TTR600RE - MPG - Talk to me !!!
 

Yo all.

I'm considering one of these for a trans-siberia/mongolia/road of bones etc trip.

I'm very familiar with the XT600E having ridden South America on one. I liked the bike but it was pathetic and too heavy offroad.

I was wondering about peoples MPG experiences of the TTR600RE

Whats the biggest tank available too ??

Cheers, Ted

I managed 300 miles with the Acerbis 20 litre tank, cruising at 60-70mph, big screen and soft bags. Went onto reserve just as I was pulling up so was probably still good for another 30 miles at least.

Ehr, doesnt the tt600re weigh just about the same as an "E"fitted xt600? :confused1:

2005 TT600RE, stock except for a 14t front sprocket and a small mod on the muffler (better breathing).

About 4.5L/100km (relaxed riding at apprx 90km/h)

As far as I know the engine is the exact same as in 1990-1995 XT600E but with bigger carbs.

It is the same engine yes...

Considering the bigger carbs, your consumption is less than mine was on my XT600E

I was only getting about 200 miles from my 23L Acerbis tank. However, I was stupid enough to fit Metal Mules which are about as heavy and aerodynamic as a London Bus.

Tanks.
 

Hi Ted, the largest tank is the Acerbis, 20l. That's 17 plus 3 on reserve. My TTR600R, kick starter, does 19.5 to 20.0 kpl, with no effort at economy. That is to say, either riding in UK as police would like us to or racing about a bit makes little difference, I've not had the patience to try for ultimate economy.
That's a standard bike apart from a damned loud Remus end can, with or without bags on the back, bulky but not heavy. Hope this helps, Lindsay.

Alan never rode that Ttr with economy in mind but it was quite good on the juice,
The Remus almost made my ears bleed when flat out side by side,the drz i had and Ttr were pretty closely matched..

Small world.
 

Hi, small world eh! Madiera Cafe on Madiera Drive each Sunday is a sunning spot for motorcyclists. Lizard style, it's a relaxing place to chat. Lindsay.

Good to know... Brighton ain't quite far enough for me though. I don't like getting the bike out unless I'm doing a 1000 mile round trip ;)

Ditch the Metal Mules for soft bags and fit Hyperpro springs in the front and a spring in the rear and off you go :scooter:

I was really impressed with the XT off road - far better than it had any right to be.

I have always been under the impression that the TT600E is an upmarket version of the XT600E. Slightly better materials and build quality. It was far more expensive than the XT600E too.

Your first post gave it as a TTR600RE? I presume this was a typo? If not then I will look a complete twit.

I haven't ridden one myself (or seen one it must be said), but I'd imagine the thing retains the good things about the venerable XT600E.

It's well documented my views on the XT600E - probably the best budget RTW trail bike to be found.

It would in my opinion make a good RTW bike with a few adjustments and additions (like the XT600E).

The engine will be bulletproof as it's almost identical to the XT600E.

Not sure how it would fair in terms of the superb indestructability of the XT600E?

I wish you well. bier

Now you've got me guessing..

I see them being called TTR600's all the time..

But I think you're right. It's TT600R

However, all the ones for sale on ebay and autotrader are called TTR !!


CONFUSED.COM !!

TTR600 or TT600RE
 

I owned a TTR600. There is also a TT600RE, which I did not own.
The first named is the kicker and the second is the version with electric start only.
The motor is reputed to have a higher state of tuning compared with the XT series (and the TT certainly has a dry sump design).

I hope this assists.

By the way, discussion of this bike led to changing the title of the Yam forum from solely for the XT600 to a broader classification that matches the titles of other, similar, technical subject matter (Honda tech, Triumph tech etc etc).

My friend had a TTR600 for years, I had a TT600RE. There was no TTR600E but sometimes the TT600RE was called TTR600E, maybe because they had the gas tank from the TTR (it said “TTR” on the tank).

They (TTR600 and TT600RE) shared the same frame and most of the chassis, but the TT600RE had simpler (cheaper ) suspension with shorter travel. It had a different ignition, TCI and not CDI. It had e-start and no kickstart and was heavier. The engine was quite a bit wider (about 30 mm if I remember correctly, as it had the e-start mechanism) and the crankshaft was heavier. They had different gearbox rations. The engines otherwise were the same. There wasn’t a cush hub on the TTR600. I have heard from various sources that the TT600RE engine is the exact same as was in ´90 - ´95 XT600E.

