2136 replies to this topic

[Pict]

... and we're a social bunch.

= We'll hang around anybody who's got beer money....

[TDMaybe]

Hello All,

Just thought I'd say hello rather than lurk on the outside. I haven't gone to the TDM side yet but am thinking about it. I've currently got a BMW1200GSA and I can't fault it other than I find it boring to ride. (OK I've said it, I feel better now but don't tell the UKGS lot).

Yes I need something that makes me smile when I get off it and the GS doesn't do it although it went well at a track day but all a bit detached. So I have narrowed it down to one of four bikes:

TDM900
Moto Marini Granpaso
Buell XB12 XT
Triumph 1050 Tiger

There are ups and downs for all of these of course and the Moto Marini maybe a bit too risky being new and Italian. But from what I've read so far you chaps seem to be hiding the TDM secret pretty well so next step is to get a ride on one. The Buell is at the top of the list so far as it's the only one of the four I've ridden, that low down grunt is addictive even though the bike never stops shaking making the mirrors only of use at a standstill.

I'll keep you updated of my progress and will happily take any comments and advice you may have

Thanks,

[TonyDevil]

hiya and welcome

the Tiger1050 is nice, but i dont think its worth the extra £ over a TDM900
(& no i dont ride a 900, i got it right the first time with an 850 )

where abouts are you located?
got a friendly dealer closeby that could let you have a testride?

[TDMaybe]

Thanks for the welcome TonyDevil, I'm not too far from you (I think) I live in Basingstoke, any recommendations for a (good) dealer

[TonyDevil]

Thanks for the welcome TonyDevil, I'm not too far from you (I think) I live in Basingstoke, any recommendations for a (good) dealer

george whites aint that bad, infinity are ok but get any offer and freebies in writing

bondy is just down the road from you, he may have more info on local dealers

ps. theres a ride out to avebury on saturday with the TRX boys, if you are interested drop me a line

[dapleb]

george whites aint that bad

have I hit the emoticon limit yet?

[TonyDevil]

have I hit the emoticon limit yet?

they are a typical large dealer, expect them to try and fleece you and work around it
trouble is what is there to compare them too?
they are all as bad as each other.....

[k2col]

You could drive down the M3* to Park Road Powerbikes, Southampton. They're a pretty small Yamaha dealer, but I was happy with their work on my old bike and they struck me as a friendly, honest bunch.

But since you're at the test ride stage, you might as well save your pennies.



* on second thoughts, from Basingstoke you'll be wanting to take the A339, A32, A272. Now that would make it worth the trip

[ChrisG]

Woking Yamaha usually have a fair sized test fleet if you're after a test ride but dunno anything about them as a dealer.
Infinity have changed hands again and the bike sales part is now "The motorbike shop" but owned by one of the managers of Infinity.

Had a test ride on the Ulyssess some time back and know what you mean about the vibration, the way the indicators bounce on tickover is amusing though.

[TDMaybe]

Thanks chaps, I'll let you know what I think when I get a test ride.

Just read a report on the Buell XT which said you had better think about fuel at around 100miles just to be on the safe side, a bit for an "adventure" bike I think...

[xtriple]

Hi all. Just bought a Tedium 850. Think it's a MK11(?) 1998. Has belonged to a friend of mine for the last couple of years, and I've lusted after it ever since I first rode it. It's not the worlds mintest bike, but it is tidy and presentable. Mechanically it seem's fine (though I noticed the clutch slipped a bit at high revs) and my mates alway looked after it, just had new tyres and pads, and I spent a happy Sunday a few weeks ago welding the header pipes back together where they enter the head!
He turned up yesterday in need of funds as his brother had let him down, and he wanted to buy a BMW (eeuch!) so the dearly beloved went round the local cashpoints to russtle up the £950 he wanted for it. I thought it was a bargain....

Bit of a bad moment really as I'd just bought a WR450 on Tuesday, so funds are a little tight. I've already got a Thunderace so I've now got a single, twin, and a four cylinder version of the Yamaha five valve head!

Also got a 69 Bonnie and a 75 Goldwing so a bit of a collection starting. My problem is though I tend to get all my bikes "mint" and then I won't ride them if the weathers looking dodgy... Not that it ever rains here....

