Yamaha continues onward in the dual-sport category with its little DS that could, the Tuning Fork Company's TW200. A straight-up rollover from last year, the TW200 continues the family tradition as a bona fide go-anywhere bike with its fat, dual-purpose knobbies, and street-legal lighting package.
The low seat height makes it friendly for shorter, and younger, riders with plenty of leverage once you deploy your training wheels at stops and in the parking lot. This bike first saw the light of day back in 1987 and would see a revision in 2001 that replaced the kickstarter with a push-button starter and updated the front brake.
2023 Yamaha TW200
- Plush, Long-Travel Suspension
- Full Instrumentation
- Motocross-Style Seat
- Ample Low- To Mid-Range Power
- Electric Start
- Model: TW200
- Engine:: 196 cc
- Power Output: 16 HP
- Torque: 11 LB-FT
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
- MSRP: $4,899
- Economical To Buy And Operate
- Easy To Handle
- Built For Terrain
- Boring Paint
- Drum Brake
- Low Top Speed
2023 Yamaha TW200 Performance And Capability
Power for the TW200 comes from an air-cooled single-cylinder plant that has a 67 mm bore and 55.7 mm stroke for a total displacement of 196 cc and mild, 9.5-to-1 compression ratio. With that kind of compression, you won't have to bother with high-octane fuel, and it should help extend service life because the top end isn't constantly beating the tar out of the bearings in the bottom end.
A single over-head cam times the two-valve head, and induction control falls to the 28 mm Mikuni® soup can. Yes, it's carbureted. It's not easy to find a bike that still has a carburetor so fuel-injection-heater rejoice.
The Yamaha TW200 produces 16 horsepower and 11 pound-feet of torque. That power flows through a wet clutch and five-speed transmission with a chain-type final drive that turns out a TW200 top speed range of 66 mph-to-73 mph. Surely depending on maintenance, road conditions, and how much you had for lunch.
Engine & Drivetrain | |
|---|---|
Engine | Air-cooled Single-Cylinder, SOHC, 4-Stroke, 2 Valves |
Displacement | 196 cc |
Bore x Stroke | 67 mm x 55.7 mm |
Compression | 9.5:1 |
Power | 16 HP |
Torque | 11 LB-FT |
Fuel System | Mikuni® 28 mm |
Exhaust | |
Final Drive | Chain |
Clutch | Wet Multiplate |
Gearbox | Constant Mesh 5-Speed |
Design
The layout of the TW200 has the essentials and little else for a rather Spartan overall look. The front fender has a compound shape for rigidity and comes bracketed by bellowed fork-gaiters. The gaiters protect the inner fork tube and its associated seal from damage due to rock impacts and grit. I'd say that's pretty important given the stated use of the thing.
A rectangular headlight and flyscreen complete the front end, and the front blinkers mounted nice and high are probably safe from harm when you dump the bike. Let's be real. It's a dual-sport. It's not if you drop it, it's when you drop it, right?
Behind the flyscreen is an old-fashioned instrumentation setup. It includes an analog speedometer, trip meter, and trio of indicator lamps to make the instrumentation as essential as the rest of the build.
The cockpit features a 1.8-gallon fuel tank that has very little rise to it. This means the bench seat can extend forward to accommodate some pretty dramatic weight shifts for technical off-road work. It also comes with flip-up footpegs, so you can share the fun with a friend. Taillight and turn signals ride up high with a short mudguard/tag holder to finish the job.
Yamaha TW200 Specs | |
|---|---|
Length | 82.3 in |
Width | 32.3 in |
Height | 44.1 in |
Seat Height | 31.1 in |
Wheelbase | 52.2 in |
Ground Clearance | 10.4 in |
Fuel Capacity | 1.8 gal |
Curb Weight | 278 lbs |
Chassis
The frame on the TW200 is a tubular-steel construct with a single-downtube build that uses the engine to complete the structure. It carries a vented bash plate to protect the bottom end from brush and terrain strikes.
Rake and trail measure at 25.8 degrees and 3.4 inches respectively to make the TW200 quite nimble indeed. Ground clearance is decent at 10.4 inches high, which naturally improves its terrain-tackling abilities.
The seat rides 31.1 inches off the deck, which is a little on the tall side, but necessary to accommodate the ground clearance and suspension strokes. Up front, the 33 mm forks have a 6.3-inch stroke, while the rear shock has 5.9 inches of travel to collectively tolerate some pretty rough areas.