The TTR600 was a half-hearted attempt of making a “real” dirtbike, the TT600RE was not really. Both have the same seat, that is not that comfortable for long hours in the saddle. Firm and skinny. But they handle ok offroad as they are shaped more like a “real dirtbike” (thinner , smaller tank, etc) than for example the XT600E

That is pretty much how I remember my TTR600.
Funnily enough, I was reminiscing about it and looking back at earlier posts in here about the bikes, such as:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...tt600r-re-7607
As far as I recall, the R was made in Italy as the "Belgarda" model. Maybe the RE also?

Names.
 

I don't pretend to be an expert but know the following: The bike is correctly called a TT600R (Kick starter and tall, quality suspension) and TT600RE (Electric start and lower quality suspension). The TTR600R has a bigger exhaust valve than the 3AJ engine in XT and that's about the only alteration. I assume the RE and R have identical engines.

A gel seat insert would be REALLY good. I find the seat hurts at 100km, then I forget till 200km and stop for fuel but I have a high discomfort threshold.

www.offroad-the-road.de offer accessories. Lindsay.

I've ridden both the shorter electric start one with the poverty suspension and the other one with the ohlins rear shock and upside down forks,but not for a huge amount of time..the electric start ones steered a little odd and rode just a Bit different from the kickstart one,two of the 3 had an odd flat spot at part throttle,which my ancient tenere doesn't have although carb is similiar?..
The kickstart one is better off road than you would expect for the bulk of it...if you've got long enough legs for it,or if your a short arse like me at 5.6ish it's a matter of twisting throttle,aiming,and just not stopping so you don't have to attempt to touch the ground..but they are nothing like as good as the drz on the bumpy bits,after a few races around the woods and up and down Side of a big hill the result wasn't in any doubt.
I would travel on either and not worry too much about it...

..on the subject of seats.........
Worse seat ever....300 gas gas 2 stroke enduro from dieppe to south of France..ouch..
Slightly better....drz 400 with bubble wrap parcel taped to it,was bearable from Spain to uk..
Complete luxury...tenere 34l with a foam that's gone bit squidgy,just ride it all day no problem.

Und noch....
 

Hi Ted, you'll like this more: I am searching for a German bike magazine I have which tested the TTR and DRZ to see which was better. I'll post the gist of the conclusions here but I don't think it mentioned loaded performance unfortunately. I use a filing system called chaotic! It'll take a few days. Lindsay.

Thanks :thumbup1:

Seems a bit of an odd comparison - A 600cc trail bike being compared to a 400cc dirt bike? :(

I suspect the conclusion will be simple - the DRZ is better offroad whereas the TT600R will be a better allrounder. The XT6 will be a better RTW bike. Nevertheless it will be interesting to see the report here...

Have we got to the bottom of the TTR600RE/TT600RE/TT600E question yet? It strikes me that some posts state the TTR does exist and others say only a TT600 RE/E was ever made. doh

Maybe the TTR was never imported into the UK and thats the reason I have never heard of one.

For what it's worth, I have only ever heard of a TT600 and it's best described as an rarer upmarket XT600E (worth a bit more too). I have never seen one myself which goes to show how rare these things are.

I had a mate with a Yamaha SRX600 which had the same XT6 lump in it (cafe racer style like my XBR500). The SRX 600 was a good bike but it didn't do anything more than Honda's XBR 500. The extra cost wasn't worth it.

Name.
 

The bike is a Yamaha Belgarda TT600, it was made in kick start in 3 versions originally with a squared off rear seat. They were R, E and S versions in varied tune. I might be wrong in detail of these models. In about 1999 the rear was made more pointed, and less pillion suitable. This was the kick start TT600r. In about 2003 it became electric start as the TT600RE. I think the TT's were so popular that Yamaha took over production themselves from Belgarda (Italian firm). They have only ever been grey imports and all come with KPH speedos and odometers with hard to see MPH markings. I think they are brilliant bikes that are well worth searching out. I'll post up as much information as I can. Lindsay.

Thanks for that helpful info Linzi you're a: :D

So it would appear there NEVER has been a Yamaha TTR 600 just a Yamaha TT 600 or similar R/RE/E/S derivative. :thumbup1:

That's cleared that one up.

