TW200 Learning a Tough Lesson

In this video I head out into the hills with barely an inkling of a plan and get a lesson in maintenance and being prepared. I also tear up some old roads, see some great views, and creep around a homeless camp! If you enjoy my content please like, comment, and subscribe and I'll keep pumping out videos! Thanks for watching and don't forget to get out on your own adventure!
My Gear:
ProTaper Contour Handlebars- amzn.to/3YMveOA
Rox Risers- amzn.to/4frNpAa
Richochet Skidplate- amzn.to/4frNpAa
Giant Loop ZigZag Bag - amzn.to/3Z9nUxM
Giant Loop Possibles Pouch- amzn.to/4fCIFYM
Seat Cover- amzn.to/4fCIFYM
TUSK Folding Shift Lever - amzn.to/3OdXTXT
Kemimoto Saddle Bags- amzn.to/3Oc7AGv
Tusk Rackless Bags - amzn.to/3UZu6G7
Tusk Brake Lever- amzn.to/3ANUXy2
Tusk Clutch Lever- amzn.to/4ezIz2D
Klim Dakar Gloves- amzn.to/48XsZfX
Fly Trekker Helmet- amzn.to/3CKyzWQ
Wells Lamont Hyrdrahyde Gloves - amzn.to/3CKyzWQ
Music by Karl Casey ‪@WhiteBatAudio‬ "Lose Control"

[@BuilderofRat]

I have been a heavy equipment mechanic for 45 years, and I used a Moose tool kit holder and I bought a tool wrap that fits inside it. I had it on the rear rack, but that made the rear rack unusable for anything else. I made me an above the headlight front rack, and I put it up there. It did take a little getting use to the weight on the front end, but I have no more issues with either the weight, or the hight. I hand made my tool kit with things that I would need. I slimed both tires because I picked up a nail once, and these fat tires are absolutely unridable when flat. I have an extra spark plug and 2 extra master links. I also upgraded to O Ring chain. I also have a chain tool to press the master links together. I have enough tools to take both tires off and adjust the chain. I have a socket set with extensions. Wrenches, and a few misc bolts and nuts. I ride alone 99% of the time, so I always carry my Personal Locater Beacon. I always have my hydration pack filled with water. With you below the headlight front rack, it may hide your headlight to put the tool kit there, that is why I made my front rack above the headlight. I have the stock front tire, and I have not noticed that it handles poorly. I love my TW, I also love my Polaris Trail quad. I think that I like my RZR, I just have not had it long enough to tell. All of my machines have a custom made tool kit. The quad and Rzr are bigger, so I can have more stuff in them. I am not usually terribly far from a good road with my TW, but my quad is taken in much more out of the way places.

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Good advice here buddy! O I appreciate it! I think im gonna slime these tires before next season for sure!

[@Skidderoperator]

Drying out fast once the freezing stops.

[@dirtcopdualsport]

It sure is!@@Skidderoperator

[@BuilderofRat]

@@Skidderoperator Here in southeastern Idaho, we just keep getting snow storms. We have had a couple of feet over the winter. Everything is white up here, no TW riding for me. :( It is also getting into the single digits at night, and for the next couple of days it will not get above freezing. Grrrr!!! I hate winter, but if I lived in Az, I would hate the hot temps in the summer. I need 2 houses. One here, (I love Idaho) and one in Arizona. It is sad not to be rich! LOL

[@patrickgannon8098]

Hey listen as soon as you can you must order a better chain. The stock chain is horrible I neglected to tighten the day I realized it was loose, it almost bucked straight forward off the handlebars when chain wrapped around the agile. Until replaced keep an eye on it and keep tightening the chain. You will get 8000 miles with said chain, tightening every 300 miles, have fun😁

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Thanks buddy! A lot of people telling me the same thing about my chain. Maybe I’ll put that on my list of winter projects

[@Skidderoperator]

Check air press, chain adjustment b4 every ride.

