Saying goodbye to my TDM

[RobinHartley]

So any day now I'll get my XT delivered and hopefully be selling my tdm900 to a colleague.
The Tenere will make the tdm redundant despite it having served me so incredibly well.
Everything negative I read about the Tenere is stuff I can easily dismiss from getting to know the tdm. A detuned big yam twin may not be the fastest thing out there but it is rock solid dependable, abusable, torquey and capable.
I'll definitelybhave no regrets as I'm clearlt moving to a superior bike in every way.
Funny thing I didn't expect is how after just an hour on the XT I found my riding on the tdm became more confident and better just from the assuredness that the XT gives. Says a lot about how good a choice this upgrade is that I was always fanatical about the tdm but have no qualms whatsoever about leaving it behind for this.
The tdm has taken me 25000 miles in 2 years 7 months and is now at 62k with an average mpg of 50 giving as good as 65 on a long smooth run. Even took me 20 miles home on fresh snow staying upright all the way with street tyres.
Someone asked me is the TDM really 'Tedium' and no definitely not when you use it as your workhorse. That thing could hustle congested streets and be ridden aggressively, or cruised very sedately depending how you feel and just deliver without question.
I'll happily sell it and not look back but wow what a great bike.
I went from a ybr125 to an aprilia pegaso 650 and was finally on a decent bike for me when I got the tdm. Now I will have the perfect bike

 

[cyclemike4]

you will enjoy the Super Tenere. It is a work horse for me. Mine is ridden every day and it is great for getting chores done from groceries to hauling feed home for my animals. I found it strange that about all the things that was mentioned bad about the bike I have had no issue with at all. I did set the bypass screws out. I did modify the seat bumpers those were the only things that bothered me about the bike. Oh yea I have been caught out in the snow several times. I really ride careful then but it has gotten me home every time with no issues. It is easy to put miles on it with out knowing you have gone that far. That says it all!

 

[RobinHartley]

excellent stuff, love to hear about it beirng used to haul feed and all sorts. I imagined most folk on forums wouldn't like to hear about the things I've transported on my tdm. van batteries, sacks of feed, loads of groceries, even runs of trash to the tip. left it dirty for months with only vital parts cleaned and so on and so on.
My plan is to move to Aberdeenshire and stsrt a smallholding on a good little bit of land I found, and can see this bike being used in poor weather to do all kinds of supply runs, maybe even be used as a blood bike one day. I can't wait!

 

[tallpaul]

I do think the TDM was ahead of the pack. If it was created today it would be squarely placed in the "adventure" category. That didn't exist back then, so no-one knew what to make of it. Now I think it would be appreciated more but the die is already unfairly cast. Tedium.

Enjoy the XT, a solid, dependable friend.

 

[Longdog Cymru]

Hi Robin and congratulations on getting your SuperTen, you are going to love it! The TDM is still a great bike and one of the most underrated bikes ever as far as U.K. is concerned. Our European neighbours took to the TDM straight away because they understand motorcycles in a way the U.K. media never will. It will be tough to say “goodbye” but look what you have to look forward too!

Mike

 

[Grumpy]

Hi and welcome. I had a good trip to Scotland in September 2016 on my 2011. Many years ago I bought a TDM when it first came out, but after only 3000 miles I could not get on with it, to the point that I nearly gave up riding altogether. Though I do hear that the later models where much improved on.

 

[cycledelic relic]

I wish that I would've had the opportunity to say goodbye to a trusty TDM900.... Heck..us US folks never even got the chance ta say HELLO... to a TDM900

I did own a TDM850 for about 5 years tho..

 

[twinrider]

I owned a TDM900 for five years. Nice bike with a great sounding motor but a bit underpowered and a bit top heavy with a full tank of gas. Didn't miss it once I got the S10.

 

[Steve_h80]

I still miss my TDM. And two cans too, proper bikes should have two cans.

 

[2talltoo]

You're right, USA side I was going TDM what? Good for a laugh. No matter enjoy your new bike and venture further off road now. The last picture with the headlights angle made me appreciate the style of the old feed transport.