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16 Oct 2006
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Registered Users
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: London, UK
Posts: 119
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Lowering TTR 600 RE (2004)
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
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16 Oct 2006
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Gold Member
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Posts: 100
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Good news/bad news.....
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
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19 Oct 2006
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Join Date: May 2005
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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..??
--
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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19 Oct 2006
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Gold Member
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
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Quote:
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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)***
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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..??
***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
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20 Oct 2006
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: watford england
Posts: 174
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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.
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3 Nov 2006
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: London, UK
Posts: 119
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TT600RE update
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)
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6 Aug 2008
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: BeaulyScotland
Posts: 145
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Questions, questions
George/Leigh
Not sure from your comments as to whether you went to a suspension specialist or not (if so what did it cost you ? and who did you go to. ) I have my eye on a 600 re and eventually hope to buy two - but am still concerned regarding seat height. My wife is 5' 4" and had a sit on Leighs wifes bike at the Ripley Rally it was certainly pretty close to being ok and another two inches lower it would be fine. Did you just adjust the rear suspension right down and move the front forks in the sliders?
Also lots of other questions that I should have asked you before Leigh re panniers - i had forgotten the make and where you got them from, cost etc .Any advice regarding these bikes gratefully recieved as this is my preferred option at this time.
Is £2400 reasonable for a 2005 bike - 2,000 miles only
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7 Aug 2008
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: watford england
Posts: 174
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Your best bet for a lowering link would be a german source, perhaps go on the forum for TT600R.EU and ask? They are good guys and speak a bit of english.
Once installed you would have to raise the forks through the clamps to sit the front end lower and avoid the "easy rider" effect. I would avoid the lowering link though if possible as this can bring its own problems, firstly limiting your suspension stroke and secondly the danger of the chain chewing through your swingarm due to the enforced angle (Lois had this problem on her TT250R).
A modded seat and a bit of luggage on the back can make a difference, the bike you looked at had the pre-load raised slightly and the seat modded to make it slightly higher,
Regarding the price of the TTRE, that price is not bad if its A1 condition, it's more about what it's worth to you as there are not many about with that low a mileage, still looking for a fresh one for the wife actually. Upgraded mine for a couple of hundred difference, I think I was lucky!
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7 Aug 2008
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: London, UK
Posts: 119
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TT 600 RE - lower
hey all,
its been a long time since we (my wife and I) let that TT go.. apparently has been down to South africa (east side) and may be on its way up via the west side.
in terms of lowering we basically raised the forks through the fork bridge / clamp / sliders - (whatever that thing is called..) as much as it would go - handle bars and wires are in the way. Only by an inch or so..
Also reduced the preload which make the rear a bit softer / lower..
My wife who is 5.4' was on tip toes when bike was unloaded and more comfident footing when bike was fully ladden..
personally I don't like the idea of a lowering link..
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8 Aug 2008
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Registered Users
New on the HUBB
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 5
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I thought the later TTRe's were lower than the Ohlins one anyway. I have just bought an 03 minter with 1600 miles on it and it has the Sachs rear shock which makes it a lot lower than the Ohlins versions. I am 6ft 2ins so it is a little low for me????????? would like to do the opposite and see if I can raise the back end. May be into a swap for taller rear end for a lower Sachs one or any info re this appreciated.
Andy
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9 Aug 2008
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Location: BeaulyScotland
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Leigh/George
Thanks for your advice on this - from what you are saying the lowering link does not appear to be a good idea. I stalled for too long and have now probably missed out on the bike anyway so will have to keep looking. It maybe that we just go ahead and get one and I make what adjustments I can and see how Stella gets on. We have time to find the right bikes and it is important to me that Stella is confident in what she is riding
Incidentally would either of you think that its worth looking at the xt660 if I can afford it - I was originally put off with the fact that there was more to go wrong considering this is liquid cooled and fuel injected. Not sure of the advantages/disadvantages of fuel injection at high altitudes. Leigh did you have to use different jets for high altitude in the Andes ?
More questions than answers at this stage so all advice gratefully recieved
Bruce (chizz)
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Lowering TTR 600 RE (2004)
TT600RE update
Linear Mode
