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Suzuki's Answer to the TW200
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07-22-2018, 02:51 AM
Sat on one of these yesterday, and I really like it. While I am a big TU250X fan, no doubt the VanVan 200 has way better, more relaxed ergos for big and tall like me. The seat is like sitting in a lounge chair, the handlebars are nice and wide and the seat puts you further back than the TU. Very interested in one of these as a perfect hybrid between the TU250 and the TW200
07-22-2018, 05:08 AM
If you want an air cooled trail bike with a low seat height, look at the Honda CRF230F for the same price. Better motor, better suspension, better wheels, better handling on the trails. The bike is bullet proof. The only thing that isn't better is the seat. That's an easy and relatively inexpensive fix.
07-22-2018, 01:25 PM
No doubt a lovely bike, but at 34.6 inches the seat is hardly low, and looks like a vinyl covered 2x4. Adding extra padding to the seat will raise the seat even higher.
Most importantly though, that bike is not street legal.
07-22-2018, 01:39 PM
The Van Van has some serious rubber ...
Tires Front 130/80-18 Tires Rear 180/80-14 Might be good 'on' the beach.
07-22-2018, 01:52 PM
Depending on rider weight, you've got 2-3 inches of sag in the suspension on a dirt bike. That lets most riders get at least one foot down, if not both. The shape of the seat facilitates moving around a lot. But it's not comfortable for sitting very long. The CRF (or any decent dirt bike) is so much better than the TW or the Vanvan on trails. Street legal kits are less than $300. I understand a full sized dirt bike isn't for everyone. I've ridden bikes from a Tote Goat, to a Trail 90, to a Ninja, to a fully dressed Indian Chieftain. I just don't get the appeal of a TW or a Vanvan. Unless you're going to ride in the sand. But that's what four wheelers are for
 Street bikes are way more capable on the street. Dirt bikes (even standard sized dual sports) are way more capable on the trail. If someone could afford only one bike for both street and trails, then get a Kawasaki KLX250 (a truly excellent bike!)The "fun factor" of bikes like the TW and the Vanvan is just marketing hype. Fun comes from the way you ride, not from an advertising department. 
07-22-2018, 02:49 PM
The TW200 is a lot of fun in the rough.
I put ~900 miles on a new one in about 8 weeks. One trip was 160 miles in one day. Seat comfort is a serious issue. My riding was all solo in the desert and mountains around Las Vegas. Did not drop it. 28 mm carb only needed mixture screw adjustment 278#, 13.7 HP @ 8,000 RPM, 11 ft # @ 7,000 RPM, 1.8 gallon tank, 78 MPG Top speed just over 70 under level no wind conditions (I saw 77 MPH indicated) The Yamaha XT250 is more comfortable (seat and suspension), goes a bit faster and has a larger fuel tank. Seat height is fraction of an inch higher than TW. Dropped mine 3 times in 2 weeks out of 1300 miles in about 8 weeks. All were low speed maneuvering, under similar riding conditions as the TW Easy to pick up!...and nothing damaged. Faultless fuel injection 293#, 16.2 HP @ 7,000 RPM, 13 ft # @ 6,500 RPM, 2.6 gallon tank, 76 MPG Top speed over 80 MPH under level no wind conditions Both are easy to adjust SOHC valves
07-22-2018, 11:43 PM
I sure like the 70's look and know it would be fun off rode
07-23-2018, 01:56 AM
the suzuki RV is too from 1971...now it calls RV/ VAN VAN
07-23-2018, 02:48 AM
(07-22-2018, 02:49 PM)SportsterDoc_imp Wrote: The TW200 is a lot of fun in the rough. Thanks, SportsterDoc. I've been wondering about a real-world review of the XT250. It's definitely a better-looking bike than the others in its class.
07-23-2018, 10:12 AM
(07-23-2018, 02:48 AM)Roper_imp Wrote:(07-22-2018, 02:49 PM)SportsterDoc_imp Wrote: The TW200 is a lot of fun in the rough. You are welcome The 2018 XT250 was a fun bike and did well on my frequent trips to Overton, via Lake Mead and side trips to Valley of Fire (160 + miles) , as well as running up to Mt. Charleston (100 miles, typical). I was planning on taking the XT250 to my daughters in Arizona (as I did my Moto Guzzi) and it would have been fine for the Jeep trial to our ranch (for which I would NOT have taken the Moto Guzzi...once with the Triumph was enough!). However, the Moto Guzzi came back on I40 at 80 MPH, which would not have been comfortable on the XT250. 65-70 MPH on Route 66 would have been fine. The only negative, for me, was running tube type tires, which are not as easy to repair on the road. I bought 4 new bikes within a year, settling in to retirement. I think the CB1100 is a keeper. |
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