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Don’t own a TW (yet)?? Couple basic questions to start with

2274 Views 32 Replies 21 Participants Last post by Black Hills TDub, 4 mo ago

Rcers

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago (Edited)

Hello,58 yr old lifelong off-road motorcycle guy. Kinda intrigued with the whole the idea of building out a TW as a backroad Adv bike. Have a few friends setting up small bikes and I may have to get involved too 😂.

Knees are getting in very bad shape so whatever I ride must have tall seat and low pegs. (I’ve seen where Seat Concepts sells a tall seat.)

Does anyone sell low pegs for the TW?

Is the TW kickstand strong enough to stand on the pegs while throwing a leg up/over the seat/rear rack? (If the rear rack is full can’t just step on).

Kickstand on my KTMs are made for the weight of the bike only,standing on the pegs with kickstand down will bend/brake them. Kickstand on the DR is very strong and I can stand on pegs to throw my leg up/over the rack and seat.

THX for any info or insight you could provide,this riding small bikes In inappropriate places stuff is all new to me.

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Mistervelocity

· #2 · 4 mo ago

Yes, Seat Concepts makes a 2" taller seat. It is taller but no softer.

I'm not aware of any low pegs.

Kickstand will hold.

Unless theres another TW in your gang and he's packed heavier than you, be prepared to be the slowest guy in your group.

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Rcers

Discussion Starter · #3 · 4 mo ago

Velocity,thx for the quick reply. Slowest guy in the group is one of the reasons I’m not committed yet? (Have one other friend building a Honda Trail CT125 and he says he knows a few others messing with small bikes.)The TW def would not mesh well with my current usual group of KTM 500’s,DR650’s,DRZ400’s,etc… I’m fortunate enough to be in a position and stage of life I can have multiple bikes (diff tools for diff jobs within reason). Hard to pull the trigger when I don’t really know how much I will enjoy riding little bikes?

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Snow Fox

· #4 · 4 mo ago

Welcome to the Forum. Different tools for different jobs is absolutely right! The KTM is a Thoroughbred while the TW is a Clydesdale. They each play a role in adventure plans. Good luck in making your decision!

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Black Hills TDub

· #5 · 4 mo ago

Welcome to the forum.
Here is my 2 cents.
They are great little bikes that are a super addition to any garage. It is no single-track 450, but it is all fun and super easy to like. "diff tools for diff jobs " is exactly what they are.
As for using the kickstand to get on - I really, really doubt you will need to do that. Even a short person can swing over very easily. Stock gearing, the first three gears are quite low and in 1st the thing can crawl like a trials bike. Top speed is nothing to get excited about, comfortable in the 50-55ish on the road. In the dirt, you will be more of a plunk along and enjoy the scenery kind of riding. It's a trail bike, not a MX'r or hardcore single tracker.
Figure it like this - give it a go, if it does not work out they are very good sellers and you would have no trouble selling.
There is a reason they are so popular = they make people smile, give lots of miles or trouble-free fun, and are just about the simplest bike on the planet to own and maintain.
I bought mine when I was 60ish and I do not see it ever being sold. In fact, I would not mind a second one. My CRF 450 has not been out since I got the Tdub.

Read through the forum, that might give you a little more insight as we have members that mod these to all-get-out and others that just leave them alone and a little bit of everything in between.

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Dudly

· #6 · 4 mo ago

I consider the TW an exploring bike it will do most anything you ask of it except be quick or fast, It would be on line with the ct125 and handle better. The pegs are pretty low already compared to the KTM and DR. The best thing the TW does is make you smile it is just a fun quirky little bike.

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Snapper33

· #7 · 4 mo ago

Rcers, welcome to the forum, you’ve come to the right place. If you can find someone with a TW, try it out. Letting us know the general vicinity of where you are might yield some offers from forum members. We’re a bunch of helpful people.

