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New Owner of a TDub - rough riding

2494 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by twjay, Apr 21, 2011

LoneriderAZ

Discussion Starter · Apr 20, 2011

I just purchased my first TW200. It's an 02 all original with under 1800 miles. I ride an XR650L and bought this bike for my wife and kids to enjoy.

My first impression. Purrs like a kitten - smooth and wide powerband. And damn slow, like a mini bike (I had one as a kid). Rough riding, not sure if its the seat or suspension or maybe both. Anyway its not very comfortable riding on rough surfaces at moderate speeds (25-35mph).

Is the rough ride normal ? Has anything changed with newer models or are they all made the same, different foam or shock ? Any aftermarket mods that will help ?

Thanks

LoneriderAZ

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ChipBeck

· #2 · Apr 20, 2011

LoneriderAZ said:
I just purchased my first TW200. It's an 02 all original with under 1800 miles. I ride an XR650L and bought this bike for my wife and kids to enjoy.

My first impression. Purrs like a kitten - smooth and wide powerband. And damn slow, like a mini bike (I had one as a kid). Rough riding, not sure if its the seat or suspension or maybe both. Anyway its not very comfortable riding on rough surfaces at moderate speeds (25-35mph).

Is the rough ride normal ? Has anything changed with newer models or are they all made the same, different foam or shock ? Any aftermarket mods that will help ?

Thanks

LoneriderAZ

I have been riding (and still have) a Honda CRF250X and my TW200 rides much smoother than the Honda. I had both an XR400 and XR600 that rode rougher than the TW as well. Perhaps the XR650L has a really soft suspension, I've never ridden one of those. The big tires on the TW are part of the suspension. Air them down to 12 or 14 lbs when you are off road and you'll find it more comfortable.

Chip

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qwerty

· #3 · Apr 21, 2011

The TW doesn't have much travel compared to other dualsport and trail bikes, and the bike is sold in other markets as an agricultural implement, so it is sprung rather stiffly in the rear. Load up about 325 pounds of rider and gear and the ride and handling are significantly better.

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LoneriderAZ

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 21, 2011

Chip Beck said:
I have been riding (and still have) a Honda CRF250X and my TW200 rides much smoother than the Honda. I had both an XR400 and XR600 that rode rougher than the TW as well. Perhaps the XR650L has a really soft suspension, I've never ridden one of those. The big tires on the TW are part of the suspension. Air them down to 12 or 14 lbs when you are off road and you'll find it more comfortable.

Chip

Chip,

Thanks for the reponse. I have the tire pressure set to what is shown on the decal (front fender). I think it's something around 18-22 psi. I will have to give it a try at the lower pressure. My only concern is the areas that we ride off-road are very rocky. Its the sharp pointed rocks that pose a problem for tube tires running at a lower pressure.

I don't ride MX bikes. But from what I have read most MX riders that have ridden an XR650L think the supension is too soft. The seat definately has much more cushion than the TW. Riding the TW I can feel the seat pan down under when going over rough stuff.

LoneriderAZ

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LoneriderAZ

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 21, 2011

qwerty said:
The TW doesn't have much travel compared to other dualsport and trail bikes, and the bike is sold in other markets as an agricultural implement, so it is sprung rather stiffly in the rear. Load up about 325 pounds of rider and gear and the ride and handling are significantly better.

A farm bike...I find that rather interesting. Maybe thats why my neighbor was laughing the first time he seen me riding the TW.

Do you know of any aftermarket suspension products that will make it ride smoother ? I don't plan on loading anything on this bike - just rider and gear.

Thanks,

LoneriderAZ

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[email protected]

· #6 · Apr 21, 2011

This seat pad by Sterns, sold at Walmart, does help. You can go on-line and order one if you're not close to a store.

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LoneriderAZ

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 21, 2011

AlaskaTdub said:
This seat pad by Sterns, sold at Walmart, does help. You can go on-line and order one if you're not close to a store.

Looks nice from what is shown. How does it fit in the front ? Do you have any pics showing the full seat ?

Thanks,

LoneriderAZ

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[email protected]

· #8 · Apr 21, 2011

LoneriderAZ said:
Looks nice from what is shown. How does it fit in the front ? Do you have any pics showing the full seat ?

Thanks,

LoneriderAZ

Sorry my TW is still in winter storage and I can't get to it. This pic taken last summer to show my solution to holding the seat on. I wanted to remove the bolts because they are hard to get at, under the seat, and wanted easy access. My final solution, I tried several is the Velcro strap. The Stern cover fits well on the front and pretty much stays put.

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[email protected]

· #9 · Apr 21, 2011

here's a link to Walmart and the cover http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stearns-Black-ATV-Seat-Cover/10727537

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LoneriderAZ

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 21, 2011

AlaskaTdub said:
here's a link to Walmart and the cover http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stearns-Black-ATV-Seat-Cover/10727537

Thanks for the link. I'll get one and see how it works. Lower pressure in the tires and the seat cover should help quite a bit.

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twjay

· #11 · Apr 21, 2011

Compared to an MX bike with suspension sprung and set up for your exact weight, etc, yes, the TW rides pretty rough.

Compared to other dual sports, it's not bad. I also thought the ride on the TW is rough because I was used to a lot more suspension travel and a more comfortable seat.

That seat pad does help. I can get another hour or so of riding in befor I start hurting too much.

Even with the ride, the TW is still more fun that my CR.

I wish I would have bought one sooner.

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