I think it would be ever so fun to take a trip in Africa on a dual sport my Tdub is pretty fast but I think I would want something like the Honda Africa Twin 1000 I want something to out run lions and elephant
I put big wheel 350 forks and triple tree 2 inches more travel and stiffer spring, TW rear rim and tire narrowing the hub1 inch, a little brake lever cable bracket manufacturing and a Banshee rear shock need to shorten top mount but the adjustable gas shock makes a world of difference
What a great video. I don’t own this bike but I’m getting super interested in getting one and do some exploring. Keep up the good work. I’ll be using this video for some modifications you did.
I bought my tdub from a search and rescue group in Montana a few years ago. It was totally stock, but only had 300 miles on it. Apparently they preferred using ATVs.
I think there are several reasons why motorcycles work for us. We each own our bikes, not the SAR Team we work with. We practice on them regularly and use them on searches rarely. Circumstances have to be just right including two riders being available at the same time. We have brought just one bike to a search before, but ended up not using it because of inclement weather and the need to transport multiple searchers on ATVs. All the stars have to line up - and for us it happens more often than not. - Joe
Thanks for the good review. We have slowed down a bit on the videos with all the summer activities that fill up our time. We will be back on track in the next few weeks. - Joe
I would like to encourage you to think about the skid plate as a needful addition! I have hit my skid plate many times and am glad that I dont have the stock plate. I dont ride aggressive, but sometimes with rough terrain it gets hit. Thanks for the comment! - Lance
At 2:25 the gas cap appears to be upside down. I found the vented hole needs to be UP (forward), or it gets gummed up with lacquer and this has killed the engine on two occasions because the gas tank developed a small vacuum when the vent was gummed up. Easy fix: take the gas cap apart, clean out the vent hole gunk, install the cap with vent UP (forward). I marked the vent location on my gas cap, so it is easy to see and install correctly.
Thanks for the comment. I’m going to check that out. I honestly never think about the position of my gas cap. My thought was if it goes on it must be correct. I guess I might have been very lackadaisical when it comes to a fuel cap! - Lance
Bar risers are more for riding standing up on the pegs. If you stand up, you won't need a seat replacement, so you save on that! Replacing those goofy (and easy to get into the wrong position) OEM mirrors with Double Take Adventure mirrors may be your next mod.
@clvrswine - Thanks for the comment. You certainly got me looking at those mirrors. I was just considering changing them and you've given me a good option to look at. Thanks - Joe
With my tw,,1st i ditch smog ,then bigger pegs ,then handlebar risers,,then the rack,,then fited a seat off a maseuse chair,,its like horse saddle ,very comfy ,and fited 3.4 gal tank,,what else would i like on a TW ?,another 100 CCs,,dual range gear box,,,and fuel injection
what front and rear tires on the bike with the orange pack? i need different and more knobby tires. im gonna ride the continental divide trail by myself and the stock trailwings are notoriously terrible
Sorry for not responding sooner. I don’t know how I missed your question. The front tire is a Shinko Trail Pro SR 241. The link is where I ordered it from. It has been a great tire for me for all terrain. I am not an aggressive rider so I can’t speak to that end of the spectrum. Hope this helps. www.denniskirk.com/shinko/trail-pro-sr241-series-tire.pfp545325.prdf?fs=545335&rs=545335 - Lance.
I like all the mods you've made, except for one... the Seat Concepts seat. I have a TW200 and a Suzuki DR650, I bought the Seat Concepts seat kit for my DR650 and it is far and away the hardest foam of any seat other than the original Suzuki seat (which is about as hard as the original TW200 seat). Seat Concepts did a stellar job on the actual seat cover, I have the carbon fiber look type, but they get a solid "F" for the seat foam, absolutely terrible, sorry but it is. As far as the Maddog seat pad goes, the best thing to do with that is to cut the center portion of it out in a rectangular strip so that when you sit on it only your butt cheeks make contact with it and the center section does not. What makes most seats uncomfortable for most riders is where the tail bone of the spine contacts the seat and gets compressed... this then compresses the nerves at the tail bone and gives pain and numbness, by cutting out the center section of the pad ( about 1 1/2 inch wide by 8 inches long) you are suspending the tail bone over the seat so it either never makes contact or only lightly makes contact. The butt cheeks is not where the discomfort comes from, its the area in the center where the nerves are that causes it. What I did with my Seat Concepts seat is I cut a 1 1/2 inch wide by 10 inch long by 1 inch deep rectangle out of the center of the foam they sent me and replaced it with much softer foam I get from the fabric store. This has made the seat somewhat comfortable to use now. I'm somewhat disappointed that a company that makes seat kits doesn't know this and sends out kits that are just as hard as the original seat. In any case, great mods to your bikes and great video once again guys. Thanks for posting it.