I believe the TT600 continued to be manufactured after 2003 when the XT600E stopped being made (because of naff EU imposed laws). It was a loss to us all because this engine is so damn reliable (and simple) compared to a XT660 oil cooled engine. The Chinese might consider bringing out their own version of the XT600E and to hell with damn EU rulings!

I'm sure as time goes by the XT600E will become a true classic and it's value will increase tenfold. Early XT600's are already fetching silly prices - in excess of £3,000 for real minters. I have also recently seen low milage mint XT600E's with a price tag of £2,300 plus! In my opinion this is somewhat greedy.

I think my own mint XT6E's are worth £1,600 tops as a private sale but hey, maybe I'm wrong? doh

Touring Ted -

We can certainly say that a TTR600 RE was made in SPAIN (Lindsay is right - BELGARDE).

The following service manual is in English so I presume this was the version imported throughout Europe?

Yamaha TT600RE Service Manual

bier

Oddly as it may sound the the little drz 400 has dragged me from figueres in Spain back up to dieppe in one day,where as both times on my xt600 it's taken 2 days?...maybe I'm a little less sympathetic to to drz as its not as ancient and ring it's neck up the motorway a bit more..I realy would consider another drz if I didn't already have too many bloody bikes..I'm tempted to do a trip on the 350 lc but the fuel cost would be crippling..

Indeed, I have heard the DRZ400 is a lovely little bike. BUT I have heard it can be a little highly strung compared to other (simpler) bikes?

I have heard they make an awesome choice if you want to go on a hard-core offroad adventure.

It suprises me a little that it took you longer to travel that distance on an XT600! Surely the little DRZ was more far more stressed and buzzy at those motorway speeds?

I have always been of the opinion that ANY single cylinder bike will eventually run out of puff when travelling on the motorway at high speed. The DRZ produces much less raw torque than an XT.

The DRZ is also much more complicated than a XT600 in terms of cooling and electrics.

My XT600E's are brilliant machines until they get above 60mph. :(

I get upto 75 mpg from both my XT's. :thumbup1:

Interesting topic to discuss...

The TTR600 existed.

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

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

Yamaha made some earlier versions of the TT some of them had upside-down front forks. Don't know much about them but one was called TT600S if I remember correctly. There were other models as well.

I agree 100% about the EU ruling, I like simple, rugged, fix-by-the-side-of-the -road bikes. No FI/sensors/ECU/Tiltsensors/higpressurepums etc. for me thanks. The XT600E is just about the perfect bike for my needs..

Almost finished a 20,000 mile round the world trip on a

2004 Yamaha TT600RE

Would I do it again ???

Oh yes ! BUT NOT ON A TT600RE !!!!!!!

This bike might be great for the odd weekend trip but try riding it day in and day out !
I dont think the numbness on my hands and butt will ever go away !!

Despite fitting, Gel pad to inside the seat and sheepskin cover, when in California I fitted Grip Puppies to eliminate numb hands.
Next year I will fly back out to the US and buy a V-strom 650 and ride up to Alaska !
Hope this helps
Cheers
Geordie aka Will

I think the later xt600 has slightly longer legs than my 84 tenere for bigger roads,I've usually sat at no more than 110 kmh when on longish trips a long way from home,if its been in uk and it wouldn't be a complete disaster to have to collect it in the van if it crapped itself I've maybe ridden it a little harder..
The upside of riding it pretty steady from terifa in southern Spain up to catalunya is that it done 70 odd to the gallon,which I think is more than I ever got from the drz..
The 700 quid tenere that was bought as get home bike after selling an r1 has remarkably carried me around quite a bit of Europe and to morocco,and I've probably had more fun out of it than some of the newer bikes I've had...just that it owes me a bit more than the 700 quid now...If you set off on a new bike with European warranty an all the rest I'm thinking it would be a little dull....I almost now seem to enjoy a bit of uncertainty at there's always the possibility of having something in bits on the side of road...just another little challenge realy..

More.
 

I find a numb left hand a problem too....I thought it was a wrist problem. Gel cyclists' gloves are sold by LIDL from time to time. They are a cheap solution worn inside bikers' gloves. I can't dispute info on models as I was going on research and don't know who knows best but....Spares in UK are only listed under TT600 variants and my owner's handbook lists my 2001 model as a TT600R. Still a bundle of fun to ride though. Lindsay.

I've ridden nothing but vibey single's...

I find getting thick, gel type grips really help as well as a slightly lower tyre pressure. I've also seen some rubber damping type products that sit between the bar risers that reduce vibrations.