[@user-mj6fe5jf9z]

Looks like a fun place to ride and explore. As for the chain issue, it happens off-road when you don't have a rear chain guide. Get rid of the little plastic chain guard near the rear sprocket and put a proper chain guide on. Your chain can get sloppy loose and still stay on. Also, making a bike-specific tool kit is imperative when you are out solo or in a group. Mounting anything heavy upfront will affect handling. Personally, I would take the front rack off and get some sort of hanging tank pannier to move the weight back over the engine closer to the center of gravity. .

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Thanks! I’ll have to look into getting that chains guide!

[@Rene-up1dl]

On my 87, the chain cut a stator wire when it got wadded up in front of the small sprocket.

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Man I count my lucky stars something more serious didn’t happen

[@Rene-up1dl]

@@dirtcopdualsport Dodged a bullet

[@dirtcopdualsport]

@@Rene-up1dl sure did!

[@Rene-up1dl]

@@dirtcopdualsport Ima check my chains tomorrow. 2 TW's & an XR250R

[@ExplorethePNW]

Im guessing the saying " arough day riding is better than a day st the office" applies here? 😂

[@dirtcopdualsport]

All on all this was a great ride! Luckily I didn’t hurt myself lol

[@theonehavingthekey5966]

Great video! Glad to see you was able to get the chain back on. Thanks for sharing.

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Glad you liked it! I’m carrying a leather man with me now to make the whole process a little easier.

[@pezpengy9308]

got an x ring on mine. soaked in the forums and that was high on the list... had it changed at the same time that i replaced the rear sprocket with something a bit smaller for road use. also took puttputt on the freeway for the first time today and it quickly sprinted to 55 until i got off at the exit 3 miles later. its fine on the freeway but im a bit uncomfortable with how the engine screams like a banshee. that cant be good for it.

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Surely those are screams of joy!

[@PSBEadventures]

Nice ride! I made up my own little kit for mine. Two long wrenches to fit the front and rear axle, (the 125 uses a 14 and 19... A small compressor, extra tube, small adjustable, knipex pliers (best pliers I own!) Flat and phillips, two small tire spoons, Baja no pinch, valve stem fishing tool, and a few sockets and a ratchet. I put it in an old cloth wrench roll and try to always carry it. I need to do a video on it soon maybe.

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Now that is a throrough tool kit!

[@akmankalash]

i always have a decent tool kit with me. spare master link is a good idea. socket set to include rear axle sockets to tighten chain. Theres so much room to stow stuff so i carry as much as I can on long trips. stock chain should be adjusted after every trip.

[@moistoregon]

I don’t ride the same bike but some tools are a must. I created a bike specific kit for my crf 300. Kinda sucks to use space for it but the peace of mind is good

[@dirtcopdualsport]

What tools do you normally bring with you?

[@dirtcopdualsport]

What tools do you normally bring with you?

[@luisvieites158]

jumping the chain off never happened to me, but I've had it break the chain at 60 km/h... lucky it didn't get wrapped around the wheel and make me fall, good videos bro :D

[@dirtcopdualsport]

That is scary! Glad you didn't get hurt and I"m happy you like the videos! Thanks for saying so, I really appreaciate that!

[@luisvieites158]

@@dirtcopdualsport I was lucky not to fall, one day I'll publish the video ehehe You deserve it!

[@BuilderofRat]

I use to work in a logging camp on swing shift. I was riding my Yamaha 175 one day, and I was about 20 miles from camp. The chain came off. I put it back on, and went 30 feet and it came off again. OK said I. Something must be wrong. LOL The wheel bearing on the right side had come apart and all of the balls were missing. I adjusted the right side to make the bearing races just rub against each other. I figured that I would need to buy a new hub when I got back. I just putted along in first gear at 5 miles per hour all the way back to camp. When I replaced the wheel bearings, I found that the hub was not damaged. Luck me!!! Also lucky me for not having to walk for 20 miles.

[@Skidderoperator]

Inspect your bike closely.

