[BakeNutts120608]

Hey all, i haven't purchased a bike yet and have not ridden a bike since my little xr 80 when i was a kid, but i am looking at a cheap commuter and the TW caught my eye. I am looking at a 93 TW with around 3-4k miles, it looks like its in good shape in the pictures, other than possibly needing a new seat. When i go look at the bike in person what are some problem areas i should try to check out? What would you say a good price is? My drive is 80% city with a about a 5 minute highway spot that goes from 70-50 mph. I have been creeping around the site for a few days reading up on highway speeds and the changing of sprockets and rejetting of the carb and what not. How involved are these mods for a relatively newbie mechanic? It looks like the TW will be able to handle my commute in stock form, but i am a little more worried about riding it to the trails as i live in downtown san diego, and it seems to be all highway to get up to the trail heads. How are you guys getting to the trails? Anyway, i hope to catch up with some of you socal guys and hit the trails soon if you don't mind having a newbie along for the road. thanks for reading, and thanks again for any and all advice!

 

[lizrdbrth]

Welcome aboard.



It should be a perfect city commuter for the kind of commute you've described.



Lotta goofballs in here from your area.



Watch out for the dude from Poway, though.

 

[mtkd]

Just a note, check if the tires chain and sprockets are original. I just bought a TW 2001 with 6000 miles, the tires were starting to crack and the sprockets/chain are beyond shot.



The stock chain from what I have read on this site is crap and you will probably want to replace it and the sprockets soon after you get just about any TW with a stock chain.



I wouldn't not buy knowing this things, but you will probably want to budget / have them in the back of your mind.

 

[BakeNutts120608]

How will i know if the chain/sprockets are original or need replacing? Yeah i planned on checking out the tires, tires dont seem to pricy, im assuming the chain and sprocket aren't much either.

 

[lizrdbrth]

You've got mail.



Is the bike you're considering local?

 

[TeeDubs]

If it runs and shifts smooth, most other issues would be cosmetic... these bikes are pretty indestructable and can still do well even if they've been neglected



I'm not sure what a fair price would be out there in socal but I bought my 95 a few years ago here in Wiscaaansin for $1,500 it had slightly less miles (under 1,000) but had been sitting around for years



Enjoy the addiction!

 

[BakeNutts120608]

yes its local, its on craigs for 975 or some such, just waiting for payday to go check it out

 

[BakeNutts120608]

You guys recommend any good but inexpensive riding gear i should check out? I dont even have a helmet yet haha

 

[operose]

As far as working on them goes, it doesn't get easier unless you own a bicycle. Wish I had started off wrenching on bikes to "get my feet wet" rather than rebuilding the structural parts of a rusted out unibody car, transmission swap in an AWD car, progressing to engine swaps, rebuilding a rusted out truck frame, tearing apart differentials to install lockers, redesigning truck suspension, swapping gears in transfercase for lower low range, etc. and so on.



Welcome to the board! 975 is an extremely good price if there is nothing major wrong, and it wouldn't amaze me too much if someone buys it out from under you if it is listed on CL

 

[Kankujoe]

Welcome to the forum. You're gonna love the TW.

 

[TeeDubs]

Riding gear - If I'm getting muddy I wear an old pair of basketball shoes (Reebok I3's) and a rain suit from harbor freight (Cheap >$10)... we've got like 10 of them and use them for ATV'ing too... but you guys in cali have completely different demands and terrain





Is this the bike? If so, looks like a smokin deal... Comes with luggage rack and Jimbo Shield!

 

[timberfalls]

But it quick you'll love it

 

[BakeNutts120608]

Haha yeah thats the one, I'm just waiting for this next paycheck to come in, hopefully its still around a week from now

 

[Hiway]

Don't cheap out on riding gear. Even at the slower speeds this bike has in comparison to the fast speeds bikes can do at the track your gear is your life.



Get the best you can afford. Don't buy used helmets older than 5 years old (don't buy used if you can is best due to internal damage you can't see without x-ray, and older packing material loses it's ability to take a shock hit)



Buy good motorcycle boots (tennis shoes or work boots just don't cut it)



Good jacket with armor is highly recommended.



I buy most of my stuff from motorcycle superstore. They have crazy sales quite often.



In summary it's your life, take care of it.

 

[lower al]

Welcome come on in an stay awhile

 

[qwerty]

Avoid used safety gear because you don't know what it's been through. Helmit fit is more important to safety than price or features. SNELL ratings are for 200mph+ race cars crshing into concrete barriers--pretty much overkill for TWs since the likely forces of TW speeds most likely won't be absorbed by a SNELL helmet and will be transfered directly to your head. A less firm DOT helmet will disintegrate on impact, absorbing energy before it gets to your head. I suggest shopping box and farm supply stores for a low$$$ MX style helmet, goggles, and earplugs. Cheaper to replace a cheap helmet once a year than keep an expensive helmet 5 years. Probably safer, too. Whatever helmet you chose, make sure it is the full face type. Over 1/3 of head contact in wrecks involves the chin/face area.



Most people who try ATV boots, the type that are like motocross boots with traction soles, never go back. If you ride to a trailhead, then hike, carry hiking shoes. No hiking shoe is adequate for dirt riding--no dirt boot is adequate for hiking.



As for jacket and pants, considering your commute and trail use, look for mesh gear with armor. A good rainsuit provides wind protection when the temp drops, with the mesh gear and armor becoming insulating material. Add a good set of wicking ;ong undies, and you'll be good from sub-freezing to 100*+. This is the least expensive way to go for good protection and comfort in a wide range of conditions. Comfort is important in California, where one can go from blazing desert to frigid snow in a couple hours.



Gloves do not lend themselves to a wide comfort range of temperature. Start with summer street gloves, then add winter gloves as you expand your riding territory to areas where they are necessary.



Next question is where to find adequate gear at good prices. I've known people to buy a complete head-to-toe outfit for under $300 shopping sales online. That includes boots, gloves, helmet, pants, and jacket. I've also known people who forked out $2500 for gear of equal functionality. How well you shop is up to you. Check ebay, Cycle Gear, and other online sources for sales and closeouts. Cycle Gear currently has mesh armored pants and jacket for &90 each, several helmets for $90, goggles for $25, gloves for $15, and boots for $90. That's a complete starter set of brand new gear for $400 with 5 minutes of effort from one location.

 

[BakeNutts120608]

Thanks a ton for all the gear info, i will have to do some shopping around. For you so-cal guys, how do you get to the trails? Just scream it in the far right lane on the highways? I feel like San Diego is just a bunch of highways everywhere.

 

[RisingSun]

Since its a commuter like mine. I would change up the sprockets. Your not going to need all that low end torque on the road. Go check out he bike regardless on how far payday is. If its good put a little money down to keep it. If the bike sucks you can move on before payday. This way your not wasting time waiting for the bike that either might not be there or is crap.

 

[lizrdbrth]

Thanks a ton for all the gear info, i will have to do some shopping around. For you so-cal guys, how do you get to the trails? Just scream it in the far right lane on the highways? I feel like San Diego is just a bunch of highways everywhere.

Take an MSF course. All will be revealed.

 

[twjay]

Check out leatherup.com for your riding gear. I bought my first helmet there years ago. I also bought my leather (colder weather) and mesh (the other 11 months in Texas) jackets from them and they are very nice. I've had my leather one for 4 years and it's still like new. Both have armour in them and were under $100.