Re: XT250 or TW200?
The Older Gentleman
> Hi, my name's Bill Miller (I'm using my Uncle Jay's computer) and I'm
> looking for a motorcycle I can ride around town (25 - 45 mph) and also
> go off-road.
>
> I've looked at both the Yamaha TW200 and the XT250 and like some
> things about both of them but thought I'd check with the techs to see
> if there's anything "under the hood" so to speak that I should either
> be aware of as a potential problem down the road or exceptional that
> will give me a lengthy term of good service. Thanks in advance.
>
No idea about reliability or whatever (both should be fine) but the XT
is definitely more of an off-roader. The TW is just a street bike
dressed up, really. Witness the close-fitting front mudguard etc.
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Yamaha XT600E Honda CB400F
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
"What you're proposing to do will involve a lot of time
and hassle for no tangible benefit."
Beryl
> Hi, my name's Bill Miller (I'm using my Uncle Jay's computer) and I'm
> looking for a motorcycle I can ride around town (25 - 45 mph) and also
> go off-road.
>
> I've looked at both the Yamaha TW200 and the XT250 and like some
> things about both of them but thought I'd check with the techs to see
> if there's anything "under the hood" so to speak that I should either
> be aware of as a potential problem down the road or exceptional that
> will give me a lengthy term of good service. Thanks in advance.
>
Does the TW still come with a kickstarter? I think XT is pushbutton only
while the TW has both, or used to have both.
The all-new-redesigned XT250 has some sort of air injection into the
exhaust system too. Might be okay, or trouble.
Personally, I'd try hard to find the discontinued XT225. Low seat
height, nimble, plus significantly less weight than TW200 or XT250.
Wudsracer
**********************************************
>On Sat, 2 Aug 2008 04:34:23 -0700 (PDT), "Bill Miller." <jay-smi...@excite.com> wrote:
>Hi, my name's Bill Miller (I'm using my Uncle Jay's computer) and I'm
>looking for a motorcycle I can ride around town (25 - 45 mph) and also
>go off-road.
>
>I've looked at both the Yamaha TW200 and the XT250 and like some
>things about both of them but thought I'd check with the techs to see
>if there's anything "under the hood" so to speak that I should either
>be aware of as a potential problem down the road or exceptional that
>will give me a lengthy term of good service. Thanks in advance.
>
>Bill
**********************************************
Bill,
The XT250, as a "normal chassis & design" motorcycle, would be
better to ride both around town and in the woods (unless you are less
than 5'5" tall).
The TW is a "balloon tire" trail bike, that has street legal
equipment. It's chassis geometry lends to it being very easy to ride
slowly, and it's street legal equipment let's you take it (legally) on
the road.
The XT250's engine has a lot more usable "guts & grunt" than the TW
(and the DR200), and the newer models are both kick and electric
start. It is a pretty decent dual sport bike.
I hope that this helps.
Wudsracer/Jim Cook
Smackover Racing
'06 Gas Gas DE300
'82 Husqvarna XC250
Team LAGNAF
.
> I've looked at both the Yamaha TW200 and the XT250
The TW200 would be better for loose sand, if you have that kind of
terrain where you ride.
Beryl
> On Aug 2, 1:53 pm, Beryl <flyingterra...@chillybits.org> wrote:
> Personally, I'd try hard to find the discontinued XT225. Low seat
> height, nimble, plus significantly less weight than TW200 or XT250.
>
> discontinued 2007 XT225 and couldn't find a lot of difference. Check
> out this comparison link.
>
> http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelspeccompare/9/1844/0/compare.aspx
>
> It looks like the seat heights are the same and although this link
> doesn't give the dry weight of the XT250, it's 239 lbs., only one
> pound more than the XT225.
Yamaha is being tight-lipped about the weight. Forget the 225, do a
comparison between the '09 XT250 and the '08 XT250.
The dry weight is... 271 lbs!
