I'm old enough to remember when small general purpose utility bikes like this were very popular. As a senior rider, the kinds of places I would enjoy riding a Grom; I can ride this with much more comfort and a useful extra 10 mph. Back country roads paved or dirt become a much more viable proposition and I would happily be able to spend a full day putting around enjoying the day and scenery in total comfort. What a wonderful little bike! Sometimes I just want to go for a ride. It's not about popping wheelies or pushing limits, and looking cool. It's about relaxing and having a good time. For secondary roads way in the back country far from the traffic; except for the small tank, this bike would be well neigh perfect. As per usual, Chase as a young whipper snapper simply doesn't have a clue. I don't need warp speed. I already have a highway bike.

@PineyRider

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly. I just said basically the same thing before I started reading other comments. Didn't his expectations just seem unfair?

@igit_7296

2 жыл бұрын

@@PineyRider kind of a weird review; reminds of a guy who likes Italian food - goes to a Japanese restaurant - and is vexed that there is so much raw fish on the menu.

@bw2442

2 жыл бұрын

The third world countries have lots of bikes we can’t get in USA, practical bikes for family transport. Big seats, lot of low end torque and mileage, USA is about looks not function anymore.

I have the VanVan 200. I have terrible coccyx tailbone pain. I thought I’d never be able to ride again. The seat of the Vanvan is so comfortable, I’m back to riding! 🙂

Love these types of bikes, they have a certain charm

I've had my 2017 van van for over 2 years now, 3 in june. I have to say, I regularly take the freeway and give the poor bastard hell, sticking consistently 65-70mph every day to work or driving around the county. I've even gone on camping trips in the mountains for 2.5 hour drives (not burying the throttle, of course). But it's performing just as good as when I got it. Changed the sprockets and chain to help with faster speeds, keep up regular maintenance and all. Also that speed wobble mentioned in the video was an issue when I 1st got it, but I nessed around with the back tire alignment and pretty much never got it again unless I really wanted to dick around and go 80mph down a steep freeway hill. So far, 55,000 miles in, it's still chugging. Obviously I don't recommend putting such a small bike through that, but if you gotta do it, do it to a van van. It doesn't get more reliable and straightforward as that

I've ridden the 125 version of this in the UK as a daily commuter in London, it's perfectly suited to that.

The older 125 of this version was the first bike i learned on ;) It just feels awesome to ride it. Great Video btw!

I sorta think you were expecting too much from a bike that size and style. I own a TW200 and ride it like it's a 200cc bike. I don't take it in freeways or expect to cruise at 60mph all day or stop like a performance machine. It is what it is and if you ride it like a trail bike or small town get around it performs just fine. I wish my TW had a seat like that, and maybe even fuel injection. So go take a little ride through a small town or in the trails or down a fire road and then come back and give us your opinion!

My wife had the van van 125. I LOVED IT! What a giggle to ride. The twitchy front made every ride a fun play, although feeling twitchy it never did once let go & believe me I pushed it everywhere on twisty roads, as I am used to much bigger machines. I always said it needed a bigger brother though, like a 250cc twin .

Literally just sat on one of these while I was looking at some hold over bikes. It is crazy comfy

I just went with a friend to get this today as a first bike for him putting around a small town on paved and dirt roads. I think it's perfect for a new rider and we loved the retro styling. He wanted a dual purpose but all the larger ones had that rock hard uncomfortable seat and height he did not like. I sure wish it had 50 more cc like you, but I think he will enjoy it.

I have very little interest in motorcycles, but listening to this and the Grom review and how this dude bubbles over with those little involuntary laughs, just leaves me with a silly smile on my face.

Awesome job on the review. Thoroughly enjoyed your video.

You always get it right on your first rides man. Excellent cinematography! Btw stole your flooring idea for my own garage. Awesome video, keel em up man!

The VanVan originally came out in the 1970s i believe. And they wished to keep that Vintage 70s appeal to the motorcycle. Bigger wheels, older classic body styling. I like the VanVan200.