Thanks for the comment and advice. It sounds like you went all out to make your seats comfortable. Everything you did makes sense. I find my seat concepts seat to be comfortable enough for me, however if it ever starts to feel uncomfortable - I'll try making the channel like you did. I used to ride bikes and I could never get a good fitting saddle. The best I could do was the ones with the hole/split saddle that took the pressure off my tail bone. Good thoughts - thanks for taking the time to share - Joe
I feel the same way. I bought a Seat Concepts seat for my XR650L and I find the factory seat to be more comfortable. I still have the Seat Concepts seat on since it is 1" lower and it looks great.
I good question. I am 6 foot 250 and with the 47 tooth I can cruise at 55. I don’t like to as the rpm’s seem high but for short distances I can. - Lance
@@2sarguys Thank you for the information. Pete at Mosko Moto told me that most of the off road people he rides with use Baofang but I forgot to ask which radios. This narrows it down for me.
Hello, these are awesome motorcycles! I am still keeping an eye on the marketplace to see if someone puts one up on sale (TW200s are not available in EU anymore). That foam between the engine and a skid plate is a great idea! What material is it? Thanks!
Thank you for the comment. The foam is a Tusk skid plate foam. I don’t know what it is made from but it is heat resistant so it does not melt or catch fire from the heat of the engine. You can find it on Amazon. I am unable to post a link - just look it up. - Joe
@@sasquatchrosefarts Thanks for the comment. So far we have not experienced any overheating with that pad. It is very porous and allows some airflow. I’ll bring a thermometer along on my next ride and see what the numbers tell us. - Joe
Joe got the standard version. Seat concept part number is 42-0200-20-1000. seatconcepts.com/products/yamaha-1987-08-tw200?rq=yr_2019~mk_yamaha~md_tw200 Have a great day! - L
You could be correct. The bars where on there when I bought the bike and had no visible sticker of what they are. I know they work great for me. Thanks for your insight - Lance
Like the mods. Do you use the TWs in the search role only, or do you also contemplate use in the rescue role? Hard to imagine evacuating an injured person on the back of a TW.
Thanks for the comment, we primarily use the TW for the search role, but also use it in a support role to haul gear or supplies that might be needed. - Lance
Just deal with the t-dub. As it was designed.... It is what it is. No need in wasting alot money. You still going to have body fatigued after 30 or 40 me no matter what you do to the bike..
Put an LED bulb in your Neutral indicator. Then you can see it in full sun. More aggressive dual sport front tire is a must.
Thanks for the comment! LED’s are game changers all around! - Lance
Ditto on the Double Take mirrors. They are much better than stock. So nice to see old guys on their TW-200's having fun.
Old guys! Lol. We do have fun on these motorcycles for sure. - L
@@2sarguyslol embrace it old man.
I love the idea for using these for SAR, and that you two work together as a team. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the kind words. We both enjoy our bikes and SAR which makes for a great team! And we have a lot of fun making these videos! - Joe
Terrific video, very informative and well explained. You guys obviously work well as a team. Thanks for your service in doing search and rescue work!
Thank you for the kind words. We were hoping to fill a void in SAR training and so far it feels like we are accomplishing our goal. Thanks - Joe
Hi
Im David from South Africa
I have 2 Tdubs
A 2008 and a 2010
Me and the wife love them
Ceep up the good work
So glad to hear that Tdubs are in South Africa! Great little bike with huge ability! - Lance
Thank you David for the comment. We are excited to hear from our international community. - Joe
I think it would be ever so fun to take a trip in Africa on a dual sport my Tdub is pretty fast but I think I would want something like the Honda Africa Twin 1000 I want something to out run lions and elephant
Loved your video. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment! - Lance
Handguards are a must. Nothing sucks more than being in the middle of nowhere and having a broken clutch lever.
absolutely! One simple mistake could wreck your whole day of riding! I truly believe the hand guards are one of those things you cant skipped - Lance
Be sure to have some zip ties around. Those tiny screws holding the plastic guards will rattle right out! @@2sarguys
Especially if you keep that crappy stock tire on the front.
Or broken knuckles from rocks that your riding buddy flings at you! That hurts!