I don't know where Wudsracer found "both kick and electric
start" for the newer XT250 models. Yamaha only mentions pushbutton
electric start, the only pictures are of the '08 model, and there's no
kickstarter on it that I can see.
> Another one I've looked at is the Suzuki DR200SE. Here's a comparison
> between it and the Yamaha XT250.
>
> http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/new_vehicle_compare.asp?vehicle1=87118&year2=2009&mfg2=4&vehicle2=88132&go=Go
>
> Finally, if all the "off-roading" I was going to do is just some
> gravel/dirt roads and some forest service/logging roads and most of
> the use was around town, would the TW200 better fit the bill?
>
> Here's a comparison between the TW200 and the XT250.
>
> http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/new_vehicle_compare.asp?vehicle1=87118&year2=2009&mfg2=2&vehicle2=87119&go=Go
>
> Bill
Between the DR200/TW200/XT250 contenders, I would grab the XT.
I was in the same boat a few months ago, looking at the same bikes you
are. Really wanted an XT225, but I happened to find an old Honda XL185S
first. Cheap, and much better than I expected.
Beryl
> On Aug 3, 1:15 pm, Beryl <flyingterra...@chillybits.org> wrote:
> Forget the 225, do a comparison between the '09 XT250 and the '08
> XT250. The dry weight is... 271 lbs!
>
> of the 2009 went up $150.
>
> http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/new_vehicle_compare.asp?vehicle1=54001&year2=2009&mfg2=2&vehicle2=87118&go=Go
>
> Bill
Still, 271 lbs isn't bad when it's in the right places and the bike
handles well. You'll never notice it unless you don't make that
hillclimb and the rear wheel digs a hole and you have to horse it around.
.
> A lot of the roads around here are dirt and gravel (fine gravel) so
> would the TW200 be better for riding on those on the way to the
> pavement and why.
The narrow tire on the XT250 is more precise in steering on harder
surfaces, but the TW200's wide tire will float over the softer
surfaces without digging in.
The TW200 would be better for sand washes and the beach, and the XT250
would be a better woods bike, assuming that the woods aren't at the
beach.
Wudsracer
*****************************************
Sorry for the misinformation.
A friend's XT250 has both the electric and kick starters, but it isn't
a new model.
Mark Olson
> Sorry for the misinformation.
> A friend's XT250 has both the electric and kick starters, but it isn't
> a new model.
I thought (and a quick check of Yamaha's website confirms) that
the XT250 started with the 2008 model year, in 2007 and prior years
it was designated as the XT225.
AFAIK the XT225/XT250 was/is electric start only, but Yamaha sells a kit
to add kickstart capability to the XT225 (dunno if it works with the
XT250):
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/accessories/acscitemdetail/5/35/27/2307/all/1/1460/0/detail.aspx
GYTR Kick Start Kit
This kick start can be used as an auxiliary or primary engine
starting system. If used as the primary start, the electric
starter system can be removed to reduce overall weight.
Fits '92~'08 XT225 and '99 TT225
3RW-W0795-00-00 $131.94
--
'07 FJR13AW '99 EX250-F13
OMF #7
Susan (CobbersMom)
gravel/dirt roads and some forest service/logging roads and most of
the use was around town, would the TW200 better fit the bill?
Don't know anything about the XT but the TW is perfect for the roads you
described. Sunday I spent a couple hours in first and second gear on my TW
riding the logging roads around here. Got about 40 miles in and had a great
time. I don't push it hard, just ride around enjoying the woods and scoping
out hunting areas. One thing it doesn't like is loose sand but maybe it's
me. I'm getting more used to handling it in that situation.
Sue
Minocqua, WI
Yamaha '00 VStar 650
'04 TW200 (mud = fun)
Kawasaki '95 Vulcan 1500 V#15937
The cage looks awful empty, don't it pa? Opie
Yea, but don't the trees look nice and full. Andy
Susan (CobbersMom)
my "off-roading" too.Logging roads, jeep trails leading to landings, gravel
forest serviceroads...just to check out the countryside, look for good
hunting areasand enjoy the views. And to get there? About 10-15 miles
onsecondary paved and gravel roads at a leisurely pace of 40-55 mph.