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Fred

· #8 · 4 mo ago

+1 on using footpeg to get aboard.
Before hip replacement surgery I rode my fairly addictive TW quite a bit learning to use footpeg to lessen the pain getting on the bike, something I picked up from other "mature" riders. While fully healed now I still use the footpeg as a step ladder to cheat & swing leg over saddle. Plenty strong for my 185 weight. Very usable to get on bike.
With the limited aftermarket support available for the TW there is nothing wrong with doing your own custom work, is almost mandatory in some instances. Before days of Seat Concepts applications for the TW I too thought my knees would appreciate less bending so I added my own additional seat foam and simply re-covered with stretchy neoprene
fabric.
With the relatively slow speed of the TW you will want as comfortable ergonomics as possible for those long hours in the saddle on back road adventures. Stock TW likely start out a bit more comfortable than the DR you are familiar with.

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SpeedyTide

· #9 · 4 mo ago

First, welcome to the forum @Rcers.

Whereabouts are you located? Never know....might have someone down the road, or so, they might possibly let you take theirs for a spin. EDIT: @Snapper33 already asked.

Great info already posted above by others. Although may have been a mistype by MrV, but everything I've seen/read...the Seat Concepts Tall is listed as 1", not 2", but you can always have customized. Being on the smaller side of bikes with the low seat height, but with decent ground clearance ones legs are in a bit more of a bent position due to the shorter distance between pegs & seat....compared to bigger/taller bikes. Of course, like other bikes....there are taller bars, bar risers to help with the ergos. Lower pegs would have to be fabbed up.

Best of luck, hope it works out for you!

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paelo man

· #10 · 4 mo ago

After all the scooters-bikes and Harley’s I’ve owned the tw is the last in the stable?
Why is it to be the last to go-simple answer it does everything I ask it to do! Better wider foot pegs would be at the top of list on modification.
At my age now 70- I know if I pile up it will probably be the last of my motorcycle enjoyment
Days-so I ride low and slow-the tw is perfect for that! I would also say in my current condition that the tw is used more on pavement and gravel roads now than breaking trails.
I have owned 2 of these thru the years and they are a platform that is easily adaptable to your riding style from street to trail

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Purple

· #11 · 4 mo ago

Looks like you're in good hands Rc - welcome to the madness .......

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Ski Pro 3

· #12 · 4 mo ago

Fred said:
Plenty strong for my 185 weight.

Liar Liar Pants On Fire!
When was it you last time you could even see the numbers on the scale past your belly? Ha!

(Just ribbing ya...)

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salabim

· #13 · 4 mo ago

Yes sir re bob,its not easy having to face the " my ego writes checks my body cant cash" point in life.

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salabim

· #14 · 4 mo ago

I think that was the Dunlop or the Dickydo award. Either yer belly dun lopped over or it sticks out farther than your dicky do.

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Denn

· #15 · 4 mo ago

Just buy a used one and give it a whirl. Easy to resale.

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Rcers

Discussion Starter · #16 · 4 mo ago

(Fat fingers double post)

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Rcers

Discussion Starter · #17 · 4 mo ago

Thx for all the replies,I’m def intrigued with these machines. Will keep my eyes out for something used to come for sale in the Indianapolis area.

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Motor7

· #18 · 4 mo ago

Change the way to get into the saddle. Do not 'swing' a leg over, step back a little facing the bike at 90 degrees, raise & 'stab' your foot straight out in front of you over the seat.

For those of us that moto-camp, it is the only way to mount the bike. Getting a foot caught on gear piled up on the rear of the bike can really hurt, not to mention embarrassing after ending up doing a face plant in a parking lot.

Yes, I carry too much crap, but I have stayed on the road for 6 weeks at a time. My DL650 has raising links, & a raised saddle. So this technique is super easy on the TW:

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Rcers

Discussion Starter · #19 · 4 mo ago

I’ve tried mounting my loaded DR650 that way before,I’m just not damn bendy anymore 😂

Fuel tank Plant Tire Wheel Automotive lighting

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Loghousenut

· #20 · 4 mo ago

Yes, the kickstand will handle a step over mountup. I have a problem that makes my hips non-cooperative in the lifting/swinging department.

Both my TW and my VanVan are too wide and tall when overloaded for a trip. I keep the weight low as possible and step up with that foot peg. It can be spooky with all that luggage, and my 250 lbs balancing and swinging up there, but I've survived it so far.

My only option is to manhandle my boot up and over the seat.

It has gotten so bad for me that I am considering welding up some new rear racks and getting rid of the Manracks.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

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