I first saw the “new colorway” post on TillDeathDualUsSports IG page, and was giddy to see Yamaha update the color of the TW200 for 2021! I’ve been crazy busy so I’ve not been up in the social mix as regularly. Thanks Nick!
Graphic/color change for the TW200 has typically/roughly/somewhat been updated every couple of years. Nothing mechanically has changed since 2001. We covered these mechanical updates in the “1ST GEN OR 2ND GEN WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE” section of a previous post called YAMAHA TW200’S FOR SALE – NEW OR USED, WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE?
It’s funny to see the comments in response to our post, “We think the new 2021 colorway for the TW200 looks awesome! What are your thoughts?” (Yamaha TDUB Club) The one response that pops out is “Fuel injection?” If that would be the case, just add at least another $2,000! While fuel injection is great, increasing the price of the TW200 is not.
The TW200 sits perfectly in the marketplace as is!
In 2014, GC Magazine’s Scott Christian wrote, “Motorcycle prices can vary wildly, but on average, if you’re buying a new motorcycle fit for a beginner, you’re probably spending anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000.” This was apart of his article titled, “Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Motorcycle”
It’s 2020 y’all and we can still purchase a new motorcycle for under $5,000! OK, I am not saying that I get my motorcycle info from GC magazine! Their post came up when I searched the “average price of a new motorcycle.” How Scott determined the $5,000 price-range to be “fit for a beginner” is beyond me! I was simply seeking the average price of motorcycles in the USA and ran across the story. And the rest of the “math” in his article seems pricy as though he is trying to talk oneself out of considering purchasing a motorcycle! But hey, he is obviously not a TW200 fan and we will just quietly keep doing our own thing! THANK YOU YAMAHA! I invite GC staff and Scott to read our “WHY THE YAMAHA TW200” post! You are already here, so you know why, but go ahead! hehehe
PRICE OF THE TW200 – 2020 X 2021
If you read our New / Used post linked in the first paragraph, you notice we referenced the price of the 2020 Yamaha TW200 at $4,599*
For 2021, Yamaha has increased the price of the TW200 by $100 to the tune of $4,699 of monitary commitment of dead presidents, bitcoins, or digital credits within your bank account. Plus interest if you are a “CCB’er.” CreditCardBaller… It’s an Amex Black Card sir, we will take 6 TDUBS for the crew!
Before you get all rowdy and start raising Cain about the TW200 rise in dead presidents… think back to what we just stated about average prices for motorcycles back in 2014! We are still under the window of $5,000! And just for a little historical recollection, the 1987 Yamaha TW200 was introduced to the market at $3,799 – THAT WAS 34 YEARS AGO!
DO THE MATH
Does that $900 difference over 34-years coincide with the 3.22% of the National Rate of Inflation? I don’t know and am not going to deep-dive down that rabbit hole! But I do know that if I take $900 and divide it by 34-years, that equates to an average of $24.32 dollar increase per year.
Add the fact that Consumers in the United States bought some 472,000 motorcycles in 2017, down from about one million in 2007!
Each year there are more people in the USA, but buying less than half the motorcycles!
Please, Yamaha, don’t push the decrease in units sold to the increase of sticker price! And again, THANK YOU YAMAHA!
NEW LOOK
ALWAYS BET ON BLACK!
For the TW200 2021 year model, we are looking both tuff and sophisticated, like Wesley Snipes said, “ALWAYS BET ON BLACK!” But it can not just be black all the time so a little tough of gray goes a long way! 2021 we get a gray front fender, black headlamp cowling, black seat, gray sides, gray rear fender. The gas tank is black again but with a “two bar” graphic vs last years single bar graphic. MINUS THE TAN! I think most people did not like the 2019-2020 tan color that was used, but maybe it was just the tone of the tan. Maybe if it had been a scratch darker or even more coyote or desert color. A bit more “mil-spec’ color would have been spot on. But this new 2021 gray/black normcore colorway is SPOT ON! Both the white and black TW200’s that we’ve received over the years have been “blank canvas” for any customization, without a complete makeover, are far more achievable.
ENGINE
Let’s get down to business! Just in case you have never looked at or just starting to think about purchasing a TW200, the engine is the same as it ever was. It’s not a bad thing… Again we highly suggest you go read our “WHY?” and “NEW/USED” articles that will cover a lot of questions for those looking at the Yamaha TW200, for the very first time, like a virgin, like a TDUB virgin. Yep, insert soundtrack here.
196cc’s of reliable goodness!
The TW200 is a torquey little powerplant, with a strong-pulling 196cc air-cooled, four-stroke single that delivers a torquey low-and mid-range power that’s perfectly suited for off-road exploring. The internal engine counterbalancer keeps vibrations down for greater all-day backroad exploring comfort. The TW200 has a reputation for its low maintenance engine due in part to an automatic cam chain tensioner that means minimal maintenance and longer engine life.
One Down – Four Up
The smooth-shifting 5-Speed Transmission with manual clutch puts potent powerband to the ground for maximum on- and off-road performance. It is quite different than a typical standard MX bike as the TW200 is more attuned to a Toyota Land Cruiser with what we like to call “crawlability” in the first gear. For many, including myself, it’s a little to low, but it is a great place to start for many!
