View Full Version : TDM: first impressions
mudlark
21-02-2005, 09:56 PM
Picked it up today first thing. Not a particularly good day to try out a new bike here as it's been really cold and even snowed for while later on.
OK, so, start her up, a nice engine tone. A real meaty thrummm. It will sound great with more open pipes.
It feels lighter and more manageable than the TA, but it's no better balanced. Moving off, not too bad. Throttle response is not as progressive as the TA, but not too jerky either. A bit off/on at really low revs, but nothing bad. I was expecting a lot worse from EFI. A pleasant surprise really.
It's stiffer than the TA. This translates to a less comfortable speed bump sprint than I'm used to, but again not too bad. But it turns in quicker than a TA and corners better overal at sedate speeds. I would imagine higher speed cornering will be far superior to the TA due these characteristics. The downside is that bumpy rides, the sort that a TA soaks up, will not be as comfy.
Controls are all excellent. Everything to hand and well set out. The multi-function digital display is really useful with it's MPH and KPH switch; 2 trip meters and a lots of other helpful modes that I've yet to discover.
Now for the real difference between the TA and TDM. There's a stretch of road, just before my turn-off that, if it's clear, I normally give it a blast. I go for it today and I'm up to 79mph in what seems like blink of the eye. Right on tap, pulling all the way. Wow.
And that, in a nut shell, was why I wanted one. I'm not speed demon by any means. I ride with a lot of caution normally. But I do like to be able to have some fun when the conditions are right for it. And this bike feels like it willl offer that.
Cupid Stunt
21-02-2005, 10:10 PM
Congrat mudlark
Now all we need is pictures of it in the dirt to keep XT Alan happy
Go on you know you want to
:)
XTreme
21-02-2005, 10:29 PM
Sounds good Mudlark. What year is it? Mileage etc?
mudlark
21-02-2005, 10:38 PM
Registered June 2004. 2800 miles on the clock. Met the bloke today. Lovely chap. I almost felt sorry that he had lost so much money on the deal.
I've reall got to keep on top of cleaning it though. The alli is turning in places. The brake banjo's have already gone. It's disgraceful really, but we bikers keep on laying our money down for bike made with substandard materials.
mudlark
21-02-2005, 10:41 PM
Pics! :D:
It's too cold to hold a camera steady. As we speak the snow is falling heavily and I'm a soft suvner:(
catteeclan
22-02-2005, 08:40 AM
Glad to see you like it Mudlark.
I to found the Transalp a little lacking, an real solid bike and a good comfy ride.
I had the old 850 which is alot heavier than the 900 so I found it a hell of a bike too. Mines a April 04 with almost 5000 miles on it so god knows what money I'd loose if I had to sell.
Hope it lasts like a TA as I think I'll be holding on to mine for a good while yet.
Suzuki Al
22-02-2005, 10:53 AM
Enjoy the bike Mudlark.
Regarding the EFI: find a TDM forum, it is likely that the settings can be altered to improve the throttle response just like on the XT.
As far as finish in concerned:
Yamaha are the worst of the Big 4 cosmetically and can deteriorate quicky, but the fundamentals are very good. Just give it a good clean and polish and get some protection on it pronto - Ride and Protect, ACF 50 etc.
Your comparisons with the TA makes sense. It is bound to be a little stiffer on account of the running gear having to handle quite a bit more power.
I know exactly where you are coming from re:speed. The one thing I miss owning the XT is the feeling you get on a bigger more powerful bike, that at 70 mph you are only half way round the dial.
Let's see if don't make the same change after sitting on a TDM900 Today...:cool:
Throttle response is not as progressive as the TA, but not too jerky either. A bit off/on at really low revs, but nothing bad. I was expecting a lot worse from EFI. A pleasant surprise really.
What do you mean by this? :fre:
EFI should be a lot better... I wish I had EFI... :da919:
mudlark
01-10-2005, 12:13 AM
What do you mean by this? :fre:
EFI should be a lot better... I wish I had EFI... :da919:
EFI is not always better. And TDM's EFI is often snatchy at low revs. Just ride one, you'll see.
EFI is not always better. And TDM's EFI is often snatchy at low revs. Just ride one, you'll see.
