My review on the ta200

[Hydher]

Been riding for a few months and was spoilt for choices in choosing my first 2b bike. This are some of the pros and cons for the HONDA PHANTOM TA 200(old version). Written for the new riders in mind.

 

*what is written is in my own opinion with my own bike.

 

Fuel tank capacity is 11.2 L. 2.68L of which is reserve

197cc

 

Maintainence

Engine oil - change per 1500km

Spark plug - Change per 3000km

 

 

Pros

Performs at its best at crusing around 80-90km/h(singapore limit)

Fc at 34km/L(throttle happy) and 38km/L for conservative riding

Looks and performs great with a 48L box at the back which is really handy.

Pick up is great

Can reach at least 400km comfortably in a full tank of petrol.

 

Cons

Loss on power for upslope

Difficult to take on deep corners

VERY prone to skidding during wet weather.

No fuel gauge(have to refer to odometer)

[okl]

hey there, been riding for a few years now, tired of the maintenance on sportsbike and downgraded to a TA200.

 

i intend to change EO and spark plug every 3000km or even 5000km.

 

unfortunately, because i used to ride a cbr929, i tend to open the throttle and cruise at 110km/h. so far, the fuel consumption seems ok for my riding style... refuel every ~300km; but i'm sure if i ride very conservatively, 400km and above shouldnt be a problem.

 

i had some problems riding in heavy rain, but i guess perhaps the rain was too heavy and some water got splashed into the air filter.

 

looks and performs great... value for money.

 

as for lack of fuel gauge... im used to it lol.... my gsx and cbr didnt have one either. the lack of a trip-meter is a little distracting though, but no big deal anyway.

[forkie]

Maintainence

Engine oil - change per 1500km

Spark plug - Change per 3000km

 

 

Pros

Pick up is great

 

Cons

VERY prone to skidding during wet weather.

No fuel gauge(have to refer to odometer)

 

Bro seriously change engine oil per 1500km is too early ! lol

My suggestion is every 2k if you using full syn EO ^.^

 

Spark plug - if you dont mind gd stuff.... get NGK irdium can last you 15k minimum. You feel great diff from normal Spark plug if you try

 

Pick up is great somewhat is unlikely leh. Almost any models of bike will have faster pick up on Phantom. Phantom is not build for acceleration and speed actually

 

Skid wise is due to heavy rear. Regardless rain or shine, take note try avoid rear braking while turning especially on painted lines. Try brake more using front brake instead. Disc brake is too much for phantom actually which easily locked rear wheel and fishtail.

 

Rear brak is gd for reduce speed on straight rds

[Guest alxfoo]

Seriously best is dun ride phantom when raining, my bike just skidded when taking a turn in rain.

[kraikk]

I must agree. Fortunately I have yet to skid, but have felt the famous fishtail on several occasions. Avoid riding in the rain, if you must do so very slowly. If it is wet I rarely exceed 60 km/h.

[Guest alxfoo]

In my one year plus in riding phantom, my bike nearly skidded a few time but i managed to control it, only recently i had a bad fall due to skidding when taking a turn in the rain, my speed was only in the range of 30~ 50 km/h.

 

From my experience,

Phantom is great for relaxing slow riding. A great transport bike. But due to the heavy rear it is VERY prone to skidding. It even skid when the floor is not wet. My advice would be, go very slow when raining or taking a turn. Dun even tap the rear brake when turning. Best as alsway dun ride a phantom in the rain.

[FY]

Very comfort bike for crusing, pillion very happy also....For the fishtail, mainly due to it's over powered rear break, be caution when tap on it, i feel my S4 rear break is much more gentle than that

[Hydher]

Where can i buy NGK irdium from and how much?

I agree that changing of EO at 1500 is rather too early but ta200 do not have an oil filter and i do not have the time to check my EO levels.

[forkie]

Where can i buy NGK irdium from and how much?

I agree that changing of EO at 1500 is rather too early but ta200 do not have an oil filter and i do not have the time to check my EO levels.

 

Bro generally EO most guys will change around 3k.

Kiasu pple like me will change 2k instead Try Maxima semi syth or full syth quite good 1

 

As for NGK plug ah... any bikeshop should have de lo. Around $14-18

 

My preference bikeshop is either Planet or Bikeworkz @ ubi

[1Seth1]

Remember that older phantoms tend to eat engine oil, so by the time u hit 2500km, you prob have to top up ard 200ml of engine oil..

[Silent Hunter]

Remember that older phantoms tend to eat engine oil, so by the time u hit 2500km, you prob have to top up ard 200ml of engine oil..

 

Don't listen to him, save your money.

 

By the time you hit 2,500km you should be changing Engine oil instead of buying a new bottle of new engine oil to top up with.

 

Engine oil must be change by 3,000km max.

More than that is really pushing it.

