The Yamaha XT 500 and TT 500 are both iconic motorcycles produced by Yamaha, but they have some key differences:
Intended Use: The Yamaha XT 500 was designed as a dual-sport motorcycle, meant to be ridden both on and off-road. It was built with features that made it suitable for on-road use while also being capable off-road. On the other hand, the Yamaha TT 500 was primarily designed as an off-road or motocross bike, with a focus on dirt track performance.
Suspension: The XT 500 typically had more road-oriented suspension components. It featured longer travel suspension with adjustable damping, making it more comfortable for both on-road and off-road riding. The TT 500, being focused on off-road use, had shorter travel suspension with stiffer damping to better handle jumps and rough terrain.
Lighting and Equipment: The XT 500 was equipped with lighting and other components necessary for road legality, such as headlights, taillights, turn signals, and mirrors. It also had a larger fuel tank capacity for longer distance rides. The TT 500, being an off-road-oriented bike, usually had minimal lighting (if any) and lacked the road-legal features of the XT 500.
Exhaust: The exhaust systems on these bikes also differed. The XT 500 typically had a larger and quieter exhaust system to meet road noise regulations, while the TT 500 often had a smaller and louder exhaust for improved off-road performance.
Despite these differences, both the XT 500 and TT 500 shared a common 500cc four-stroke engine, known for its reliability and torque. They were both popular bikes in their time and continue to be highly regarded by motorcycle enthusiasts, albeit for different purposes.