TTR600RE - a worthwhile choice?
 

Hi Yam fans. After backpacking around our beautiful Orb for a while i realised that what i really want to do is get back on two wheels and ride a different continent other than my usual European haunts. After um'ing and ah'ing about various Trailies i am having a really good look at TTR600RE's, after XR400/DR650/KLR etc. But they generally seem to get a bit of a slagging off by people in the know about such things. I don't get it - they're a tarted-up XT600 with alloy rims and a stainless pipe, are they not? I would like a DR650 but they're hard to source locally in the UK, but TTR's are plentiful and great value.So, Sachs shock probs apart, are they worthwhile? Not many people seem to have them and they seem to sell them on quite quickly (hence so many available?). Confused...:confused1:

Hi Pottsy,

I guess it is all about personal preferences - I am riding a TT600R so I don't know the detail of the RE. However there has been lots of discussion of the differences, problems etc in earlier threads in this forum - I suggest you take a look if you have not done that already. You will find that I have had a few problems as it happens, but I have learnt a lot about the bike along the way!!

After that, there is the Which Bike section that goes on, seemingly endlessly, about the relative merits of bikes.

I am not sure that they are all that plentiful; DR650s seem to me to be in shorter supply - could be wrong!! :rolleyes2:

Whatever you decide, this site is a good way of finding more information.

Cheers,

Dave

So is the R the kick-start version of the RE? The main reason at looking at the TTR in general is that the lump is basically the XT600 which is great, with it's decent service intervals etc, unlike the XR's of this world! Is the subframe ok with your machine, i'm planning a 5-month jaunt around N America with a plastic topbox,soft throwovers and a bag. DR's were the main choice but they're scarce as a Sunny British Summer!:cool4:

Oh I didn't know people sell them on quite quickly lol, I have just recently bought one I have had a few minor niggles like the instrument binnacle braking on my first off road jaunt the back light was absolute crap not bright at all had to strain your eyes to see if the brake light was on and stopped working first minor undulation on the road, but I have now replaced the crappy plastic bulb holder for a steel one off a WR and now the Back light is err like a back light and brake light should be.

You have had a very good bike in the XR400 and I also have a very good bike a mint YZ250 in my garage but I have to say I am very happy with the TTR600RE over the last 2 months, It did everything my mates WR450 and CRF450X did off road (It wasn't muddy by the way) and of course mine is far superior on the road with the advantage of the far far longer service intervals.

I wanted a duel purpose big four stroke with Electric start and yes I am very happy with my choice.

Get one if you don't like it flog it and you should get your full money back anyway.

R - Re
 

Pottsy,
Yes, the R model is kickstart only: try this:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...00r+difference

It explains many aspects of the two bikes.

Cheers,

Dave

I have a TT600RE I am going to ride it around africa in sept! I have up graded the suspension with TTR front forks and a white power rear shock (for TTR) as suspension is swappable, If doing it again then I would get a TTR. Great engine, great suspension, subframe fine, get a good rack and u should have no problems. good on highway, I would have no reservation of taking it around the world (next trip)

There are loads of reviews on this site,
Ericsue is currently riding one arounf the world as we speak! he has a blog on the site here somewhere, its really good

I think the TTR/TTRE is a great bike, but then I do have one of each...
It depends what you want from a bike really, I like the rugged dependability, good build and components and ease of maintenance/repair. I think most people who bought one recently were expecting a blistering KTM type performance, not the agricultural 40hp experience they got.
If they still made them new I would buy another, and my wife has one, and one of my best mates!

Hmmm, food for thought so far, certainly! Just thumbing through various threads i was very concerned with the engine reliability/starting probs connected with the RE - for an XT-based lump it came as a bit of a shock. I haven't met such issues with a modern bike since my Buell days... I still find heaps for sale even though heaps weren't sold? Worrying. I don't actually need to buy for several months yet so i'll keep my Hooter to this site for inspiration! Come on RE-owners, convince me:thumbup1:

Thats funny I was gonna start a thread asking about all these starting problems, I know this is the technical forum where people help us with our problems and on the Yamaha RD site I am a member of if I have a tiny problem with my twenty year old RD's within an hour of posting a problem I have about 5 replies telling me exactly whats wrong but no way on there are people having the same constant problem like people on here are with what I thought was a pretty simple unstressed hack.

