Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126412
- is to produce a "serious" off-road p 'so newer four-stroke off-road singles. (Above) Aluminum swingarm. gas/ oil shocks and leadi ng axle forks . Low slung and torquey. the TT500 is perfect for playriding at a moderate pace. Ne~ for the F-model are the tank graphics and paint co lor. orange. Specifications - k ey:? ur bind u p with d irt and allow it to m ove freely, keeping th e chain taut a t all tim es. . Yamaha took an id ea from their IT line of two -st ro ke enduro b ikes - ' fold ing foot controls - a nd added it to the TT500's re per toire. Both rear brake and shifter controls fold back under p ressure , bypassing (sometimes anyway) the nuisance of having the controls bent back under th e footpegs by errant rocks and br anches. Completin g th e list of improveme nts are a lengthened front fender , new kn obby tire pattern and a few cosmetic changes to the alu mi nu m fuel ta nk, seat and pain t. r St eady im prove m ent th ough . making intelligent cha nges in each 'successive m od el has prod uced a wellrefi ne d .T T 500 Yama ha . No w, however , wit h the a rrival of the X R500 Hon d a , th e DR 370 Suzuk i and before long . the KL X250 Kawasaki, it's time for Yamaha to consider a dramatic m od el cha nge for their 500cc single, perhaps a lim ited edition all out end uro bike . Wi t h the spspens ion and powe r pla nt te c hno logy that certainly m ust be at the fing ertips of the compa ny that builds National and World Champion ship -winning motocross mach inery and road racers , it cou ld be the best one yeti . • . IBelow) Massive. the muffler/spark arrestor is bulky but efficient. Dimensions Overall length •• . • • . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . .• . . . ; •• . • • • . , . • . . 83.2 In. Overall width.• ... •..•.............. • ... •.. .. • . .. . • .... .. 34.4 in. Overall height .. ...... .. .. .• . .. .• •.... .... .. .... ; ....... •. 45.6 in. Wheelbase... • . •. . • •..• . .... ..... •.•.• ; • . . . .• • . .. . . . • •.• 56.0 in. Minimum road clearance .. • •.. .. .... .... ... ... .. . .. .. . • .. • 9.1 in. Minimum turning radius 86.6 in. Net weight 271 lb. . . Engine Type .. . •. • .• . • . . ... . . . • . ' Four stroke. SOHC. single cylinder .Engine model • . • .• •• . • • • • . . • : . • . . . . . . . • . • . • • . . . • . . • . . . . . . • . 1T1 Displacement . • • • . ..... •. . ....... • .. • •.••. •.. • ••. • • • . •. .. 499cc Bore and stroke . • ...... • .. •... • • • .• ••. • •. • •.. • • . . • ..• 87 x 84mm Compression ratio . : 9.0:1 Starting system. . . • .. • . • • • . • • • .. • . . • . . . • . • • . • . . • . . . . . • . . . . Kick Ignition system Magneto Fuel tank capacity '. .. •.... .... •. 2.3 US. gal. 2.5 US. qt..Engine oil quantity Lubricating system Dry sump , BP7ESINGK) : Spark plug . Carburetor• •. . • . .. . . . . . ... . . .. . . •. . . • .••• • • .• •• VM34SS. Mikuni Air cleaner Oiled foam rubber ' Transmission: Primary reduction system Gear : . . . • •• . .• . .. n/30 Primary reduction ratio : Secondary reduction system.. .. ... • .. •. .•.. ... • • •.. .... ... Chain Secondary reduction ratio .. ....... . • •. •. • •.. •.. ••. . . ...... . 50/15 Clutch . . • • . • • . . • . . .. . .. . . • . . . . . . . • . . • . . • • .. • • Wet multi-disc type .Gear box.type .. ..... ..... ...• . Constant mesh Five-speed forward Steering: Caster . . .. . .. .• . ... . ... . .. .. . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... . 29"20' Trail. .. •. . • . .. . ..... .... ... .... , ... '• . . .• . . . . . . . . . 125mm (4.9 in.) Tire size; ) Front Rear , Suspension : Front , Rear Shock absorber: Fron t _ Rear : , ,., , , ,, , , , , , ' 3.00 - 21 - 4PR , 4.60 - 18 - 4PR Leadin g axl e telescopic fork Aluminum sw ingar m . coil spring . oil damper Coil spring. nitrogen/oi l damper List price •• • . . . . .•• . . •.•. . ..• .. • •••• . . .•• • . . • . . • •• .• •• $1849 27