road surfaces, its plush and stable ride trades off precise handling and flick-ability the DRZ400S possesses.

but, but, but the DRZ400S is sooooo fun to ride, did you look at the Suzuki DR200? The DR200 is more of a street bike than a dirt bike, that can handle the interstate speed limits. The TW200 is made for deep woods trail riding where you need traction and riding over trees, its geared low. After you get used to the TW200 ur going to later wish it had more power and speed, all im suggesting is start off with a bigger bike so you will never regret buying the TW200.

The TW200 works well for what its designed to do. Its meant to be a bike that just chugs along through trails and stuff. Im thinking of getting one in spring as an around-town and backroads bike. In stock form they wind out around 55-60 but ive been told by tw owners that going down to a 42 tooth rear sprocket brings the cruising speed up to more around 65, and rejetting the bike wakes it up a bit.

Ian522 wrote:The TW200 works well for what its designed to do. Its meant to be a bike that just chugs along through trails and stuff. Im thinking of getting one in spring as an around-town and backroads bike. In stock form they wind out around 55-60 but ive been told by tw owners that going down to a 42 tooth rear sprocket brings the cruising speed up to more around 65, and rejetting the bike wakes it up a bit.

My buddy's TW200 goes 80mph without issue. He might not have stock gearing though...

I'm looking at those big chunky tread contact patches on those fat tires and thinking that sucker would have more traction on and off road than anything, especially on wet roads. Sometimes we go months without rain, and heavy traffic. When it finally does ran, the roads are really slippery. Good safety margin, I guess.

Thanks for the heads-up on changing gearing for the road, but I'll just be using it around town and it will never see the high side of 50mph, anyway.

I've talked to several people who either have or used to have a TW200. All have bigger, faster motorcycles, but they all either still have and ride the TW around town, or are looking for a TW to replace the one the wish they never sold. Sounds like its one of those bikes that grows on you, kind of like a good woman or an old pair of jeans.

the best on road grip you'll get will be from a fully dedicated street tire. THOUGH as far as dual-purpose tires, those look like they;re up there in the grippiness.

Geoff650R wrote:the best on road grip you'll get will be from a fully dedicated street tire. THOUGH as far as dual-purpose tires, those look like they;re up there in the grippiness.

Normally I'd agree, but after riding that thing thru the MSF, trust me, it's got a whole lotta grip at low speeds, up to about 30 (range I rode it in). I scraped the pegs once doing about 20, and the tires weren't even at their sidewall limits, and had just as much traction as any other angle they were at. Completely stable and rock solid!
Wrider