Originally Posted by mollydog

I owned a '92, bought new as a left over in '93. Put only about 30K miles on mine, rode it around California, mostly weekend trips. Sold in '95 for yet another 600 Ninja. (I've owned four or five)

If the price is right then go for it. The Tedium's are quite reliable far as I know. They were only for sale two years in the States, Yam pulled them do to lackluster sales. I saw a lot of them in France, mostly the 900 version.

Biggest gripe on the TDM was the super notchy gear box. Shifted fine mostly, but a nasty feel to it. Maybe newer ones are better?

The other thing about the TDM is WEIGHT. This is very heavy motorcycle and top heavy to boot. sit on it (it's comfy), now lean it over ......

I had the misfortune to take mine on some desert roads a couple times. This bike cannot do sand. Packed dirt roads are sort of OK but the 18/17 combo it never feels comfortable (to me).

The handling is suspect on the TDM, IMO, so don't push it in the twisty roads. Good on highway, some vibes throughout and one of the most UN inspiring exhaust sounds yet. I put a Sebring pipe on mine but ditched it for noise. The stock silencer must weigh 20 kgs.!

The good news is valve adjustments are needed only every 14K miles or so.
Overall a pretty tough motor and the bike is built like a HUMM VEE. No idea how tough the cast wheels are, but probably fine for mild off roading in touring mode.

My buddy put an Ohlins shock on his TDM and had the forks done as well.
Big improvement, according to him. I rode his bike one time across the Golden Gate bridge and thought I would die. The head bearings were so loose I could barely steer it. Could have been swingarm bearings as well.
That was just a few years back so that TDM was about 13 years old. He managed nearly 80,000 miles commuting on it and never spent a dime after doing the suspension. (This from a certified Volvo mechanic no less!... Don,the TDM owner, is now passed on ..... a great guy.... they probably buried his TDM with him)

If this bike is fresh enough, been taken care of, them might be a deal if cheap enough. If you can manage it in any way ..... get a DL650 Wee Strom
instead. A 1000 times better bike as a travel bike. (cheap buying with UK pounds in the USA!!!)

Ted,
Did you sell you XT in Colombia?

Cheers,

Patrick

Originally Posted by stevesawol

From memory one of the big things they chased when designing the TDM900 was to get the weight down the 850 to 190kgs. I've spoken to a few riders and they a supposed to be real sippers when it comes to fuel

have a look at this review comparing the DL1000 and the TDM900; Suzuki V-Strom vs Yamaha TDM900 - Motorbike Review - BikePoint

Originally Posted by tedmagnum

Its strange that you mention that they are thirsty.

The people I ask who own them say they are FANTASTIC on MPG (the FI 900 anyway).. Averaging 65-70mpg !!

Originally Posted by Flyingdoctor

. You can get a Givi wing rack for it and load it up no probs. I found the handling pretty good. The front is pretty well planted, it does dive a bit but you get used to it. As a cheap reliable bike that will tour and handle gravel and dirt roads in it's stride I wouldn't hesitate if the price is right.