Version History
The TDM 850 was the first motorcycle which was designed around the rider and not (as with most bikes in these days) as a bike with a buddyseat. Designing the TDM, Yamaha used a lot of ideas from their "Morpho" project. That is why the positioning of the rider on the TDM 850 was unique in these days and ideal for the taller (1.80+ meter) riders. Yamaha wanted to create a motorcycle which was capable of handling the mountain roads of the European Alps and that would cope with the sometimes not so smooth road surface.
It was imported into the United States for only two years, 1992 and 1993.
It was never a big seller in the United Kingdom or in The Netherlands but in countries such as France and Germany sales were very strong. In 1996 Yamaha released the Mk2 TDM with updated bodywork and a 270 degree instead of a 360 degree firing order. This upgraded engine was first seen on the Japanese market in 1995, when Yamaha introduced the TRX850. Thanks to this update the TDM 850 became a popular bike in the Netherlands as well (several years in the top 15 of most sold bikes).
In 2001 the 3rd incarnation of TDM arrived, the TDM 900 again with new bodywork, 6 speed gearbox, fuel injection, R1 derived brakes, reduced weight to 190 kg dry, and a new smoother 900 cc engine. Also it incorporates a diamond shaped aluminium frame and swinging arm. It has slightly wider tyres at 160 rear and 120 front. It has a 2 position trip meter, an analogue clock, and a horizontal bar graph fuel meter. It is available with ABS as an option.
The TDM is classified as New Sports, a new class invented by Yamaha, but most of the people compare it with Dual Sports or Adventure Sports bikes. Its engine was derived from the Paris Dakar winning Yamaha XTZ 750 Super Tenere. Although too large and heavy for serious off-road work, the TDM has a long travel suspension and is well suited for gravel tracks and light off-road use. Most popular modifications include fitting aftermarket exhausts, R1 brake calipers, and dual sports tires.
Read more about this topic: Yamaha TDM850
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