My new toy....

[BusyWeb]

After couple of months of efforts and research, I finally got a very low mile 2008 TW200 today.
For main purpose of this new toy is going to be "Long Relaxed Country Road Touring.
Hopely for this summer vacation.
I might need some farkles and update for my touring, or just none for now.

Almost same spec. as GZ250, but lower touqe is little better.
And TW means >> Trail Way (Off Road and Trails)
200 cc, single cylinder.
Air cooled, 5 speed.
Most impressive of this toy is the Tires.
Rear: 180 (same as my FZ6 rear tire size)
Front: 130 (bigger than my my FZ6 front tire size ... ha ha ha)

Here is the picture.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_DRYwefLR_YE/TCbZuCbYDSI/AAAAAAAAImU/ao1rE14JltE/s640/TW200_2010_06_26_Sm.jpg

Stay tuned...^^;

[blaine]

That looks like a tough and capable machine,nice looking to.Have fun.
http://www.postimage.org/templates/images/smiley/smiling/12.gif (http://www.postimage.org/)

[Water Warrior 2]

Nice looking TW. It will provide many fun miles and be economical as well. A little more purpose built than a GZ but will do a superb job of carrying you on country roads and rougher surfaces. It is another of those proven bikes that needs no great advances in technology to get the job done. It is also light enough to easily pick it up after you drop it in the mud.

[Easy Rider]

For main purpose of this new toy is going to be "Long Relaxed Country Road Touring.
Hopely for this summer vacation.

Looks are often deceiving.

When it comes to motorcycle seats and riding positions, often the ones that LOOK comfortable for the long run aren't......and the ones that makes you think "butt cramp" immediately turn out to be good for long runs.

I would put that seat in the second category and would be interested to hear how it works out, compared to the GZ, for instance.

[New GZ250]

Great bike, did my MSF training on one. Easy to handle plenty of torque. Congrates! Enjoy the dirt!

[dhgeyer]

Now THAT looks like fun!

[BusyWeb]

For main purpose of this new toy is going to be "Long Relaxed Country Road Touring.
Hopely for this summer vacation.

Looks are often deceiving.

When it comes to motorcycle seats and riding positions, often the ones that LOOK comfortable for the long run aren't......and the ones that makes you think "butt cramp" immediately turn out to be good for long runs.

I would put that seat in the second category and would be interested to hear how it works out, compared to the GZ, for instance.

O.K. ok.... ha ha ha
After I changed engine oil, 1 L only (1.1 L with oil filter).....wow now I got back low manitenance cost again.
I got test ride about 100 miles; Malibu Canyon Twisty and City/Highway Traffic for today.
Not the dirt yet.. can't wait to go over the dirt and ride.

Here is my initial verdict about it.
1. First of all >> Seat is very soft (feels like gel type??) and my butt does not hurt badly.
And compare with GZ250 >> Almost same feeling.
2. Ridding posture is O.K. for me up-right and the handle bar is little wider than other bikes which gives me good feeling while riding.
3. Good throttle response >> good for town and slow speed
4. Max. speed >> so far 72 mph by the speedo meter which is 65 mph for reality (about +10 %)
5. Twisty >> ha ha ha >> much better handling (not fast speed) than my sporty FZ6 >> big tires grips the road very well. >> I could lean more than FZ6 ^^;
6. Highway riding is fine, almost same riding experiences as GZ250 >> far solwer lane must ^^;
As it has lower COG (center of gravity), the wind sailing effect is little less than FZ6.

I love it so far, my FZ6 might have to be go on some rest perids until I break-in this new-like bike.
It's weight is light (about 300 lb) and lower center of gravity, and handling is very expectable.
I could stop any roadside (dirt, gravel, or worser condition) whenever I want to without any further thought >> this is what I needed.
** With heavy FZ6, to stop some dirt roadside was not happy for me.

Anyway, I need to find some good beginners dirt trails around Los Angeles so that I could start some practice...