Lowering TTR 600 RE (2004)

[george t]

dear all,

seems to have stumbled on a decent o_land prepped TTR (on the HUBB) which is just what my wife needs..

but I would like to know if it can safely be lowered from 89cm down to say 84-85cm

-she is 5.4' so I am asumming 84-85 would be ok once the bike is loaded etc

checked on the Kouba website for a lowering link but there isn't one..
also looked on the kedo website but its all in foreign..

does anyone have experience of lowering one, or can point me to a specialist in London area for help..

many thanks

gt

[wonky]

I lowered my TT600R which i think was quite a bit higher to start with, but now sits at about 840mm.
Nobody i could find makes a lowering link.
I had a suspension specialist lower and rebuild my suspension. Theres a guy down your way called "Dr.Shox" who is supposed to be really good and charges about £200.
I also had my seat widened and lowered by motorcycleseatworks in Bradford.
For an idea of a TT600R on an overland trip, check out my blog at
http://moto-hike.blogspot.com
There are also a couple of 5min video montages posted on there from SE Asia and Pakistan (note, i didnt lower my bike until id returned from this trip, but wish id done it before)
TT600R is IMO one excellent touring/trail bike, but a bit of a handful for shorties. Now ive had mine shortened i can ride most stuff up to tricky muddy/steep/rocky with relative confidence. Weights the only issue. Im personally considering downsizing to a TTR250 or Honda XR400 for the future, but im planning on much more trails and dirt for future trips

Chris

[george t]

W

thank you,

spoke to Dr Shox who said I can get it 35mm lower!! (good but expensive)

also contacted Dave Lambeth who was very helpful saying that I can just drop the forks and adjust the two rings in the shock and that should do the job..

looks possible to lower it to 84-85cm

but would that be ok for a 5.4' shortie ??
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Also trying to find out about TTR reliability and strenth of subframe.. seeing on your website you were pretty heavy loaded, did you have to strengthen the subframe at all? (sorry I didn't read the weblog - just looked at the pictures on the prep pages) and did the subframe last on your trip..??

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Seems that XT is preferable to TTR in reliability terms but cann't quite find out what exactly could go wrong with a TTR bearing in mind they share the same engine..

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[wonky]

Originally Posted by george t

W

thank you,

spoke to Dr Shox who said I can get it 35mm lower!! (good but expensive)

also contacted Dave Lambeth who was very helpful saying that I can just drop the forks and adjust the two rings in the shock and that should do the job..

***Dave knows better than me. I ran the TT600R shock(ohlins) at its lowest level as the spring is well beefy as standard. The TT600RE shock is different and Dave has prepped these bikes so will know the score.***

looks possible to lower it to 84-85cm

but would that be ok for a 5.4' shortie ??

**** (Girls have longer legs than boys, i believe, so probably okay. Weight is still the issue if you want to do some biggish off-tarmac excursions)***
----

Also trying to find out about TTR reliability and strenth of subframe.. seeing on your website you were pretty heavy loaded, did you have to strengthen the subframe at all? (sorry I didn't read the weblog - just looked at the pictures on the prep pages) and did the subframe last on your trip..??

***Did no strengthening to the frame whatsoever. We had really substantial racks which added to frame stiffness, but the four points which connect frame to subframe were standard. In my experience the frame is strong enough.
My travelling partners rack cracked on the heavily potholed roads in Cambodia, but not the bike***
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Seems that XT is preferable to TTR in reliability terms but cann't quite find out what exactly could go wrong with a TTR bearing in mind they share the same engine..

***XT has cush drive. On the road it didnt seem to wear badlt at all, but ive knackerd a front sprocket and chain in 6 months, approx 10000miles. Ive done a lot of trailriding though and i imagine this is the main culprit.....***


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Great bikes, im looking for a wrecked TT600RE so i can nick the electric start motor(add the kicker from mine) plus the loom. TT600RE has 170watt generator rather thn 110, plus a battery so is better for adding more lighting, heated clothes and GPS etc

Chris

[leigh]

I am 35000 km in to an Americas trip on two 2005 TT600RE´s. I have a 2001 TT600R at home too. The suspension is better on the old kick start model (Ohlins rear and adjustable Paolis). The bikes are great, no problems with subframe, the off-the-road racks bolt on in six places and really strengthen things up.
I have wired in a power socket for the electric vest and a switch so I can put the headlight on to side lights whilst running my 45 watt vest.
My fiance is 5foot 6 and can touch the ground with luggage on the bike, she is about 60kg so with luggage the bike is set up about right. Good bike for a woman because of the light weight and manouverability.
I am still on the original brake pads, fork seals etc.

[george t]

well I thought I should post an update..

finally bought the TT600RE and it looks in great shape..

In terms of seat height there isn't really an issue.. forks are lowered by half an inch and with the preload "at almost full" on the shock (I know what I mean!!) and I can reach the floor with ease (I am 5.6 apparently), and thats with no extra weight on the panniers. I think my wife will be ok with it too.. although she hasn't got a chance to ride it yet..

I am going through an "approval testing" period around London and its SO much fun...

the Metal Mule rack with the panniers looks beefy but heavy, I would switch to rack + soft panniers if I was going to do much off roading

it even has a kind of rally clear screen which seem to work well..

I am now looking to fit some new chain (xlink) & sprocket set as a precaution & new Michelin ultra heavy duty inners (have seen these on a magazine) they are 4mm thick..!!! .. and I am off

(PS. bought the bike from HUBB sale / wanted thread and dealing with John was a pleasure and confidence inspiring.. thanks John and thank you HUBB/GJ)