SPARK SPARK BABY!
The reliable Digital Ignition is a maintenance-free CDI ignition system that ensures precise, reliable spark for peak engine performance at all rpm.
MAGIC RED BUTTON INCLUDED!
E-START BABY! It’s all about that electric start in the dual-sport world!
The push-button electric start makes for easy and reliable starting.
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
A hydraulic front disc brake ensures greater stopping power with less effort over the pre-2001 drum bake models. Learn to use the front more as the rear is a drum brake. The front suspension is plush, maybe even a little too plush. To what Yamaha describes as “Long-Travel Suspension…” That may have been the case in 1987, with its 6.3 inches of travel from the 33mm telescopic front forks to soaks up the bumps with, but this has been the long debate. But learn to ride within the limits of the bike, for those of you who are experienced, remember why you bought this bike in the first place! Or, do as we have and slap your suspension with your purse! Give this a read: YAMAHA TW200 EVOLUTION OF SUSPENSION & TCS POWERSPORTS SUS-MASSAGE
TERRA FIRMA RUBBER KNOBBY
The physicality of the TW200’s terrain-conquering tires is also what makes the little TDUB stand out in the crowd in a big way! The “signature” fat 130/80-18 front and ULTRA-FAT 180/80-14 rear tires provide excellent traction and control for the TW200’s unique dual-purpose style. Yes, DUAL-SPORT! These tires work well on both pavement and dirt, with a bit of community dissatisfaction for the front tire. It works great on the pavement, but in the dirt it has it’s limitations. We have two articles discussing the TW200’s factory front tire:
• THE DEATH WING – IS YOUR YAMAHA TW200 FRONT TIRE SUDDENLY WASHING OUT?
• DEATH WING ALTERNATIVE – SHINKO SR 241 130/18 – 80 FRONT TIRE – YAMAHA TW200
SWINGARM SKATE HANDRAIL
Lightweight box-section… Wait! Stop! Steel is not lightweight! Aluminum is lightweight! We are not sure if this is just copy-pasted from 1987, but too if they truly made an aluminum lightweight swingarm, it would add more cost. And how would the kids in Japan be able to weld in some additional length to the swingarm… For what reason, we are not really sure, but it is a thing for TDUB owners of Japan. We hope to find out in 2022! The strong-as-an-ox steel swingarm and single rear shock with 5.9 inches of travel enhance handling and overall comfort both on- and off-road. OK, let’s get out of this section!
ADDITIONAL FEATURES AKA
FACTORY MARKETING FILLER TEXT
Comfortable Saddle – Factory equipped with a comfortable saddle that is a long, two-tone, motocross-style seat that creates a balanced riding position for optimal rider movement and comfort. “Comfortable Saddle…” For how long? But too, how “seasoned” is your “riding butt?” Yes, I’m serious here, your sitting at the office, couch, chair butt is very different than your riding butt. And to get a good riding butt, you have to log miles and often! BUT, with one “T,” we do have a post about the TW200 saddle as well: UPGRADE YOUR TW200 SEAT!
PROTECTIVE FENDERS
First, fenders are required by law. Two: They make good sense! Three: The durable and wide front fender keeps mud and dirt off the rider off-road. Four: Because Troy Lee Racing deemed them necessary to keep muck and debris of his super clean kits! Why yes, we have a post for that!
TROY LEE DESIGNS – YAMAHA COLLECTION
PASSENGER READY FOOTPEGS
FOR MOUNTING YOUR CYCLERACKS
REAR CARGO RACK!
FFMPRFP’s! Factory Frame-Mounted Passenger-Ready Footpegs provide two-up riding capability AND that special mounting position that gives the CycleRacks rear rack the additional strength needed to haul your camping gear! Don’t deliberate or player-hate, just participate in the TDUB LIFE!
CYCLERACKS REAR RACK – TW200
Bright Illumination
Enduro-style, 60/55-watt halogen headlight features high and low beams.
DUAL SPORT LIGHTING
Dual Sport Lighting… what is that? UH… Lights on a dual-sport bike. Good enough to get you home after dark, but dim enough that cars think you are further away than you actually are. DON’T BE CALIFORNIAN AND THINK YOU HAVE RIGHTS! MOTORIST DO NOT SEE MOTOS EVEN IF WE HAD FLASHING POLICE LIGHTS! RIDE DEFENSIVE! RIDE INVISIBLE (because they do not see you)! If for a moment that you put the responsibility into their hands, thinking they see you – is the moment you get hit! You were thinking, not acting, not making preventative moves… Yes, you have rights, they will read them to you when they are scrapping you up off the ground.
• Flex-mounted turn indicators offer greater durability against breakage.
• Fork Protection provided by durable fork shrouds help prevent rocks and debris from damaging fork slider seals.
• Complete Instruments; speedometer with odometer and resettable trip meter as well as indicator lights for neutral and high beams plus turn signals come standard.
• Dependable, low-maintenance modern battery.
AFTERMARKET PARTS FOR 2021 YAMAHA TW200
Since the 2021 model is physically and mechanically the same as the 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and so on models, this post will be a nice reference:
AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR YAMAHA TW200
WHEN YOUR NOT IN THE WOODS RIDING YOUR TW200, we will be here:
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