[msollars]

I've had my 2009 wee for about a year now....and i just don't ride it nearly as much as i thought i would. It had 15 miles when i brought it home....it's still under 1,000. I LOVE when i get to ride, but it just doesn't happen as much as i thought it would.
I'm having my first baby....and all that goes with that....so i don't see the situation improving.
Anyway.....

The dilemma is, I'll always want to have SOMETHING to ride....in case i get the chance, etc. My logic is...I've always wanted a TW200....it's cheap....it's fun....and it's something that IF it DID end up sitting for a while, I wouldn't feel like i had this big nice motorcycle that i was neglecting. Just a neat, fun, scooter that I didn't get to ride all that much.

Does anybody see where i'm coming from?!?! is this making sense to anyone but me?!?!

Suggestions?

thanks,
Matt

ps. If i do sell the Wee, (may list it on here first) i'm considering riding it (last ride) to the buyer anywhere in the states. i'm a teacher so i'll have the summer off. good or bad idea?!?!

 

[LordSmoke]

That all sounds reasonably thought out. I don't know about this specific 200, but my 250 will do 90% of what I do on my wee - unpaved not so good, and strained on the I-state, but doable. I would think the TW200 would be an ideal occasional ride.

 

[Byronw]

makes perfect sense, I'm looking at a TW to add to the garage, for offroad fun. I can get to some fun offroad riding a few minutes from my door, places I wouldn't want to take the Vee, dropping it makes it ugly, replacing the plastic pieces gets expensive... been there, done that.

 

[kenneth_moore]

I've often thought that a TU-250 or even the new CBX 250R would be great fun to have in the garage. I think you're making perfect sense, if the bike is sitting there, get something to bang around on and keep the change.

About riding "anywhere in the US" Have you done any multi-day rides before? Is the bike already set up for it? You wouldn't want to buy a lot of new gear you aren't going to use again.

 

[SlingBlade]

I understand what you are thinking. I am in a different situation that is causing me to think about parting ways with the Wee. I have 2 bikes, the '08 Matte Black Wee and a '98 Honda Valkyrie. My initial thought when I bought the Wee was to sell the Valkyrie. Well, I just couldn't part with it since I bought it new and have put every one of the 94,000 miles on it. So I ended up with 2 bikes.

Now I am thinking that I want to get back to owning just one bike but am not sure how to do it. Do I sell one of the 2 I now have & keep the other? Or do I get rid of them both and buy something entirely different. If one or both of my bikes were problematic, it would make the decision easy. But I have what I think are two of the most reliable motorcycles on the road.

If I sold them both & went for another bike, I think I would take a very hard look at the Triumph Tiger(the 1050) but I'm not sure what their reliability history is. On the other hand, I have wanted a BMW R1200R for quite some time but have not been able to "pull the trigger" on one due to BMW issues. I would think maybe they are getting things ironed out by now.

Anyway, good luck in your decision. You do have a great bike. I think I would keep it and put it on a Deltran Battery Tender, add fresh fuel with Stabil, and ride it when you are able. I was never able to understand why guys get rid of their bikes because a baby is on the way. We had 3, the youngest is now 35, and it never presented a problem for us.

 

[Dino M]

I've never owned a TW200 but researched them for a winter bike because of the tires. If I remember correctly, they top out at about 50MPH and are rather cumbersome to maneuver. I would look at a small cc dual sport like a KLR 250 or something similar. You should be able to pick one up for around the same price but end up with a much more versatile bike.

 

[Ches_Man]

I've never owned a TW200 but researched them for a winter bike because of the tires. If I remember correctly, they top out at about 50MPH and are rather cumbersome to maneuver. I would look at a small cc dual sport like a KLR 250 or something similar. You should be able to pick one up for around the same price but end up with a much more versatile bike.

+1 on this comment. Had a chance to ride a TW200 and although very stable and could go pretty much anywhere it was not the easiest unit to maneuver and it was 'SLOW".

Your thought process is good though - think about the 250 option. Good Luck.

 

[jokermtb]

The TW isn't as dainty as you might think......seems to me you really need a bicycle with some saddle bags and a rack or two. You not only get a little exercise, but you feel great getting around without having to burn gasoline. Which is pretty much what I use to get around my urban/suburban area for grocery, nick nacks, etc, within a 3-4 mile radius at home.

Not really sure if even downsizing to a TW will address your real concerns, and you'll lose out on all the options a Wee provides.

I predict if you get a bicycle for your local needs, you won't feel as if you are wasting your Strom.

 

[msollars]

(i'm posting this question on another forum as well.....just to get more input from a wider range of folks.)

I feel like i'd be much more apt to ride the smaller TW to work. I teach in a school that's MAYBE a mile.....about 2-3 minutes drive from where i live. (out of the neighborhood, down 'main' street, turn into the parking lot. repeat to head home)

I think i had ideas of grandeur about month long summer road trips, etc.....and that's just not going to be a reality for me. pulling a family camper with a bike/scooter in the bed of the truck for when we get there is much more feasible.

And i've always got that ''Wish I always had one of my own'' feelings about the TW.

