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

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.

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Yamaha TT600RE 2004
Yamaha YZ250 2 stroke 99

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!!

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

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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

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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...

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

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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.

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Yamaha TT600RE 2004
Yamaha YZ250 2 stroke 99

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.

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