The Suzuki VanVan 200 evolved from the similarly fat-tired VanVan 125 introduced in 2003 in other countries. Clearly inspired by the 2WD Rokon, the lightweight runabout?s name sounds similar to a Japanese word that means ?keep on going.? This scenic overlook on San Marcos Pass is normally an hour from my house. It took me twice that on the VanVan. Photo by the author.
Life begins at 70 mpg…
Sitting at the end of my driveway, the VanVan?s headlight jiggling in time to the gentle thumping of the bike?s elfin 199cc single, a line from Bob Segar?s ?Roll Me Away? popped into my head: ?I could go east, or I could go west, it was all up to me to decide.? This could be called the Indecisive Tour?something about setting out on a VanVan 200 discourages planning. Moments before, I had completely changed packing strategies, since my minimal camping gear looked like a bear carcass on the back of the little bike. No worries, I would find suitably funky accommodations, a yurt perhaps, or maybe a log cabin. But I still had no idea where I was going?a man on a VanVan without a plan. What the heck is a VanVan anyway" Suzuki has actually produced this retro tiddler in 125cc caliber for other countries since 2003, but never brought it to the U.S. Recently, as the market for larger bikes has softened here and cool kids like the Honda Grom have taken off, Suzuki decided to upgrade the VanVan with the air-cooled, SOHC 2-valve single from the DR200S and unleash it on America. With its ...