The brakes are a mixed bag with a modern, 220 mm disc and twin-pot anchors up front, while out back, an old-fashioned, 110 mm drum-style brake takes care of business. Laced wheels play into the TW200's off-road chops, and come shod with a 130/80-18 and 180/80-14 on the front and rear, respectively.
Chassis & Suspension | |
|---|---|
Frame | Tubular Steel |
Front Suspension/ Travel | Telescopic fork/ 6.3 in |
Rear Suspension/ Travel | Single Shock/ 5.9 in |
Rake | 25.8° |
Trail | 3.4 in |
Wheels | Laced |
Front Tire | 130/80-18 |
Rear Tire | 180/80-14 |
Front Brake | 220 mm disc |
Rear Brake | 110 mm drum |
2023 Yamaha TW200 Price And Availability
The 2023 Yamaha TW200 costs $4,899. There's only one colorway, a carryover from last year, monochromatic Radical Gray to go with the generally dark overall look.
Pricing & Features | |
|---|---|
Warranty | One-year limited factory warranty |
Colors | |
└ 2015 | Charcoal Silver/White |
└ 2016, 2017 | Mineral Blue |
└ 2018 - 2020 | Sandy Beige |
└ 2021 - 2023 | Radical Gray |
Price | |
└ 2015, 2016 | $4,590 |
└ 2017 - 2020 | $4,599 |
└ 2021 | $4,699 |
└ 2022 | $4,799 |
└ 2023 | $4,899 |
Competitors
Yamaha's TW200 finds itself with little company from the big manufacturers. Perhaps the closest we will get is the Suzuki DR-Z400S.
Suzuki DR-Z400S
Built for the same sort of use, the “DR” carries itself more like an enduro bike proper with the high-mount front mudguard, and dirt bike-like bodywork and proportions overall. Its stealth knobbies are definitely skinnier, so it lacks that low-down visual weight that the Yamaha carries so well.
The Yammy also comes with a 398 cc mill and greater output with 39 ponies and 29 pounds o' grunt against 16/11 respectively. This leaves Yamaha looking pretty good in the power department.
It goes down for Yamaha in the suspension. The strokes on the “DR” are much longer at 11.3 inches and 11.6 inches on the front and rear, respectively. Plus, the Suzuki comes with the full trinity of tweaks against fixed values on the TW200.
Naturally, the trade-off is at the checkout counter. Suzuki gets $7,099 for its dual-surface model, which leaves a lot of money on the table by comparison.
He Said
“With such big tires, it's no wonder why it's nicknamed the 'two-wheeled ATV.' I expect those tires to absorb some of the shock just due to their voluminous proportions, just like a four-wheeler. This is a good trainer for riders looking to get into adventure bikes later.”
She Said
My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “This is a torquey little fun bike, though the carburetor and drum brake are a little dated. Honestly, that's reflected in the price, so for a raw, down-to-earth ride, you'd have a hard time finding something to beat it. I do miss the kickstarter, though. It just needs a kickstarter.”
“That fat rear tire puts me in mind of a Rokon, which has to be the best zombie-apocalypse bike. Long before there was a 'Long Way Round' there was a motorcyclist named Shinj Kazama that in 1987 rode a new TW200 to the North Pole. If the TW200 can take a rider to the North Pole, it can take you just about anywhere.”
FAQ
Q: What is a Yamaha TW200?
The Yamaha TW200 is a dual-sport motorcycle from Yamaha. Launched in 1987, the "Trail Way" 200 is a basic, 196 cc no-frills motorcycle with a carburetor and rear drum brake.
Q: How light is the Toyota TW200?
The TW200 has a curb weight of 278 pounds before adding options or accessories.
Q: Is the Yamaha TW200 a good beginner bike?
The TW200 is a no-frills motorcycle. The small displacement engine, lightweight chassis, and manageable power make it an attractive choice for new riders. Without higher electronics, a person new to two wheels learns to operate a motorcycle without rider aids.
Q: Is Yamaha TW200 street legal?
Yes, the TW200 is a street-legal motorcycle. The TW200 has a rear-mounted license plate holder, front and rear lighting in compliance with traffic regulations, and rearview mirrors.