I've never seen or used them in the flesh though.

The older tenere has rubber mounted bar clamps...which when I first got hold of the first time..I thought bloody hell the handlebars are gonna come off in my hands as they do move a bit....once you riding it you don't realy notice,and even off road it's not a problem..
I sometimes suffer a bit with hands but usually only first thing in the morning...maybe it takes my brain a little while to start working to remember to tell bits of body to start working...
Nothing will ever be as bad as 500 miles down a French motorway on a 2 stroke enduro bike with a plank for a seat...I try and keep that in mind when I start to shuffle from one side of seat to the other now..

If it's possible, the TTR600 is an even more basic ride = there are no cush rubbers fitted with the kicker model IIRC.

Test Ride.
 

Hi Ted, I just thought of something.....I'll be at the HUBBUK meeting with the Yamaha and, if you have insurance that covers any bike, you're welcome to try the bike out. If you don't have insurance, at least you can ride it around on the private property. You can also scrutinize its design etc.

It takes only five minutes to judge the quality of the suspension and performance of the engine but about an hour to judge the comfort or otherwise of seat, vibes and riding position.

Lindsay.

Hey....

Yeah i'll be there and yeah I have insurance.. That would be cool :)

You can have a go of my Tiger !!

No Chance.
 

Hi Ted, no problem with you trying mine but I restricted my insurance to pay the minumum I could and voluntarily opted for self to be restricted to only my own bike. Now I suspect that I saved nothing, but it's done now. I fitted an alarm, Datatag, Carole Nash's DNA marking and use an Almax chain set and a cover. It's kept on a public road so it was a challenge to insure it reasonably cheaply. See you there. Lindsay.

I've got an Almax 16mm chain. I bought it after my XR650R SM was stolen by pikeys.. Nothing but an axle grinder and two discs will get through it.

Shame it weighs 20 odd kilos or I'd take travelling.

Comparison.
 

Maybe I've confused people by mentioning the DRZ400 but I believe Ted has one already so that's why I mentioned it. Here are the conclusions from Motorrad News, Aug 2000.

The Suzuki DRZ400 is way better than the Yamaha Belgarda TT600R.

I know, "Mine's better than yours" is irrelevant but while both bikes came out as good, solid multi purpose bikes, with neither being a racer, the Suzuki won a quality victory.

Fun Factor: DRZ 5/5 , TTR600R 2/5.

For riders over 1m 85cm or 6ft and especially for heavy riders the Yamaha is better.
Braking performance very similar.

Positives for the Yamaha:
Its stiffer suspension gives better controlled off-road performance and it doesn't bottom out at the rear while the Suzuki can. That said, they were jumping the bikes into the air.
Its fat piston allows the Yamaha to pull itself out of mud easily. It also has a sporty riding position.
The engine/gearbox are robust and reliable.

Positives for the Suzuki:
The newer engine with its high tech top end leads to better on-road performance.
50kph to 100kph is better by about 15%.
It is more fuel efficient: For the test 4.8l , Yamaha used 0.8l more.
The softer suspension gives a more comfortable on-road ride.
The finish is described as "Japanese perfection".
Multi-function digital dash is far better/more informative than the Yamaha's.
Better cable routing.
Better quality frame welding.
Better in more details.

They talked of the Yamaha's far superior suspsion and torque off road but the engine is out of date. The playful, lightweight Suzuki leads, even beginners, an appetite for more. The Suzuki's enormously high seat is offset when it sinks on its springs. Off-road the Suzuki is let down literally by squatting too readily at the rear and a lack of precision in handling due to the soft suspension.

There you have it: If you need the Yamaha, its good. If you don't need its size/firmness, you can enjoy the Suzuki more.

So its not just size that matters. Youth counts too. Ask a woman. Eh Hm.

Lindsay.

I can live with that comparison, even though I have never owned a DRZ400 (my equivalent bike, for me I emphasise, is a Yam XT225).
That article gives a lot of points about why I bought my TTR600.
Yep, mine used to get airborne, easily enough.
And, the suspension was superb especially the Ohlins rear shock; hence I have no interest in the newer 600RE model which, it is often said, paid for the electric start by fitting cheaper suspension.
But, I didn't get it to go RTW - I got it as a fun bike (but I forgot about the need to kick start the Bar Steward; that's a completely different tale).

Nor did I buy my TTR for it's MPG charecteristics - never even entered my mind at the time.