Yamaha TDM 900

[yappiez]

The 3 bikes that went for the trip...

[comics00]

Originally posted by comics00@Jul 27 2004, 03:50 PM

7676 n me going for day trip on the 13Aug.

 

planning to meet at for breakfast in jb ~8am than ride up route 3 till rompin (mayb lunch there) cut across to route 1 & sea food dinner b4 returning back from 2nd link. any1 care to join us?

due to work commitment 7676 & me postphone our trip to 20th aug. any guys care to join us?

[comics00]

Originally posted by yappiez@Aug 2 2004, 12:41 AM

As some of you may know, I was hit by a lorry.....

But you will never guess the exact area where the impact was......

HOLYCOW!

p.s I woke up this morning and found a 'ba lou ku' on my head at the same spot....

read abt it in yahoo gps.

still alive hop on a bike & lets start riding again:goodluck:

[biking nomad]

Over the past few days I have become quite intrigued with the TDM after one of my friend's talked about it. N having read more than 5 awesome reviews by european journos and the numerous postings here I think this bike seems to be quite a crowd facvourite.

 

Though I'm not anywhere close to buying a big bike yet I'd just like to find out some other first-hand information from the TDMers. Hope u guys can help....

 

1) Has anyone attempted to ride the TDM through any gravel paths or bad roads? How was the experience and how well is the bike able to handle not too good road conditions? Someone mentioned the TDM actually stands for Trans Dakar Machine, anyone think it is able to live up to it?

 

2) Does the TDM have sufficent pulling power if fully loaded with top box n side panniers n a pillion? Anyone been through this on say the NS highway?

 

3) Any underseat storage space? If there is how little or much is it?

 

4) Comepting models for this bike would be Honda's Vara or Suzook's Strom 1000. Would u guys think the TDM has an edge over the others? If it does, in what areas? I know the otherr bikes have different engine layout n other qualities but just for the sake of an academic comparison I hope u guys have sth to say.

 

PS: I'm not asking these questions to test the mettle of the TDM but just to see if it is able to meet my biking needs when I do decide to upgrade. All responses will be very much appreciatedd. Tks folks!

[barracuda]

1) Has anyone attempted to ride the TDM through any gravel paths or bad roads? How was the experience and how well is the bike able to handle not too good road conditions? Someone mentioned the TDM actually stands for Trans Dakar Machine, anyone think it is able to live up to it?

 

The TDM is not a Dakar bike to begin with but its predessor, the XTZ Super Tenere is. The TDM has been toned down over the years. I would rate it as 95% road and 5% off road based. The stock tyres are the main culprit. How off road can you get with a pair of Z4s or 020s? If you can get your hands on some dual purpose tyres, then more off road can be done. Its pretty good in bad road conditions in Msia. Its moderately higher ground clearance (160mm) than sports bikes make it quite able to take some rough hits without grazing the bottom. Speed humps in sgp are ok too. Dun expect scramber type of offroad performance.

 

2) Does the TDM have sufficent pulling power if fully loaded with top box n side panniers n a pillion? Anyone been through this on say the NS highway?

 

I am confident that it will have enuf pulling power fully loaded. But there's sure to be a difference when compared to a naked TDM with just the rider. I have ridden with fully loaded side panniers 40l on each side and a pillion in SGP. Its still pulls away when i want to

 

3) Any underseat storage space? If there is how little or much is it?

 

Lesser than a super4. I can keep the standard toolkit, tyre punture kit, chain oiler container and alarm under the seat. No way a raincoat or rain cover is going to go in there.

 

4) Comepting models for this bike would be Honda's Vara or Suzook's Strom 1000. Would u guys think the TDM has an edge over the others? If it does, in what areas? I know the otherr bikes have different engine layout n other qualities but just for the sake of an academic comparison I hope u guys have sth to say.

 

Number 1 thing you must have read is the low fuel consumption @ 24km/l which equates to 480km for a 20l fuel tank.

 

Quite managable seat height at 825mm (Vstrom 1k is 840mm)

 

Light weight - 190kg dry

 

Digital Speedo - This is quite subjective

 

Cheaper road tax and insurance

 

The TDM engine is specifically designed for the TDM and not taken from some sportsbike engine and detuned like the firestorm - vara & TL1k - Vstrom. So I believe that the TDM is designed and engineered from start till end and not building everything else around an existing engine.

