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+--- Thread: Suzuki's Answer to the TW200 (/showthread.php?tid=7039)
Suzuki's Answer to the TW200 - redbirds_imp - 07-20-2016
Suzuki's new Van-Van has nearly identical specs to the Yamaha TW200. At $4600 I think it and the Yamaha are over priced. The seat on the Suzuki looks comfy compared to the Yamaha.
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/RV200/2017/RV200.aspx#Specs
RE: Suzuki's Answer to the TW200 - LongRanger_imp - 07-20-2016
I like it. Yes, it's a copy of the now-30 year old TW, but it reminds me of the early-70's Suzuki Trailhopper 50 for some reason too. Maybe it's the blue. I'd buy one. The fact that it's fuel injected, not carbureted like the TW, would be a huge advantage to me.
RE: Suzuki's Answer to the TW200 - immgunn_imp - 07-20-2016
Fuel injection. Sweet. But the smaller fuel cell is disheartening.
RE: Suzuki's Answer to the TW200 - Frulk_imp - 07-20-2016
"Suzuki's Answer to the TW200". Suzuki provided an answer to a question that to my knowledge wasn't asked. The TW200 has a sterling reputation in the reliability department. It's somewhat of a niche bike, filling a portion of the void that the contemporary Yamaha 350 BW left behind after it was discontinued while adding pavement capability. It's fans are loyal to a fault. Its detractors can only mention the desire for a larger tank and maybe a little more power. If there was an option for a TW350 it would already be sitting in my garage. The only real advancement I see is that the Zuk has fuel injection. With that in mind I see nothing the Zuk brings to the table that would pull appreciable numbers of TW riders off their mounts. At least the TW has a smattering of aftermarket parts available, one of which is a Clark 3.8 gallon aftermarket tank. Used they are plentiful around these parts (Utah) looking on a local sales site there are over a doz used available right now with the cheapest being a well presenting 1992 version with 3300 miles at $1500. I think the Zuk would have caused a lot of folks to look at it very hard if the tank was closer to 3+ gallons and bumped the motor to around 300 or even 350cc. I do like the retro look of the Zuk, it has more appeal to me than the plastic on the TW200.
This marketing spiel from their Corp Web site:
Introducing the 2017 VanVan 200; the bike that puts the FUN in FUNKY. With its distinctive retro look, this baby is classic cool and ready to groove whenever and wherever you are. Whether you’re looking to cruise down to the beach, bop around campus, venture outside of your campsite, or go anywhere else in between, unleash your funk in whatever way your heart desires with the VanVan 200.
They had me at "Funky"
RE: Suzuki's Answer to the TW200 - redbirds_imp - 07-21-2016
Having ridden a TW200, I can attest to it's miserable excuse for a seat and note the VanVan seat looks better by far. Reliability I would expect to be at least equal to the TW200, also fuel injection at the same price as the carb mounted Yamaha is a plus. If I were in the market for a bike like this I would be leaning toward the Suzuki.
I wonder if the smaller tank capacity may have much to do with an in-tank mounted filter and fuel pump.
RE: Suzuki's Answer to the TW200 - LongRanger_imp - 07-21-2016
Kawasaki copied the Grom, and now Suzuki is copying the TW. Makes sense. Let the deep-pocket guys establish the market, and then come in and copy their design and hope to share a slice of it. Why not?
RE: Suzuki's Answer to the TW200 - Frulk_imp - 07-21-2016
I can't imagine the sales numbers of the TW being significant enough for Suzuki to say we're rolling out a new platform to get a slice (of that slice) of the pie. Could be that the Zuk deludes the sales #'s of the TW to the point Yamaha says it's no longer worth it OR...due to the FUNKY vibe the VanVan puts off, it becomes a huge hit and attracts a whole new segment of yet untapped riders.....maybe a sub-class of Hipster students that weren't attracted to the GROM that want to "bop around campus, cruise down to the beach, or just generally need to unleash their funk" on a retro styled, 200cc big wheeled, internal combustion powered bike. Time will tell. Will be interesting how it fares. I'm kinda hoping it does OK and maybe pushes Yamaha to consider that 300 or 350cc option for the TW.
RE: Suzuki's Answer to the TW200 - LongRanger_imp - 07-21-2016
I imagine you're right. It looks like Suzuki has been selling a VanVan 125 overseas since 2003, so the model is only new to us. The 200 is virtually identical to the 125, so, like the TW, the R&D and machining was probably amortized years ago. Oh well, I still dig it -- perhaps more usable than a Grom.
RE: Suzuki's Answer to the TW200 - Frulk_imp - 07-21-2016
Choice is almost always a good thing for the consumer. Now if Honda would just give the US consumer the opportunity to choose between a CB1100DLX, CB1100R or a cafe 1100.
RE: Suzuki's Answer to the TW200 - Nemo_imp - 07-21-2016
I LIKE IT!!