THe highway is another thing that concerns me. We live right off i70 just east of KC, MO. There are plenty of back (read: gravel) roads to get from point a to point b.....but the Wee did so well on the open road. But again, i think that's just the part of me thinking i'm going to be a world traveler.
Realistically, putting around town will probably be it for a while. And a campsite putt around during the summer.

Thanks for the replies guys.

keep any input or experiences coming.

matt

 

[LordSmoke]

Msollars, as my comments indicate, my 250cc scooter does most of what I need to do on two wheels and is quite enjoyable. I am almost always grinning goofily at the shear optimization of it all. It can go on the interstate if needed, has plenty of luggage capacity (trunk+topbox), great weather protection, etc. It does not do so well on the unpaved roads that I feel obliged to take since I own a Wee. 250+ maxi scooters should not be overlooked, though I think a 450 or 600cc is a waste, at least until I am closer to shuffling off this mortal coil.

 

[richw]

tw are fun camp bikes

Universal solution is drz400s

I loved mine a little tall but otherwise a real dirt bike that is road worthy

I am afraid you are the problem not the bikes though and with the baby coming your done fella

If there is a lake or big river near by, get a speed boat for family fun

 

[turbodon6]

If you take the time to ride it anywhere in the states to a new owner you probably will change you mind about selling it.:headbang:

 

[Forrest39]

Matt,
Perhaps I can give you some interesting perspective…
I have 3 motorcycles -- a Honda 90 that I had in college, a Yamaha TW200, and now a new Wee.

I also have 3 children; 1,2, and 4.

I know what you are saying as far as where your time is going to go and you are probably correct… At least for the next few years.

Thats said, if you don't need to sell your wee for financial reasons, my sugestion would be to put it in semi-retirement but to keep it in the barn. If you sell it you will probably wind up wanting another one right away.

The TW would make a great bike for around town and the trails. It's also light enough that you can throw it on a hitch-carrier and take it with you. It will satisfy most of your needs when you get that rare moment to get a ride in. It's a great dirt bike, just a little stiff. The massive rear tire really helps in the sand. You can carry all kinds of stuff on it if you get saddle bags and rack.

But as reported, 50mph is about it. Chances are that you'll be wanting to go blazing down the highway without having the throttle WFO.

I love both bikes for different reasons and when I get that precious kitchen pass if even for a few hours, I make it count on either bike depending on my mood. With new kids you will experience stress, frustration, sleep deprivation and a host of challenges that you will adapt to and oddly enough love. But when it get's too much, having the escape of an awesome bike like the Wee will do wonders for your sanity.

My wife, who for the record was not wild about the safety issues and risks of motorcycles, supported my desire to get a new bike if not for other reasons, to eliminate me needing to see a therapist! Bugs-in-teeth or dirt-in-nose therapy is highly under-rated.

Cheers, -Kevin

 

[griffin800]

Tw200

Couple advantages of the TW200, gets excellent gas mileage and is mechanically about as simple as it gets, very reliable. Also very easy to sell used if you decide to upgrade again at some point. Used TW's are really hard to find.

Bill H.

 

[richw]

Jealous some guy on NESR was given one from a neighbor

 

[tucsonstrom]

msollars

I have different bikes for different applications. T Dubs are one bike all your friends and family will look for reasons to ride. It seems they make gas. Unlimited smiles per gallon.

A rear spocket change lets it go 65. Stock they will climb a tree if you can stay on.

Look for a little older one that has a kick start backup. That way if it sits for a while, no problems.

They are relatively inexpensive around $1500.00.

As mentioned before, if you part with the wee you will want another soon.

Good luck.

...

 

[jokermtb]

Can't ride a bicycle 1 mile to work? I wish I lived so close.....

Yeah, in retrospect, considering this info - you must sell the VStrom and get and get a PW50 perhaps....

 

[Cake_Kat]

Matt, I think you're throwing away money on this whole motorcycle business. I apologize for the impertinence, but I did a quick review of your posts in the past year and you've had a couple strange experiences with the bike setup, you've considered a expensive saddle upgrade, and you've ridden the bike about 1k miles in total. I would have made those choices, had those experience, if I were riding your bike but I ride about 10k miles a year, you're not riding much at all.

If you're a teacher, you're probably not rich. If you're having a baby, you're headed for some serious expenses.

It is really none of my business, but since you've posted to ask for advice, I'll offer it.

Sell the V-Strom and quit throwing money at motorcycles until you can make a commitment to the sport that justifies the expense.

 

[meick]

XT250

I recently bought a 2009 Yamaha XT250 for my wife and daughters to play with, and it is a ton of fun for lightweight local trips, sort of like a well powered bicycle. Added a rear rack and tail bag for utility and good to go. Does good off road too, and while is looked at TW200 the fat tires that looked neat at first seem now to be a limitation. For instance, I could put on some road oriented tires on the XT250 and it would be a

 

[TheTwins]

I have a TW200. It is a 2005 model. Mostly stock. It is the slowest bike I think I have ever ridden, and as cool as it is, I can't help but agree with the others that have suggested you get a 250cc dualsport.

Wringing it out and trying to get it to go fast reminds me of squeezing a terd in my hands. The harder you squeeze, the more sh1t you have oozing out between your fingers. The huge tires certainly don't help with this.

I think your heart is in the right place, but reconsider on the TW.