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The TTR250 FAQ web pages -> TTR250 -> Feedback, suggestions, chat and general banter -> Is there a better trail bike than the ttr?
Post Info TOPIC: Is there a better trail bike than the ttr?
mossproof


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Is there a better trail bike than the ttr?
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I have spent many an hour pondering the perfect bike for trail riding/green laning as we call it in the UK. Three years ago I fell in love with the new CCM GP450. Of course it was only a dream, but at £8000 ish, still cheaper and more attainable than Rachel Weisz, my other dreambiggrin

All the characteristics I think you need (in a bike): Lightweight (damn near the same as the ttr), powerful but not too feisty motor  with e start and nice broad range of gear ratios so high top speed and good low 1st for the nadgery stuff, reasonably low seat height option, excellent suspension, good fuel range, fuel injected (for changes in altitude on mountain trips)... 

Well, today I rode one for the first time.

I'm sticking with the TTR.

Yes, it was all the things I've listed, but the turning circle is quite poor, I don't really like the "adventure" front end, and prefer a headlight that is pointable for the "last lane of the day" and trickling around in the carpark practicing tight turns caused an immediate stall which would have caused a very embarrasing drop onto the tarmac if it wasn't such a beautifully balanced low centre of gravity lightweight machine no This low rev frailty is due to emmissions requirements and is now fixable with a Power Commander plugin box at a further £400+

I'm not really dissappointed. I was hoping it would be a bike that could equal my ttr off-tar, and be quicker and more comfortable on it. It's close, but no cigar. I reckon on tight technical stuff my 325 has the edge. On flowing trails the CCM probably wins, but at the speeds I ride (and these are public rights of way) there's no major difference. On road it feels very similar to the ttr ergonomically, and topping out at 90mph ish, will get you to the trail head faster (on knobblies, are you sure you want to?)

CCM were selling off some of their demo fleet, hence my test ride. No way could I justify buying a bike costing 3 - 4 2nd hand TTRs just to chuck down some Welsh mountainside, but if I had cash to throw around, I'd have one in a flash 'cause it's the perfect bike for a thrash down to Spain or Morocco for a play on the trails, and keep the TTR for my UK exploits.

So what else is there?

XR400? No e start, uncomfortable, bit tall

DRZ400? Heavy, uncomfortable

Modern enduro bikes generally? No good highway gears, razorblade seats, poor fuel range... (of course, using a van to get to the trails is cheating!)

I quite like the new KLX450, but it's too tall for my taste in slow speed technical stuff where a dab (trials term for a foot down) here and there can save a dent or two.

Big bore TTR with properly tuned suspension. FI would be nice. What more do you need?

Ride safe and keep dreaming,

Simon.

 



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TTRfan


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My thoughts exactly Simon smile

I visited a friend this afternoon who has just bought a TTR and asked me to have a look and listen to the engine.

I took the TTR325 so we had something to compare and I remembered why I love it.

Runs at a steady 60mph on the road (MT43 rear and Comp IV up front) no problem with plenty spare for overtaking.

It was a pity I got home so quickly and if I had togged up properly (proper cold here this afternoon) I would have taken a run down to Exmouth - just for fun biggrin

FI would be interesting and a proper 350cc big bore would be icing on the TTR cake wink

Brian



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ttr steve


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Two things I might be able to help with

1. the big bore 350 kit

2. Rachel Weisz, she was in a programme with my mate Paul Reynolds (dirty something, that was the title), sure I could get a number for youwink Not sure Mr Bond would be too happyblankstareblankstareblankstareblankstare



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Padowan


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I know exactly what you mean Simon. I have 2 friends with CCP GP450s and I do like them, a lot, but it isn's a bike I would choose to replace my TTR for UK Green-Laning duties.

I've also got a 449 Husky which has basically the same engine as the CCM, but in a higher stats of tune, and I only really use that bike for Uk rallies and foreign trips like the Vince where the longer legs and fuel injection come into their own. The CCM *could*replace both bikes, but it's a bit too pricey and bulky for Greenlaning, so I'd still want the TTR for those duties. It could replace the Husky for sure, for what I use that bike for the CCM would fit into that gap well. But i've invested quite some time getting the Husky where I want it with larger tank etc, so I'll be sticking with that too for the time being.

What is good about the introduction of the CCM though is that now it's a current bike, the availability of engine spares for my husky has just got a lot easier! And also as they're selling it with long service intervals, it gives me more confidence that the engine is pretty robust, so long as you don't rag it too hard and keep up the service intervals.

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mossproof


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The guys at CCM were very positive about the engine, and said that none of the high mileage ones they serviced have needed valve adjustment, let alone anything major! The introduction of the power commander plug-in improves the whole package - wonder if it suits the Husky?
There was talk years ago of a trail version but you can barely find mention of it now. Without much better steering lock it's still no go for me. There's too much bulk around the front too - you're right.
Still willing to give Rachel a try though... (Bah, Bond schmond. He's never at home!)