 

Even with side panniers, the TDM is narrower than the Vara or Vstrom with the same panniers. Reason is due to the underseat exhaust that makes the width wider.

 

Good agent support in SGP. HL changed my coolant pump assembly with no fuss or questions asked. I did not even demand or reqest it be changed. I just told them about the slight coolant leak problem and they said they will look into it. 1hr later, they told me they changed the coolant pump assembly. FOC.

[brats]

Originally posted by klxr250@May 6 2004, 09:29 PM

Hey! I am selling my TDM900 too. Itz FW and 2003 model. Mileage only 16K. With top box and engine guard. Love the bike but prefer a dual purpose. PM me if interested.

hi there can tell me wat's ur mileage n selling price?any tdm riders out there selling ur bike pls give me a cal at 91477746.thx n hope to be join one of u soon!cheers...

[biking nomad]

Barracuda,

 

Thanks for the very detailed response. Everything else I needed to know answered in one post.

 

Tks for the infor. Its useful enough for me to seriously consider the TDM down the road. Lets hope the 05 or 06 models come with some thing more fantatsic or snazzier gizmos. Perhaps stuff like centre stand included in the crate.

 

Somehow the manufacturers seem to be putting a lot of things as accessories or add-ons and the price still keeps going up.

 

Oh, one more thing. Does the OEM mkt have any spoke rims available for the TDM? Perhaps tat might be the answer to off-road tires....

[comics00]

Originally posted by barracuda@Aug 3 2004, 09:57 PM

1) Has anyone attempted to ride the TDM through any gravel paths or bad roads? How was the experience and how well is the bike able to handle not too good road conditions? Someone mentioned the TDM actually stands for Trans Dakar Machine, anyone think it is able to live up to it?

 

The TDM is not a Dakar bike to begin with but its predessor, the XTZ Super Tenere is. The TDM has been toned down over the years. I would rate it as 95% road and 5% off road based. The stock tyres are the main culprit. How off road can you get with a pair of Z4s or 020s? If you can get your hands on some dual purpose tyres, then more off road can be done. Its pretty good in bad road conditions in Msia. Its moderately higher ground clearance (160mm) than sports bikes make it quite able to take some rough hits without grazing the bottom. Speed humps in sgp are ok too. Dun expect scramber type of offroad performance.

 

2) Does the TDM have sufficent pulling power if fully loaded with top box n side panniers n a pillion? Anyone been through this on say the NS highway?

 

I am confident that it will have enuf pulling power fully loaded. But there's sure to be a difference when compared to a naked TDM with just the rider. I have ridden with fully loaded side panniers 40l on each side and a pillion in SGP. Its still pulls away when i want to

 

3) Any underseat storage space? If there is how little or much is it?

 

Lesser than a super4. I can keep the standard toolkit, tyre punture kit, chain oiler container and alarm under the seat. No way a raincoat or rain cover is going to go in there.

 

4) Comepting models for this bike would be Honda's Vara or Suzook's Strom 1000. Would u guys think the TDM has an edge over the others? If it does, in what areas? I know the otherr bikes have different engine layout n other qualities but just for the sake of an academic comparison I hope u guys have sth to say.

 

Number 1 thing you must have read is the low fuel consumption @ 24km/l which equates to 480km for a 20l fuel tank.

 

Quite managable seat height at 825mm (Vstrom 1k is 840mm)

 

Light weight - 190kg dry

 

Digital Speedo - This is quite subjective

 

Cheaper road tax and insurance

 

The TDM engine is specifically designed for the TDM and not taken from some sportsbike engine and detuned like the firestorm - vara & TL1k - Vstrom. So I believe that the TDM is designed and engineered from start till end and not building everything else around an existing engine.

 

Even with side panniers, the TDM is narrower than the Vara or Vstrom with the same panniers. Reason is due to the underseat exhaust that makes the width wider.

 

Good agent support in SGP. HL changed my coolant pump assembly with no fuss or questions asked. I did not even demand or reqest it be changed. I just told them about the slight coolant leak problem and they said they will look into it. 1hr later, they told me they changed the coolant pump assembly. FOC.

just to add a few points.

