43 replies to this topic

[k2col]

Hey chaps,

My lovely old TDM, comfortable mile muncher that it is, doesn't exactly inspire me with confidence on the bends and I'm wondering if I'm alone in thinking this, whether I can do anything to tune her up, or whether its just a change in riding style that I need to adopt.

On my previous bikes (bandit and divvy 600) it was easy to get my 6ft6 frame forwards, shift me arse off the seat and although I never got my knee down, never slid the tyres, I felt a good deal of confidence carrying speed into and out of corners.

On the TDM I feel like I can't get over the front enough and I fear losing the front wheel... although I've never pushed hard enough to test if this theory is valid.

I guess it doesn't help that the last and only time I've ever lost front wheel traction it resulted in the bike sliding along the tarmac, hitting a kerb, high siding and throwing me off. That was the last time I rode my bandit! Luckily I escaped entirely unharmed, albiet with a new respect for cold tyres and slippery road surfaces.

Anyway I digress, so how can I shift the balance of the bike forwards? It feels like if the arse sat a bit higher and the forks sat a bit lower that would help a lot. or am I trying to change the TDM into something its not?

Any thoughts please?

Cheers,
Colin.

PS Thanks to the chap who stuck a Carpe-TDM post-it note on my TDM yesterday at IBM Hursley :-)

[TonyDevil]

hiya and welcome.
i found the rear of the bike felt like it was wallowing or squirming a bit, but this has been totally cured by an Ohlins rear shock.
its at mid ride height and max of everything else and seems to be doing the job.

mines a mk1(1991) and i'm assuming yours is a mk2(as its a 96) but i dont believe there were any major differences
i'm sure one the gods of suspension (maybe AE, dont let him know i said that) will be along shortly

IBM Hursley? K2 developer? DB2?

i must get some of them there carpe calling cards.

[robelst]

On my used model 2001 TDM850 the forks have been dropped about 2 cm (almost 1 inch). I understand this is not standard. The bike handles well, good balance, a little bit soft when compared to my Buell so could do with a bit more preload (enough room left for that, just haven't come round doing it) but stills inspires to greedy cornering; just wished the brakes were more aggressive to match al this, but that's a different topic.
The bike's also still stable enough despite this mod; I suffered quite a few wind-blasts over the last week but bike always gives good confidence and control.

Unfortunately, I cannot compare it to a standard setup because I have never ridden my TDM like that, but there doesn't seem to be any harm in trying it out.

Edited by robelst, 30 November 2006 - 03:03 pm.

[cyco900]

I've had 2 teedeez an 850 mk1 and now got 900. The mk1 would hassle along nicely even out cornered some muppets on sport bikes (undertaking them..hehehe) never did get any slides off that one. The 900 tho.. is totaly different it will break the front end all the time so I'm going the 17" front wheel route and stiffening up the suspenders a tad. The mk1 loved macadams (tyres) but the 900 seems to like 020's when the new front is sorted I'll be using Road Attacks.

[TonyDevil]

I've had 2 teedeez an 850 mk1 and now got 900. The mk1 would hassle along nicely even out cornered some muppets on sport bikes (undertaking them..hehehe) never did get any slides off that one. The 900 tho.. is totaly different it will break the front end all the time so I'm going the 17" front wheel route and stiffening up the suspenders a tad. The mk1 loved macadams (tyres) but the 900 seems to like 020's when the new front is sorted I'll be using Road Attacks.

i use Metzler Z6s and find them very confidence inspiring.
also upgraded the brakes to R1 bluespot calipers......oooh sooo much better.

[dandywarhol]

I'd save yer money by keeping the 18 front (good tyres around for that size now) and invest in a Race Tech valve and spring kit. It totally transforms the front end and makes it stick enough to stay with amarko5 without bursting a gut or filling ones keks

Edited by dandywarhol, 30 November 2006 - 05:54 pm.

[Quartermaster]

I'd save yer money by keeping the 18 front (good tyres around for that size now) and invest in a Race Tech valve and spring kit. It totally transforms the front end and makes it stick enough to stay with amarko5 without bursting a gut or filling ones keks

Amarko5 seems to be the bench mark for cornering. What's all that about then ?

[wicklamulla]

Amarko5 seems to be the bench mark for cornering. What's all that about then ?

s'when you ride along an "unstraight road"

[Hartside Man]

[Hartside Man]

Just for the benefit of those who are unaware, Amarko leans his bike over further than anyone I've ever seen, he always grinds his footpegs, and if his handle bars were half an inch longer they'd be grinding too. and afaik his bike is pretty much standard.

I fank you kind gentleman but then again you were grinding on harside too IIRC

the suspension is bog standard (although adjusted how i like it) and the front forks are as they came from yamahaha.

maybe the grinding footpegs (and now exhausts ) is something to do with my not being able to get me arse off the seat

must try and get that knee out and see if there is anymore lean left then


P.S. i did cut 20mm off either side of the renthall handlebars when i fitted them

Edited by amarko5, 30 November 2006 - 11:18 pm.

[David H]

My MKI handled terrible till I set the rear shock on H and lifted the stations 15mm~ through the yolks.
Tis std really and the rear has stepped out a few times but the front feels planted. No need to sit on the tank.

Edited by David H, 01 December 2006 - 02:58 am.

[andyj]

K2Col. From Marchwood?

If you are then you'll know where I mean: I've got Z6's fitted, 20mm dropped front forks and I grind the peg going straight over at the Morrissons roundabout on the A326. Also ground both of them whilst in France in October.

Check your head bearings are good, get the fork oil changed and set front & rear suspension pretty firm. I find the bike's best on fast sweepers, not rapid switchbacks because it's so tall it takes a while to flick it onto the other ear. In that respect, the Divvy's better?!

[Quartermaster]

Just for the benefit of those who are unaware, Amarko leans his bike over further than anyone I've ever seen, he always grinds his footpegs, and if his handle bars were half an inch longer they'd be grinding too. and afaik his bike is pretty much standard.

Thanks Emmett, an erudite answer to a simple question.
Wick, just the answer I'd expect from a Devonian !

Cheers

[tdm850rider]

PS Thanks to the chap who stuck a Carpe-TDM post-it note on my TDM yesterday at IBM Hursley :-)

Someone is over in TDM Spotting leaving a post about leaving a note on a TDM at IBM Hursley.....

[Cavey]

Someone is over in TDM Spotting leaving a post about leaving a note on a TDM at IBM Hursley.....

That's about 5 miles from me, that is..........

Wasn't me though

[robsue20]

Anyone tried a fork braceon their tdm,remember the old elsie350 and powervalves,it was a popular thing to do too stop the forks twisting and flexing.Noticed yesterday when i put me new hoses on that the front forks arnt braced in any way.I remember my dommie650 had a brace internal of the mudguard.

[k2col]

IBM Hursley? K2 developer? DB2?

K2 isn't a techie reference, its a reference to my rock climbing aspirations, but basically its just a random name that I dreamed up and seems to have stuck as my usual online user name :-)

Someone is over in TDM Spotting leaving a post about leaving a note on a TDM at IBM Hursley.....

looked for that but couldn't find it? It was "Marky Mark" if I recall correctly

[k2col]

cheers chaps, my gut instinct was to update the suspension so i'll look into that rear shock upgrade that a couple of people mentioned. Fork service would probably help too.