I'm planning a trip to Africa next year and plan on driving 60% Tarmac 40% off road.
My background is Moto X many years ago. I love the TTR600RE but havn't bought one yet.
My question is, would the TTR be able top handle my weight with Panniers and Bags etc and me!
Does anyone know if i can raise the bike up and stiffen the shocks? If so which brand?

Or shall i just go for a XT660Z which does'nt inspire me at all

The TT600RE is the heavier, milder, e-start version of the TTR600. It is a great bike in many ways but IMHO not exactly inspiring for a former MX racer. You really should try one out before you buy. It will handle offroad riding pretty well though...

You can use the suspension (front and rear) off the TTR600, it is a direct bolt on and will raise the bike about 50mm. The TTR600 suspension is a lot better, the stock one is rather basic (cheap). Don’t know about stiffer springs.

It is of course a very basic and simple bike, easy to fix and service in the middle of nowhere.

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Yamaha XT600E '01, Honda XR400 '03, Yamaha XT550 '83

Waldo, Welcome to the forum.

The bike you are proposing to use shares exactly the same engine with it's brother the venerable XT600E therefore it is clearly more than capable of pulling you and your luggage around the world.

I would NOT drop to a sub-600cc bike considering your height/weight plus need to haul luggage. A Yamaha TT6/XT6 produces 45 BHP (and most importantly - lots of low down grunty torque) which is more than capable of hauling you and your luggage around Africa. A smaller engine might not pull you out of the deep muddy ruts you will encounter.

The reference above to a TTR600 is causing some confusion on another thread about the TT600 RE! It appears the TTR600 never existed? If you know otherwise then please join the other thread and enlighten us all.

The only difficulty I forcee is sourcing a TT600 RE in good condition and low milage. Not many of these were sold. They were an upmarket/delux version of the XT600E.

You might be wiser finding a cheaper more popular Yamaha XT600E instead. Plenty still around in good condition and they tick all your boxes above. You can find mint examples for £1,600 or so if you look hard (private buys).

A more modern XT660 will set you back much more (£3,000 plus) and you won't be getting much more for your money in terms of capability / performance. In fact, most here will confirm that the simpler XT600 engine is a far more reliable engine because it's so much more simpler.

I would look at the XT600E first, then the Honda XR650 and finally the Kawasaki KLR650. If you wish to go offroad then look at the lovely little Kawasaki DRZ400 (although it won't be so happy pulling heavy weights around).

It all depends upon how much you have to spend really. The Number 1 bang for bucks bike is without doubt the venerable Yamaha XT600E. It's the most widely used budget trans-African / RTW bike to be found. And I'm not saying that just because I own two of them myself.

The Yamaha XT600 series of bikes have won many Paris Dakar rally's (when it was held in Africa).

I myself did consider replacing one of my XT's with a more modern XT660 but when I looked at one I realised I would be spending £4,000 for almost no gain!

If you can find a TT600 RE in good condition it will certainly take you around Africa without a problem but the similar (more robust and agricultural) XT600E was made for that job.

It would also be a great pity to destroy a TT600 on a hard-core RTW because they are really quite a rare bike (in the UK at least). I remember people often used the excellent little DR350 for African trips and these things in good condition are hard to find because of this.

If you choose a TT600 or a XT600 there are adaptions to be made - both will need a larger Acerbis tank (it's a safety MUST for Africa) and a sump protector plate needs to be properly fixed. After this the bike will be ready.

I wish you well.

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

The TTR600 existed.

The TT600RE existed (based on the TTR600, but with e-start and cheap suspension)

The TTR600RE never existed, but the TT600RE did have the letters „TTR600“ and not “TT600RE”on the tank as they use the same gastank, I guess Yamaha had lots of the old ones in stock.

I had a TT600RE until last year, and now I have a XT600E. They are quite different. The XT is more comfortable, has stronger non-removable subframe, and a bigger gastank. The TT600RE is better offroad as it is shaped more like a “real” dirtbike (thin seat, small gastank etc.)

I sold my XT660R this summer. It was super comfortable for long days in the saddle, but not much of a dirtbike. Heavy and totally wrong weight distribution between front and rear (but very good on the blacktop). The XT660R has FI and complex electronics, I would not like to have one brake down on me in the middle of nowhere.

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Yamaha XT600E '01, Honda XR400 '03, Yamaha XT550 '83

Thanks for that G600 - So the TTR600 did exist afterall.

Can you please update the other thread accordingly?

Perhaps someone can post a few pics comparing the TT600 to the TTR600. LOL.

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

You can ride any bike.... Just uprate the suspension accordingly.

As with all bikes, ESPECIALLY trail bikes, you HAVE to pack light. Forget big aluminium boxes. You want light frames, soft bags and don't pack shit you just won't need.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.