I have never been a fat cat, or even fat for that matter. And I also don’t like cats that much so I don’t know why I like this 1986 Honda TR200 Fat Cat as much as I do. This rare big-wheeler is listed on eBay in Grand Island, New York with a current bid price of $730 and there are four days left on the auction. The seller will take $1,500 to end the auction. I may be watching this one, like I need another oddball Honda motorcycle.

The Honda TR200, or Fat Cat, was a response to Yamaha’s BW200 “Big Wheel” which was made for twice as long as Honda’s Fat Cat was. Honda only produced this unusual bike for the 1986 and 1987 model years and as such these are much more rare than the Yamaha Big Wheel models are. But, they also aren’t as.. how should I put this, they aren’t as serious of a motorcycle for experienced riders. They’re really geared more for beginners without the use of a hand clutch and with a less sophisticated suspension. I don’t care, I still want one for the Honda wing of the garage (i.e., corner). This one would get a full restoration under my watch, I like my little bikes to be as show-ready as they are ride-ready. Luckily, graphics are still available for this model. At 264 pounds this thing weighs over 100 pounds more than I do, I’d better hit the buffet more regularly.

The Fat Cat has a five-speed transmission and automatic clutch which for an old motorcycle guy takes a bit to get used to. A few of mine are like that and I always want to grab a clutch but there’s no need to. This example has had a bit of a rattle-can-restoration on the white bottom bits. That’s both good and bad: good in that it may have preserved things from rusting a bit, but bad in that original is always best – at least it is for me. I’d rather know how things stand rather than have to look at photos and guess what’s been tinkered with and what’s original. The seller says that “Previous care-takers did spray can touch ups here/there.” If I wasn’t thinking about buying another unusual Honda I’d be all over this one. Oh yeah, there’s no title so be prepared to submit whatever photos and VIN info is needed for that. I have an oddball Honda going through that process as we speak and it’s been six months already.

The power for this fatty is Honda’s 199cc four-stroke. Apparently it runs, or it did, or it does.. or did? I can’t quite tell from the seller’s description. They say that “The gas tank has been repainted and also repaired. Most of the machine looks to be all original. I had started taking it apart to have a full restoration done but never got around to it.” And, also “Today 4/26/18 I pulled it out of the warehouse and put it back together in a few hours. There is no gas it the tank and looks like it will need a fresh line and petcock.” And, “The MACHINE RAN/DROVE 100%.” So there you have it. Hagerty is at $1,000 for a #3 good condition TR200 Fat Cat and $1,500 for a #2 excellent example which this is not. With shipping costs that would already put me upside down on this one, bummer. Have any of you owned a Honda Fat Cat?