I am looking for something to use to tool around my neighborhood, the nearest grocery store etc. The bike will probably never see anything higher than a 35 mph zone. I just want something that is mildly entertaining at low speeds, reliable, and looks kind of cool. Think of it as a scooter substitute. I will probably hit some light trails on it but no real off roading.
1981 Honda XL250s - $1300. In good condition mehanically and cosmetically except has a dented gas tank.
1998 Suzuki DR200 - $1500. 4K miles. Looks to be in good condition and recently serviced.
2002 Yamaha TW200 - $1800. 3K miles. Good condition.
What do you guys think?
I'm a big fan of the Honda XLs, but that would be my last choice of these three. XL250Rs are much better bikes than XL250Ss. The 250R came out in 1982.
I like the TW200 and it could be a fun little bike if you want something a little different. There is always a market for them; RV'ers love them.
The DR is probably a pretty good bike (I own a DRZ400) and you'd probably be happy with it, but I'd try to hammer him down another another $300 or so. That bike probably won't be a quick sell, so he might be willing to move on the price.
I'd buy the TW200. It will still be worth $1800 in two years.
I had a 1987 XL250 and that thing was too much fun.
At the time I also owned a CBR900RR, Ducati Monster, 98 CR250 and a R6 race bike. That little XL still was a blast to ride, and I think I rode like a A$$ on it more than the other bikes because it felt so safe.
I would love to have another enduro.
I would go with either the DR or the TW. The TW is very stable because of the fat tires. Either would be easy to ride. Both bikes have a following, with the TW's being a lot more cult like. I rent a TW every year in Aruba, and it's a fun bike to ride. If I were going to trail ride, I'd take the DR.
Having owned at TW200, i would choose that. You will get all sorts of attention, can go anywhere and just always come off the bike with a smile. Its slow. Thats then only downside but a quick jet change and shims i hear helps that out a bit.
Lovely little bike.
I'm a Honda guy, I admit. But I'd pass on the XL250. Too much money for that bike. You can spend less and get an XL500.
The Yamaha TL200 is really cool, but slow. It'll go anywhere, and is the easiest of the three to ride. But the other two can pass it with ease. That said, it's really cool looking, fun, and will get you lots of attention.
The Suzuki DR200, of the three, is the winner in my opinion. Much newer than the Honda, and simply a good all around bike. More dirt bike perhaps than you want, but I'd also suspect you'll find yourself ridding it on dirt trails more than you expect.
The DR is no more dirt bike than the TW and less so than the XR.
Well, nobody seems to be going with the XR. Looking at the model history, it looks like they got greatly modernized in 1982. Some people have told me that the switch to a 12V from a 6V system was a big deal. Not sure why.
The TW and the DR have front disc brakes. That might be useful too.
For that kind of money, I'd look at the later (90-up) Honda XR's. MUCH better suspension (although definitely not bleeding edge race stuff), will have disc brakes front and rear. The XR250R is the off road only and will have a plastic fuel tank, depending on exactly where you live you may or may not be able to get it tagged for street use. The XR250L is the streetable version, will have a metal tank and is street legal in all 50 states.
I have seen people start with an L model, then strip it of all the heavy stuff, use an R fuel tank etc and make it super simple to register that way. Makes for a much more capable off road bike that way.
Unless you really want a vintage bike as well as a cheap scoot, pass on the Honda.
The DR200 is a good little trail bike, but doesn't have the personality of the TW200, so I'd vote for the honda or the Yamaha.
I would buy the TW200 before it's gone. They've been around forever, but people tend to hang on to them. If you don't like it, it will be easy to get rid of for what you paid.
We have a conclusion. The TW is a unicorn. People claim to have them but they disappear before you ever get to see them. The old XL250 was a decent old beater used at a hunting cabin. It wasn't quite what I was looking for. The DR200 was probably worse. It had a ripped seat, beat up tank, didn't want to idle and smoked some. I was discouraged at that point. But...
I ended up with a damn near perfect Suzuki DR200, a 2006 model with 1065 miles. He was asking $2K, dropped it to $1800 the day before I came to see it. I squeezed him down to $1650. I am really happy with it.
That's a good deal! Post some photos.
That's a good little bike. If you're going to hot rod the motor at all, I have a bit of info. They respond well to mods.
