Good old XT500. Awesome bike. Hard to start. But big time 4stroke power.
I had a 79 and an 81 XR 500. Comparable to the XT and TT 500 Yamahas. No comparison to the modern 450s. My first CR500 was an 84, then an 89 and now a 2014 Service Honda. Definitely a big difference in weight and power from the old 4 strokes. Loved them but the CR is formula one compared to diesel truck. Here's the Service Honda at Brule. Great place for riding.
I could never figure out the love for the TW200. I had one for about 5 years in the early to mid 90’s. It was absolutely awful on the highway and the larger tires caused it to float down a gravel road so it handled like crap at any kind of speed over 40 k’s an hour. I found the arse end always wanted to slide around as opposed to digging in.
I’d take a bike with skinny tires in the same engine size over the TW200 any day. It really does fit the jack-of-all trades, master of none category in my mind.
But that’s just my opinion. I’m entitled to it just like you are entitled to tell me it’s stupid.
I could never figure out the love for the TW200. I had one for about 5 years in the early to mid 90’s. It was absolutely awful on the highway and the larger tires caused it to float down a gravel road so it handled like crap at any kind of speed over 40 k’s an hour. I found the arse end always wanted to slide around as opposed to digging in.
I’d take a bike with skinny tires in the same engine size over the TW200 any day. It really does fit the jack-of-all trades, master of none category in my mind.
But that’s just my opinion. I’m entitled to it just like you are entitled to tell me it’s stupid.
I love my TW. Certainly slides out more easily than a dirt bike but being so low makes it less of an issue. It's light enough I have caught it inches from the ground. It's inexpensive, extremely reliable, smallish and lightiish and takes an absolute beating. You can paddle foot her through stuff you would need a crane to get an Africa twin or similar car weight bike. I have gone through so much muskeg it's frightening. It's however not a highway bike. Fortnine review is informative and beautifully shot. I cannot wait to get back out exploring with her. Sitting in the garage making motorbike noises more than once a week makes me seem crazy.
Since this is far past the original topic, and has turned into a tw love fest...
I’ve been thinking about a tw 200 or xt250. At this point I’m leaning towards the xt (fuel injection). I have not seen much comparing these two, and since there seem to be several knowledgeable people, figured I’d ask. Basically wanting low speed off road, on road in order to get off road. No highway driving.
Here's the Service Honda at Brule. Great place for riding.
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