Review and technical specifications of Yamaha TDM 850

RU-MOTO rating

• Reliability
• Chassis
• Appearance
• Comfort

4.3

Verdict

The Yamaha TDM 850 is perfect for experienced drivers and those who are already familiar with similar equipment. This is a truly versatile motorcycle.

Yamaha TDM850 - first introduced to a wide audience in 1991. In 2001, Yamaha discontinued the 850cc TDM and began producing the 900cc TDM. This review will focus on the 850 cc version. The TDM 850 is a versatile bike.

Price

The cost of a freshly produced motorcycle in perfect condition varies between 350,000 – 400,000 rubles. Of course, it makes sense to consider used options - in this case, the price of a motorcycle is significantly reduced. For example, Yamaha TDM850 2000. It will cost approximately 180,000 - 200.00 rubles.

The average price for a Yamaha TDM 850 is 230 thousand rubles. Screenshot from the portal moto.auto.ru

Yamaha 1991 - 2001 will easily invest 110 - 240 thousand , depending on condition and innovations.

Bike features

Here are the main features of the motorcycle:

• design complexity;
• ease of landing;
• pronounced atypicality.

It is very difficult to repair the model yourself, since even in order to change the battery, you will have to remove a considerable amount of plastic. This is the price to pay for versatility. However, this is not such a major drawback as to put an end to the motorcycle.

Tuning

Like any other motorcycle, the Yamaha TDM850 can be easily improved. Experienced owners of these bikes are inclined to believe that the windshield needs some modification, since standard glass does not provide reliable protection from headwinds and other not very pleasant moments such as encounters with midges. Don’t forget about panniers - fans of long trips try to equip their motorcycle with this attribute already in the first stages.

Tuning Yamaha TDM850. Left view

Tuning Yamaha TDM850. Right view

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Another tuning option for Yamaha TDM850

The second version of TDM has become smoother on the outside and “V-shaped” on the inside.

The second version of TDM has become smoother on the outside and “V-shaped” on the inside.
The second version of TDM has become smoother on the outside and “V-shaped” on the inside.

This engine is one of the champions in “eating” oil. Even a completely serviceable vehicle can consume up to 200 grams per 1000 km, let alone equipment that is approaching 20 years old! This is due to both the large number of valves and the liner design of the cylinders. Despite its high reliability, the main guarantee of the durability of the CPG is proper running-in, which in most cases neither Japanese nor European riders have even heard of. We also note the rather soft metal of the oil scraper rings, which wear out much faster than compression rings. So if the TDM oil appetite begins to approach “a liter per thousand”, it’s worth considering repairs. Simply replacing the valve stem seals will most likely not give the desired results. Most often, it is the rings that are to blame for increased oil consumption. Unfortunately, it is impossible to buy oil scraper rings separately, and a full set of rings for both pistons will cost about 3,500 rubles. Compression rings should be changed only if they are significantly worn, when the gap in the ring locks exceeds 0.7 mm - and take a closer look at the cylinder.

Comparison with analogues

Experienced motorcyclists are inclined to believe that there are simply no analogues to this bike as such, since it copes with its duties excellently in city traffic conditions and outside the city.

The optimal ratio of power, engine volume and body ergonomics - these qualities provide good cross-country ability and ease of use.

TDM850: plug

The TDM suspension deserves special attention - a standard telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock absorber at the rear most often do not cause any complaints, but users should take into account one minor nuance when disassembling the fork stays. So, when removing the supporting pipe from the “glass,” the metal sliders fit into each other, and the Teflon coating is damaged, which means that along with the seals, you will have to spend money on replacing the guides.

In addition, it is advisable to ride it before purchasing the device and click through the gears - this will help determine the behavior of the fork in second gear.

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If this is not possible, then you should agree with the seller so that he does not warm up the device before the meeting, and look at the cold start with your own eyes. Black smoke from a newly started engine is a bad sign. By the way, a cold start can also tell you about the motorcycle’s oil appetite. The “push-pull” smell of burnt oil from the pipe should be very alarming. After the engine has warmed up, hold a piece of paper or a napkin to the exhaust pipe and rev it up properly. A spot of black soot on paper is a bad sign, and if individual black splashes are visible, it’s a bad sign.