@asgeiralbretsen

7 жыл бұрын

Brian Mccann Thank you for clearing that up. I thought it looked modern.

@brianmccann666

7 жыл бұрын

No problem. Great Bike.

@jigrodrigues

7 жыл бұрын

Brian Mccann i like it a lot, but it should be no more than 4k

Excellent editing skills with the slow mo's at the start mate, nice work

I rode a 125cc vanvan for 1 day whilst doing my CBT in England. it was the first time I had ever been on a motorcycle and wow - to me it felt like I was going warp speed when it maxed out at about 55-60mph (well I was a total rookie)! I remember the seat being super comfy though 😉.. the Vanvan will always have a place in my heart & if I had a collection of bikes - I'd definitely have one! great vlog mate - keep up the good work sir 😉

@raihaan1819

10 ай бұрын

Did mine today on this bike! Never had so much fun at 55mph haha

I mean. I love the retro look. I always say sport bikes are like haircuts, you think they look cool, but one day you see an old picture and you're like wtf. These retro bikes have a timeless cool look. 20 years from now it's gonna look as cool as it does today.

yoooo chase you have really good taste of music. keep the videos coming man.

Love the wheels, retro looks, i like this kind of reviews

Keep up the great work i am a new sub and i am already a fan😀😀❤️

You should do the Yamaha TW200 for the next First Ride and compare these two.

Thanks so much! You prevented an unhappy customer. I've been thinking about buying this because of its charm, but now that I know it's not what I'm looking for, I'll be searching for something with just a bit more displacement.

I test rode the Van Van 200 back in August. Keep in mind, I have owned an SMAX 155cc scooter for commuting. The Van Van is much slower both in acceleration and top speed than the lowly 155cc scooter. The motor on the Van Van is not smooth and makes some pretty unpleasant sounds. I wanted to love it. I couldn't. He nailed it for a tiny town bike though. It looks super cool.

Wow does this ever remind me of my grandpa's 1973 Suzuki RV 125. I still have it garage kept too.

Chase you should do a first ride on an Aprilia, a tuono or rsv4 would be awesome!

@ERP_930

7 жыл бұрын

Would be greatly appreciated.

@LALBLL

7 жыл бұрын

BOOSTED GAMING that would be awesome!

@ahmadi4853

7 жыл бұрын

Tuono for the win

cute little bike, reminds me very much of my suzuki gt185 I had in the early 80s!

please do a first ride on dan's magna

@Its.thomas.1.6

7 жыл бұрын

Flix113 yesssss

@dalma8593

7 жыл бұрын

XD ikr

@casey360360

6 жыл бұрын

SO much yes.

Just got one of these. It's verrrrry fun.

Best vanvan review, good information

omg! look at that beautifull piece of art

I did the my basic training on the 125 version loved it so much character

for some reason this bike looks adorable af

Chase very informative video and your enthusiasm is contagious! I was wondering if there is a kick-start on the VanVan 200?

Ive been looking at this. Useful review COTW, thanks.

I saw it at the moto show here in Montreal, too bad there is not a little more power, but looks like fun, would be great on the beach or sand dunes, You give great reviews man, you are personable and funny, keep it up!

I love it

Can you ride an XT225 or an XT250?

your best rev yet . Thanks

we train new riders on suzuki vanvans 125's in the UK

@lukethomas1323

3 жыл бұрын

I can see why cos the 125s are sloooow

YAY HE'S BACK!

