I’ve found my Niche.

"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
03/04/2020 at 11:20 • Filed to: None

Yeah it’s There is a niche of Motorcycles for every rider. I think I’ve found mine. Tiny enduros that can do 60mph.

Namely the VanVan, and TW200.

The VanVan is more appealing to me because of its looks alone. But the TW is lighter, has been on the market for 30 some years and had a reputation for apocalypse ready reliability. It’s also much more offroad ready only needing a beefier skid plate, and bark busters.

I could spend less and get more bike, sure. But I don’t want to have to work on my bike. So having something new, or nearly new is great. I want a regular maintenance, no headaches bike. Having a nice newer car has made me soft lol.

I’ve always thought the Grom, and Monkey are kind cool, but having top speeds of 50-55 they couldn’t leave town at which point you might as well have a moped...which I do.

Also I think I’m gonna sell the Veronica the Cabriolet. It’s worth pennies, but freeing up the money and space will make my wife more keen on me adopting the 2 wheeled hobby.

DISCUSSION (23)

Mercedes Streeter > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/04/2020 at 11:32

YES!

I wish more manufacturers continued to sell old designs alongside the new stuff. You can’t get much cheaper than a TW200 or VanVan without finding yourself on a Grom or something from China.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/04/2020 at 11:35

I still really want to get my bike license and get a scoot...although I really like the Supercub! Sym has a decently built Supercub clone called the Sy mba (I think?) That sells for a fair price...not sure if it is a thing or not...

Chuckles > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/04/2020 at 11:41

Did you watch the FortNine video on the TW200? I posted it in your thread about 3 wheelers. I can definitely see the appeal.

Chuckles > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
03/04/2020 at 11:45

My advice is to not overthink it and just get one. You can always find something that better suits you once you've been riding for a bit. Sym makes a decent quality scooter compared to a lot of the stuff coming out of China.

Dakotahound > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/04/2020 at 11:51

My first bike was a red 1966 Yamaha 125cc Santa Barbara YA-6, and I think that it is still my favorite. It was l ight and maneuverable, with a top speed over 60 mph ( I don’t exactly remember the top speed , but I had no problem keeping up with traffic on 55 mph roads). Over the years, I had several other bikes, but this one was low-maintenance, always ready to go, and a lot of fun .

CobraJoe > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/04/2020 at 11:53

If I were into motorcycles, that VanVan i s exactly what I’d get. I love the old school scrambler look.

But, I’m too big, too safety conscious, and not exactly a fan of “clining on for dear life” sensation , so I’m in the “two wheels bad” camp.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Chuckles
03/04/2020 at 11:54

I did watch that. It’s part of what convinced me I need one lol

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
03/04/2020 at 11:54

I’d love a Supercub.

AestheticsInMotion > Chuckles
03/04/2020 at 11:56

That video was so good

Chuckles > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/04/2020 at 11:58

I’ve been going through all of his bike reviews lately. Even the ones for bikes I’m not interested in are still worth watching.

But I absolutely did the same thing and started looking at TW200s after that video.

Darkbrador > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/04/2020 at 12:02

VanVan and the TW200 are really good bikes. But ... the cool factor wears out as fast as the bike is slow ... if that makes any sense.

A few more mph of top speed to keep up with the traffic or hit the occasional freeway, a bit more ooo mph to take off at the green light, a couple more Nm to carry the special someone in the back ... you see where I’m going there ... before you know it, you might be looking at a bigger bike.

Chuckles > AestheticsInMotion
03/04/2020 at 12:03

I recommend checking out his other bike reviews if you haven't seen them. The quality is pretty great.

AestheticsInMotion > Chuckles
03/04/2020 at 12:05

Yeah, I’ve watched most of th em a few times at this point. And you’re right, even the bikes you aren’t interested in are totally worth watching. I keep hoping he gets his hands on a Ducati or three...

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Chuckles
03/04/2020 at 12:10

Yep, Sym are out of Taiwan aren’t they? Kimco is as well. Both respectable makers!

Chuckles > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
03/04/2020 at 12:17

I would take pretty much any Taiwanese scooter over a Chinese scooter. A lot of the Taiwanese brands used to make scooters for the Italian and/or Japanese brands.

Chuckles > AestheticsInMotion
03/04/2020 at 12:38

It's a really great channel. I need to find more motorcycle content like that instead of just POV rides and reviews.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/04/2020 at 12:44

I love the vanvan, and it looks like it handles casual trail riding no problem. You can even go camping with it!

Mercedes Streeter > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
03/04/2020 at 12:53

The Sym Symba actually isn’t a clone of the Super Cub. It’s a legit Cub, just built cheaper for poorer markets. That’s essentially what Sym does, build cheaper Hondas under license .

Mercedes Streeter > Chuckles
03/04/2020 at 12:54

Also needs noting that Syms aren’t clones, rather legit Hondas that are built to a price.

slipperysallylikespenguins > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/04/2020 at 13:36

I’ve wanted a Tw200 for years. Back in 08 when I did my MSF course that was my steed. It was so much fun, the only downside is the tires didn’t do great under heavy braking in a parking lot with gravel over pavement and I lost 1 point on my test. Here are a few links to make you want one more.

https://advrider.com/f/threads/a-solo-tw200-travels-eastbound-wa-to-mn.470415/

https://www.tw200forum.com/threads/guide-to-building-an-adventure-ready-tw200.6998/

shop-teacher > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/04/2020 at 13:49

I swear you and I have the exact same taste in motorcycles. I agree that the VanVan looks better, but I’d probably buy the TW because I want something that just works.

bob and john > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/04/2020 at 13:56

these things are about 10 HP and fuel injection shy of actually being really decent little machines.

as they are, they are a bit of a cock tease. ALMOST good enough. ALMOST.

Brickfoot Ginger > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/04/2020 at 14:41

the Van van for sure is better looking. Like my wife’s old 72 KE125.

My first motorbike was an old early 90s yahmaha RT180 dirtbike. Its been 20 years since I’ve had a dirtbike and I’ve wanted a TW200 for years. Few years ago my wife almost got me a Royal Enfield, but their ADV bike wasn’t out yet and thats the one I wanted. I got shorrt legs, there is plenty of logging roads up here, and I don’t have the desire to blast around on road like I used to. TW is good enough for me.

Side note. how the fudge do I post topics on Oppo? The midwest oppo i used to post on has been dead for years.