Modern Buddy

It's 1972 again and Suzuki has announced the return of the venerable VanVan sans the 2-stroke motor. Instead, the new iteration has a 200cc motor alleged to be borrowed from the TW200.

The engine might be borrowed from a DR200s, the TW200 (t-dub) is a Yamaha.

gitsum79 wrote:The engine might be borrowed from a DR200s, the TW200 (t-dub) is a Yamaha.

Woops! Of course you are right. My bad.

That bike really does look like it rolled straight out of the 70s, doesn't it?

I have no interest in any new motorcycles, they offer very little over classic Japanese models from the 70's and 80's. In my humble opinion motorcycles were perfected decades ago. Time and technology has degraded the pure essence of riding, a few extra ponies on a superbike doesn't impress me.

That being said, both the new Suzuki VanVan 200 and the new Genuine G400C are real motorcycles I would definitely want to ride.

Dangit! I missed an original 2T VanVan on CL several months back. I'm definitely interested if it can at least do 65 without straining.

Probably not in the cards this year. Working on a plan with a friend to involve some 125cc Kymcos and a lap around a lake...

"I have no interest in any new motorcycles, they offer very little over classic Japanese models from the 70's and 80's."
If I saw a good deal on a 2 stroke, late 70s enduro. I's jump on it.
However, I think a contemporary dual sport like a WR250 is a much better bike than the 1970s equivalents. I just don't need 9 inches of travel.

I don't need or want to cruise above 60mph on the back highways. I don't need or want the ability to jump berms and whoops, or blast 45mph+ off road. A 36.5" seat height does not work well when terrain brings you down to first gear speeds.

It might take longer, but a TW200 will get you places a WR250R can't

The VanVan 200 looks like Suzuki's version of the Yamaha t-dub, and it has a seat that looks a whole lot more inviting than a WR250's.

I love it! I've always liked VanVans, but the originals being scarce and commanding collector prices, have kept me from getting one. These are perfect for cruising around potholed city streets, and the low 30 inch seat height is great for people with short inseams like me. That 200cc engine would also be great for blasting through traffic and navigating the hills around here. Throw a rack and topcase on and it'd be perfect. The only negative is the selling price - $4600, or around $5K out the door is pretty steep.

babblefish wrote:I love it! I've always liked VanVans, but the originals being scarce and commanding collector prices, have kept me from getting one. These are perfect for cruising around potholed city streets, and the low 30 inch seat height is great for people with short inseams like me. That 200cc engine would also be great for blasting through traffic and navigating the hills around here. Throw a rack and topcase on and it'd be perfect. The only negative is the selling price - $4600, or around $5K out the door is pretty steep.

That pretty much sums it up. The thing is, it's hard to sell a decent motorcycle in the USA with an out-the-door price less than $5K. There's just not enough profit in it to make it worth doing. Maybe these will sell well and Suzuki will make it up in volume? I sure hope so, that would encourage the other motorcycle manufacturers to enter this market.

Yeah, for 200cc's the price is a little high, especially compared to Suzuki's own GW250 which costs less.

Maybe using labor from Thailand or China like a few other manufacturer's have done could have dropped the price significantly without compromising quality.

It would be cool if Suzuki would re-release their SG350N Goose. Originally made from 1991 - 1999. It had an air/oil cooled 350cc single with a 4V head making 33 hp. Styling was that of a naked sportbike. Not sure if it was ever sold here in the US though.