I really appreciate your work on the testing and review of this fun looking bike and find the end with your legs up hilarious! But the story of the Vanvan cannot be told without having a look 40 years back when in the early 70s Suzuki presented the predecessor of this bike: the RV 125 with 8 hp. They also introduced models with smaller engines like the RV 90 (with even bigger balloon tires), the RV 75 and the RV 50. Here in Germany it was a quite popular model which you could drive at 16 with a small license plate (you must be 18 to drive "real" motorcycles). Back in the day all these bikes were two-stroke-models which today would no longer be possible to launch due to CO2-emmissions and other regulations. RV stood for Recreation Vehicle and reflected the real purpose of this bike. Today the Vanvan 200 looks like an exact replica of the RV 125 of the Seventies. So i don't assume it to be a modern grown-up naked bike, but something like a Beach Bike or City Cruiser. Back in the day, the big wheels and tires were perfect for driving on rougher or looser survaces like sand, mud and snow. In the US i remember many people driving on the beach and along coastlines with shorts and T-shirts "Hippie-style". So i guess it's meant to be a reminiscence of these times and i think one has to bear that in mind when riding the bike. I had an RV 90 and i remember the poor brakes, the wobbly chassis, the soft set-up and supension. But also i had a lot of fun driving it through the city and enjoying a really handy, agile and comfortable ride. I also had a windshield attached to it which made it look like a small HD Electra Glide (Lol)... At the end of your video you got the idea: It's a bike for people living on the beach or in small cities who don't want a scooter. That's exactly what the old RV-bikes were about as well.

Neat bike! It looks like something a farmer would have to go checkout the crops in his fields, the big floaty tires would be well suited for tractor paths and farm roads etc. Or as you suggest if you had a summer house or cottage on some small island paradise and needed suitable transportation to go get your groceries etc.

@keithbrettell2058

7 жыл бұрын

I looked it up and I was right, it's meant to be used around the farm or large estate and fulfill a utilitarian function rather than a little in town commuter bike.

@effervescentrelief

4 жыл бұрын

The Van Van and Yamaha TW200 were built as “two wheeled ATVs” for Agriculture and other loose soil activities.

I've had one for about 6 weeks. Fun little bike. Just getting back into riding after 30 years - love being able to flatfoot and I plan to take it to ride at the beach like Chase suggested. Great for around town. That said, I'm already looking to upgrade to or add a Triumph Street Twin in the Spring.

The 125 has been available in Europe since 2003 (and other markets I think) and the 200 has been on sale in Japan since 2003. They're great little bikes and unlike most small Japanese bikes these days they're still made in Japan.

I think it's a perfect bike for around town. Hawaii tourist bike. Messenger/carrier in a big city big. Great beginner bike. Great review.

I love that you pick Monstercat music for these first rides.

Nice little bike

A put put intercity commuter that can cut through an empty sand lot for a short cut and get up to 70mph in a pinch with a sub 30 horsepower engine with low MPG. Sounds like a nice city bike to go to work on.

That seat looks comfy!!!

We did have the van van 125 back in the day. it was two stroke.

I have a 1982 version of this and it looks so similar!

The bike looks amazing. All the kids who comment on here aren't old enough to remember Suzuki's heritage and some of the neat offerings they had 45-50 yrs ago. For anyone who does remember and wants to relive some of that past, and who has the money, I think the VanVan 200 is awesome. Good for Suzuki to offer this; nice to see a company think outside of the box and offer something fun. Not for everyone, but.......

@dougest6578

4 жыл бұрын

50 years ago you could get a Suzuki 120cc that would do 70mph. I miss the 2 strokes.

The seat is important. Thank you for that info!!!

I know this video is old, but your spot on concerning this VanVan , its perfect for the beach. I am considering getting a used one to compliment my Honda Monkey at our beach house in NJ. Speed limit is 35 in town , so this bike is perfect, plus I dig the retro vibe and big tires of this motorcycle.

that looks like something I would love to drive around

@calebhogue4695

7 жыл бұрын

Alexander Bank same dude

@FPSCat

7 жыл бұрын

would be great to explore a town or something, or just exploring places in general.

@alexanderbank241

7 жыл бұрын

my one old buddy has something almost similar as that bike, hes nick named it road runner caz of the horn, and they can handle the dirt ok as well

Hey Chase, i love your First Rides and wanted to ask if you could Test Ride a Aprilia Dorsoduro 750?

In many places around the world, this would be the greatest thing to ever happen.

I love the fact you test a suzuki van van in one episode and a ZX10R in another. Thank you for not being that guy who is like "screw that thing i don't wanna ride that". P.S. you ever gonna try a harley out?

the coolest fuel injector. the fuel pump is attached to it so no need for one in the tank. want to do a conversion on my drz400 just like that

can you revisit the FZ6R again?

