What is the difference between a TTR600 and an XT600. I can tell just by looking at them that there is obviously a difference, but would like to know a bit more about the TTR600.

Also, I picked up somewhere on this forum that the late models of the XT600E were plagued with problems, and no where near as good as the earlier XT600s. Is this true. I know that the new XT660 is not rated that highly but always thought that the one it replaced was pretty similar to the early 90's ones.

i made the switch from an 03 XT 600 to an '04 TT600re this june.
So far i have ridden over 6000 km on the TT and feel i can pass some judgement on it.
The TT has WAY ! better suspension yamaha Belgarda outsources many components for the TT Paioli forks,ohlins/sachs dampers,Brembo brakes instead of the in house or no name stuff they used on the XT, and you can tell the difference.
i have taken my TT places where i would not think of taking the XT
on the downside the TT is basically a DIRT bike so it lacks a cush drive in the rear hub.. it may eat some more chains and sprockets due to this, or maybe not if you use knobby tires which tend to flex a little and absorb driveline shocks.
The top speed is probably a little less on the TT due to lower gearing, but its a lot more stable than the xt which has thinner plastics in the front fender ( it flops around a lot )and skinnier fork tubes

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Laromo '04 TT600RE

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Laromo \ '02 KTM 300 EXC "Jake"
'05 KTM 640 ADV "Fatman"

and i just found out this last sunday.. the TT crashes a lot better than an XT, i kissed the pavement at about 20kmph and both me and bike slid a fair distance result : scratched acerbis handguards ( but otherwise functional), bent clutch lever (functional), scratched fenders and sidepanel ( adds character)i doubt the XT would have fared so well due to the abundance of protruding plastic bits and pieces

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Laromo '04 TT600RE

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Laromo \ '02 KTM 300 EXC "Jake"
'05 KTM 640 ADV "Fatman"

Does the TT carry the same amount of oil as the XT? Is it really the same engine? Fuel mileage?
By your words, i would assume a TT with a larger tank and confy seat is as good or better than a XT on the highway.

yes i think they carry the same amount of oil 2.7 liters, the XT has an integral in the frame oil tank where the TT has an aluminum tank below the airfilter box. Fuel mileage is the same 4.5 l pr 100 km. engine is the same apart from clutch linkage ( cable on the XT is on the right side of engine, TT left )carburator on the TT is bigger than the XT and breathes through a much bigger airbox (8 liters) with an oiled foam filter.
IMHO the TT is what the XT should have been instead of the "look a like " dirtbike that it evolved into.
Sadly the new XT 660R is not an improvement over the old XT 600.

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Laromo \ '02 KTM 300 EXC "Jake"
'05 KTM 640 ADV "Fatman"

And do you use your TT to tour on tarmac also, as do many people on XTEs?

depends what you mean by "tour" a weeks trip covering maybe 2ooo km no problem..RTW ? absolutely not!! It IS an off road bike first and foremost.. that being said.. if i were to install a custom seat and a 20liter acerbis tank.. it could be done.. just not by me ;-) i would choose a goldwing instead

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Laromo \ '02 KTM 300 EXC "Jake"
'05 KTM 640 ADV "Fatman"

As an XTR owner, I think I should add my sixpenny worth to this thread.
The XT660R is a quite different animal to either the old XT or the TT. It is more of a road bike, but has reasonable off road ability. I can follow my DRZ riding companion into some pretty rough terrain and it copes just fine if you take it easy. The XTR's strength is in its on road performance:
Here the handling and stability is superb, as good or better than a lot of road bikes I have owned and ridden. Almost up to Sports bike levels.
It has a lot more power than the TT and XT and is a genuine all day 70+ mph machine, with a 100+ mph top speed. Excellent for this type of bike.
It is very comfortable - I've ridden 400 mile days with no problems.
It has a 200 mile tank range and returns an average 70mpg.
Headlight is very good. Brakes are OK - nothing special. Cosmetics are very poor for the price. General finish is reasonably robust and nothing has worked loose.
I would sum it up as a better all round riding machine than either a Transalp or BMW650.
My only question mark is its long term reliability if subjected to extreme riding. As this is such a new bike, there is no way of knowing if it can take BIG miles. I have done nearly 4000 miles, on all sorts of terrain, without a single problem, but would not want to take on any journey which was too ambitious (eg London to Cape Town)until there is more data on this model.
Out of the 20 XTRs and Xs which I know of, there has been only one which has had a problem. This was a leak from the oil tank. Otherwise there have been no reliability issues.
It is a true "Dual Purpose" machine.