More opinions on the TDM 900 anyone? :smile:
catteeclan
01-10-2005, 01:20 PM
More opinions on the TDM 900 anyone? :smile:
I think Mudlark sumed it up really. I love the brakes and the grunt. Seat can be a little hard on longer trips, a little to firm for me.
The EFI systems snatchiness is something you soon get used to, like the 200+miles a tank.:smile:
I think Mudlark sumed it up really. I love the brakes and the grunt. Seat can be a little hard on longer trips, a little to firm for me.
The EFI systems snatchiness is something you soon get used to, like the 200+miles a tank.:smile:
I do 230~240 km a tank on the Transalp... :r7:
XTreme
01-10-2005, 02:47 PM
More opinions on the TDM 900 anyone? :smile:
OK....now remember these are my opinions on the TDM....not everybody may have found it the same.
http://www.maximumbikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_tdm13.jpg
Power: Excellent, plenty of torque...with a surge around 5k up to the 8K revline. Very easy to go quick.
EFI: Fairly good, but nowhere near as smooth and jerk free as Suzuki's.
Brakes: Superb.
Gearbox: A lot better than the 850 but still quite clunky.
Handling: I didn't like it at all. I found the bars too narrow and to me it felt like it wanted to run wide on corners.
Economy: Tremendous....55mpg easily.
Comfort: OK...but I found the seat a bit hard. No turbulence issues with screen for me.
Smoothness: Very good indeed....virtually no vibes.
Weight: Considering it's not that heavy, I found it a bit ponderous. And it felt heavier than what it was.
Build quality: Pretty good, but there's a lot to keep clean.
All in all, a very good all round bike that has no major faults.
However, it tends to be a bit lacking in character....almost Honda-like in that respect. It will do everything you want it to do, and with a minimum of fuss, but it's just not emotionally involving....bit like a 2 wheel equivalent of a basic family saloon car. It's just not the sort of bike that you want to keep on riding and riding.
Like I said, it's a very good bike.....but it just wasn't right for me.
mudlark
01-10-2005, 03:45 PM
Weight: Considering it's not that heavy, I found it a bit ponderous. And it felt heavier than what it was.
All in all, a very good all round bike that has no major faults.
However, it tends to be a bit lacking in character....almost Honda-like in that respect. It will do everything you want it to do, and with a minimum of fuss, but it's just not emotionally involving....bit like a 2 wheel equivalent of a basic family saloon car. It's just not the sort of bike that you want to keep on riding and riding.
Like I said, it's a very good bike.....but it just wasn't right for me.
Agree totally with Pete's points apart from weight and blandness.
Maybe it's because you came to the TDM after the DL650 Pete, that you found it to understeer, but compared to the TA I reckon it steers far tighter and feels much lighter and manoeurvable. As for it being emotionally uninvolving I think I know where you're coming from, but, after doing 1,300 in two weeks on mine, I found the TDM to be so good as a tourer that I could not think of any aspect I'd change (apart from the seat as Catteclan said) and that has made me rather fond of it. BUT, if I only did short to medium hops on it, I would probably get bored, sure.
Suzuki Al
03-10-2005, 05:20 PM
One quality a bike used for touring should have is the ability to work in an unobtrusive way when you are on the road.
Touring is quite different from going for a ride. On a ride, the actual pleasure is in the riding and the performance - so the bike should be involving. On a tour, you just want to enjoy the journey and the views without the bike's character intruding.
Not too many bikes can do both, but I am sure that the TDM, with its handling ability and characterful, reasonably powerful engine can make a good fist of both.
Picked it up today first thing. Not a particularly good day to try out a new bike here as it's been really cold and even snowed for while later on.
OK, so, start her up, a nice engine tone. A real meaty thrummm. It will sound great with more open pipes.
It feels lighter and more manageable than the TA, but it's no better balanced. Moving off, not too bad. Throttle response is not as progressive as the TA, but not too jerky either. A bit off/on at really low revs, but nothing bad. I was expecting a lot worse from EFI. A pleasant surprise really.
It's stiffer than the TA. This translates to a less comfortable speed bump sprint than I'm used to, but again not too bad. But it turns in quicker than a TA and corners better overal at sedate speeds. I would imagine higher speed cornering will be far superior to the TA due these characteristics. The downside is that bumpy rides, the sort that a TA soaks up, will not be as comfy.