So are they prone to starting problems ?

Mine starts like a dream every time hot or cold without fail.

Starting is fine
 

Yep, my kickstart only TTR is OK at starting now I have got the technique sorted out and the decompression cable is in good order and I have a new spark plug fitted and ......... in other words the bike probably needed a service when I got it!

The only time I have a problem is when I cock it up and flood the carb - still happens occasionally; but there are techniques to deal with that to be learned - not a bike for anyone who just wants to press a button and go.
Lots of bikers watch me going through the starting routine when I am out and about & parked up somewhere - some may even be envious!!:rolleyes2:

Looking back, I got this bike for the "challenge" of kickstart only, the superb all round suspension, the lightish all up weight and reasonable power to weight ratio (but it is not a "racing" bike) combined with low state of tuning which should make it reliable and low maintenance + lack of battery means the electrics are simple and, hopefully, reliable (time will tell) + air cooled for more simplicity. I also got onroad supermoto and standard wheels in the deal which was "nice". Only real drawback is that it is a bit tall for me, because I don't have the greatest inside leg measurement - so I definitely have to slide forward on the seat when coming to a halt.

Dave

PS. Still not convinced that there are loads for sale; it's like anything you are looking at/considering - suddenly you notice each and everyone of the same thing, no matter what it is. Where are these heaps?
As another point, there are lots of bike riders in the UK who change bikes frequently or very frequently - How much is frequent? I once talked with a guy in a bike showroom who buys a brand new bike every 3 months!!

Dave

As of this moment, on Biketrader there are 17 available nationally in the UK. The majority are '04/'05 (the last imported year?), so i guess people have tried them and are moving on - i have a tendency to keep a bike i like for several years so i tend to imagine other people are the same...i guess not so!I got stung by a Buell, which i became smitten by even though i researched the plethora of probs that Buell-ownership could (and quickly did) entail. I don't want to run the risk with the TTRE, that's all.Hence this thread...:helpsmilie:

Hi Pottsy,

That does not seem like very many across the whole of the UK (measured against however many there are in this country?), especially at this time of year when folk are riding and trading, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, it is all about if you fancy one basically - try to get a test ride from a dealer or anyone you know who has one.

Forgot to mention in my "like list", the TT600R also has braided steel brake lines as standard, so saves spending more money on after market parts.

Dave

The Bloke I bought mine off said he used it for winter and now summer is here, well two months ago' he said he now wants an R1, my Brother in law uses an XT600 for work in winter and saves his XJR for summer, as far as I am concerned they are pretty versatile bikes, how many superb bikes like WR's XR's, CRF's are they for sale at any given time ? loads thats the answer, I buy and sell bikes for a living and I have a choice of bikes in my Garage I happen to like my TTR600RE for it's many good points IE its versatility over a WR full Enduro Machine.

I think you have already made your mind up not to get one.

If only they used the same plastics has YZ's and WR's instead of making them deliberatly a bit ugly, don't understand Yamaha on that one.

Hi Panzer. I haven't as yet not decided against getting one, just trying to clear up any lingering doubts in my mind/braincell.They're a fine looking bike,great value and there's a bit of choice - just trying to figure out if i should hold out for a DR (my 1st choice,but like Hen's teeth unfortunately) or a KLR.

a happy TTRE owner
 

hello guys

I am a happy TTRE owner, just got back from a 4000 miles european summer tour... you can view itinerary and photos here:
http://web.onetel.com/~dieg0/easyrider/

please let me know your thoughts and comments.
i want to do africa, next year.

i can list here some points, that indicate why i am a happy TT600RE owner:

• in the london traffic the bike is very agile and maneuverable. nippy and fast enough.

