Oh yeah.
I picked up a TDM (the faster blue model. See, the
TDM was a 92-93 import. 92 was red, 93 was
blue/purple. Since Yamaha didn't want all of its
bikes to be the same, they made the faster TDM blue,
and the faster GTS red, so as not to get in a rut)
this spring. Very interesting bike. You ride high,
like a dirt bike. Very neutral seating position
(though I think I have the superbike kit--I really
haven't paid much attention to the details of this
bike, just riding it. I'll learn more over the
winter). Leaning into the turns, you feel like you
are really going a long way over, becuase, in fact,
you are. It's got good pull from the midrange, though
mine was rejetted for midrange drivability. Great
styling, no one else has one. Much like the GTS.
Very easy to ride, great around town, as it is
hooligan-y: nimble and surprisingly manouverable for
such a tall bike--just like a dirt bike. You throw it
into corners, rather than just look in that general
direction, a la SV650. It's really a hoot to ride.
It has some serious downsides though. First, the
5-speed tranny is klunky as hell. It's probably not
all that bad, but coming off the SV, I really notice
the exchange of a "snick" for a "clunk." Wind
protection is poor, with a lot of buffeting. This
could be in part due to the crappy aftermarket
windshield the previous owner left on it. Most
annoying of all is a persistent and invasive buzz at
4000-4400 rpm--exactly 73-76 mph in top gear. I used
to ride a harley, but this thing will make your hands
go numb. It's very high oscillation, not a shake like
the harley. You then have 3 choices--upshift (there's
plenty of room on the tach to go 75 in 4th, but poor
fuel consumption and premature engine wear follow), go
faster (yea) or go slower (boo). To tell the truth,
if I weren't into odd bikes, I'd proabably dump mine
just because it fits into my stable primarily as a
striaght-line mileage muncher (givi rack and all), and
it doesn't do this very successfully because of the
buzz.
It seems to me that this bike's greatest potential
(for me) is to switch to some off-road-ish tires and
take the gf camping. The givi bags would provide
plenty of room for tent, etc., and there is a lot of
suspension travel. I've gone on gravel roads, and it
holds just fine, even with the street tires. The only
other thing I could think of is a better windshield,
gel grips, and a sheepskin ass cushion, in which case
it may work for the boring mileage munching days when
I don't feel like leaving a flat spot in the middle of
the GTS's tires.
If your are riding where the speed limtis are lower
(Greece, perhaps) then I would highly recommend it.
My riding in Europe found me often on less than smooth
roads (cobblestone highways in portugal!), and almost
never over 60 mph. It would be perfect for that type
of riding.
The TDM list is active and helpful. My brother is on
it though I am not at the moment. Say hi to Ethan if
you join up that list.
adam
--- "George C. Paramithas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
> Have any of you guys ridden or even owned the TDM
> 850? It's Yamaha's infamous "adventure sports" twin.
> Seems like an unique & interesting ride for the US
> mountains.....or Greece even.
>
> George looking for love in all the wrong places
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