Controls are all excellent. Everything to hand and well set out. The multi-function digital display is really useful with it's MPH and KPH switch; 2 trip meters and a lots of other helpful modes that I've yet to discover.
Now for the real difference between the TA and TDM. There's a stretch of road, just before my turn-off that, if it's clear, I normally give it a blast. I go for it today and I'm up to 79mph in what seems like blink of the eye. Right on tap, pulling all the way. Wow.
And that, in a nut shell, was why I wanted one. I'm not speed demon by any means. I ride with a lot of caution normally. But I do like to be able to have some fun when the conditions are right for it. And this bike feels like it willl offer that.
Can you tell me if the aerodinamic of the TDM 900 design protects you less from the rain and weather than the TA?
Speccially from rain and wind in your legs and feet?
I like that in the TA...
mudlark
10-12-2005, 10:33 PM
Less protection around the legs, better screen though.
Just like I was thinking...:r7:
Hi Mudlark, after this time with your TDM900 is there anything not as good as on the Transalp?
I found a very good 3400km TDM900 at a very good price 2 months ago, but then my garage owner sold it and I decided I wouldn't upgrade my TA until I find a new garage for it... :da919:
It's been sleeping on the street for the last two months...:(
mudlark
19-03-2006, 12:35 AM
Hi Mudlark, after this time with your TDM900 is there anything not as good as on the Transalp?
Only the fueling. The TDM has the infamous jerkiness at slow speed. Other than that the TDM is:
Gruntier
Faster
Much more economical
Lighter
Greater fuel range
Much smoother at speed
Having said that, I really like TA's.
Having said that, I really like TA's. More than TDM's? :da919:
XTreme
20-03-2006, 10:19 PM
More than TDM's? :da919:
More than MFI. :unsure:
mudlark
21-03-2006, 08:59 PM
More than TDM's? :da919:
No, the TDM rocks:lg:
thisandmatt
12-06-2008, 12:40 AM
Hi, I've been riding my TDM 900 for a year and a half now and love it. I find it great for scratching and I can sit on it for 2 hours plus without a problem. Regarding the low speed jerkyness there is a mod to the airbox that made a huge difference to mine. It's easy and took me (Mr all thumbs) about 45 minutes. Have a look on www.carpe-tdm.net (http://www.carpe-tdm.net) for instructions. Also, make sure the throttle position sensor has been replaced, it's free because there was a recall.
Just spotted on another thread that you've done the mod!
Welcome to Maximum thisNmatt, ignore Buckster, he's a :twat:
:ljl:
aye,thanks for the info T&M. got any pics of your bike?
mudlark
16-06-2008, 09:55 PM
Hi, I've been riding my TDM 900 for a year and a half now and love it. I find it great for scratching and I can sit on it for 2 hours plus without a problem. Regarding the low speed jerkyness there is a mod to the airbox that made a huge difference to mine. It's easy and took me (Mr all thumbs) about 45 minutes. Have a look on www.carpe-tdm.net (http://www.carpe-tdm.net) for instructions. Also, make sure the throttle position sensor has been replaced, it's free because there was a recall.
Just spotted on another thread that you've done the mod!
Glad you're enjoying the TDM. It really is a bike of our time with it's unbeatable fuel consumption, 220 miles to a tank is not unheard of, and general all round abililty.
The airbox mod didn't do wonders for my bike and AFAIC is not a cure. A lot of TDM riders swear by it, but I still get jerkiness. Anyway I can live with it. There isn't another bike out at the moment that I'd trade it for.
Stuart Fordyce
30-06-2008, 03:56 PM
Not totally unbeatable fuel economy mudlark. You asked me to keep you posted: BMW F650GS is currently running at 67mpg!
It's not as fast as a TDM though, and if I did more distance and less commuting I'd have the TDM.
Not totally unbeatable fuel economy mudlark. You asked me to keep you posted: BMW F650GS is currently running at 67mpg!
It's not as fast as a TDM though, and if I did more distance and less commuting I'd have the TDM.
Now imagine a F800GS...:spoton:
Stuart Fordyce
01-07-2008, 11:12 AM
Now imagine a F800GS...:spoton:
Find me one for just over two grand and I've been interested! Perhaps in a few years...
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