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The TTR250 FAQ web pages -> TTR250 -> Overlanding a TTR250 -> Wales & Yamaha Off-Road Experience
Post Info TOPIC: Wales & Yamaha Off-Road Experience
DC


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Wales & Yamaha Off-Road Experience
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Ok, so not quite the mammoth overlanding trip that other owners have been lucky enough to post here, but this was the first shake-down trip of our TTR's before taking them on our own 2000+ KM adventure to the Spanish Pyrenee's later this year.

Our trip last October was simple.  To test the new and luggage we had purchased from Brian, ride the bikes fully loaded to Llanidloes and spend three nights camping, eating, drinking and having a blokey good time.  The trip actually had another purpose, once the gear was stripped from the bikes, we removed the racks and spent two wonderful days at the Yamaha Off-Road Experience having a blast and learning a huge amount as none of us are particularly natural off-road riders.

We started with the normal safety briefing and then watched as the other 10 or so riders were introduced to their various steeds, mainly WR250's of varying years and specs and also a few WR450's for the super brave (or stupid) amongst the group.   The other lads were quite amazed that we had ridden the TTR's a couple of hundred miles with full camping gear and we were now going to take them on a gruelling couple of days around the Welsh wilderness, not to mention riding back home afterwards.

The school riders were equally impressed and a few of them were old enough to remember when the TTR was the school's bike of choice before the lighter, faster and race ready WR's came on the scene.  It was a trip down memory lane to see one of the barns at the farm where the school operates from to be filled with three of the old beauties.

Needless to say, the off-roading was excellent and the mighty TTR held its own and more against their younger brothers.  It was an excellent way to learn what changes we need to make the bikes to make the Pyrenee's trip a sucess, but just to be sure, we will now be returning to Wales on all three bikes in April to brush up on our riding and map reading at the Taffy Dakar event.

A final word on Brian's stainless steel racks.  They are brilliant and carry a set of Oxford Sovereign panniers perfectly.  They are well made and thanks to Brian's diligence of making sure that each rack fits perfectly before sending, they are a breeze to fit and remove.   We will upload more pictures of our bikes and camping set-up before we leave for Spain.

In the meantime, here is a few pics of our weekend.  Happy TTRing everyone.

https://goo.gl/photos/Ajju2Wj1wwxuGVfV6

TTR's on tour 



-- Edited by DC on Saturday 30th of January 2016 11:11:26 AM



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Paul, Surrey UK.  

TTROOKIES.  Three Blokes. Three TTRs.  All the gear and no idea.
TTRfan


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Excellent report Paul - thank you very much biggrinbiggrinbiggrin

Your comments about the TTR as being the trail riding weapon of choice back in the day is so true.

There were a few trail riding outfits that used them as their fleet but, apart from a few dedicated souls like Torsten at Ride Limousin, they have moved on to more modern steeds.

Lyndon at Torotrail used TTRs for a long time but, after a few years of not being able to update his stock, moved to WR250Rs (the TTR's natural successor) only to be caught out again when Yamaha Europe stopped selling them about 3 years ago. I think he now uses WR250Fs.

So it's up to us to keep the classic going!

I am really pleased to hear your feedback on the racks as the final fitting tweaks are a nightmare for me as the fixing tabs seem to be every so slightly different between frames no

The guy that fabricates them is also an interesting guy to deal with. I asked for a price for a set of side rails and didn't get a reply and then he turned up today with three pairs all made up!

(They are now in the eShop - see here )

Your trip to the Pyrenees sounds like it will be a good 'un. Please think of us and take loads of photos and videos wink

Brian

PS The link to the photo album isn't working for me confuse



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DC


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Thanks for your kind words Brian. Firstly, try this alternative link for the photo's https://goo.gl/photos/Ajju2Wj1wwxuGVfV6

Good to hear that there are still, if only a few TTRs around, and having a look at Ride Limousin website, it looks like a perfect bike for anyone new to off-roading that fancy doing a guided tour overseas. As we know, the bike is so forgiving and therefore builds confidence in new and old riders alike. In fact the guys at the school would prefer that the more reliable air-cooled carb'd machines were still available for their students. For instance they were telling us that the brand new WRs are practically a race bike out of the box, which mean you get a lot of quality motorcycle for your money. The downside for them is servicing. Every 100 hours they need a complete rebuild. Not too bad if you own one, but the school do all of their own maintenance and it takes a lot of time to keep a fleet of about 15-20 machines in tip top condition.

And that is why I ride a TTR. I always wanted something that I am comfortable with as a new rider, something that wouldn't scare the bejessuz out of me. We had a brief go on one of the WRs, and while it was gobsmackingly good, and everything felt tight and responsive, would I want to fix a rack on it and take it on a two week off-road camping adventure. No. Not for me. Something that I am not too precious about and that I can fix on the trails.

Anyway, as I sit here typing this, I have an excel sheet open and making a shopping list of all the bits I need from the TTTR shop. Still need bigger pegs, bar risers, some tools and spares to name a few things.

We will keep you updated with the trips coming up.



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Paul, Surrey UK.  

TTROOKIES.  Three Blokes. Three TTRs.  All the gear and no idea.
peteBLUEttr


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The link worked for me.

Looks a good experience. So you are an expert off roader now are you?!..

Bit silly having to rebore after 100 hours isn't it!

How many miles are you looking to do on your pyrenees tour in a day?

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Pete. South Somerset, England.
TTRfan


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The link is working for me also - some great photos and memories biggrin

Brian

PS If I decide to get some more racks made up would you allow me to use one of your "loaded" photos in the ad please? 



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peteBLUEttr


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5i8bIDyayWCU1gdITERwADj3s8hOKx5XvRdCzVjPWzPpFsN0_6vrdYLvIuugkkucXPuQcIp38ge1iA=w1024-h768-no

This one shows it off quite well. To get that much luggage on a TTR is really good.



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Pete. South Somerset, England.
apw99


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We did that Yamaha off-road day in Wales last summer and I have to say it was an amazing day, I had very little off-road experience but was hooked from the start. The WR250F is one amazing bike, especially the 2015 injection model. If sterling improves against the euro I will make that trip again.
APW

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Jak


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It will be good to see some other TTrs at the Taffy. I will be riding down from Derbyshire on my OE model with my son on his CCM 404. I hope it is a bit drier than last year.
Cheers

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ttr steve


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I won't be at the taffy this year, but good luck and make sure you post up some piccy's and a report please.



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