I'm determined NOT to mint this bike up, I will use it all year round and in all weathers. But of course, I can feel the urge to start stripping things and painting - must resist, must resist....

It's done 45.000 miles, fitted with a Triumph (!!) carbon can, scottoiler, rack and a topbox. It sounds lovely, and I've used it quite a bit over the last two years so I know it well. It's now got Conti tyres on, but it felt better with Avon Storms, so I might play with tyre pressures.

Dave.

[ChrisG]

Welcome!

The Conti road attack has quite a shallow profile on the front so it might not turn in as well as on some other tyres. Quite a few people on here reckon there a good choice, though it'll take a lot to persuade me there's anything better than the Pilot Road 2.

Where are you based?

[xtriple]

Welcome!

The Conti road attack has quite a shallow profile on the front so it might not turn in as well as on some other tyres. Quite a few people on here reckon there a good choice, though it'll take a lot to persuade me there's anything better than the Pilot Road 2.

Where are you based?

Brixham Devon.

[IRC]

Hi all,

My name is Jim and am a recent TDM owner with the purchase of a 1993 MK1. I am a long time bike rider and started riding when I was 7 yrs old. In addition to my TDM, I currently have a 2001 Husaberg FE501 and sold a DRZ 400 to buy the TDM.

I wanted a large displacement adventure touring bike that was not a BMW (nice bike just not my style) and did not want to shell out the huge dollars for a KTM 950-990. I have owned my bike for a couple of months and have enjoyed a number of back road adventures. I will change tires from the street oriented Battle Axes currently fitted to some thing that will allow me to explore the back country of Western Canada and Vancouver Island where I live. Unfortunately finding a suitable 18 front tire in Canada has been a bit of a challenge, but I have a set a Trail Wings coming on order.

My riding buddy and I are planning a ride from Victoria to Alaska next summer (he rides an 01 1150GS). I have been looking hard for mounts for hard bags for the MK1 in Canada without much luck. I have been in Croatia for the last two weeks, and despite seeing about 10 times as many TDMs as I have ever seen in Canada, none of the shops here have mounts for my model. I'm sure I can fabricate something, but any tips on similar mounts would be appreciated.

That's all for now and that you for setting up a forum to support a great bike.

Jim

Edited by IRC, 11 September 2008 - 09:16 am.

[ChrisG]

Dunno about other brands but Givi mounting kits for Mk1's are rarer than rocking horse sh!t in the UK so chances of finding one across the pond are unfortunatly fairly slim. Givi do a universal fitting kit which consists of a set of adjustable bars to mount a wingrack, not as sturdy as a proper fixing kit but it does do the job.

[chuckie]

Hi all, My name chris i have had my tdm nearly 3 years now. I think its great it is still my first and only bike. Find it easy to ride and the insurance i have found to be dirt cheap for the performance. Just looking now into maybe upping the performance a little, I have just put on a full micron system a high screen in yellow and some renthal bars. Any recommendations on performance upgrades?
Cheers
Chris

[ChrisG]

Yay, another Chris, we're slowly taking over.

You mean engine performamce or overall bike performance? If the latter then suspension (Hagon/Ohlins/etc shock and replacement fork springs) and brakes (braided lines or bluespot calipers off the R1) are a couple of the more common upgrades where you'll see a noticable difference.

[chuckie]

Thanks for that thats definately food for thought. I would just like to improve overall performance. Dont want to do anything silly just improve it a bit.

And maybe one day we can take over the world!!! lol

[ChrisG]

Forgot to mention emulsion tubes. Can't remember if '97 is a Mk2 (analogue dash and a fuel tap) or a 2a (digital dash and fuel gauge). If the former then the emulsion tubes in the carbs wear. If you're not getting better than 45mpg it's worth changing them, I noticed quite an improvement in bottom end (<2500prm) torque and now never manage to get it below 50mpg unless I've got my side panniers on. Search the site for "emulsion" and you should find loads of info.

As your Micron should be less restrictive than the stock exhaust you should get a little bit more power if you fit a high flow air filter and tweak the fueling to match. If you fancy a go yourself there's a post with plenty of pictures in the knowledgbase from Tonydevil doing exactly that a week or so back.

Edited by ChrisG, 22 September 2008 - 08:13 am.