 

1) 'cos it is lighter & slim comparing to Vara & V-storm conering & parking surely more ease. tried 100km/h exit from SLE (from CTE) into Yishun, will think twice if m on a Vara or V-storm.

 

2) look wise both Vs' can't be mistaken as a 125cc like the TDM

 

3) apz previous trip to the 'land of thousand smiles' described that with all his 3 boxes full he manage to maintain 190km/h on NS highway.

[biking nomad]

Sounds like the TDM has an edge over the other bikes in its class. Nice mix of new technology and a decade of development.

 

Found a video on the TDM. Dunno whether u guys have come across it b4.

 

http://www.carpe-tdm.net/tdm/files/tdm900_..._advert_low.mov

 

 

Seems like very few TDMs in Sg. As yet I don't think I've noticed one on da road! But now must keep my eyes peeled for one...

[biking nomad]

TDM with fairing

 

awesome stuff man! I think at this rate prolly no TDM looks alike!

 

TDM ridden in snow!

[brats]

Hi to all tdm riders,can anyone tell me is the price of 12k resonable for a 02' reg tdm900.bike is in stock w/o accessories except for a pair of crash bar.mileage is abt 14k.thx.

 

And btw,if anyone of u happen to let go ur tdm,pls let me noe at 91477746 or pm me.

 

cheers!

[brats]

Hi to all again,may i noe where i can find pic of tdm on original yamaha side pannies or with h&b side pannies?

 

wanted to see the diff cos many said the original looks superb.

 

And 1 last thing is that are there gona be any new model for 05' or will it juz be the diff colour scheme that is coming out?

[A3roSmith]

hey, which one of u is victor?

im a friend of his...

 

[yappiez]

Originally posted by brats@Aug 6 2004, 06:39 PM

Hi to all tdm riders,can anyone tell me is the price of 12k resonable for a 02' reg tdm900.bike is in stock w/o accessories except for a pair of crash bar.mileage is abt 14k.thx.

 

And btw,if anyone of u happen to let go ur tdm,pls let me noe at 91477746 or pm me.

 

cheers!

if you read the previous threads, you will know how much my bike is and whats its mileage. Then you can compare...

Mine is quite naked when I bought it. Only have topbox.

I have added some scratches and also a dent on the exhaust. F.O.C somemore.

[casio]

For reference, i've just changed my tires yesterday. cost me 310 bucks for a set of bridgestone batlax 020.

 

Yappiez, u feeling better? keen for ride?

[yappiez]

I also changed my rear... yesterday also....

Damn, we could have arrange to do it together and get a better price?!?

Anywayz I got only the rear for 215. Metezeler MEZ4...

Did I kanna major karot?!?

[yappiez]

Originally posted by casio@Aug 7 2004, 09:14 AM

For reference, i've just changed my tires yesterday. cost me 310 bucks for a set of bridgestone batlax 020.

 

Yappiez, u feeling better? keen for ride?

Thx casio, I'm fine. Jus a little more safety conscious now..

Go for a ride wth brand new tires? Ain't that like against the books?

What are your plans?

 

Anyway, whats are your tots on the 020 tires?

I wanted to change to this but my friend, the mech, said there are complains about on its performance (road gripping) after about 6 months of usage.

 

Anyone wants to see the internals of the MEZ4 tire?? I was bored while the mechs were sorting out my bike and I ended up cutting my old tire up.... lol

[melvinho]

Yo my TDM bros.. went to chiap lee yesterday and saw a FW blue TDM there.. the owner turned out to be a 50++ uncle called Geroge.. he and his friend(FZ1K) is actually going to thailand later than night.. cool folks..

 

He asked me to join them(the old timer gang) at Changi village coffeeshop sometimes.. they actually have 2 TDM, 1 AT, 1 SRAD and 1 FZ1K..

it's interesting to see that TDM is being appreciated to both the young and old..

 

maybe we can all meet up someday.. TDMers united.. + a little VStromers

 

Melvin

[biking nomad]

Originally posted by melvinho@Aug 7 2004, 10:29 PM

Yo my TDM bros.. went to chiap lee yesterday and saw a FW blue TDM there.. the owner turned out to be a 50++ uncle called Geroge.. he and his friend(FZ1K) is actually going to thailand later than night.. cool folks..

