Yamaha’s TDM is one of those bikes that cannot be pigeon holed. Launched originally as an 850, Yam described it as ‘New Sports,’ whatever that might be. It’s certainly not an adventure tourer like the Varadero, BMW GS or Triumph Tiger, even if it looks a bit like one. But given the choice, I’d be sorely tempted by the TDM.

Why? Because at 190kg, it’s 20-30 kilos lighter than any of them, has a lower seat and is an all-round more manageable motorcycle. It’s also about £1,500 cheaper. It’s not as quick of course, the 897cc vertical twin giving away several cc’s to the bigger bikes, but the difference isn’t as much as you might think – 85bhp and 66lb ft makes the TDM about as powerful as a GS, and as torquey as a Tiger. And being a vertical twin makes it almost (but not quite) unique.

Not that that’s any particular reason to buy it (unless you happen to like vertical twins) – the TDM isn’t as flexible as some of the V-twins or Triumph’s triple, getting a bit lumpy below 2,500rpm, but from there upwards it gives solid, strong pull, up to the 8,000rpm red line. I think I touched the red line a couple of times in two weeks, as the twin is plenty fast enough if you change up early. And if you have early memories of old British twins, fear not, as the TDM doesn’t so much vibrate as //thrum//,’ if that makes sense. You’re in no doubt that two large pistons are rumbling up and down, but it’s no problem.

Doing the motorway thing up to Aberdeen the big Yam proved very comfortable. The small screen does a good job of keeping the wind off your chest and shoulders, and the seat was fine for two-hour stints. Anna loved it on the back too, having a good grabrail and pegs. Luggage consisted of my elderly Oxford magnetic tank bag (the TDM has a steel tank, hoorah!) and similarly well travelled clip-on panniers. Bet you thought bike journos always had the latest gear, eh?

There’s one other thing about the TDM – thanks to a tall sixth gear, it sips fuel like a scooter. I’m not kidding, at an indicated 70-80mph on the motorway up north, we were getting a good 60mpg. Trundling around Iceland at 55mph, make that 75mpg, so with the 20-litre tank a 250-mile range was easy. Unrealistic? Perhaps, but use all of the TDM’s performance and watch your licence fill with points as the speed cameras empty your wallet.

So it’s a good tourer, backed up with excellent brakes and decent handling (Mezteler MEZ4s, and more ground clearance than I’ll ever use), economical, comfy and fast. Yet Yamaha only sells a handful of TDMs in Britain, compared to the number of GS’s, Varaderos and Tigers that fly out of dealer showrooms each year. Too different? Insufficiently macho? Who knows, but I know which one I’d have.

Comments

Add New Search RSS

Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.