Owner reviews

Owners of this versatile bike tend to believe that this motorcycle is great for both beginners and more experienced riders. In any case, Yamaha is bought by those who are familiar with this technology and know all the features of its behavior on the road and beyond.

Proper care and optimal driving will contribute to long and trouble-free engine operation. In general, the motorcycle is easy to maintain, does not require major repairs and pleases its owner with its playful behavior. Experienced users note that the TDM850 can easily be ridden for several tens of thousands of kilometers, while the bike remains in excellent condition.

“Overall, the Yamaha TDM850 is not bad for long trips. This motorcycle is also well suited for riding in city traffic. Like any bike, it requires timely attention - otherwise you can expect unpleasant surprises in the form of excessive oil consumption. Nevertheless, even very experienced drivers who have been in the saddle for many seasons are happy to purchase this device.”

Owner's review of TDM 850 No. 1. Screenshot from the portal my.auto.ru

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Owner's review of TDM 850 No. 2.

Pros and cons from a motorcycle owner.

Real owner review No. 3.

Review #4.

Pros and cons of the Ymaha TDM 850 motorcycle according to one of the owners.

Total

The Yamaha TDM 850 was born too unusual, too different from other motorcycles. This did not prevent it from living a long and glorious life, and the fact that copies released almost 30 years ago are still traveling on the roads only confirms its reliability. If you want a bike that is durable, versatile, comfortable and, moreover, capable of giving adrenaline, but you don’t have extra money and you don’t want to take out loans, the TDM 850 is an excellent choice . Yes, it is not easy to maintain, but, as they say, it is difficult in training - easy in battle. So here, in the garage it can be difficult, but on the road you can rely on the TDM 850 in full confidence that it will not let you down.

Specifications

Photo gallery

Yamaha TDM850 on the go

Yamaha TDM850. Silver

It's worth the money

It's time to take a ride

A motorcycle is like an extension of you

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Like most motorcycles that stand out from the crowd, the TDM is not as popular as, say, four-cylinder classics or sportbikes. However, it is precisely such controversial devices that win the most loyal fans. So, most often TDM is sold only for the purpose of buying another, more recent TDM, or those who, having tried it, are not imbued with the spirit and character of this device. Thanks to the caste isolation of this “reclassic - sub-enduro”, prices for TDM are kept at a fairly low level relative to road vehicles of similar power and cubic capacity, not to mention large enduros. So, for copies of the first years of production (1992–1995) they ask from 110 to 150 thousand rubles. For second-generation devices (1996–1998), which have already been used throughout Russia, they ask from 130 to 180 thousand rubles. and up to 210 if the motorcycle just arrived from Japan or Europe. For the latest modification of the 850 (1999–2001) you will have to pay from 200 to 240 thousand rubles. - a motorcycle devoid of “jambs” is valued noticeably more. And prices for “nine hundred” cars start from 250 thousand rubles. The question of selling a motorcycle in the future is worth thinking about now.

Spare parts

Spare parts for the Yamaha TDM850 are not difficult to find - consumables and components are available in almost every relevant store. In addition, former owners of this device are happy to help each other by offering various motorcycle parts at reasonable prices.

The cost of consumables is not high - this is due to the prevalence of the model and its availability. That is why repairing a motorcycle should not cause any difficulties.

More information about spare parts can be found on specialized forums:

• https://www.tdmclub.ru/forum/
• https://vk.com/yamahatdm

Plastic Yamaha TDM850

No matter how carefully the driver handles the motorcycle, sooner or later unpleasant situations occur that can cause damage to the plastic body. In specialized stores and motorcycle showrooms you can easily find body parts that are offered at very reasonable prices. In addition, it is worth noting that the body of the bike itself, or rather its plastic component, is quite durable, which eloquently testifies to the reliability of the motorcycle and its durability.

A “consumed” rear brake disc is a consequence of a soured caliper.

