Joined
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295 Posts
My TW story
I have my TW now for just about one year. My history and experience with motorbikes was/is very limited. While I was living in Bermuda, I had a Yamaha RS 100. No bigger bikes where then allowed on Bermuda, except for the police. Very strict speeding (max speed is 22 mph) and drinking (lots of checks late nights) laws!!! Just a NO, NO. Had fun for about two years with it and sold it when I moved to the Turks & Caicos. Here I bought a Honda Fat Cat. No speed limit and no “no drink and drive” law. It’s different now, though. I was in my mid twenties then, still young enough to ride stupid and do stupid things but old enough to realize that something will happen, sooner or later. Keeping in mind, the basically non-existing laws and riding in shorts and T-shirt. No shoes, no helmet, no worries. Anyhow, sold the bike after just 3 weeks, after escaping a close call unharmed. I was then “off bike” for long periods of time with the exception when I visited my sister and her husband in Germany. They both have each a BMW 1200GS and each a Suzuki DR350 dirt bike. We did a few trips to Switzerland, Austria and Italy together (me on the 350, of course), but that was it for my “biking” for many years. Last year I felt the overwhelming urge to get myself a bike again. Midlife crisis (I am now 52)? Maybe or not. Our fuel prices of $6.25 per gallon were certainly a factor that played a role also. My Dodge Durango gets about 13 miles per gallon (only short trips, Providenciales is a rather small island, 37 sqm) and my Isuzu Rodeo is not much better in fuel than the Durango. Well, there I had a justifiable reason to get a bike. I always liked “off-roading” and we still have a lot of unpaved roads here. I had several Jeep Wranglers, so some kind of dirt bike it should be. Did some research and found the TW200 and this forum. My mind was made up rather quickly after I saw a few pictures of the bike, yes, these big tires. The great info on this forum was also a reason to get the TW, so many tips and helpful people. In June 2011, I ended up buying a new 2010 from Florida and shipped it to the island. (50% import duty on bikes, ouch!!!). I was happy with my bike from day 1. I left it completely stock, just changed the head light to a Halogen (Thanks qwerty). The main jet will be changed to a 130 (again, thanks qwerty) when the carb get it’s first clean. I have now 7,700 miles on my bike. I ride it almost everyday to work and this added up to savings of $3,085 in gas money, compared to my Durango. Yes, I probably do more “social riding” than I would otherwise.
I did all the required maintenance but still have the original chain. I use graphite to lub. Oil and filter change (Thanks qwerty), air filter clean, valves adjusted etc. The front tire is now ready for replacement. This time I will stick with the original since I still have one in my garage but will switch the next time. I will need advise and suggestions then.
The fun factor with this bike is just incredible. I only regret that I didn’t get this bike earlier. I do take it off road but have difficulties on the beach since the sand is just too fine, almost like powder. Inland, the rocks can be pretty sharp but had no cut tires yet. Problems?? NONE. It only stalled on me once, after riding through a flooded area after hurricane “Irene” last year and I almost drowned the poor bike, well I actually did drown it. Got extremely lucky that no water got into the combustion chamber.
I am constantly being asked if I want to sell the bike (always same answer “No way!!”), one guy actually chased after me with his car and forced me to stop just to talk about this little fun bike. Only got one negative comment (“Do they make this bike for guys also or just for girls?”) but he is French, so I forgave him.
I check the forum almost every day, sometimes more than once. I do not post very much because there are so many members with so much more experience. So I really don’t have much to add. But rest assured posters, all your tips, hints and advises is really appreciated!!!
I am trying to add some pictures of last Sunday’s ride. I hope I can figure out how to do it.
Thanks for reading. I now will take my bike for a little “first anniversary ride”!!
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I have my TW now for just about one year. My history and experience with motorbikes was/is very limited. While I was living in Bermuda, I had a Yamaha RS 100. No bigger bikes where then allowed on Bermuda, except for the police. Very strict speeding (max speed is 22 mph) and drinking (lots of checks late nights) laws!!! Just a NO, NO. Had fun for about two years with it and sold it when I moved to the Turks & Caicos. Here I bought a Honda Fat Cat. No speed limit and no “no drink and drive” law. It’s different now, though. I was in my mid twenties then, still young enough to ride stupid and do stupid things but old enough to realize that something will happen, sooner or later. Keeping in mind, the basically non-existing laws and riding in shorts and T-shirt. No shoes, no helmet, no worries. Anyhow, sold the bike after just 3 weeks, after escaping a close call unharmed. I was then “off bike” for long periods of time with the exception when I visited my sister and her husband in Germany. They both have each a BMW 1200GS and each a Suzuki DR350 dirt bike. We did a few trips to Switzerland, Austria and Italy together (me on the 350, of course), but that was it for my “biking” for many years. Last year I felt the overwhelming urge to get myself a bike again. Midlife crisis (I am now 52)? Maybe or not. Our fuel prices of $6.25 per gallon were certainly a factor that played a role also. My Dodge Durango gets about 13 miles per gallon (only short trips, Providenciales is a rather small island, 37 sqm) and my Isuzu Rodeo is not much better in fuel than the Durango. Well, there I had a justifiable reason to get a bike. I always liked “off-roading” and we still have a lot of unpaved roads here. I had several Jeep Wranglers, so some kind of dirt bike it should be. Did some research and found the TW200 and this forum. My mind was made up rather quickly after I saw a few pictures of the bike, yes, these big tires. The great info on this forum was also a reason to get the TW, so many tips and helpful people. In June 2011, I ended up buying a new 2010 from Florida and shipped it to the island. (50% import duty on bikes, ouch!!!). I was happy with my bike from day 1. I left it completely stock, just changed the head light to a Halogen (Thanks qwerty). The main jet will be changed to a 130 (again, thanks qwerty) when the carb get it’s first clean. I have now 7,700 miles on my bike. I ride it almost everyday to work and this added up to savings of $3,085 in gas money, compared to my Durango. Yes, I probably do more “social riding” than I would otherwise.
I did all the required maintenance but still have the original chain. I use graphite to lub. Oil and filter change (Thanks qwerty), air filter clean, valves adjusted etc. The front tire is now ready for replacement. This time I will stick with the original since I still have one in my garage but will switch the next time. I will need advise and suggestions then.
The fun factor with this bike is just incredible. I only regret that I didn’t get this bike earlier. I do take it off road but have difficulties on the beach since the sand is just too fine, almost like powder. Inland, the rocks can be pretty sharp but had no cut tires yet. Problems?? NONE. It only stalled on me once, after riding through a flooded area after hurricane “Irene” last year and I almost drowned the poor bike, well I actually did drown it. Got extremely lucky that no water got into the combustion chamber.
I am constantly being asked if I want to sell the bike (always same answer “No way!!”), one guy actually chased after me with his car and forced me to stop just to talk about this little fun bike. Only got one negative comment (“Do they make this bike for guys also or just for girls?”) but he is French, so I forgave him.
I check the forum almost every day, sometimes more than once. I do not post very much because there are so many members with so much more experience. So I really don’t have much to add. But rest assured posters, all your tips, hints and advises is really appreciated!!!
I am trying to add some pictures of last Sunday’s ride. I hope I can figure out how to do it.
Thanks for reading. I now will take my bike for a little “first anniversary ride”!!
