Hello esteemed TWers and TWettes
I’m a potential buyer and while I’ve read so many pros and cons about this intriguing little bike, I figured it made sense to come to ask those who know it best.
So I’m choosing between a TW200 and a ZX-14…ok, more like a TW200 and a CRF250L/KLX250/WR250R This would be a second bike as I have a sporty middleweight bike that’s my primary ride.
Intended use would be for riding along country roads, exploring gravel roads, jeep trails, and a little bit of local riding if/when the mood for that strikes me but mostly the first three. So what’s the catch? Well there are several…
1 — I live in a super urban part of central florida where everything is paved. That means to get to those aforementioned country/gravel roads and jeep trails, I’m going to be looking at 1.5 — 2 hours of riding on surface streets OR perhaps 1-1.5 hours on the freeway where speeds range from 65 to 80.
2 — I’m at sea level of course so I know the TW would have a little more oomph here than at more typical mountain locations but it’s still a 196cc bike..
3 — I’ve no offroad experience beyond a good amount of mountain biking. Also I’m told almost all the trails here inevitably involve sugar sand as the locals call it (I’m a transplant from out west). For those of you who know this area, (richloam, croom, citrus, withlacochee) would the TW be suitable for such trails?
4 — Mostly I have had FI bikes and love the convenience and ease of almost effortless starting plus no fueling issues. I would rather ride than wrench. I had one bike with a carburetor and it didn’t go well thanks to the bike sitting for a bit with some ethanol gas. So I’m not super experienced or handy but willing to learn within reason and depending on available resources (youtube, here, forums, etc). Also I've switched to ethanol free and ride year round.
With all that said would you recommend a TW to someone in my shoes or am I better off with an FI, more modern dual sport like the CRF or KLX? I’m not set on any one particular bike but my street bike won’t be happy offroad and I’d like to see how I like dirt and offpavement riding.
Thanks!
I’m a potential buyer and while I’ve read so many pros and cons about this intriguing little bike, I figured it made sense to come to ask those who know it best.
So I’m choosing between a TW200 and a ZX-14…ok, more like a TW200 and a CRF250L/KLX250/WR250R This would be a second bike as I have a sporty middleweight bike that’s my primary ride.
Intended use would be for riding along country roads, exploring gravel roads, jeep trails, and a little bit of local riding if/when the mood for that strikes me but mostly the first three. So what’s the catch? Well there are several…
1 — I live in a super urban part of central florida where everything is paved. That means to get to those aforementioned country/gravel roads and jeep trails, I’m going to be looking at 1.5 — 2 hours of riding on surface streets OR perhaps 1-1.5 hours on the freeway where speeds range from 65 to 80.
2 — I’m at sea level of course so I know the TW would have a little more oomph here than at more typical mountain locations but it’s still a 196cc bike..
3 — I’ve no offroad experience beyond a good amount of mountain biking. Also I’m told almost all the trails here inevitably involve sugar sand as the locals call it (I’m a transplant from out west). For those of you who know this area, (richloam, croom, citrus, withlacochee) would the TW be suitable for such trails?
4 — Mostly I have had FI bikes and love the convenience and ease of almost effortless starting plus no fueling issues. I would rather ride than wrench. I had one bike with a carburetor and it didn’t go well thanks to the bike sitting for a bit with some ethanol gas. So I’m not super experienced or handy but willing to learn within reason and depending on available resources (youtube, here, forums, etc). Also I've switched to ethanol free and ride year round.
With all that said would you recommend a TW to someone in my shoes or am I better off with an FI, more modern dual sport like the CRF or KLX? I’m not set on any one particular bike but my street bike won’t be happy offroad and I’d like to see how I like dirt and offpavement riding.
Thanks!