If you’re a beginner and look for the most appropriate Yamaha dirt bike, one that is properly sized and will still be fun and exciting after developing your skills, there are few chances you won’t find yourself wondering if should or should not buy the 2009 TT-R110E. Hopefully, this article will help.
2009 Yamaha TT-R110E
- Make: Array
- Model: 2009 Yamaha TT-R110E
- Engine/Motor: air-cooled 4-stroke, SOHC
- Torque: 0.8 kg-m (5.8 ft-lb) @ 4,000 rpm
- Transmission: Constant-mesh 4-speed/wet, multiple disc
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Introduction
Designed to address to a larger category of riders, the Yamaha TT-R110E is expected to impress with its one-off features such as the electrically-started four-stroke powered engine mated to an automatic-clutch transmission. This last feature makes it ideal for kids to concentrate on riding, not gear changing, something that reduces their accommodating time on the bike and gets straight to pure off-road excitement.
And when it comes to this bike’s ability to make a point on the trails, the off-road suspensions and 7.1 inches of ground clearance work together in a harmonious way, leaving kids impressed and parents satisfied with the acquisition they’ve just made.
Being a four-stroke of small displacement, it doesn’t really get up to speed so it didn’t need more than a pair of drum brakes for quick stopping power at all times. But what it did needed in order to help small riders stay on it was the 26.4 inches ground clearance. Nothing is better than having your feet positioned on the ground after a doubtful incursion on those trails.
History
First introduced at the end of 2007 as a replacement for the TT-R90E, the bike was supposed to come as a solution for those who have outgrown the PW50 and TT-R50E, but still aren’t quite ready to see their way on those four-stroke 125cc dirt bikes that are also bigger in size and have more powerful engines. We reckon the TT-R110E succeeds to fill that gap.
Competition
This is also the case of Honda’s CRF100F which is new for 2009. It stands as the only Honda in the lineup that has got the guts to prove a point against our Yamaha and it does it with the 99cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke SOHC; two-valve engine. Even though smaller, this unit is powerful, but the bike’s ease of handling and comfort is what makes us compare it with the TT-R, though not comparable is the 30.9 inches of seat height in the case of the Honda. But that is because this is a full-sized trail bike (it has the 19-inch front and 16-inch rear tires, a five-speed transmission and it is priced at $2,449), not a kids bike. It sure tricked me!
A real competitor for the small Yamaha TT-R110 is the Kawasaki KLX110. This is indeed a beginner bike with a seat height of 25.6 inches while the engine is an 111cc four-stroke, SOHC, two-valve single. A three-speed automatic transmission also makes it even more similar to the blue trail blast reviewed today. Put long travel suspension on it, 14-inch front and 12-inch rear tires and sell it for $1,849 and you’re in for one hell of a ride.
Exterior
Being destined to be only an evolutionary step in a rider’s career wouldn’t justify this motorcycle’s neglected looks so Yamaha made sure that it reminds riders of those championship-winning YZ models. They made it look aggressive by fitting it with race-inspired side panels and decals. A narrow low seat was the appropriate choice for it and the fenders (at least the rear one) look like being prepared for some pretty rough off-road adventures.
In order to obtain a decent ground clearance, engineers went for the inclined engine positioning, a feature which makes traveling over bumps possible. Spoked wheels were the best solution (not like on the PW50) considering the shocks they’ll be suffering.
The color of choice is Team Yamaha Blue/White, just like on the bikes it stole the looks from.
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Test Ride
Yamaha may have designed the TT-R110E for those who just start riding, but I’m sure that they also considered the fact that more experienced riders in the family will want to have fun on it from time to time or at least the fact that this bike needs to keep the pace with continuously experience gathering riders. That explains the great deal of fun and excitement that the intermediate TT-R is, especially for someone with a decent dirt bike riding background. It is extremely nice to get back on machines you started on (or at least similar ones) as it really shows how much you’ve learned and you can always make a great impression to those to which this bike “officially” addresses.
The 110cc air-cooled four-stroke SOHC motor with two valves starts with the push of a button and delivers strong low-end torque without jerking. A constantly opened throttle translates that into a decent pull on top of the rev range and the best of this engine is that it doesn’t need to be kept “in the zone” with constant shifts. In other words, the best thing about this engine is the gearbox. The four-speed, constant mesh tranny provides a smooth ride to a beginning rider and keeps up with adrenaline junkies as well.
Without a doubt, the 2009 Yamaha TT-R110E is the most versatile model in its lineup and it doesn’t all consist in power delivery and grunt. Handling is light and very precise, making the front end extremely easy to toss around and that rear wheel is always guaranteed to follow. With a pair of 14-inch front and 12-inch rear wheels, this TT-R runs over bumps smoothly and goes on the indicated trace with the greatest ease. No wonder, as the rider has 4.5 inches of front wheel travel and 4.3 inches of rear wheel travel at his disposal and it’s a pretty hard task to make the 110cc model feel overwhelmed at any time.
Very enjoyable and meeting all riders demands, the 2009 TT-R110E remains a small bike and it doesn’t avoid showing it. Both front and rear stopping power is ensured by drum brakes so if the bike didn’t managed to lose that when reinvented in 2008, it may very well never do. But, as long as you’re not bothered by the old-school wheel design, no reproaches will follow, especially that it breaks so efficiently with excessive mass on it.
The seat is a thing you’ll rarely meet if planning to ride the wheels off this thing, but in the few moments that it is touched, there is no impression of planning to cut you in half. Ergonomics are good, but still, it is very likely that your back will give up before the bike will ever do so.
The only modification I recommend doing to the Yamaha TT-R110E is adding a bigger rear sprocket and only if you exceed the standard one’s capabilities. Great bike overall!
Price
The 2009 model year price is just under two grand ($1,949 to be precise). That makes it a great deal, just like the Kawasaki KLX110.
Conclusion
Styled like a racing motorcycle, but prepared to teach both starting and intermediate riders a thing or two about trail riding, the 2009 Yamaha TT-R110E is a reliable motorcycle with a thing or two for performance, safety and easy maneuvering in complete control. That sure sounds like a recipe for all beginners bike and if the throttle is widely opened by the courageous kid, you can simply attach a throttle limiter and your heart will come down from you neck.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Engine and Transmission
Displacement: 110cc
Type: air-cooled 4-stroke, SOHC
Bore x Stroke: 51.0mm x 54.0mm
Compression Ratio: 9.3:1
Carburetion: Mikuni® VM16
Ignition: CDI
Transmission: Constant-mesh 4-speed/wet, multiple disc
Final Drive: Chain drive
Chassis and Dimensions
Suspension/Front: Telescopic fork, coil spring/oil damper, 4.5-in travel
Suspension/Rear: Swingarm Monocross®, coil spring/gas-oil damper, 4.3-in travel
Brakes/Front: 95mm drum
Brakes/Rear: 110mm drum
Tires/Front: 2.50-14-4PR
Tires/Rear: 3.00-12-4PR
Length: 61.6 in
Width: 26.8 in
Height: 36.3 in
Seat Height: 26.4 in
Wheelbase: 42.5 in
Ground Clearance: 7.1 in
Fuel Capacity: 1.0 gal
Wet Weight: 158 lb
Features
Key Features:
Engine:
Chassis/Suspension:
Additional Features: