TT350 Dirtbike Specs

Yamaha TT350 Dirtbike

Yamaha TT350 Dirtbike Specifications

In a fast and dirty era in the late 1970s and early 1980s, there were so many cheap Japanese two-stroke enduro-type motorcycles available in the United States.

The Yamaha IT, Suzuki PE, and Kawasaki KDX are lightweight engines made for serious trail and off-road racing, with powerful engines, long-travel forks, and advanced (for the season) single-shock rear suspension.

For the weekend rider or off-road racer, everything is fine.

Unfortunately, in 1987, all but the Kawasaki KDX200 were gone, leaving a larger share of the off-road racing market to the more expensive European brands, KTM and Husqvarna.

Meanwhile, Honda has taken a different approach to the enduro segment. Since its introduction in 1979, Honda’s entire XR line has used four-stroke engines that produce excellent driveable power and have earned a reputation for reliability. These bikes seem to reflect recreational riders and, later, racers, while Honda has achieved high-profile victories in off-road competition.

Of course, it didn’t lose to Big Red rivals, and when Yamaha’s last (at one time) two-stroke enduro bike, the 1986 IT200, disappeared from showrooms, the company introduced a pair of four-stroke replacement, the TT225 and TT350. Although capable enough, these bikes seem to be more geared to the casual off -road rider than the serious racer.

The 1986-’87 TT350 was powered by a 346cc air-cooled single cylinder with double overhead camshafts and four valves. It is powered by a pair of Siamese Teikei Kikaki carburetors, one powered by a throttle cable and the other by vacuum. This engine is not matched to revs, but a six -speed gearbox ensures a sufficiently high top speed available for dirt. At the front, the TT350 used a pair of 41mm Showa forks that provided 11 inches of travel. At the rear, Yamaha’s Mono Cross linkage-type single-shock suspension also offers 11 inches of smooth movement.

Unlike its street sidekick, the XT350, the TT350 uses a full frame (which looks like it was lifted from the YZ line of motocross bikes) made of thin-walled high-tensile-strength steel. The boxed rear swingarm is made of aluminum, as well as the rims, to save weight, but the bike still increases the weight to 253 pounds.

Although the TT350 sold for a reasonable price of $ 2,199 in 1986 (about $ 4,500 in today’s dollars), it includes some nice touches, such as front disc brakes, 12-volt power with a 55 watt bright halogen headlight , a resettable trip meter. , handguards, and a tool bag.

In any case, without much explanation, the TT350 and TT225 were accidentally removed from the market after the 1987 model year. The largest bike in Yamaha’s four-stroke fun bike lineup, the TT600, disappeared after 1986.

Today, these bikes can still be reliable off -road machines, even as the supply of new parts, especially plastic cosmetic parts, is increasingly depleted. Compared to modern four-stroke electric-starters with more powerful engines, vintage bikes from the 1980s like the TT350 look a bit dated, but for nostalgic riders, they’re a great way to have fun without breaking the bank.