A “consumed” rear brake disc is a consequence of a soured caliper.
A “consumed” rear brake disc is a consequence of a soured caliper.

Another reason for bargaining could be a broken driven star bearing (RUB 1,650) - this unit is subject to wear much more than other wheel bearings. To understand the condition of the unit, just grab the star with your hands and try to swing it in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the wheel. There shouldn't be any play. By the way, it is worth checking the axial play of the star. Its cause is broken damper rubber bands attaching the star hub to the wheel (RUB 770 per set). Replacing them will not take much time - just remove the wheel and remove the sprocket along with the base from the wheel hub.

TDM brakes are a very reliable unit, but sometimes the rear caliper jams due to piston misalignment and the rear brake disc is “eaten up” ahead of time. Replacing a worn disc and rebuilding a caliper can cost 12–15 thousand rubles.

Version 2.0

In 1996, the first-born was replaced by the new TDM. Despite the old name, a lot has changed in the motorcycle. He was completely reborn in appearance, although he retained common “family” features. But as the biker wisdom goes: “The biggest improvement in your bike is never visible from the outside.” Here too, the usual in-line two-cylinder engine suddenly became a V-shaped one. How is this possible? Very simple! The crankshaft journals were rotated 90º, and the engine operation pattern became absolutely identical to the V-shape, because the working strokes no longer occurred at regular intervals. And although the power and torque remained unchanged, using the entire arsenal of power has become more convenient.

Video review

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Yamaha TDM850: buy

You can buy this motorcycle directly in the showroom, as well as from former owners. Accordingly, the cost will differ significantly.

As a rule, in large cities there are official representatives of the company who offer this bike at quite reasonable prices. So, for example, at Yamaha dealerships the TDM850 will cost around $3,000, which is quite normal for this motorcycle.

Specifications

Yamaha TDM 850 technical specifications:

The engine is based on the Yamaha XTZ 750 engine, which is the winner of the Paris-Dakar rally. The ten-valve liquid-cooled twin is modified with hundreds of “cubes”, the motorcycle squeezes out 80 hp. With. and 75 nm of torque.

Transmission. The gearbox is 5-speed, but that's not a problem. The chain drive retains power while transferring the engine's power to the rear wheel, so there's no better transmission. Remember that first and second gears are shorter than the others.

Several motorcycles are replaced by this bike

Chassis and brakes. The bike's wheels are universal: thanks to high-profile tires, the Yamaha TDM 850 is ready to ride on any potholes without the risk of bending them. The brakes of the motorcycle are in good condition and are trouble-free; there is no risk of souring.

Fuel consumption. The engine pulls well, so it consumes a lot of oil, especially if you are a Schumacher. Before a long trip, it is recommended to fill in a couple of liters more, since a TDM engine consumes up to 1.5 liters of oil per thousand kilometers. Nothing bad will happen from overflowing.

Basic equipment and accessories. The built-in lights leave much to be desired, everyone admits this. Treated with xenon, diodes, lens replacement. After 140-150 km/h it starts to blow away, as the wind protection is rather weak. Theoretically, this problem can be solved by installing high glass with a spoiler. Also, protective arches and panniers will not interfere.

The technical specifications of the Yamaha TDM 850 2 are not much different and can be found on the Internet.

Advantages and disadvantages

pros

• Versatility.
• Reliability and durability.
• Excellent maneuverability and ease of maintenance.
• Ease of use and availability of consumables.
• Low fuel consumption.

Minuses

• Not very good cross-country ability in off-road conditions.
• The windshield needs to be replaced.
• The front fork needs replacing.
• High consumption of engine oil.

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The history of the model does not end there: in 2002, the third generation of the device appeared: TDM900. In addition to the volume increased to 897 cm3, the motorcycle acquired a fuel injection system, a sixth gear in the gearbox, an aluminum alloy frame, an ABS system (since 2005) and many other innovations. In fact, this is a completely new device, inheriting from its ancestors only the name, engine layout and ideology. Thanks to the new design, the TDM900 acquired not only unique consumer qualities, but also a number of unique features and disadvantages that are worthy of a separate article.