Yamaha TDM 850 A Brave Design (Yamaha TDM850)

Member Name: Godfrey

Product:	Yamaha TDM850
Date:	13/07/00 (6281 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quiet, COMFORTABLE Smooth Great Fun

Disadvantages: Too tall for some riders hard to clean.

I have owned 2 TDM 850's and loved them both. I still have one and wouldn't part with it for any other bike as a gift.

Talking of Gifts I did have a BMW Motorcycle as a gift in a Prize Draw competition and persevered with the marque by trading it in for a new one four times. I did my best to like them but was not impressed. Instead I bought my first Yamaha TDM 850 and the difference was staggering. The comfort the speed, the handling, the quietness! all endeared me to this wonderful machine.

At one time I was doing 25,000 miles per year on two wheels in all weathers but although the TDM has less weather protection, it is actually more aerodynamic than many heavily "faired" machines.

The twin-cylinder motor is as smooth as silk. It's easy to service yourself - The Drive-chain seems to last for ever and this despite tearing off at chain-stretching speeds from a standstill when the mood strikes. You can even get the footrests to scrape in a roundabout if you can bear to lean over a tall bike that far. It has a high seat but centre of gravity is not as high as many "Super Motard" designs. It's very popular in France. TDM doesn't stand for anything, Yamaha tell me it's a factory designation and has no interpretation as an Acronym.

All bikes cost a fortune in tyres when they are as big as the neo-sports bike size but this one doesn't chew through them as fast as a heavy bike. It's not as heavy as an out-and-out tourer though it can be used as one.

The fuel consumption could be better. It manages about 38mpg
the way I ride it.

It has fitted Panniers by Givi and they work very well with not a hint of handling problems at high speed which usually affects bikes fitted with large cases all over the rear end.

The one big bad thing about it was that Yamaha didn't supply it or design in, a Centre Stand. This was a bad thing. But a couple of co
mpanies in the world make a centre stand for it that fits to the inside of the footrest brackets. It makes it stand rather too high to even be able to get a leg over it, but beggars can't be choosers and it does the job admirably.

I will ride this one until I am too old to ride, if it will last that long. It cost me £3200 second hand with 15,000 miles on the clock. The new model is over 7000 UK Pounds
They say the new one is less clonky on the gear box but I never found this one a problem. It's smoother than many of the "agricultural" gear changes on bigger bikes and I like a clunky gearbox. Anyone who thinks it's not slick enough is in my opinion asking for "jam on it" What do they want, blood ?

Godfrey

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