[@collinmc90]

Wooo glad that chain didn't break! that would be baaad day lol. We've been blessed with a great fall but the snow is hitting this week and I'm pissed cause I've been out of town for two weeks and could ride. Now its gonna be frozen and snowy. oh well. time to fix the old big bear 400. BTW I really like the retro synth tracks on your videos. works well. I went around my bike and got a wrench or socket for every bolt or screw and carry it in a tool roll either in my soft paniers or backpack. also carry a small air pump, jump pack and tire slime just in case.

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Sounds like we’re in the same boat. The weather was beautiful while I was working up in Alaska and the I get home to snow, rain, and wind

[@Skidderoperator]

The chain can break the case, if your going fast enough.

[@OffGridandWhiskey]

Sweet. Good lesson. I need chain tool/links in my kit. I've never bucked off a chain before. Probably due for a new one. Party on, dude!

[@dirtcopdualsport]

I literally cleaned lubed and tightened mine yesterday.

[@OffGridandWhiskey]

Now your rear end should function better. 😂

[@VintageWanderer]

A tool roll might be a good lightweight option or a little pelican style box

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Coincidentally my wife bought me a tool roll for Christmas! I haven’t filled it up quite yet but I’m working on a list for it (lotta 10mm things)

[@findingneutral]

Fun ride along.

[@dirtcopdualsport]

I’m glad you like it! I hope you get a chance to enjoy my other videos too!

[@hazcat640]

Your front rack is not a great place as anything you put on it will block the headlight and soak up the heat from it (never understood that style front rack). I built a tool tube from PVC pipe that I hose clamped to my rear rack. As for the chain get a DID X or O ring. Yes, they are a bit pricey but it is probably the last chain you'll buy for the TW. No maint and pretty much never stretches.

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Soon as my chains done for I’m planning o getting one of those. As for the tool kit I was thinking a fender bag would have a low enough profile to not block my light ( or a tool roll). What do you keep in your took kit?

[@hazcat640]

@@dirtcopdualsport tried to put links but it deleted them. Lookup the Channellock Code Blue Wideazz 6 inch wrench. Costly but a GREAT wrench. I wouldn't leave home without it. Also this screwdriver Picquic 48124. Those two tools will fix much of your stuff. Add good pliers, tire spoons, patch kit, bit of wire, fuse, etc.

[@dirtcopdualsport]

@@hazcat640 I’ll look into those!

[@Rene-up1dl]

Seals in fancy chains rob horsepower

[@Rene-up1dl]

​@@hazcat640 TW'S have a spare fuse

[@mattphilips3166]

What bar setup ?

[@dirtcopdualsport]

I have 1.5 inch Rox risers and a ProTaper Contour Bar. Accidentally ordered gold but I loved it so I keep it.

[@BuilderofRat]

I have the stock bars on mine, but I stacked 2 risers on top of each other. The front brake hose is the limiting factor. I am 6'3", and the stock bars are just too low.

[@FowlMouthMob]

Check out the motion pro multi tool I’ve used it a ton on the TW

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Thank you! I will look into that.

[@dirtcopdualsport]

I just checked that out and it is awesome! Definetely the kind of thing I need to carry with. Thanks for recomending it.

[@mrofnocnon]

Just what I am supposed to gain from this video?

[@dirtcopdualsport]

To run a pre-op inspection every time you ride brother

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Also ‘what am I*’

[@benkoslowsky3747]

Klim Tool Pack

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Thanks for the suggestion! I ended up getting a tool roll and a Giant Loop possible bag to carry tools and emergency equipment.

[@benkoslowsky3747]

Would love to see a review on possible bag. Just discovered your channel, great work! I just got my t dub end of October and am new to the dual sport game so I can relate 😎

[@dirtcopdualsport]

@@benkoslowsky3747 It’s pretty nice little bag but I haven’t had a chance to use it do to the snow. I’ll do a review video on it and what I put in it as soon as I can though.

[@dirtcopdualsport]

@@benkoslowsky3747 how are you liking the tdubs so far? Also thank you so much for the compliment on the channel. It snakes me incredibly happy to hear when someone’s enjoying it!

[@rodneyyoung385]

How stupid of you to go into a camp without permission.

[@dirtcopdualsport]

Well it wasn’t a camp it was an abandoned tent.