Appearing in the 1970s, Suzuki's Japanese Van Van motorcycles have retained the charming retro look of a versatile Japanese bike.
Light sand bike
Recently re-introduced to the United States, Van Van received a 200 cc engine. cm - a significant increase compared with the previous 125 cubic meters. see Typical cross-country motorcycle, it is designed to ride on dirt and gravel roads, as well as on rough terrain, and a wide rear tire qualifies it as a sand bike.
The lightweight and sensible VanVan 200, which in some situations is superior to an ATV, is ideal for traveling around a ranch, will help you quickly check the traps or ride along the beach - wherever the earth is so loose that the four wheels in it immediately get bogged down.
Design
Van Van are typical universal Japanese motorcycles that were so popular back in the 60s and 70s, with some modern innovations that make it possible to fit today. The V-shaped seat is narrow and relatively low, which allows even very low drivers to reach the ground.
The presence of a push-button starter and fuel injection system, proving the modernity of the Van Van model, the owners reviews are useful, but given the intended use of the motorcycle, they would prefer to optionally have a kick start. If you have to drive off-road, it is better to have in stock and low-tech options.
The Van Van appliance reviews are positively evaluated by the owners: the readings are easy to read, they are located at a sufficient level so that they can be captured at a glance. Users do not really like it when they have to look down to check the sensor readings. The headlights, as you might expect, are classically round, although perhaps a double installation would fit better. The taillight is stocky, large, probably even too much. But it is retro, and the motorcycle should look appropriate.
Chassis
Suzuki Van Van begins with a diamond-shaped tubular steel frame, in which the engine is used as one of the structural elements that completes the circuit. This not only allowed the engine to be lowered, but also reduced the overall weight of the motorcycle due to the complete exclusion of part of the frame. Standard forks support in front of 33 mm tubes, and the only spring-hydraulic shock absorber is a swingarm at the rear. They fasten 5.35-inch rims, however, with the complete lack of customization.
The spoke aluminum wheels are equipped with balloon tires, almost comically huge for a motorcycle, the wheel parameters of which are 130 / 80-18 in the front and 180 / 80-14 in the back. Tires have a road or off-road profile for various riding options.
A brake caliper covers the front brake disc, and Suzuki, using the old style, used a mechanical drum to slow the rear wheel. The presence of this retro element in Van Van user reviews for a 128-kg machine are called a fairly good option.
Motor
The choice of engine also contributed to the reduction in overall mass. Nothing speaks of simplicity like air cooling, and that is what we have here. 199-cc single - cylinder four-stroke engine cm has a single cam head for controlling the valve timing. Without relying on cooling radiators, the manufacturer added an oil cooler as an additional layer of motor protection.
Not so simple with induction control. The electronic fuel injection system measures the air-fuel ratio to save and control emissions, while the Suzuki automatic idle speed controller facilitates cold start and stabilizes idle operation without driver intervention. The catalyst in the exhaust system burns everything that exits the combustion chamber. Van Van's lack of carburetor reviews from drivers are understood. Its presence would simplify the design, but would complicate the achievement of compliance with emission standards for road riding.
Transmission
Despite its small size, Suzuki maintained its retro style and treated VanVan as full-size motorcycles, using a manual gearbox and clutch to transmit power to the rear wheel. It might be tempting to install some sort of a stepless box scooter, but since the vehicle comes with the usual manual tuning, it can certainly be qualified as a good training bike. Distinguishes this motorcycle from Suzuki 125 and transmission. The business is that the latter has a six-speed gearbox. But the Van Van 200 has five steps.
Cost
Affordable Van Van 200 priced at $ 4,599. The motorcycle is produced in the performance of blue metallic “Triton” and matte gray “Fibroin” with a 12-month warranty without mileage limitation.
Competitors
Van Van is a more or less mini-cross-country motorcycle, which is supported by all its retro-style. Therefore, when choosing alternative options, one appearance should not be limited. Given design goals, engine size and price, Yamaha's TW200 will be its closest rival.
It is immediately noticeable that in TW200 the appearance is more focused on cross. This is a kind of crossover “completeness” that creates a shortened frame with a short 52.2-inch wheelbase, which is less than 54.5 inches from Van Van. Despite its shorter length, the Yamaha has an integral seat height of 31.1 inches, which is almost a full inch higher than the 30.3-inch Suzuki.
Although the Van Van’s 5.35-inch suspension travel is probably sufficient for most riders, the Yamaha’s one step up with 5.9-inch rear and a whopping 6.3-inch front. Both motorcycles use a drum rear brake in addition to the front hydraulic disc, and both feature spoke wheels with thick, dual-purpose tires that look able to ride confidently on loose and soft surfaces such as sand.
The volume of the Yamaha engine is 3 cubic meters less than that of a Van Van with 199 cubic meters. see. He also has air cooling, one cylinder, but there is a 28 mm Mikuni carburetor. Some users, not afraid to be considered old-fashioned, prefer the carburetor over the fuel injection system for its simplicity. Both motorcycles have a standard control system, borrowed from large bikes, which includes manual clutch and a five-speed gearbox with constant gear for speed and operating speed control.
The price for these model motorcycles is the same, it is equal to 4599 US dollars, which almost causes suspicion of collusion. In the end, it really comes down to whether you want something that looks like a pretty modern mini-enduro, or something more like a classic home-made cross bike.
Is there a winner? Users like the Van Van’s more comfortable seat, as the Yamaha’s hard seat simply asks the driver to stand on the steps more than sit.