Hey all, my name is Mark. My girlfriend, Morgan, and I are in the process of getting an XT225 and a TW200, and our licenses; hopefully all by the first/second week of April. I’ve been looking at this forum for a while and learned a lot, but am still amazed with all of the different choices, mods, accessories and ideas that are going on out there.
I’m 20 years old, 6’ 2”, and around 190lbs. I plan to commute to work and college, both within 20 min drive, and also go off road on power line trails, some fire trails, and where ever I can without getting into trouble. (Located in central Long Island, NY, not much open land around here anymore. But needed the bikes for fun and hopefully take on camping trips)
So I have a few questions/concerns;
1) Rear Rack? I really like the look and practicality of the load lord and plan to get one for the XT. Does anyone know if it will fit the TW or not. I guess I can just try it if I order one. Also does anyone have a preference on a bag that attaches the “best.”
2) Tank Bag? I was looking into a tank bag, but through some of the discussions I read through they don’t seam to be the greatest choice; scratching, in the way of fuel fill, etc… Any new ideas on that.
3) Larger foot pegs? Looks nice and like I might need, but I don’t really have the tools, time or skill to be welding anything, is there any easy way to install them. I did see the ones on Ebay a while back, but not on now so couldn’t email him/her about it.
4) Tool tubes? Do they exist or did everyone make there own, cannot find anywhere. Or do they have a certain name?
5) Seat? Due to my height would anyone recommend getting a higher seat, more padding? I like the look of the original seat so adding height is probably as far as I would want to go with that.
6) Fuel? I work at a boat shop and water in the fuel has been a major problem with all the four strokes that we get in. Has anyone had any problems with the XT, do many people filter the fuel first?

Any other recommendations are welcome and appreciated.
I’m a college student so money is always a concern, but so is comfort and FUN.
Oh and if any one knows anything about the TW, my girlfriend would appreciate it.

Thanks for any help, Mark.

Mark.. Welcome to the site. The XT is a great bike that will give you years of enjoyment. I'll answer your question the best I can.

1) I do not think the load lord fits the TW. PM muniac for that answer....
2) Tank bags very. I don't have one, so others will have to help you out there....
3) Bill goes thru those pegs like hotcakes, he just had some a few days ago. His email address is: dogboy34@alltel.net
4) Tool tubes. People make their own out of PVC tubing, except for the ones like Cougarbait. That one is made from a welding rod holder....
5) With your height I would probably add an inch or so to your pad. You could go with a Corbin seat, which is real nice looking....
6) I use a fuel stabulizer in my fuel, and I also have a 90* filter as an additional filter, but haven't added it yet....

As far as the TW goes, IMO it is a great trail bike and around town commuter, but if your going to do highway miles, I would recommend getting another XT. I would recommend that anyway. If it is because of height issues, the XT will go lower than the TW. It is a little more flexy, and once she sits on it, it will lower more....

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the site. Looks like you and your girlfriend are in for some fun!

If you go with a higher seat and you are 6'2'', you might want to consider some higher bars also. I have a very high seat and I feel like I'm reaching down for the bars (stock ones). Have fun!

SierraGal

Hey Mark,
Welcome to the proud XT owners site. With regards to you height I think you might find that a set of ttr225 pegs may fit you XT. Someone has posted a brilliant picture of the peg comparison so if I find it will attach a link. You might gain an extra two inches or so.
Anyway enjoy your riding I know everyone else does.

Hey Mark,
Heres the link:
http://www.xt225.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=18752&page=0&fpart=1
Some interesting reading there are a number of taller riders complaining about the cramped quarters on the XT. I'm 5'10" and I don't feel crampt.

Hi Mark,welcome to the site.

Thanks for all the imput guys. At first i'm not going to be going to far or for to long, or so i think, so i'll see how i feel about it and what would be the best adjustments, for height.

I've asked my girlfriend a bunch of times if she wanted an XT instead but for some reason is likes it more, ???? Its heavy, little bigger and smaller engine, but whatever, thats what she wants. I dont think we'll be going on any higways any time soon, plenty of other roads in order to get around here.

Thanks aganin and i can't wait to get the bikes and get out there.

Morgan and I picked up the bikes last week and have been messing around on them up and down the street. there freakin awesome. Taking rider course end of this week, and hopefully get our lincences through it, which may take a month, but it'll give us time to get a lot of pratice in.
So I just have a few more questions;
1) Does anybody suggest extending the warrentee? Just woundering if anyone had any problems within the first few years that warrentee would have taken care off, or did take care of?
2) I saw on a post here a while ago a small document type container that went behind the license plate, if anyone knows anything about this please could you direct me in some direction

Any other hints ideas are welcome, and needed

IMO doing the extended warranty is a waste. I did it, and never took my bike in once. This bike, for what work I have done on it, is easy to work on. So if you are mechanically inclined, or actually know how to work on bikes, I'd say don't get it. If you do, I wouldn't go for the full package, maybe just extend it an extra year. The best thing to look at, is what all is covered with the extended warranty, and go from there....