I put big wheel 350 forks and triple tree 2 inches more travel and stiffer spring, TW rear rim and tire narrowing the hub1 inch, a little brake lever cable bracket manufacturing and a Banshee rear shock need to shorten top mount but the adjustable gas shock makes a world of difference
I have looked into the banshee shock. That will be my next mod, I just have to do it! - Lance
What a great video. I don’t own this bike but I’m getting super interested in getting one and do some exploring. Keep up the good work. I’ll be using this video for some modifications you did.
Glad the video helped. Have fun exploring! - Lance
THANKS GUYS!!
Thanks for the comment! - L
I bought my tdub from a search and rescue group in Montana a few years ago. It was totally stock, but only had 300 miles on it. Apparently they preferred using ATVs.
I think there are several reasons why motorcycles work for us. We each own our bikes, not the SAR Team we work with. We practice on them regularly and use them on searches rarely. Circumstances have to be just right including two riders being available at the same time. We have brought just one bike to a search before, but ended up not using it because of inclement weather and the need to transport multiple searchers on ATVs. All the stars have to line up - and for us it happens more often than not. - Joe
Good job on the rig rundown! I am on board with you guys now. Keep it coming. Ride smart.
Thanks for the good review. We have slowed down a bit on the videos with all the summer activities that fill up our time. We will be back on track in the next few weeks. - Joe
Hi, nice video. I have a 2023 TW with almost all those mods, except the skip plate.
San Juan, Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
I would like to encourage you to think about the skid plate as a needful addition! I have hit my skid plate many times and am glad that I dont have the stock plate. I dont ride aggressive, but sometimes with rough terrain it gets hit. Thanks for the comment! - Lance
At 2:25 the gas cap appears to be upside down. I found the vented hole needs to be UP (forward), or it gets gummed up with lacquer and this has killed the engine on two occasions because the gas tank developed a small vacuum when the vent was gummed up. Easy fix: take the gas cap apart, clean out the vent hole gunk, install the cap with vent UP (forward). I marked the vent location on my gas cap, so it is easy to see and install correctly.
Thanks for the comment. I’m going to check that out. I honestly never think about the position of my gas cap. My thought was if it goes on it must be correct. I guess I might have been very lackadaisical when it comes to a fuel cap! - Lance
Bar risers are more for riding standing up on the pegs. If you stand up, you won't need a seat replacement, so you save on that! Replacing those goofy (and easy to get into the wrong position) OEM mirrors with Double Take Adventure mirrors may be your next mod.
@clvrswine - Thanks for the comment. You certainly got me looking at those mirrors. I was just considering changing them and you've given me a good option to look at. Thanks - Joe
With my tw,,1st i ditch smog ,then bigger pegs ,then handlebar risers,,then the rack,,then fited a seat off a maseuse chair,,its like horse saddle ,very comfy ,and fited 3.4 gal tank,,what else would i like on a TW ?,another 100 CCs,,dual range gear box,,,and fuel injection
sounds like you have had fun making it how you want it! I do agree with having a little more cc's would be nice. - Lance
what front and rear tires on the bike with the orange pack? i need different and more knobby tires. im gonna ride the continental divide trail by myself and the stock trailwings are notoriously terrible
Sorry for not responding sooner. I don’t know how I missed your question. The front tire is a Shinko Trail Pro SR 241. The link is where I ordered it from. It has been a great tire for me for all terrain. I am not an aggressive rider so I can’t speak to that end of the spectrum. Hope this helps. www.denniskirk.com/shinko/trail-pro-sr241-series-tire.pfp545325.prdf?fs=545335&rs=545335 - Lance.
I like all the mods you've made, except for one... the Seat Concepts seat. I have a TW200 and a Suzuki DR650, I bought the Seat Concepts seat kit for my DR650 and it is far and away the hardest foam of any seat other than the original Suzuki seat (which is about as hard as the original TW200 seat). Seat Concepts did a stellar job on the actual seat cover, I have the carbon fiber look type, but they get a solid "F" for the seat foam, absolutely terrible, sorry but it is. As far as the Maddog seat pad goes, the best thing to do with that is to cut the center portion of it out in a rectangular strip so that when you sit on it only your butt cheeks make contact with it and the center section does not. What makes most seats uncomfortable for most riders is where the tail bone of the spine contacts the seat and gets compressed... this then compresses the nerves at the tail bone and gives pain and numbness, by cutting out the center section of the pad ( about 1 1/2 inch wide by 8 inches long) you are suspending the tail bone over the seat so it either never makes contact or only lightly makes contact. The butt cheeks is not where the discomfort comes from, its the area in the center where the nerves are that causes it. What I did with my Seat Concepts seat is I cut a 1 1/2 inch wide by 10 inch long by 1 inch deep rectangle out of the center of the foam they sent me and replaced it with much softer foam I get from the fabric store. This has made the seat somewhat comfortable to use now. I'm somewhat disappointed that a company that makes seat kits doesn't know this and sends out kits that are just as hard as the original seat. In any case, great mods to your bikes and great video once again guys. Thanks for posting it.
