[DonBenito]

Lately, my T-dubbing interests have shifted focus.



I was using my TW before mostly as a commuter bike, with a few weekend day trips out and about on Forest Service roads just for kicks. Now I have a different bike that I prefer to commute on, and I'm more interested in using the TW as it was truly intended: a beastly little trail bike.



I have some ideas about essential mods to make my mostly stock TW more trail-worthy. I already have the Jimbo shield (which makes the bike much more road-worthy) and a cyclracks rear rack (which is handy for all sorts of stuff!).



1) TCI skid plate - Out here the FS roads and trails are chock full of sharp angry rocks and the expense seems worth it to keep them out of my engine case.



2) Wraparound Hand Guards - I'd rather skip the added expense of new bars so I plan on finding a set that fit the stock 7/8"ers.



3) High Mount fender kit - this one is pretty cheap and it eliminates the possibility of rocks getting caught in the gap between fender and tire.



4) Shinko 244 front tire size 5.10- I know for many this mod would be higher on the list, but I just can't see myself replacing a tire before it's worn out!



So, the first three items are my near-future shopping list and the Shinko 244 will probably wait until the front stocker gives up the ghost. Any commentary on trail-worthiness of the above or things I may may be overlooking would be most welcome.

 

[B-dub]

All worthy additions. I would also suggest looking at increasing fuel capacity either through a Clarke tank, or a Kolpin or Rotopax auxiliary fuel tank.

 

[Fursniper]

Suggest putting "Ride On" in the tires to protect them from thorn punctures. I have not tried this product in my tires yet, but I'm going to. Here are some links about it



http://www.youtube.c...1&v=YqkBfEHYzxw



http://www.ride-on.com/motorcycle-formula-mot.html



http://www.ride-on.com/images/stories/pdf/motorcycle-dosage-april-2012.pdf

 

[iowatdub]

I have the dtusk hand gaurds. I havent tested them yet but they seem to built very solid if the minor trail mishap would happen.

 

[iowatdub]

I also just got the clarke tw tank. I think it will be a nice addition also

 

[DonBenito]

All worthy additions. I would also suggest looking at increasing fuel capacity either through a Clarke tank, or a Kolpin or Rotopax auxiliary fuel tank.

A Clarke tank is definitely on my wish list, along with a new set of plastics that I'll also be painting to my tastes, but the trailheads start about 9 miles from my driveway and neither the extra fuel capacity nor the stylish color coordination are as necessary as the protection and traction mods listed above. Still, in the interest of AZ overkill the Clarke tank, Kolpin fuel pack, and perhaps more importantly Kolpin rifle scabbard are all on my extended TW wish list!

Suggest putting "Ride On" in the tires to protect them from thorn punctures. I have not tried this product in my tires yet, but I'm going to. The advertisement sure is impressive. Here is the link about it http://www.youtube.c...1&v=YqkBfEHYzxw

Other users also seem to like Ride On. As mountain bikers in this area see thorn guards as indispensable, I think this mod also falls into the "too cheap not to try!" category.

 

[MacFadyen]

I have the dtusk hand gaurds. I havent tested them yet but they seem to built very solid if the minor trail mishap would happen.

I'll second the Tusk Handguards. I tested them thoroughly on this ride. There were a lot of overhanging branches and side brush that I was plowing through, plus I dumped the bike once and it came down right on the guard. Much better than getting my hand smushed between the brake lever and handlebar...



The white plastic works with the 2011 and if you do beat them up, it's not too expensive just to replace the plastic. I still have the stock bars and these fit fine (although you do have to coax them into position a little during install).

 

[IzakGt]

I added the higher mount finder kit from Procycles mostly for aesthetics. I have not had the chance either to really take the TW places that a lower fender would have an issue. I have not tested it in any way but it seems to hold rather solid and stays in place when I try moving it with my hand, I don't know if vibration will cause any weak spots in the plastic I'm sure with time I'll have answers but beside that when I finally get a second TW I will most certainly buy it again and do it all over.

I have some photos of before and after install on this post



http://tw200forum.com/index.php?/topic/6025-new-to-forum-announcement/

 

[small's]

A older feller that im friends with has a small cables going from the front of his rear brake pedal to a forward hole on his skid plate on both the shifter and brake pedal. The idea is to keep your shifter or pedal from getting caught on a root or whatever and to keep it from bending your pedal like a pretzel. You leave enough slack in the cable for full a full range of motion. I hit/ran over a big log and caught the edge of my shifter and bent it down and back probably 3-4". Luckily the stock shifter is weak enough that i could man handle it back into shape.

 

[DonBenito]

A older feller that im friends with has a small cables going from the front of his rear brake pedal to a forward hole on his skid plate on both the shifter and brake pedal. The idea is to keep your shifter or pedal from getting caught on a root or whatever and to keep it from bending your pedal like a pretzel. You leave enough slack in the cable for full a full range of motion. I hit/ran over a big log and caught the edge of my shifter and bent it down and back probably 3-4". Luckily the stock shifter is weak enough that i could man handle it back into shape.

Am I missing some upside to toting a set of vise grips in your kit instead?

 

[zardoz]

A older feller that im friends with has a small cables going from the front of his rear brake pedal to a forward hole on his skid plate on both the shifter and brake pedal. The idea is to keep your shifter or pedal from getting caught on a root or whatever and to keep it from bending your pedal like a pretzel. You leave enough slack in the cable for full a full range of motion. I hit/ran over a big log and caught the edge of my shifter and bent it down and back probably 3-4". Luckily the stock shifter is weak enough that i could man handle it back into shape.

Pictures of this cable arrangement?



z

 

[Gerry]

This should give you the idea. Gerry

 

[evan]

I'm with you on the making it a mostly trail only bike. With the hard seat and lack of fuel capacity the trail is where they shine. I still have the stock front tire and if I make mine a mainly trail only that the shinko tire will go to the top of the list. Going around corners on that stocker front tire in loose dirt/gravel is not fun! I already have the hand guards/ride on/engine shield/jimbo shield. Pondering on the oil cooler. Seems a little exposed on a fall. front fender seems fine to me.

 

[DonBenito]

This should give you the idea. Gerry

OK, I get it now. Basically the same idea as running cables from the corners of a brush guard up to the corners of a roof rack on a 4x4. Stuff hits the cable and gets knocked aside instead of hitting the business parts.



I'll have to do some thinking about that one.