[Kankujoe]

I'm new here, thought I should say hello before I start posting questions & comments.



I just bought a slightly used (1400 miles on it), 2008 TW200 a few days ago. I've been looking for a 200/250cc dual sport for awhile, going back & forth over makes/models & buying new vs used. Since the TW has essentially been unchanged for several years I thought a clean, slightly used one at less than half the new sticker price, made good financial sense. I've been reading both here & over at ADVrider about the TW & after reading a few long-distance ride reports I decided to go for it.



I chose the TW for 3 main reasons:

1) a stout, low seat, easy to handle, non-threatening bike for my wife to learn to ride (first away from pavement, then on the road)... 2) a bike that I could learn & improve off-road skills... 3) a bike that I could have fun with riding through the woods, across pasture & down dirt roads... I live on 60+ acres of timbered land, in the middle of miles & miles of wooded country estates, farms & ranches, so graded gravel & dirt roads are everywhere...



From what I've read, alot of riders are using their TWs for cool travel adventures... I've been doing some of that with my Kawasaki Versys but mostly on pavement...I'm excited about openning up some real backcountry adventures with my new TW once I upgrade my off-road skills & get it outfitted...



Now that I own a TW I want to add some farkles... first a stout rear rack (probably from cycleracks - maybe a front rack - but from what I've read they're not overly useful), handguards (don't know the best fit for the TW), 12V plug (not sure how much current is available for electronic farkles), bigger foot pegs (probably what I've seen on eBay), and a Ram mount for my Delorme Earthmate GPS... and maybe some sort of tank bag or tail bag... Down the road, maybe a larger gas tank - or some sort of gerry can setup (I'd like a 200-250 mile fuel range)...



Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MrDNA]

Welcome to the addiction, KJ. Sounds like you've done your homework.

We just went through how to mod the D2Moto pegs a couple of weeks ago in the tech section. The electric stuff is pretty straight forward, and I think we all struggle with the fuel question. just keep reading... there is a ton of information and examples out here,

 

[admiral]

I added a 12v plug to run my gps with the power outlet adapter and have not had any electrical issues. I also added the larger footpegs last year. . .I wonder why I waited so long. They are great, especially when you have to stand up. Several members on this site have added a larger gas tanks. Search the site and you can find some threads. Some added the new Clarke TW tank, XT225 Clarke plastic tank, and even the old steel XT350 and XT600 tanks. I modified the XT600 tank I got from a forum member here and I love the extra range. And if you add an external fuel load to go along with a larger gas tank, you may not feel your buttocks for months!

Here's a photo of my XT600 tank. Avatar photo has stock tank.

Size comparison

 

[ronnydog]

I'm new here, thought I should say hello before I start posting questions & comments.



I just bought a slightly used (1400 miles on it), 2008 TW200 a few days ago. I've been looking for a 200/250cc dual sport for awhile, going back & forth over makes/models & buying new vs used. Since the TW has essentially been unchanged for several years I thought a clean, slightly used one at less than half the new sticker price, made good financial sense. I've been reading both here & over at ADVrider about the TW & after reading a few long-distance ride reports I decided to go for it.



I chose the TW for 3 main reasons:

1) a stout, low seat, easy to handle, non-threatening bike for my wife to learn to ride (first away from pavement, then on the road)... 2) a bike that I could learn & improve off-road skills... 3) a bike that I could have fun with riding through the woods, across pasture & down dirt roads... I live on 60+ acres of timbered land, in the middle of miles & miles of wooded country estates, farms & ranches, so graded gravel & dirt roads are everywhere...



From what I've read, alot of riders are using their TWs for cool travel adventures... I've been doing some of that with my Kawasaki Versys but mostly on pavement...I'm excited about openning up some real backcountry adventures with my new TW once I upgrade my off-road skills & get it outfitted...



Now that I own a TW I want to add some farkles... first a stout rear rack (probably from cycleracks - maybe a front rack - but from what I've read they're not overly useful), handguards (don't know the best fit for the TW), 12V plug (not sure how much current is available for electronic farkles), bigger foot pegs (probably what I've seen on eBay), and a Ram mount for my Delorme Earthmate GPS... and maybe some sort of tank bag or tail bag... Down the road, maybe a larger gas tank - or some sort of gerry can setup (I'd like a 200-250 mile fuel range)...



Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome looks like you are on the right track with your mods and adventurers. Keep us posted.



Ronnydog

 

[qwerty]

The Clarke XT350/600 tank is the volume king at slightly over 4 gallons. Not overly difficult to adapt.

 

[Kankujoe]

What's it ususally cost to get a XT350 or XT600 tank? How long did it take to locate one of these tanks? What fitment issues are involved?

 

[peruano]

Clarke "plastic" tanks are new and hence available from Clarke - also larger and more expensive. OEM metal tanks are no longer available new, are not quite as large (but still an improvement), more difficult to locate, but hardly rare unless you are looking for pristine condition, no dents, and want them super quickly. Many of these older used tanks come with some rust internally, and dents on both surface, but are usable. Weigh your options and explore options of your choosing. I believe its 2.7, 3.14, and 4 gallons for the respective capacities of xt600, xt350, and xt350 Clarke tanks. Tom

 

[rm_hm]

I have a small motocross fender bag I attach to the top of my fwd cyclerack. It's stuffed with quick clot and other first aid stuff. If you ever need to be towed or pulled up out of a hole the fwd cycle rack is an excellent spot to tie a rope up to.

 

[Kankujoe]

I have a small motocross fender bag I attach to the top of my fwd cyclerack. It's stuffed with quick clot and other first aid stuff. If you ever need to be towed or pulled up out of a hole the fwd cycle rack is an excellent spot to tie a rope up to.

Thanks for the reply.



I went ahead & bought both the front and rear racks from cycleracks.com, ordered from Don, he was very helpful. Got the racks in a few days, installed them yesterday. Also ordered their bag supports, I will be ordering another set of bag supports so that I can also carry front panniers/bags occasionally when I take the TW camping.



Going to intall handguards tomorrow.



I've been having a blast on the TW, now I'm busy trying to find another TW... my wife likes it so much she wants her own...

 

[Kankujoe]

Clarke "plastic" tanks are new and hence available from Clarke - also larger and more expensive. OEM metal tanks are no longer available new, are not quite as large (but still an improvement), more difficult to locate, but hardly rare unless you are looking for pristine condition, no dents, and want them super quickly. Many of these older used tanks come with some rust internally, and dents on both surface, but are usable. Weigh your options and explore options of your choosing. I believe its 2.7, 3.14, and 4 gallons for the respective capacities of xt600, xt350, and xt350 Clarke tanks. Tom

Thanks for the info.



I'm not quite sure which way I'll be going yet. Still trying to decide if $200+ is worth it, maybe to bring capacity up to 4gal but I don't think I can justify it right now. I already have a 1.5gal Koplin fuel pack so I'm already up to 3.3gal... I think I'll use this initially until I figure out which way to go...



Aesthetically a new tank might look better than carrying a fuel pack but I'm not sure if it makes that much difference. And I'm not sure how often I'll really need the extra fuel range? I do like the looks of the stock tank better than any of the replacements I've seen so far. Maybe I'll get another fuel pack & hang one on each side of the front rack? That'll give me 4.8gals... or I'll use one for fuel & the other one for water...