There are three bikes I am seriously considering getting. I need to move up from my 50cc scooter, and I've narrowed it down to the following three. Now all I need is a job...Here are the three I'm considering (in no particular order), with fast facts, pictures, and my personal pro's and con's:1. Yamaha TW200 (Dual Sport):
FAST FACTS:- MSRP: $3990
- Engine Type: 196cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled, SOHC; 2 valves
- Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Curb Weight: 279 lbs
- Fuel Capacity: 1.8 gallons
- Fuel Economy: 78mpg
PERSONAL PROS:- Best traction in adverse conditions of the three
- Best traction on rougher roads/off-road
- Wider tires means it's better on the twisties than the DR200
- The most affordable of the three
- Definitely the toughest of the three (can really take a beating, and a popular trail explorer comparable to a Rokon)
- A popular bike that's easy to find parts for
- This bike would be the best for rougher terrain/potholes, and it would be the best in snow and rain
PERSONAL CONS:- World's tiniest fuel capacity EVER (and no reserve tank)
- The least highway capable of the three (redlines at 55mph)
- No stock skid plate (and it's the shortest of the three bikes!)
- Doesn't accelerate very quickly, which can be dangerous in traffic (I would know...)
- The shortest/smallest of the three bikes, making it the least visible in traffic
2. Suzuki DR200SE (Dual Sport)
FAST FACTS:- MSRP: $4199
- Engine Type: 199 cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled, OHC
- Compression Ratio: 9.4:1
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Curb Weight: 278 lbs
- Fuel Capacity: 3.4 gallons (*including reserve)
- Fuel Economy: 105mpg
PERSONAL PROS:- The more powerful of the 2 dual sports: capable of highway speeds
- Most agile of the three bikes, and accelerates decently when necessary, making it ideal for city driving
- Lightest of the three choices
- Decent traction in adverse weather (better for all-season, primary vehicle)
- Decent traction off-road, specifically dirt (better for exploring secondary roads)
- Better looking of the two dual sports
- The best fuel economy of the 3 choices
- Almost twice the fuel capacity than the TW200
- Lightest of the three choices
- This bike would be the best for driving downtown Kansas City
PERSONAL CONS:- Narrower tires means not as good in snow/mud/sand, or on twisties
- Low weight and lack of fairings means wind is a negative factor at higher speeds
- Capable of highway speeds, but not the engine is not super comfortable at those speeds
- Significant price increase from the TW200
- Online research seems to indicate more potential mechanical problems than the other two (though still low maintenance and good quality)
3. Kawasaki Ninja 250r (Sport Bike)
FAST FACTS:- MSRP: $4099* (at most dealerships, this is actually listed $500+ more than the DR200)
- Engine Type: 249cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel twin
- Compression Ratio: 11.6:1
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Curb Weight: 333 lbs.
- Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gallon
- Fuel Economy: 61mpg
PERSONAL PROS:- Looks absolutely beautiful (*sigh*)
- Low-maintenance, easy to find parts for
- By far the most highway-capable of the three bikes
- The most comfortable for longer trips
- The most fun on the twisties
- Best fuel capacity by far
- Able to accelerate quite nicely to get myself out of a tight spot, or merge when necessary (great for safety reasons)
- Largest and most visible (for safetly reasons)
- This bike would be the one I would be least likely to feel I had "outgrown" or wasn't powerful enough to be a daily commuter
- This bike would be best for traveling to visit family
- This bike would be the hardest to steal
PERSONAL CONS:- Worst traction in adverse weather of the three (so less ideal as an all-season, primary vehicle)
- Obviously the worst of the three on rougher roads/gravel (so not very good for exploring secondary roads, or for the many crappy main roads/parking lots around here...)
- I would feel guilty getting such a good-looking bike as a missionary
- While still great fuel economy, it is the least of the three
- The heaviest of the three bikes (not as fun in bumper-to-bumper, and a little more cumbersome in general for a lightweight like myself)
- The least forgiving if dropped (unless I pay for after market sliders)
- The most expensive of the three bikes
4. (I also like the Ninja in red:)
The polls are open! Give your reasons and help me decide!
Comments (3)
I know nothing about bikes. And, frankly, I would never get one even if I hit the lottery. It's painfully obvious that the slightest bump could be deadly. Not so in a car. But hey, to each his own.
So here's a rec hoping others know more than me about bikes and can recommend something.
@hecticmuse - LOL. Thanks, Hector. Believe me, I'm in full gear when I ride. This gets me funny looks, as I'm just on a 50cc scooter for now. But, hey, better safe than sorry any day.
The bigger problem is actually cars, not the road or the weather. Drivers just don't look for or see motorcycles. It's kinda scary. And many are on their cell phones while eating a cheeseburger and listening to the radio.
@RJT_WDOA - Exactly. If I get hit by a distracted driver (depending on the speed we're going), I myself would likely suffer no injuries, or minor ones. I have been in several car accidents, some of which resulted in extensive damage to the car I was in, and/or to the other driver's. But I have never sustained any injuries of any sort. I have never even sprained a joint or broken a bone. ANY of the accidents I've been in could've resulted in major injuries (maybe even death) had I been in a bike instead of in a car.
No matter how much "safety" gear you're wearing, it will never compensate for the fact that you're the one that's going to hit the pavement and/or another car *directly* with your body in case of an accident.
I wish you the best, and I hope you never, ever get in an accident.