[This message has been edited by XT Alan (edited 30 September 2004).]

Hi - I can't say I have had any problems with my 2002 XT600e, but it has only done about 13000kms - mostly on the road with occasional trips off road.
So far it has been totally reliable and fun to ride.
The TTR is a different bike - much more off-road oriented and if I was looking for that kind of bike I would probably go for a Honda XR 400.

Ive just completed a trans Africa on my 1985 XT600 Tenere, if only they still made bikes like this!
As much as i love the old beast I am now looking to put it into retirement and buy something a little newer.
Im told that the TT, although a more competant rough-terrain bike has a weaker frame than the XT making it difficult to secure panniers for distance riding.
Any experience here?

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"If we don't find something good at least we will find something new." Voltaire

Hi Jim!
the rear sub frame is a bolt on part (4 bolts) instead of the XT's uni construction. i agree it may not be as suitable for huge aluminum panniers and top box allthough a german company sells a rack and frame for this ( off the road something or other)

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Laromo '04 TT600RE

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Laromo \ '02 KTM 300 EXC "Jake"
'05 KTM 640 ADV "Fatman"

Hi Jim, spent 7000km this year in Russia and Eastern Europe on a TTR with fully loaded alu panniers. The rear frame has not suffered from this experience. However there are a few other considerations: On tarmac the bike was surprisingly stabile despite being light and tall, though when the road quality declined the stability declined proportionally. For the next 7000km I'll keep the Hepco&Becker rack which is great, but I have ditched the panniers and gone for Ortlieb soft luggage.

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RTW 2005-2007
www.eriksaue.com

Hi Erik,

Quick intro as I'm new here. Knocking on 50, 47 bikes, some trials, enduro, road and a wee bit o racing. Wrote for UK dirt mag and just bought a new TT600RE.

I need a racka nd you mention the Hepco&Becker but I don't see one on their site?

I bought the TTR for its better road manners than my XR's and CCM of old. I like the rubber mounted bars, blancer shaft and on my 03/04 model - the leccy start! I need to consider retro fitting a kick start?

I'm pretty sure mine has a cush drive, I'll check. I like the 2 inch lower suspension than the 2002 models and like others love the Brembos and Paiolis.

Have done an online gearing calculator for my bike.

http://john.rushworth.com/tt600re/GearingCalculator.htm

John



Hi Jim, spent 7000km this year in Russia and Eastern Europe on a TTR with fully loaded alu panniers. The rear frame has not suffered from this experience. However there are a few other considerations: On tarmac the bike was surprisingly stabile despite being light and tall, though when the road quality declined the stability declined proportionally. For the next 7000km I'll keep the Hepco&Becker rack which is great, but I have ditched the panniers and gone for Ortlieb soft luggage.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just to add to the topic, I have a 2001 TT600R kickstart. Just come back from an 8500 mile trip from Newfoundland to California with luggage and girlfriend on the back. Have previously done Morrocco and all over Europe on it. 5th gear is now starting to suffer but otherwise no real problems. I use a 20 litre Acerbis tank,centre stand, alu boxes and rack from "off the road" in Germany (stronger than touratech etc).My ohlins shock is still going strong(preload set up high).
People in Canada/ U.S.A. thought we were insane to do the trip on a 600cc single but is anything easy worth doing?

Leigh,

Thanks. Do you have a contact or web address for the "off the road" rack please?

John