So I'm new to the TW200 and the forum, but this past weekend has given me an experience that compels me to stop guest lurking and put up a post.
This last weekend I took out the bike to make sure it was running right after doing some work on the carburetor, drove it along the rail service/ranch access road next to where I live. Imagine my surprise when the rear end collapsed and the bike immediately stopped/stalled after going over a couple bumps! Closer inspection revealed that the lower mount of the rear shock had snapped and the shock had been jostled so nothing was supporting the rear end. At this point the underside of the seat was resting directly on the tire. Luckily I had slowed down in anticipation of the rough terrain and wasn't going very fast. I lifted the seat and was able to position the shock so the bottom of the shock was resting between its mount and the bracing that is just in front of it so I could ride it (very slowly) back home; I suspect the mount had broken sometime back and the shock had actually been resting there for awhile before this incident, based on how some of the metal is worn.
I did some web searching and found this thread in the old forum: Yamaha Recalls TW200
I have a 1999 TW200 that I bought earlier this year (used, obviously). I've put a few hundred miles on it bringing the odometer to 3900 miles. I'm not sure what kinds of experience others have had with their TWs with this model shock, but there does seem to be a potential for a very dangerous and possibly deadly failure of the rear shock mount depending on the riding circumstances.
Does anyone know if Yamaha USA has instituted a recall for the shock yet? If they haven't addressed this issue as it has been elsewhere in the world, it seems as if they are just asking for a lawsuit.
***If you have a pre-2002? (I'm not entirely sure of the year) TW200 I highly recommend that you check the mount on your shock to make sure it is still attached. If your suspension fails, it isn't going to be pleasant!
This last weekend I took out the bike to make sure it was running right after doing some work on the carburetor, drove it along the rail service/ranch access road next to where I live. Imagine my surprise when the rear end collapsed and the bike immediately stopped/stalled after going over a couple bumps! Closer inspection revealed that the lower mount of the rear shock had snapped and the shock had been jostled so nothing was supporting the rear end. At this point the underside of the seat was resting directly on the tire. Luckily I had slowed down in anticipation of the rough terrain and wasn't going very fast. I lifted the seat and was able to position the shock so the bottom of the shock was resting between its mount and the bracing that is just in front of it so I could ride it (very slowly) back home; I suspect the mount had broken sometime back and the shock had actually been resting there for awhile before this incident, based on how some of the metal is worn.
I did some web searching and found this thread in the old forum: Yamaha Recalls TW200
I have a 1999 TW200 that I bought earlier this year (used, obviously). I've put a few hundred miles on it bringing the odometer to 3900 miles. I'm not sure what kinds of experience others have had with their TWs with this model shock, but there does seem to be a potential for a very dangerous and possibly deadly failure of the rear shock mount depending on the riding circumstances.
Does anyone know if Yamaha USA has instituted a recall for the shock yet? If they haven't addressed this issue as it has been elsewhere in the world, it seems as if they are just asking for a lawsuit.
***If you have a pre-2002? (I'm not entirely sure of the year) TW200 I highly recommend that you check the mount on your shock to make sure it is still attached. If your suspension fails, it isn't going to be pleasant!