Thanks for the comment and advice. It sounds like you went all out to make your seats comfortable. Everything you did makes sense. I find my seat concepts seat to be comfortable enough for me, however if it ever starts to feel uncomfortable - I'll try making the channel like you did. I used to ride bikes and I could never get a good fitting saddle. The best I could do was the ones with the hole/split saddle that took the pressure off my tail bone. Good thoughts - thanks for taking the time to share - Joe
I feel the same way. I bought a Seat Concepts seat for my XR650L and I find the factory seat to be more comfortable. I still have the Seat Concepts seat on since it is 1" lower and it looks great.
What is the top speed that you can comfortably cruise at on the road with each bike (having the stock vs 47 tooth rear sprocket)?
I good question. I am 6 foot 250 and with the 47 tooth I can cruise at 55. I don’t like to as the rpm’s seem high but for short distances I can. - Lance
With my stock sprockets I can easily cruise at 55 for an extended period of time. - Joe
@@2sarguys Thanks for the feedback!
@@2sarguys Thank you for following up with a response. Much appreciated.
Good review! Thanks!
Thank you for the comment. - Joe
Great walk through on your gear.
Which Baofang radio are you guys using?
I believe Joe uses the UV-5r, and I use UV-9r plus. - L
@@2sarguys Thank you for the information.
Pete at Mosko Moto told me that most of the off road people he rides with use Baofang but I forgot to ask which radios.
This narrows it down for me.
Hello, these are awesome motorcycles! I am still keeping an eye on the marketplace to see if someone puts one up on sale (TW200s are not available in EU anymore). That foam between the engine and a skid plate is a great idea! What material is it? Thanks!
Thank you for the comment. The foam is a Tusk skid plate foam. I don’t know what it is made from but it is heat resistant so it does not melt or catch fire from the heat of the engine. You can find it on Amazon. I am unable to post a link - just look it up. - Joe
@@2sarguys Alright! Enjoy the ride!
@@2sarguysfoam makes your motor overheat. Every surface needs air to cool properly.
@@sasquatchrosefarts Thanks for the comment. So far we have not experienced any overheating with that pad. It is very porous and allows some airflow. I’ll bring a thermometer along on my next ride and see what the numbers tell us. - Joe
They have a lot of TW 225 in Indonesia they make lowered rat rods that kinda look like flat track bikes but they ride them through the streets
Sorry, I couldn't tell if you got the tall or short seat cover?
Joe got the standard version. Seat concept part number is 42-0200-20-1000. seatconcepts.com/products/yamaha-1987-08-tw200?rq=yr_2019~mk_yamaha~md_tw200 Have a great day! - L
Those are azonnic bars, and those bars are made with that cross bar
Awesome! Thanks for the help! I honestly didn’t have a clue! - Lance
Ya1a¹01xx#+ye
The front hood is low for muddy trails.
I have not had the TW on extremely muddy trails, but it has handled everything for is just fine! Thanks for the comment. - Lance
...bars by ProTaper ....no??
You could be correct. The bars where on there when I bought the bike and had no visible sticker of what they are. I know they work great for me. Thanks for your insight - Lance
Like the mods. Do you use the TWs in the search role only, or do you also contemplate use in the rescue role? Hard to imagine evacuating an injured person on the back of a TW.
Thanks for the comment, we primarily use the TW for the search role, but also use it in a support role to haul gear or supplies that might be needed. - Lance
Just deal with the t-dub. As it was designed.... It is what it is. No need in wasting alot money. You still going to have body fatigued after 30 or 40 me no matter what you do to the bike..
Yes there is nothing wrong with this bike stock. Comfort level on this bike really is dependent on the rider. Thanks for the comment! - Lance
Nice bikes! I just picked mine up last week. Enjoyed your video and am subscribing. Where are you guys located? I'm in southern Oregon. GP
Thanks for subscribing and your comment. We are in Newport area. - Lance