 

So rather than spending money buying a new bottle to top up, and then buying a 2nd bottle to change, and get stuck with the old 3/4 bottle, I suggest you just change the engine oil right there and then.

[lawbah]

Changing EO every 2000km lidat is ideal... Hunter is right on this... i would rather change than top up... but if die die wanna top up also up to you... its really up to individuals...

[Hydher]

After reading up alot and some personal reasons, have decided to change eo at 2000km and spark plug, will try to push it to 6000km, or if ah boy sells ngk spark plug cheaper than $5 ill change it every 5000km. Last time i change at 3000km, afterwards, i didnt feel the need to.

 

any ideas how often should clean the air filter?

Now using the fuchs 20w50. $10 only.. worth the money. was thinking of even using the $5 20w50 that planet is selling but i dont dare

[forkie]

After reading up alot and some personal reasons, have decided to change eo at 2000km and spark plug, will try to push it to 6000km, or if ah boy sells ngk spark plug cheaper than $5 ill change it every 5000km. Last time i change at 3000km, afterwards, i didnt feel the need to.

 

any ideas how often should clean the air filter?

Now using the fuchs 20w50. $10 only.. worth the money. was thinking of even using the $5 20w50 that planet is selling but i dont dare

 

5k change 1 plug $5

20k u spent $20 liao

If you get Iridium can last 20k and less then $20.

Also its is much more better them normal $5 spark plug

Do the math la.

 

EO well FUCHS Silkolene not bad la... But better label will be maxima or motul. Since Phantom only need 1 bottle only (1L) if change every 2k. Might as well get better 1s la. not expensive ma. Around $20 only

 

Air filter well.... Only if u using KNN air filter then u need to wash n clean. Normal filter just change a new 1 if it is dirty.

[Dafanshu]

Best as alsway dun ride a phantom in the rain.

 

agree that this bike dun be off the road during rainy day.

 

bike with a fish tail.

[c4ble]

When I was riding my phantom 200-FW, i didn't change plugs for like 15000 kms and it did not cause any problem. And the bike went for tours, just need to take care of the engine oil. Did the same for my s4 and now my comet 250.

[normanlai]

front brake is good, always use it. but it tend to get retarded when the disc is wet. be careful, especially when with pillion.

 

Rear brake should be used sparingly, i rather use engine brake gradually. I rather risk my gearbox chui, than fishtail and risk my life. 300 odd dollars can't even last me 2 weeks now.

 

Engine oil, i've tried Motul, Elf, Maxima, Castrol, Mobil. all fully syn. in order of preference. fully syn is just my preference. I change when the gears feel stuck due to the oil broken down. ard 3k

 

Plugs, i use normal Denso Made in Japan. Smoother ride. Change every 6k. Used to use NGK, don't like the quality, similar price.

 

when its raining, i never exceed 60 unless to avoid danger. its horribly dangerous with this bike. usually i don't ride unless already on the road, no choice.

 

my 2 cts worth. Cheers!

[Paladin]

for me i would change EO every 3000km or 6mths whichever comes first.

look for signs if u wanna push ur oil to limit, e.g harder to engage

gear, rides having more vibration.

 

Sparkplug wise i think u guys are too kiasu... they suppose to be

capable of exceeding ovr 10,000km. why would u wanna change them so early?

my previous plug last more thn 20,000km and works fine... i change them as it's getting too old, bt keeping them for spare.

 

Iridium plugs are perhaps too much for this bike... probably an NGK G-power would be more of enough.

 

airfilter if using paper ones, they can probably last to 20,000km or more...

but do take them out and blow off the dirt occasionally (bike shops probably will do it for u).

Airfilter will probably show signs if they are beyond cleaning.

e.g bike stalls on traffic lights and stalls again at the nxt one or perhaps afew

stops ahead. Idling feels like dying when stopping at junctions.

you would probably blow the dirt off at bike shops, bt the problem is only

solved for a short while. it comes back again.

 

i don't have much issue for the fishtailing except a few cases where i did it

on purpose or at multistorey carpark where it's really slippery even for other

bikes. i even used it for dispatch and ride in the rain many many times.

maybe becuz i don't install a rear box which wld add some weight at the rear (just a wild guess).

 

Pick up is great somewhat is unlikely leh. Almost any models of bike will have

faster pick up on Phantom. Phantom is not build for acceleration and speed actually

talk abt stock bikes i think phantom does quite well... i'm not going to compare them with 2 strokers...

there are juz a few models left. can u name a few 4 strokers that out accelerates a phantom 200?

[forkie]

talk abt stock bikes i think phantom does quite well... i'm not going to compare them with 2 strokers...

there are juz a few models left. can u name a few 4 strokers that out accelerates a phantom 200?

 

Hmmm in terms of 4 strokes... let me think...