Maybe the XT250, while a great bike, is perhaps a little bit ofoverkill for
my particular situation.
Sometimes I need to ride on the highways to get to the logging/forest roads
and you're right, 40-55 is leisurely. If someone doesn't like my speed, I
slow and let them pass. Fortunately, I can access MILES of trails only 4
miles from my house and right up the road. I'm 5'5" and 53 yrs. old and
find the bike easy to handle. Sunday while riding, I came across about a
half dozen down trees blocking the trail. (Those snowmo clubs don't clear
until fall) One tree had a diameter of about 18 inches so I managed to find
a way around it. The next biggest was about 8-10 inches. I got off the
bike, kept the engine on and let the bike power itself over the log while
managing the clutch. Logs less than 5" I'll stay on the bike but stand.
I wanted some storage for a gas can and things. I removed the rear fender
?plate; the area used for strapping something down. Cut about 12" off a 2 x
10 and drilled holes to match the plate thing. Got bigger screws to fit and
bungied a milk crate down. Works great and carries a gallon of gas when I'm
perusing the forest north of Copper Harbor, Michigan.
The more I ride the bike, the more comfortable I get with its handling.
Whatever you decide, sounds like you're going to have a great time, wish I
could ride with you.
Blattus Slafaly
> Hi, my name's Bill Miller (I'm using my Uncle Jay's computer) and I'm
> looking for a motorcycle I can ride around town (25 - 45 mph) and also
> go off-road.
>
> I've looked at both the Yamaha TW200 and the XT250 and like some
> things about both of them but thought I'd check with the techs to see
> if there's anything "under the hood" so to speak that I should either
> be aware of as a potential problem down the road or exceptional that
> will give me a lengthy term of good service. Thanks in advance.
>
> Bill
The XT250 just looks like any other skinny tired dirt bike.
I have a TW200 and love it. Nice fat tires for sand and swamps. I change
the chain sprockets for better highway speeds. I get 100 to 120 miles
per gallon if that interests you. It does NOT have a kick starter.
--
Blattus Slafaly ? 3 :) 7/8
The Older Gentleman
> Finally, can a person get both the 130/80-18 front tire and the
> 180/80-14 rear tire in a straight highway tread when replacing the
> knobbies?
These are really, really rare tyre sizes and your choice of replacements
will be extremely limited.
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Yamaha XT600E Honda CB400F & SH50
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60
The bells, the bells.....
The Older Gentleman
> Not that rare maybe if either of these, touted as rear tires but the
> same size (130/80-18) as the front tire of the TW200, could be used on
> the front.
Well, yes, but to be honest I was thinking more of the 14" size. I
should have made that clear.
That BT45 130/80-18 you show ought to fit, but the idea of using a rear
tyre designed for a large touring bike on the front of a tiny little
semi-trail commuter seems like overkill. I suppose it would at least
wear slowly... :-)
You would probably have a problem in that it would be unlikely ever to
get up to working temperature. And it would need a tube inside it, as
well, as I don't think the TW has tubeless rims.
> Wouldn't a more conventional highway tread on the front
> tire also provide more precise steering control on pavement?
Yes, but only if matched with a similar road tyre on the rear. Using a
road tyre on one wheel and a trail tyre on another is insanity, and a
ticket for a quick trip to casualty.
The Older Gentleman
> Here's a nice looking pair from Bridgestone with similar matching "on-
> road" treads
> and voila, introducing the Yamaha TW200 "street bike." <G>
<snip>
Not really pure road tread at all, and not advertised as such....
The Older Gentleman
> And no matter how you cut it, those two tires on the TW200, instead of
> the two stock tires, would no doubt offer better street performance
> and handling. True or false?
Oh yes, almost certainly.
I just don't get the point of a TW: it seems to be form rather than
function. A dedicated street bike will be better on road. A decent trail
bike will be as good on road and better off it.