Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
TT600RE suspension and luggage questions TT600RE suspension and luggage questions
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Jul 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Redbourne, UK
Posts: 98
TT600RE suspension and luggage questions
Hi all,

I'm just getting used to my new Yamaha (05) TT600RE - it was terrible when new, but now it's loosening up I have more hope for it!! I have some questions though:

1 - The back end is quite low and quite soft. As I want to fit hard luggage, I'm thinking of having a stiffer (and perhaps slightly longer) spring wound for the back shock. Has anyone had this done before, and if so do they have any tips. (Btw, I'm 90 kg and my luggage will be about 40kg).

2 - Racks - I see www.offtheroad.de do a rack for it. Does anyone have this? If so, are they happy with it? Is the standard rear subframe up to the job?

Anyway, thanks for the help - Andy



------------------
AndyBee
-----
'95 Toyota Land Cruiser FZJ80R with Frontrunner XLR tank, Hannibal tent, DesertStormer carrier, round wheels etc
__________________
AndyBee
(04 KTM 640 Adv 'Naartjie'/11 KTM 990 Adv 'Tsumeb')
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 Jul 2005
Laromonster's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stavanger,Norway
Posts: 112
Congrats on your new ride !
i suspect yamaha put on a longer link on the RE models than was used previously on the R (kicker) models. it may be as simple and probably cheaper than messing with longer springs to substitute the link.
would be wise to cross reference the part numbers if there is a change from the R to the RE
as for luggage .. why bother with hard luggage i have quite a few thousand kilometers with this set up

oxford "throw overs" and a behemoth of a dufflebag

------------------
Laromo '04 TT600RE
__________________
Laromo \ '02 KTM 300 EXC "Jake"
'05 KTM 640 ADV "Fatman"
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Jul 2005
Laromonster's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stavanger,Norway
Posts: 112
i forgot to ask... you have tightened up the preload on the rear shock ...right?
of course you have
__________________
Laromo \ '02 KTM 300 EXC "Jake"
'05 KTM 640 ADV "Fatman"
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Jul 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: watford england
Posts: 174
I have the rack and boxes from off the road. They have a home made feel but look very strong, they fix to the main footpegs and four points on the subframe which really spreads the load to the right places. I have done 20,000 miles with this set up half with just me and luggage North Africa and Europe. Half with girlfriend(60Kg) on the back and 40Kg luggage Trans Canada and U.S.A.
No problems at all with luggage, make sure you seal the box seams with silicone and line the boxes with sticky backed vinyl sheet, this stops water and black marks on your gear.
The boxes are easier to use and de-mount than Zega boxes and rack has re-located pillion pegs for passenger comfort.
I am now buying a 2005 TT600RE to replace my 2001 TT600R and I am thinking of swapping the forks and shock, any ideas?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Jul 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Redbourne, UK
Posts: 98
Hi guys - thanks for the help. From what I hear, the Ohlins unit on the 600R is better than the Sachs unit on the RE. Having said that, your Ohlins has done quite a bit of hard work, so if you were going to swap them, it might be worth having it rebuilt at the time??

I'd be interested to know if the ride height difference in the 2 models is just down to the link. Anyone with a 600R fancy measuring their link? If so, I'll probably get a 600R link, take the preload up a bit more (i.e. to max) and that should be fine.

I'm encouraged to hear that the subframe is up to the job. My past travel bikes (XR600R and XR650L) both had puny subframes. The XR600s broke 3 times. Still I guess they weren't designed for luggage.

I'm still a fan of aluminium panniers though - you can sit on them of an evening and they make good washing up bowls :-)

Cheers for now - Andy

------------------
AndyBee
-----
'05 Yamaha TT600RE - still pretty standard

'95 Toyota Land Cruiser FZJ80R with Frontrunner XLR tank, Hannibal tent, DesertStormer carrier, round wheels etc
__________________
AndyBee
(04 KTM 640 Adv 'Naartjie'/11 KTM 990 Adv 'Tsumeb')
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 20 Jul 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: London,England
Posts: 358
Hi
I have a few photos of my TTR swingarm and link which I posted on another site for somone.
May be you can see if the link looks different to your one, sorry dont know any measurements as bike is back together.
The photos are hear
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...guid=163722627
you will have to join site to view.
Is it possible to post photos on this site?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 1 Jun 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Laromonster,

An old thread I realise, but how do you keep your soft luggage off the bike - hot exhaust etc?

Thanks,

Dave
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 1 Jun 2007
Laromonster's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stavanger,Norway
Posts: 112
wow! a blast from the past

The way i had the bags on the bike kept them from making contact with the exhaust.. way forward, i was sitting on the crossover straps, and had the dufflebag bungied to the pannier handles to prevent them from sagging inwards.

Some lowlife scum solved the whole problem for me and took off with the yammie last september
__________________
Laromo \ '02 KTM 300 EXC "Jake"
'05 KTM 640 ADV "Fatman"
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 1 Jun 2007
tomwest's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: At the moment:Zanzibar
Posts: 116
Soft / Hard
I bought the same set of Oxie´s for my Thunderace, and they have been great. Allso had them mounted on the old XT for a while,but have now got my self a pair of Touratech Zega´s waiting at home for installation when I get vacation. I think alu boxes have an advantage to soft bags when rideing a dualsport. They are tougher and you don´t have to wash them after or cover them in case of rain or mud.
On the Ace that is only eating highway miles i like the Oxford bags, Takes 5min to strap on/off. And you can fit a lot of gear in too them


Tom.
__________________
Places to be and things to do, see you all out there!!

Cheers.

Tom.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2 Jun 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Oxford soft luggage
Laromonster,
They look a lot further to the rear than you describe, which is what caught my eye - I have the same bike and the same luggage (had the Oxfords for some years and they work well for me - the bike, not so long).
I have thought about trying them out in the way you describe, but I was wondering if the weight would still push the plastics i.e. bend them into the exhaust.

Tom,
Yes, I've used the throwovers for various trips on road bikes - great for me, keeps the weight low (I'm not keen on topboxes) and fairly streamlined for those 100+ MPH dashes on the German autobahns. I used binbags inside them and then pack the kit in - that keeps everything dry without bothering with putting an outer water-resistant cover on.

Dave
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:22.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top