2017 YAMAHA TW200 AND SUZUKI VANVAN 200

On Jul 18, 2016

Although they only have two wheels, the Yamaha TW200 and Suzuki VanVan 200 sport fat ATV-like tires and are the only street-legal and single-track capable ATVs available to the American public. The Yamaha TW200 has been around since 1987 and is a road-worthy version of the 1985-1988 Big Wheel 200. Suzuki started its fat-tire RV/VanVan line way back in 1971 with the RV 50 VanVan and expanded to RV 75, 90 Rover, and VanVan 125 and 200. Production stopped in 1982, but RV 125s and 200s returned in 2002 for worldwide distribution. They haven’t been sold in the USA for many years, but the VanVan 200 is back in America for 2017.

The TW200 (“Trail Way”) returns as part of Yamaha’s Dual-Sport motorcycle line for 2017, but its balloon tires make it popular with ATV enthusiasts. It has disc front and drum rear brakes and tops out at 65-70 mph.

2017 YAMAHA TW200

Powered by a 196cc, air-cooled, SOHC, 2-valve 4-stroke engine with a 5-speed, manual-clutch transmission, Mikuni 28mm carburetor, and electric starter, the TW200 can go most anywhere with its 130/80-18 front and 180/80-14 rear knobbies. For suspension, the Yamaha has 33mm forks with 6.3 inches of travel and a box-section swing arm and single shock with 5.9 inches of travel. Wheelbase is 52.2 inches, in line with most ATVs, and seat height is 31.1 inches. The dual-sport ATV holds 1.8 gallons and gets up to 78 mpg for a range up to 140 miles. Wet, the TW200 weighs a stealth 278 pounds and can carry a passenger or deliver plenty of body-english room for the lone pilot. MSRP is $4,599.

So cool Suzuki named it twice, the retro VanVan 200 returns to America for 2017. It has EFI with ISC idle-control but less travel and off-road features than the Yamaha. It tops out at 60 mph and has a fender-mounted tool bag.

2017 SUZUKI VANVAN 200

The VanVan 200 has enjoyed cult status in Europe and Asia, and now it comes to America in Metallic Triton Blue or Matte Fibrion Gray for $4,599. It’s powered by a 199cc, fuel-injected, air-and oil-cooled, electric-start engine with 5-speed manual transmission and EFI automatic idle-speed control (ISC) start-up system. Spoked, aluminum rims sport the same-sized 130/80-18 front and 180/80-14 rear balloon tires as the TW200, but the tread isn’t quite as aggressive for off-road use. The VanVan has 33mm front forks with 5.3 inches of travel with similar rear travel. While travel is less than the Yamaha, the Suzuki has a lower 30.3-inch seat height. Wheelbase is a longish 54.5 inches, and the VanVan has rubber foot pegs, while the TW200 has serrated steel pegs. The Suzuki weighs 282 pounds and holds 1.7 gallons of gas.

2017 YAMAHA TW200 AND SUZUKI VANVAN 200

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