• you can travel with it, it takes racks for the rear and for side luggage (people in these treads have been all over the world).

• maintenance is cheap and very little.

• it's a very simple bike, the air-cooling system is great. this is one of the last engines built to last.

• other modern bikes in the same category are all made with lighter and lighter materials.
very light engines, for great performances, heat-up too much and need liquid-cooling systems, which make the bikes more complicated (more things that can go wrong).

• it just looks beautiful!
its simplicity and its spartan look earn big respect in the traffic and in any road.

• other better performance bikes, like all those gorgeous KTM, are beautiful and have great performances, but they're not built to last, plus they are mostly owned by trendy kids in orange/black who can just follow fashion.... we don't wanna be mistaken for one of those ;)

• yeah, it has some bad points too... but not many, and it doesn't pretend to be perfect.

waiting to hear from you guys.... more positive points to add to the list, and some negative ones too?
we should start a community website for TTR / TTRE owners and their trips around the world!
cheers
diego

Ttr
 

I brought a nearly new TTR for my trip to Africa last year at the time I had two to choose from the R or the RE, I went for the R beacause of its better off road pedigre.

In hind sight I wish I had gone for the RE, I had a few starting problems with the R which can make you paranod about stoping and starting in case the thing wont restart.

I would buy another TT, but next time it will be the RE, kit it out with all the goodies and it's a great bike, IMO.

Hi Diego! This recent jaunt of yours is exactly the sort of thing i have in mind for my (impending, when the right one appears...) next mount. You've certainly checked out some of my fave alpine areas - the Dolomites are just outrageous, eh! Of course, as you've added to this thread, i'm eager as to your experience of various aspects of the bike - namely fuel range/seat comfort/luggage strapability etc. All potentially mega-useful info! :mchappy:

cool, Pottsy! good luck with your trip, and i am glad to give you some info that could be useful... i wish someone told me these when i left for my trip.

yeah, the dolomites are fantastic, the heaven of bikers.
Also switzerland alps have some fantastic roads.

I travelled mainly on normal countryside roads, avoiding motorways, taking it easy, and managed to do an average 450 Miles (700 km) per day, in about 8 or even 10 hours.
Depends on your state of fitness, really; in my opinion, the seat and suspension are comfortable enough... but i stopped frequently.
The bike is not a road bike and because of the air-cooled engine, it's better let the engine breath quite often, especially in hot weather, otherwise it sucks too much oil.

On the way to padova (padua), I did 1200 Miles (1900 km) in three days, arrived there with a finished tyre, and had to top-up 1 liter of engine oil.
Yamaha dealers are pretty much everywhere in Europe, and in a couple of days I had a new tyre.

Dunno if it's just my bike (I'd like to hear from other TTRE owners about this), but I found that stretching the engine up and down the gorgeous Alpine roads consumes high quantity of engine oil.
On my way back to london I had with me some oil, for topping up.... and would advise you to have always some with you.

Fuel wise, in almost every european country you can choose between 95 oct. and 98 oct. petrol. I kept on 95 oct. one and did around 130 Miles (200 km) with a full tank, never had problems to find a petrol station, as soon as I was in reserve.

I had a Metalmule rear rack (metalmule.com), packed light, as you can see from the photos and it was more than enough for me.
Also from Metalmule, you can add the side racks, which are good for longer trips, or travelling with a passenger... i was considering those, in case my girlfriend wanted to come with me, but in the end she decided not to, as finds my bike too uncomfortable for her arse... ;)

Next year I wanna go to Morocco and perhaps explore more in north Africa, but i am wondering to get a more touristic bike, like a BMW GS.... dilemma.
I am very fond of the simplicity of this TTRE tho... I love the air-cooled engines,
and seems there are not many bikes like that left.

Anyway... hope this helps your next european trip.

Cheers
Diego