 

He asked me to join them(the old timer gang) at Changi village coffeeshop sometimes.. they actually have 2 TDM, 1 AT, 1 SRAD and 1 FZ1K..

it's interesting to see that TDM is being appreciated to both the young and old..

 

maybe we can all meet up someday.. TDMers united.. + a little VStromers

 

Melvin

seems like the wise "old man" knew wats the wise choice for a bike...hahahaha!

[barracuda]

Originally posted by rxZster@Aug 4 2004, 04:49 PM

Barracuda,

 

Thanks for the very detailed response. Everything else I needed to know answered in one post.

 

Tks for the infor. Its useful enough for me to seriously consider the TDM down the road. Lets hope the 05 or 06 models come with some thing more fantatsic or snazzier gizmos. Perhaps stuff like centre stand included in the crate.

 

Somehow the manufacturers seem to be putting a lot of things as accessories or add-ons and the price still keeps going up.

 

Oh, one more thing. Does the OEM mkt have any spoke rims available for the TDM? Perhaps tat might be the answer to off-road tires....

The TDM has a tradition of maintaining each batch of TDM for 5 years and each year, they will introduce only 3 colour schemes. So technically speaking, since the TDM900 was launched in 2002, the 05 or 06 will have no major changes. The next generation TDM will most likely be a 07 model. U wanna wait that long? Keeping the TDM model relatively unchanged for 5 years is actually a good thing to allow the bike to mature over time. Look at the yearly R1 or super4 changes.... it kinda spoils the market for those who just got their bikes for barely a year and a new model is out. There might be small little changes like the immobiliser feature for the 04 TDM but thats about it, nothing else fancyful.

 

Check the previous post on a pic with a TDM850 with spoke wheels and off road tyres. I've yet to see anyone doing that to a TDM900. It might be possible though if u got the $. The problem with getting dual purpose tyres for the TDM is its 18" front tyre size. If you can find a 17" or 19" wheel that fits, then tyres are no problem.

[barracuda]

TDM900 with Yamaha Panniers.

 

Nice but quite pricey at 1.6k

[barracuda]

Originally posted by melvinho@Aug 7 2004, 10:29 PM

Yo my TDM bros.. went to chiap lee yesterday and saw a FW blue TDM there.. the owner turned out to be a 50++ uncle called Geroge.. he and his friend(FZ1K) is actually going to thailand later than night.. cool folks..

 

He asked me to join them(the old timer gang) at Changi village coffeeshop sometimes.. they actually have 2 TDM, 1 AT, 1 SRAD and 1 FZ1K..

it's interesting to see that TDM is being appreciated to both the young and old..

 

maybe we can all meet up someday.. TDMers united.. + a little VStromers

 

Melvin

Hey Melvin, same for ur vstrom clan...u got oldies and youngies who appreciate the vstrom too Yup the vstroms and TDMs should meet up. Its always the same few TDM and Vstrom getting together, where are the rest? We potentially can have a combined group of 20 bikes at least. That will be quite a sight

[barracuda]

Got this info from the international TDM carpe forum:

 

"Saw the TDM900 2005 flyer today, no change except the colors :

- Galaxy Blue

- Blue Stone Blue

- Silver Tech (aaaaaah it's back )

 

No more Black color (frame included) "

 

Seems like the Galaxy Blue and Stone Blue is into their 3rd year aldy (03,04 & 05)

[brats]

Hey barracuda,thanks for ur reply on the 05' model n yamaha pannies.

 

I'm still searching for a 2nd hand but it's really hard to find anyone letting go.

 

I understand that u got urs recently so may i ask how much u got it for otr(includes iu unit,road tax,gst,1st party ins)thou u may have already posted it smwhere b4.n may i ask which motorshop u got it for.(might want to go for newbike)

 

i was quoted abt 17.8k otr by a couple of bike shop.(dun noe reasonable anot)

 

and puffyfish,good luck for ur cl2.hope to see one more tdmer on the road soon.

[brats]

hey pufferfish,sori didnt read carefully.

 

so u r alrdy a member of the tdmer.(envy)

 

hope to join u guys soon....