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1991 TDM850 - suitable? 1991 TDM850 - suitable?
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 19 May 2020
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1991 TDM850 - suitable?
Got a chance at a cheap project for my planned Mexico trip.....what are people's opinions on this bike as a base. I will strip and totally rebuild before kitting out.

Thanks in advance
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Old 19 May 2020
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I've had one. It's a good bike. Good for the road only though.

It's very heavy and has short suspension. 18" front wheel makes tyres hard to find too.
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Old 19 May 2020
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Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
I've had one. It's a good bike. Good for the road only though.

It's very heavy and has short suspension. 18" front wheel makes tyres hard to find too.
What's it like on grass campsites
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Old 20 May 2020
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I thought about it myself a few years back: Tenerising a cheap 900.
But as said, it's very much a road bike.
For me the angles/ergos were all wrong (below) and it was heavy.

If it's a road-only trip then options are vast so depends what it costs.
The 850s are rare in the US. That may be an attraction. Carb wear is a thing.

Loved the efi 270-° motor on mine but that was not till mid-90s on the 850 (and all 900s). And now we have the T7.

https://adventure-motorcycling.com/2...sing-a-tdm900/

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Old 20 May 2020
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Originally Posted by chris View Post
What's it like on grass campsites
You're thinking of the TDM900.

Well known for falling over on wet grass. I think there was a recall issued by Yamaha.
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Old 20 May 2020
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Originally Posted by Chris Scott View Post
I thought about it myself a few years back: Tenerising a cheap 900.
But as said, it's very much a road bike.
For me the angles/ergos were all wrong (below) and it was heavy.

If it's a road-only trip then options are vast so depends what it costs.
The 850s are rare in the US. That may be an attraction. Carb wear is a thing.

Loved the efi 270-° motor on mine but that was not till mid-90s on the 850 (and all 900s). And now we have the T7.

https://adventure-motorcycling.com/2...sing-a-tdm900/

True about the carbs. The needle guides oval out and make them run a bit weird.

Engine braking on them is brutal too. You won't get a chance to wear out your brake pads.

Come to think of it. I didn't enjoy owning it at all. But for the era, I suppose it was more than up to it's rivals.

It was more fun than the 900 though. Which was like a soggy sofa with as much sex appeal as Margaret Thatcher in one piece leathers.
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Old 20 May 2020
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Originally Posted by Chris Scott View Post
I thought about it myself a few years back: Tenerising a cheap 900.
But as said, it's very much a road bike.
For me the angles/ergos were all wrong (below) and it was heavy.
My wife had a 900 for 10 years and loved it. We started to do a few trails in Europe - Parpallion, Stella and such like. Even on out and out road tyres the bike was fine on farm track etc and I thought about Tenerising it like those crazy guys in Thailand/ Vietnam (can’t remember).
Tyres were an issue though so she bought an F800 instead. Funnily enough she didn’t like the angles/ergos and hated it off road - even on easy tracks. She now has a WC 1200gs and the angles/ergos are similar to the TDM and she’s happy once more to take the unsealed roads.
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Old 20 May 2020
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Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
You're thinking of the TDM900.

Well known for falling over on wet grass. I think there was a recall issued by Yamaha.
Wet? It hadn't rained in weeks! Shouldn't have stood on't pegs, lad! Beginner's error from watching too many Ewen and Thingy flicks. I'd blame the 18 inch front tyre
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