Welcome Mark, I can't really answer any of your questions, but I thought it was cool that you are considering both of those bikes. A friend of mine and I went to Oregon a few months ago and bought a 2004 TW 200 and a 2003 XT 225. Him and his wife love the bikes, I rode the TW and I have to say it is the best bike for loose gravel and trails I have ever been on. My wife has the 2006 XT and I have the Kawasaki KLX 250S Dual Sport, we all love getting out on the logging roads and having fun. Peace man.

The TW is great for everything (except maybe some motocross tracks ;P) ! I take it on any trail even in the snow. It's also great for the tight curvy sport bike roads. I like the XT too for its extra gear and expanded MX capabilities.

Thanks again moto, i was thinking it probably was a waste of time, due to all the termes and conditions. How you clean it was one of the deciding factors.

The TW and XT both seem to be great bikes, wish we could have used them for the bike course instead of the little cruiser i was on, 250 honda, completly different in every way. Have to remake one of the days due to rain, so that puts another hold on the license, damn, but should be good for summer.

XT can sink a little lower than the TW and the suspension can be changed unlike the TW, or so i think. Anyone else have any ideas or ways to lower the TW a little? Hopefully without major changes if possible.

load lords on its way, just need a bag or spider net thingy for it.

Mark......There is a TW site that might have some more info on there for you about lowering and stuff. I'll see if I can find it....

Here it is.... http://www.tw200forum.com

Lower the TW? It's already low as heck! My 14 yr old sister can ride it fine its so low! And mine is an 89 and I swear its taller than the brand new ones.... Just curious, why do you want to lower it?

Morgan is height challenged and not heavy so the bike doesn't lower much and she doesn't reach the floor to well.
either on her toes or one foot.

Morgan just signed up for the TW site so we'll see what they have to offer

and WHOPII we passed our course today and should have our Licenses SOON, SOOOOOOOO excited, 3 more weeks of this semester then summer baby

Time to put some miles on our babies

Greetings!

Enjoy the bikes!

You have a lot to learn beyond the basic class to be safe. Recommend at an absolute minimum that you read "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough. Ride for a few months, then take an ERC, too.

Fuel won't be a problem in the U.S. anywhere with your little Yammies.

The license plate storage thingy, IIRC, can be found at riderwearhouse.com or at whitehorsepress.com. Not sure if it's the same thing at both places.

Heya Marc! I don't think anyone answered your original tankbag question yet.

I have the Wolfman Explorer Lite on my XT and I love it.

It's a perfect size for me (I like to carry the earth on my trips) but it fits on securely so if you don't have a lot of stuff it doesn't wiggle around. It's just fine off road, too -- no flopping about on the tank.

You do have to remove at least two of the four buckles to get to the gas cap, but it's easy to do. I also remove the tank bag regularly to bring it inside at restaurants etc (to read a book or whatever, not really for security reasons).

Here's a pic where the tankbag is pretty prominent:

+1 on the Wolfman tank bags - excellent gear!

I have the smaller Enduro bag.

You can compare the two quite well here:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116676&highlight=wolfman+enduro+tank

The Wolfman stuff is not cheap, but it's tough and designed for dirt bikes.
If you haven't noticed yet, there's two kinds of money. Regular money and motorcycle money. Motorcycle money disappears really fast!

found the license plate thingy, thanks a lot Wide Open, got two on order.

tank bags are pricy things, but both look good, think i might go with the explorer lite even though quite a bit more, but looks really good on bluepoof's bike, and doesnt take up much more "needed" space, that link was very helpful, thanks again.

Money money money, stupid things were supposed to save money on gas, need to ride them for 40 years to make any money that way. But lifes all about fun right, still waitin for licenses to come, so been on mountain bike for the last week, school and work seem so much further away, but weathers been so beautiful.

Wow! My girlfriend and I just purchased the XT and TW She also was stuck on the TW. I tried and tried to get her to the XT but she loves that little TW. Good luck to you both and keep that rubber side down. Welcome to the world of Motorcycles!

JMacRevo, both of the bikes handly well, kinda glad we got both of them in the end, both tough little things and have there little differences. I've been playing around on both of them and they feel great. Also glad to here that Morgans not the only stubborn one out there as well, lol

k, moneys going out the window at the moment, load lord was first, which is a great rack for the XT, got two of the license plate thingys, which fit and look good on both bikes. Went and ordered the wolfman explorer lite and the enduro, were told they fit on both of the bikes nicly.

Still waitin for paperwork to come for license, any day now...

Mark,
Where did you order the license plate boxes from?

Also, seems like I saw a review of one version of those things that said you had to drill holes in the box to fit your state license plate.

Did you have to drill any holes, or did it fit right on?

Also, does the box and the lock seem pretty sturdy?

Does it seem to be waterproof?

Thanks!

whitehorsepress.com; it was called the Grifter storage box, it was $24

You have to drill 2 hole to connect to bike, and i also drilled to more holes to attach the license plate on, dont know if NY plate is bigger or not, but it was an easy thing, cordles drill was all i used, and a 11mm wrench

could be broken easily if tampered with, but not really noticilble when looking at the bike

From rain looks water proof, but probly not if its submerged. I was planning on using zip lock bags for the things in side anyway.

hope this helps

Thanks much!