Yamaha TDM900

[Aubrey]

Hi there...I'm looking at getting back into bikes after been away for awhile! Very keen on either TDM900 or perhaps Kawasaki Versys? Any comments appreciated! Thanks.

[DEVVIL]

Hi there...I'm looking at getting back into bikes after been away for awhile! Very keen on either TDM900 or perhaps Kawasaki Versys? Any comments appreciated! Thanks.

The TDM900 will be a good pick if you plan on doing longer rides. I get a lot of fun out of my VSTROM and can load it up. Good luck. The Kawasaki Versys is also a good bike.

[george formby]

TDM Forum here

Everything you ever wanted to know & cake too.

I'm biased but I consider them to be very under rated, they will do pretty much what ever you ask of them. Two up touring with luggage, a bit of mature hoonery & gravel if your that way inclined.

I have an 850 & it will be a very difficult bike to replace.

[DR650gary]

You can see by my profile that I am biased.

The TDM900 is the best motorcycle I have ever owned, for the reasons that I have a motorcycle. It is not the fastest, the ZRX1200 I sold to buy it was (or the TL1000 ), can't tackle the dirt like the Dr did but it allows me loose my license with speed if I want to or truck along a gravel road without fear.

I rode to Wellington and back today in very crappy windy rainy weather and it trickled along nicely. There are some issues, as with all bikes, and the previously listed forum will assist with resolving those.

Pop down and have a look at this one, if you haven't already and see if the bike is for you.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-386033703.htm

There are also a couple of others near you. It may not be you but if it is, look forward to seeing on the forum or the road sometime.

Cheers

[Vgygrwr]

Did 1000 km last Saturday no pain for the aging body and 60+ mpg. Had an Er6 same motor as Versys. TDM much smoother, doesn't notice a pillion plus luggage so much. Find the screen adds a bit of noise/turbulance, didn't like the dual rate "soft" fork springs changed to linear otherwise great bike for distance but still fine around town. Clearly biased

[DR650gary]

Hi there...I'm looking at getting back into bikes after been away for awhile! Very keen on either TDM900 or perhaps Kawasaki Versys? Any comments appreciated! Thanks.

How did you get on?

I looked at a Versys for my wife. It is tall in the saddle, has less wind protection than a TDM and is a little down on torque for touring and would be a struggle 2 up.

Seemed a similar weight to the TDM but it is lighter I am sure, just a top heavy feeling. More suited to the rough trail than a TDM. A few guys on the TDM forum rate them highly but have switched to TDM's.

Cheers

[DR650gary]

And another.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=424298779

[Vgygrwr]

Haven't seen one that sort of price with touring screen and top box before.

[DR650gary]

Haven't seen one that sort of price with touring screen and top box before.

There was one down Nelson way earlier in the year and the other one was in Wanaka.

Great bikes, happy that others don't rate them.

Check out Carpe TDM.

(http://www.carpe-tdm.net/ipb/index.php)

Cheers

[george formby]

There was one down Nelson way earlier in the year and the other one was in Wanaka.

Great bikes, happy that others don't rate them.

Check out Carpe TDM.

Cheers

I think you may have been a missionary in a past life. You are definitely trying to make a convert here. Good on ya

[DR650gary]

I think you may have been a missionary in a past life. You are definitely trying to make a convert here. Good on ya

Still quite fancy a bit of missionary these day as well

I just get tired of reading posts by guys bagging bikes they have little knowledge or experience of

For the riding that we do in NZ, bikes like the TDM, Multistrada, V Strom, Versys etc are ideal for our roads. Excellent on the seal and more than capable in an average rider when we hit the gravel and shingle roads, which we do.

In saying that, a good rider will handle all the above on a moped and if that is what the budget and options allow, do it. I have had a ball riding 50 - 150 cc bikes in Asia so much so that until recently we had a 200cc in the barn and another may reappear sometime soon.

Like a poster above.... I am a bit biased though

Enjoy that DT

[george formby]

Still quite fancy a bit of missionary these day as well

I just get tired of reading posts by guys bagging bikes they have little knowledge or experience of

For the riding that we do in NZ, bikes like the TDM, Multistrada, V Strom, Versys etc are ideal for our roads. Excellent on the seal and more than capable in an average rider when we hit the gravel and shingle roads, which we do.

In saying that, a good rider will handle all the above on a moped and if that is what the budget and options allow, do it. I have had a ball riding 50 - 150 cc bikes in Asia so much so that until recently we had a 200cc in the barn and another may reappear sometime soon.

Like a poster above.... I am a bit biased though

Enjoy that DT

Your spot on. Occasionally someone will share their opinion of my bike with me, usually it's underwhelming but the thing is I never see them go far & I never see them get out of their bikes "style".

I prefer my riding to be as varied as NZ topography so the TDM's are mint for the job.

The DT? I'm having an absolute blast thank you, in a similar vein but more gravel & trail focused. It really hits it's stride when the TDM is coming to the end of it's abilities or perhaps mine. It's a bit limited for two up touring, though.
Been awhile since I popped wheelie's just coz I can