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Padowan


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CCM did a significant tweak on the engine mapping from the BMW version of the engine that they adopted (with the 5 speed gear box and cable clutch for example), Husky also took that same engine and fitted a closer ratio 6 speed box and hydraulic clutch, they also tweaked the head I believe (according to Llewelyn Pavey who I was talking to on the Vince this year). The valves in my bike never move, so that tallys with CCMs tests, even if the head/valve/cam arrangement may be slightly different as the 449 was designed as an enduro/rally beast. Also since CCM adopted this engine there has been quite a lot of reverse-engineering done by enthusiasts to get into the ECU, this is now finally "cracked" and using TuneECU you can now get into the mapping and tweak it to your hearts content. There are definitely differences between the available maps, the standard CCM map has some flaws, particularly low down there is some surging, but my mate has managed to adjust the map to give a really lovely feel. I'm still waiting for my ODB/USB reader to arrive and then I'll get inside the Husky brain and try to sort out it's little foibles!

Not a lot that can be done to address the steering lock, and you either love/hate a solid front/fairing. As someone who likes the rally style ****pit, I think the CCM looks good and would be great to mount a roadbook or other nav aids into, but like I said, for greenlaning I prefer a smaller standard light that I can point around!

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mossproof


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Sounds like I missed more than just a good couple of days riding at the VINCE this year Simon? Glad to miss out on the broken legs though! I imagine the Husky and the imagined "trail" ccm would be quite similar beasts. The reported surging/hunting was not evident on my test ride, but the response just off idle feathering the clutch was nonexistent. As I like to ride trials style, this killed it for me. Like I said - nearly dropped it in the carpark. Very embarrasing! I presume the Husky has totally different mapping as they didn't have to meet euro 5 or whatever standards for current production bikes?
Anyway, all academic for me. Missed my chance to buy a cheap(ish) ccm for now, but I've got some plans for the ttr.
S.

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petenz


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I have had mine for coming up to 4 years now.... the only thing I have needed to replace
was the battrey.... Guess I have kept it so long for some reason...
Maybe as I get older the more layed back manners of the TTR suits me now...
removing as much weight as I could easy " All road gear gone" & fitting the
rekluse clutch has made it so easy to ride.... never stall it...
putting lower link in & cutting the seat it fits me where the new bikes with
900 plus seat hight are to tall for anything but flat level ground for me...

I keep my eye out for a used cheap one to keep road legal... small ADV bike...

I always think about replacing it.... in the end I never do...





..



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wobbly


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Always considered my TTR as the bike that always makes it home, uncomplicated reliable and robust.

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petenz


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ttr steve wrote:

Two things I might be able to help with

1. the big bore 350 kit

 OK...... Keep talking / typeing...

 

 

 

....



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devon_rich


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petenz wrote:
ttr steve wrote:

Two things I might be able to help with

1. the big bore 350 kit

 OK...... Keep talking / typeing...

 Just what I was thinking.... Oi Steve, tell us the secrets

 

 

....

 



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petenz


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thinking about it.... there is a bike as good as the TTR in thats is a low tec
80s style trail bike...
that bike is the Suzuki DRZ250...

The TTR250 & DRZ250 specs pretty much mirror each other & both are

low maintanace & super relieable...



...



-- Edited by petenz on Sunday 6th of November 2016 12:59:24 AM

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TerryK


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Had many Honda's XL250, XL250S, XR250RC, XR400RC, the 400 was a ripper, jumped ship to a new TT250R, best handling bike I've had but I had to look for a bike I could get more after market parts for so I bought a WR250R, would like to keep the TTR but the wife is pushing me to sell !!!

The WR250R is a bloody good bike & the ideal replacement for the TTR, the real test will be up in the Flinders ranges where the seat height will be a pain.



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Paul C


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Had my CCM for a couple of months now. Must say I'm pleased although I do find the low throttle fueling annoying so I'm spending even more and fitting the Power Commander. Never noticed it on green lanes though, just on the road.
If I'd had sufficient room I'd have kept the TTR for local, Peak District, riding. However, that was not to be. That said I've now done a couple of thousand miles on the bike, quite a few of which are on the Peak District green lanes. Bearing in mind I'm riding on the QEM Heidenau K60 tyres, at road pressures, I'm very impressed. I would expect the suspension to be better than the TTR and it does manage some conditions significantly better than my TTR did. For example stretches of grapefruit sized rocks it feels relatively well planted (famous last words!). It generally feels more balanced, perhaps it just suits what little style I have! Any issues I have encountered have been tyre based, deep soft mud etc.
I bought the CCM to extend the range of my riding, the TTR would have managed, but I'm sure the CCM will be better. That said, I still wish I had both.

Out and about yesterday.

IMG_20161105_151911718_HDR_zpsjmhopp23.jIMG_20161105_154349779_zpsyavyjry9.jpg



-- Edited by Paul C on Sunday 6th of November 2016 02:40:32 PM

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mossproof


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I know it's a lovely well balanced bike Paul. Such a low centre of gravity. I would like one AND a TTR, as would you by the sound of it. We've both had to make the same decision and come down on opposite sides. It was the turning circle and the need for more tuning that influenced my decision mainly (ironic considering the amount of tuning I've done to my ttr, but then I've not spent the best part of 6G on my ttr, yet!)

Wow Pete, never seen one of those DRZ250 s before. Spitting image isn't it. Without the colour, and ignoring the clutch cover, you would be hard pressed to tell them apart. Even practically the same bore and stroke in the motor. Which came first I wonder?

Ride safe,
Simon.

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admbnm


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the best for me would be the ttr with a xr, 250 or 400 motor,my xr250 misfired once in 2 1/2 years green laning,nothing else,
my ttr's handling was faultless but more tiring after a few hours riding,it's swings and roundabouts,

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