The Yamaha TW200 is a 196 cc single-cylinder dual-sport motorcycle that Yamaha has made since 1987. Its name stands for Trail Way, and its oversized tyres have earned it comparisons with the Rokon and the description “two-wheeled quad”.
Yamaha TW200 at a glance
| Maker | Yamaha Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Class | Dual-sport motorcycle |
| Production | since 1987 |
| Engine | 196 cc single-cylinder |
| Name meaning | Trail Way |
| 2001 update | front disc brake and no kick starter |
| 2002 update | smaller fuel cap |
| 2009 update | new base cylinder gasket |
| 2017 update | new rear shock |
| Character | oversized tyres, compared to a two-wheeled quad |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Yamaha TW200
The TW200 was introduced in 1987 as a dual-sport motorcycle with unusually large tyres. Those tyres give it flotation and grip on soft ground, and they have led journalists to compare it with the two-wheel-drive Rokon and to call it a two-wheeled quad.
The model has been refined through many small changes rather than redesigns. The 1987 version had a one-off AC electrical system with an AC headlight; in 1988 the system was revised to a mostly DC layout. Two different front brake shoe sizes were used between 1987–1991 and 1992–2000, and in 1996 the front fork drain screws were discontinued.
The biggest update came in 2001, when the front drum brake was replaced by a disc and the kick starter was dropped, leaving electric starting only. The same year brought a 55 W charging system, a CV carburettor with an opposite-side throttle cable, revised inlet manifold dimensions, a trip meter, refreshed handlebar controls, an automatic cam-chain adjuster and a modified exhaust mounting. Later changes were smaller: a smaller fuel cap in 2002, an updated base cylinder gasket in 2009 and a new rear shock for 2017. A review of the 2020 model noted that, with patience, the TW can take a rider almost anywhere.
Design and features
- Balloon tyres: the defining feature, giving flotation and a distinctive look.
- Dual-sport layout: road-legal equipment with light off-road ability.
- 2001 update: front disc brake, electric start only and a stronger charging system.
- Long production: built since 1987 with continuous small refinements.
Yamaha TW200 versions
- TW200 (1987–2000): front drum brake and kick starting.
- TW200 (2001–): front disc brake, electric start and revised electrics.
- 2017 model: new rear shock unit.
Other Yamaha trail bikes include the DT125 and the XT500. More models are in the Yamaha collection.
Sources
- Yamaha TW200, English Wikipedia: production, engine, year-by-year changes, character
