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TTR600RE Headlight woes TTR600RE Headlight woes
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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

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


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 22 Nov 2009
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TTR600RE Headlight woes
Can anyone throw some light on this subject - OK, I'll get me coat

My headlight keeps blowing. I have been doing a lot of miles recently, but its becoming a real pain.

For a start a 35/35w bulb is a joke.... A torch is actually brighter!

Anyone know of an alternative bulb to use. i don't think you can just fit a 55/60w halogen cause I'm lead to believe it'll MELT the housing :confused1:

Someone told me you can get LED bulbs for the older Brit bikes, which are much better and give loads of light for similar wattage (and less chance of overloading the wiring)?
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Old 22 Nov 2009
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If you can get a LED head light, please let us know. Ordinary bulbs will use maybe 95% of the wattage to make heat and 5% to make light. Halogen are better, but not good.

My TT600RE´s head light is not bad actually, it is pretty bright. I really don’t think it has a 35/35 bulb. I bought the bike this summer, I don’t know what the previous owner did to it. The headlight is glass, not plastic. I can take a look at the bulb if you want?
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Old 22 Nov 2009
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THAT'D BE HANDY - bE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT BRAND IT IS, ANY CODES ON IT... ETC Ta!
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Old 22 Nov 2009
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This is all you need.......

Trail Tech Products Limited X2 Halogen Light - Trail Tech Products Limited

Solves the problem of having plastic lens and low output...

If you're blowing bulbs you probably have a short or bad earth too so this may solve the whole issue..



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Old 22 Nov 2009
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Cheers..... Bit pricey for me though !!!! I was hoping to spend £10 max for a decent bulb? They do look nice though.

The reason they keep blowing is I bought a couple of cheapo "Chinese" bulbs and the inner reflector things keep coming off....(cheapskate).
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Old 22 Nov 2009
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those aftermarket lights are not road legal and wont pass a uk mot as there is no sidelight and the beam pattern does not have the right shape either
there are very few aftermarket lights that actually work properly and are road legal, led lights are not powerfull enough to replace the main bulbs.
a decent quality bulb can make a lot of difference
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Old 22 Nov 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfzero View Post
those aftermarket lights are not road legal and wont pass a uk mot as there is no sidelight and the beam pattern does not have the right shape either
there are very few aftermarket lights that actually work properly and are road legal, led lights are not powerfull enough to replace the main bulbs.
a decent quality bulb can make a lot of difference
Those might be ok due to having low and main beam...

MOT is all dependant on the tester and the garage, who you know and what you know.. Most will get through an MOT with no problems. I know this through personal experience with many testers.

Plus, who needs an MOT when Overlanding ?? If you're having problems, just put the original on for the test then swap over again.. Like many people do for Exhausts..

Those trailtech lights are BRILLIANT (literally), they have comparrison pictures on the website and they get rave reviews.

Most dirtbike lights are shockingly awful so it can't actually get any worse. Obviously some of the aftermarket ones are just as bad but the trailech ones are GREAT
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Old 22 Nov 2009
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I will try and keep this simple, the TT600RE does not have the headlight that Yamaha say it does. The owners manual and service manual suggest that it has a 60/55w H4 lamp, based in the 4 RE's me and the wife have/had this is untrue, they have the 35/35w old school 70's style lamp. They never seem to last more than a few weeks and are as effective as a candle. My TT600R has an H4 and this is a bit better. The TTR microfiche shows the aussie model having a 35/35w and the rest having an H4. I have the lampholder for an R model awaiting fitment in my RE, a few quid from Yamaha. I expect to do some wiring adaptation but I think the reflector assy is the same and only the plastic holder and lamp connectors different.
The guys at the German TTR club told me it was a "parts bin special" alteration to spec at the factory as the lights are "wired on" and the RE has a small battery with a large, sometimes reluctant cylinder to fire up. The best real fix IMHO is an HID unit from baja designs, oh, and don't ride at night . I nearly became a trucks engine mascot in Patagonia, long story.....
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Old 22 Nov 2009
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if he's just overlanding a couple of spot lights would be a cheaper option

ted its not as easy to swap one of those headlights as say swaping an end can if an mot is needed

mot testers do vary but its getting far to risky for them to be as flexible as they used to be

"Those might be ok due to having low and main beam..."
uk regs mean it neads a sidelight/front position light so those ones wont pass

i had to replace my original light due to the reflector going rotten so i have tried a few alternatives and the accerbis unit i have on it now is fully road legal and gives a good amount of light
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Old 22 Nov 2009
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Pigford, I have a standard 60/55W H4 halogen bulb in my headlight.

As previously stated the headlight is pretty good. I had a 35/35 bulb in my XR400. The XR was hardly rideable at night, but the TT is.






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Old 22 Nov 2009
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Cheers chaps - really appreciate the effort (photo's G600) &all the info........

Thats encouraging, coz hopefully the wiring will take the 60w
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Old 22 Nov 2009
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Mine came with 60/55W as standard, I think. I replaced with a 'Phillips Extreme Brilliance', which are cliamed t have 80%n more output (important - for the same current) than standard. While I would doubt the 80% gain, they are certainly significantly better than standard, and I would fit them again. Good for normal speeds after dark on roads you know.

If the bike is wired for 35W standard, just fit a relay and use the existing + feed as the switching current for the relay.
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Old 24 Nov 2009
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Right then - I got hold of a 55/60w bulb with the BA20D fitting to replace me 35/35w bulb.....

Whacked it in at lunchtime and come home time, I could actually see the road in front of me

I managed about 3 miles before the dip blew... and another 1 mile before the main blew

Of course it all went dark in the worse place possible, down a country lane, no street lights antwhere

Anyhow I managed to get the HOT 55w out and put the std 35/35w bulb back in and get home (funny how bright a 35w bulb can look). The new bulb's filiments are still intact, its just that the soldered contacts on the bulb have melted :confused1:

So, that was a waste of time & money..... May get a Trail Tech unit
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Old 24 Nov 2009
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Strange. Have you checked the voltage?
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Old 24 Nov 2009
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Just checked voltage - just over 12v, so spot on

I think its coz its a small unit & only designed for 35w of power/heat

Its also made of plastic just a pretty naff item

Its typical Italian electrics..... not the usual quality you expect from the Japs!

I've seen a 45/45w bulb, so may give that a go as its only £5
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