First Look: 2008 Yamaha TT-R Models

Looking to see the bikes in action? Click the following link for a video of the 2008 Yamaha TT-R Family Ride Day . Click any of the photos in the article for a larger version.

With the heavy-duty intros and shootouts for the full-motocross ’08 YZs out of the way, Yamaha turned their attention to their fun bikes this week, inviting editors from a variety of off-road magazines and web sites out to try out their revamped lineup of  TT-R bikes out at Milestone MX Park in Riverside, CA.

From a purely fun standpoint, the TT-Rs deliver huge in the smile-per-mile department, all the way from the tiny TT-R50, to the biggest one in the line, the TT-R230. One thing unique about this lineup is that every bike on hand was an electric-start model, with nary kickstarter in sight.

We have to say, we had a blast on Yamaha’s line of fun bikes. This new model intro was cool because everyone came with the right attitude…they were there to have fun with family and friends, and that’s what these bikes are all about.

Let’s take a look at each model.

Yamaha TT-R50

Since its introduction in 2006, the smallest TT-R has taken a sizeable bite out of the 50cc market that Honda used to own almost exclusively, mostly due to its ease of use, with an auto-clutch three-speed transmission, but the pushbutton electric starter puts it over the top, making it easy for even the smallest kids to fire up the bike by themselves. Speaking of small, even the littlest of little guys can climb aboard this one, with a low 21.9-inch saddle height.

While the stock engine 49cc Powerplant is really mellow, Yamaha also offers a GYTR big-bore kit that bumps up the displacement to a more potent 84cc. In fact, there’s a full line of Yamaha’s GYTR boutique components for nearly every facet of the 50, to turn it from mild to wild.

Suggested retail for the 50 is $1,199.

Yamaha TT-R110E

The TT-R110 is a mix of old and new. It replaces the older TTR-90 that Yamaha had offered in the past, and uses some of the same frame components (with upgrades), but the 110 engine is all-new. Like its smaller 50cc brother, the 110 has an electric starter, which makes starting simple.

This one was probably the most popular bike out at the intro, and everyone from pre-teens to over-six-footers having a ball on the bikes. And while it’s mellow enough for playriding, there were some serious head-to-head motos being put in by the older guys. Judging by the hoots coming from under their helmets, as well as the post-ride smiles, they were having a ball…and that’s what it’s all about.

The 110 comes stock with a four-speed tranny, and has goodies like an aluminum cylinder with a cast iron sleeve, where in the past the cylinder on the TT-R90 had been all cast iron. A flat-top piston is used to bump up the compression over what the older 90 had used.

The rider compartment is also designed to be larger than the 90’s, to fit a wider range of riders, and the swingarm has received quite a bit of reinforcement. The fork is now a KYB unit, with a SOQI gas-charged shock in the rear, and travel has been increased 5mm up front, and 15mm in the rear. 

One of the coolest changes up front was the change from a stamped upper clamp on the forks to a much more substantial die-cast aluminum piece.

Overall, it has quite a bit in common with the larger YZs when it comes to the external plastic, so it won’t look out of place next to your race bike.

Suggested retail for the 110? $1,849.

Yamaha TT-R125LE/L/E

There are three flavors of the TT-R125, including the “E”, which features drum brakes, a smaller 17/14-inch front/rear wheel size, and electric starting. The “L” uses slightly stiffer suspension, larger 19/16-inch front/rear wheels, and a 198mm front disc brake. The “LE” also has electric start and the larger wheels, but it also has an aluminum swingarm, suspension tuned for more aggressive (or larger) riders, as well as a 220mm front disc.

The plastic has been redesigned to look more like its bigger YZ cousins, and a flatter seat with firmer foam is also a welcome change. The front suspension has been changed from KYB to Showa, and bumped up a millimeter in diameter.

Price range for the three models is from $2,599 to $2,899.

Yamaha TT-R230E
While the 230 received only minor graphic updates for ’08, we can attest to the fact that it’s fun, comfortable, and an excellent choice for trail riders who need something a little bigger and/or more powerful.

While no one is going to confuse the power or suspension with a full-on YZ, that’s not its intended use. It’s a fun and capable playbike, and like all the TT-Rs, has the added benefit of being extremely quiet. And the electric start? That’s just magic. Stall in a corner? Grab the clutch, stab the button, and you’re back in action.

Suggested retail is $3,499.

For more information, check out www.yamaha-motor.com.