The TDM was arguably the first road-oriented "Adventure Sports" motorcycle. It was not intended as an off-road machine, but as a comfortable yet manoeuvrable all-rounder, rather like the Ducati Multistrada of later years. A TDM is too bulky and heavy for serious off-road work, but its long-travel suspension can cope with gravel tracks. The TDM's engine was derived from the Paris Dakar winning Yamaha XTZ 750 Super Tenere. Yamaha intended to create a motorcycle capable of handlingEuropean mountain roads and coping with rougher road surfaces. The TDM's upright riding position seemed radical in its day. The TDM was imported into the United States for only two years, 1992 and 1993. It was never a big seller in the United Kingdom nor at first in The Netherlands, but sales were strong in other European countries, particularly in France, Germany and Greece.. In 1996, instead of the previous 360 engine Yamaha released the Mk II TDM with updated bodywork and a 270° firing order engine that was shared with the TRX850, they also shared the same transmission. This new engine was first seen in 1995, when Yamaha introduced its TRX850 in Japan.
Successor
In 2001 the Successor arrived, the TDM 900, with new bodywork, a diamond-shaped alloy frame, a 6-speed gearbox, fuel-injection, R1 derived brakes, a reduced dry weight of 190 kg, a larger-capacity 900cc engine, and slightly wider tyres. Was the second generation fabricated for the TDM Series.
Reception
said of the TDM850 Mk II: "Fairly revolutionary when launched and certainly years ahead of its time, the Yamaha TDM850 was a sort of Multistrada 12 years before Ducati thought of it. As a serious ‘street trailie allrounder' it’s pretty effective too. The later 900 is better, but the Yamaha TDM850 is still decent, good value, different, and largely overlooked". MCN later said of the TDM900: "The Yamaha TDM900 is a streetbiking oddball that’s as brilliant beating congestion as it is swinging bends. The parallel twin motor is spunky enough for fun, while the wide bars really let you take charge and hustle. It’s such an easy motorcycle to ride you could do it with your eyes shut".