If I needed anything alike I'd get a good ol DT175MX over it anyday but it looks like a great beach bike, I love the dirt track tires they put on it.

this bike looks really cool.

love the reviews on the different and obscure, how about some Italian scooters, Korean bikes?

nice video. very entertaining.

Could u do a first ride on a street triple R or RX please.

Shame you can't get the Honda VTR250 in the states.

I hope you can review the Misfit 2nd Gen from Cleveland Cyclewerks.

Nice running in of a new bike ;)

I`m 59 now so when i was 12 suzuki sold a 90cc and a 125cc dual sport just like this bike same color, the thing i liked about the old ones is that the old ones had a high and low range and of course 5 speeds in low and 5 speeds in high.

i ride a 2016 suzuki van van 125 here in Scotland identical to this one. they are great wee bikes but holy shit its slow haha

U Could do some really nice little custom mods to this bike. I like it.

Id really like to see you do a first ride on the new Honda rebel once it's available. It's a complete redesign and it actually looks really good. Way better than the previous models!

seems they aimed for the "cruise around town and carry it on the motorhome rear bumper " folks..if so they nailed it

@danielalford5116

7 жыл бұрын

That is how I use it.

@fromtheflightdeck252

4 жыл бұрын

It's great off road and almost as good as a TW200

Thankyou Chase .I was wondering what that little bike could do and now I know.I think I would get the KTM duke 390 for scooting around town and canyon rides.

do a first ride of the tw200. i have a 05 and its a blast!

It's kind of cool that they are still making bikes like these. I would expect these to be on sale in some place like China or Vietnam. it's the kind of bike you expect to see loaded down with 4 rolls of carpet with two kids sitting on the handle bars in Bangkok.

I have seen this bike before it does look funky but its seat is great like you said

bike Reviews!!! awesome!

my friend have a clone of the VanVan its called Skyteam V-Raptor with 250cc engine... he modifyed the engine with other camshaft, roller rocker arms and a PZ30 Carb..... he rides with us on enduro tracks and man this little vanvan is really impressive and capable !!!!!!

Definitely need to give the Yamaha TW200 a first ride. so fun

I would be more interested if it was more powerful, like 450 or at least a 250

200cc is a big bike in places like the Philippines. A 300cc is a big expensive bike. I saw two actual big bikes on my visit last year. A 900 Kawi and a Ducati 999 touring together, with foreign plates.

It's great..especially off road

Looks to be for scooting around town, trail riding and beach riding. Might be good to carry on a truck for camping and vacationing. Probably made for 80% trails and 20 street.

he's in full tuck in! like the bike but I'd only ride that thing in town and maybe some county roads.

chase would you ever do a first ride on a maxi scooter ? , something like a honda forza 300, burgman 650 , etc , and how they would compare to something like a ninja 300 or r3 as starter bikes , would be cool to hear your thoughts on something like that... once again great video

What about the rv125 (the vanvan 125)??? Good for daily use?

yea the ct90 had the same type of seats.... they felt like a couch but the suspension felt like a a ton of bricks falling when u hit a bump

could you do a test ride with te honda cb 125 f?

i done my CBT on this a few weeks ago man ;D

cinnamon toast feature! you crack me up, dude.

@Brightbeyond

5 жыл бұрын

Lol me too

First ride on a Yamaha tracer 700 or Kawasaki Versys 650 please

Those fat tires are for going offroad. They stop you from sinking into mud and sand.

You should try and compare the VanVan to the TU250, both have a similar old UJM look. and the price is very close.

the engine needs running /breaking in carefully before you get the best performance out of it. Great video.

This reminds me of the first "big" motorcycle I had - a 1974 Kawasaki 175. Thing was a boss. Also, not really...but #memories.

I wonder why they didn't use the 250 engine from the tu250

Chase you should do a first ride on a zx-14r... I'd like to see that!

can you please do a first ride on a tmax 500?

I NEED ONE