 

XR125

Spark 135

CBR 150

Honda wave

X9

 

In terms of cubs, scramblers, sportbikes, scooters: cruiser type phantom normally lose out isn't it ? So far I always see myself as the very last few behind after the traffic lights turn green. Maybe i did not drag as much but then, I don't think phantom will have better pick up then these right ?

 

How about naming some 4 strokes bikes phantom will out accelerate them instead ?

 

As for Iridium plug will be too much for the bike... well...

i only tried normal plug $5 kind and iridium. So i do find a great difference on the 2. Price wise a plug around $18 for 20k or more is not that expensive. I can ride for a long time before i will have to change my plug.

[lawbah]

Sparkplug wise i think u guys are too kiasu... they suppose to be

capable of exceeding ovr 10,000km. why would u wanna change them so early?

 

imo, if wanna stretch the spark plug, buy a spare and keep bring it everywhere you go... dun wanna call for tow just because a sparkplug fail on you right?

 

for me, 2000km change EO (maybe less)

 

4000km change sparkplug. (Normal cheap ones)

 

And i dun think anything is for certain...

 

airfilter if using paper ones, they can probably last to 20,000km or more...

but do take them out and blow off the dirt occasionally (bike shops probably will do it for u).

 

Bike shops do it for you. Hmmm, i think you can take out and blow every 6000km or so....

 

Airfilter will probably show signs if they are beyond cleaning.

e.g bike stalls on traffic lights and stalls again at the nxt one or perhaps afew

stops ahead. Idling feels like dying when stopping at junctions.

you would probably blow the dirt off at bike shops, bt the problem is only

solved for a short while. it comes back again.

 

If using the paper ones, they are probably torn... etc etc... take out filter can see liao... left chrome cover if im not wrong...

 

talk abt stock bikes i think phantom does quite well... i'm not going to compare them with 2 strokers...

there are juz a few models left. can u name a few 4 strokers that out accelerates a phantom 200?

 

I second that...

 

What i realised with phantom is that it is rather safe to ride. center or gravity is low, big tyres, fuel efficient, relaxed posture, low maintenance... overall a useful hardy bike... and if you add a top box, the pillion also safer and more relaxed...

 

imagine: crashbar in the front, side box, top box, backrest( Customise ), highway footpegs, foglights, wide handlebars, kuryakyn grips, maybe eagle footrest for rider... woohoo~~~~~!!

[Hydher]

Thanks for the advises. I think ill push the limits of the spark plug and when the time comes, ill try a denso. Eo ill push to 2000km since im using a racing eo from fuchs which i read would not contain detergents(might be wrong) Since it'll be about 1 and a half months, its rather economical at $10 per change. But i think i have to make it a habit to check my eo levels which i am currently not doing. And yes.. i agree.. ta200 is a rather powerful stock bike. Im satisfied. If i need anything more, ill upgrade.

[steel_headz]

Hi guys... Do u guys hv any major problems using TA200?

[Hydher]

as stated. the rear brakes are prone to skidding and eo needs to be taken care off 1.no oil filter 2.sometimes you lose engine oil... besides that, same as any other bikes. cheers.

[lawbah]

Hi guys... Do u guys hv any major problems using TA200?

 

For me, 1 year and 3 months, no major faults. Only maintenance, gotta take care of bike of course...

[Paladin]

Hmmm in terms of 4 strokes... let me think...

 

XR125

Spark 135

CBR 150

Honda wave

X9

 

In terms of cubs, scramblers, sportbikes, scooters: cruiser type phantom normally lose out isn't it ? So far I always see myself as the very last few behind after the traffic lights turn green. Maybe i did not drag as much but then, I don't think phantom will have better pick up then these right ?

 

How about naming some 4 strokes bikes phantom will out accelerate them instead ?

 

As for Iridium plug will be too much for the bike... well...

i only tried normal plug $5 kind and iridium. So i do find a great difference on the 2. Price wise a plug around $18 for 20k or more is not that expensive. I can ride for a long time before i will have to change my plug.

 

The list is my opinion and some infos by my friends riding them...

 

-Bajaj pulsar 180

-Yamaha X1 (claim by a frd riding X1, maybe he sucks)

-Yamaha YBR125

-Yamaha EN125

-honda wave 125 (i doubt a stock one can)

-Honda CG125?

-Honda CBF150

-Honda Varadero 125

-Honda Shadow 125

-Daelim Roadwin

-Daelim Daystar

-Daelim Magma

-Kawasaki Boss 175

 

interested abt TW200's pickup, since it's a 200. Guess it will have higher pickup and lower topspeed.

 

so, the phantom isn't so bad after all... in the middle range

i don't like to be the last few... maybe i feel it's abit dangerous. i'm stressing the engine a little more...

 

Plug wise... i'm using NGK G-power. so far so good. the previous plug last 20,000km(still working) and cost abt $8 per plug. maybe an iridium will burn better and produce more power, but i find that G-power is more than enough.

 

cheers...