The publication viewed the bikes as decent entry-level machine options, with the biggest difference being the clutch, (or lack thereof). In June of ’86, Dirt Bike Magazine did a side-by-side shootout of the TR200 and BW200 in which they romped the hell out of the ATC’s, jumping and sliding them about, ultimately determining the Big Wheel to be the better of the two mid-’80’s ATC offerings. Despite these machines looking more gimmicky than competent, these wide-wheeled off-road-goers could actually hold their own surprisingly well in terms of performance. This is why Honda jumped into the class the year after Yamaha, in addition to wanting first time buyers purchasing their first machine to buy a Honda as their first bike as many riders establish brand loyalty, a pattern manufacturers are well aware of. Interestingly much of the success of ATC’s, and three-wheelers came from the lack of entry-level bikes on the market at that point – at least for teens and adults – in the off-road segment. Like the BW, the TR came with front and rear drum brakes and a telescopic fork up front, however Honda one-upped the Yammy with a mono-shock rear suspension, though it was slightly heavier than the Big Wheel by seven pounds (264 lbs) and apparently didn’t jump (or land rather) as well as the Big Wheel. This power plant – that was a detuned version of Honda’s ATC200X – sat in a single down-tube frame. The TR200 was powered by a 199cc four-stroke, two-valve, air-cooled SOHC single paired with a 5-speed transmission with an automatic clutch. The Fat Cat would only be produced for one more year prior to Honda pulling the plug on it, though this wouldn’t be the only time Honda threw its hat in the ATC-ring. Not to be outdone, Honda struck back with its TR200 Fat Cat ATC the following year in 1986. The Yamaha ATC came from the factory with front and rear drum-brakes and weighed in (dry) at 258lbs. The thumper that powered the big set of wheels sat in a steel tube diamond -style frame, dampened by a 160mm telescopic fork up front and dual-shocks in back. The ATV-tired Yammy made 15.4hp and 10.8 ft-lb (some sources say 11.2) of torque at 7,500RPM. ES or not, the Big Wheel was powered by a 196cc four-stroke, 2 valve, air cooled, SOHC single that was married to a five-speed transmission. The BW200 was also available in the BW200ES-spec – the only difference being an electric starter. The tuning-fork brand was happy with the number of units sold so they would go on to produce the BW until ’89, introducing the BW80 and 350 along the way. In 1985, Yamaha released its “ATC”, the Big Wheel or BW200. Forced induction is a good example of this, but the factory ATV-wheeled dirt bikes of the new-wave and cocaine-fueled decade may be the best example. When one manufacturer released an unorthodox scoot, another manufacturer would often follow suit, just in case one of these novel gambles worked. A lot of unconventional motorcycles were built in the 1980’s, especially in Japan.
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