The TDM 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 handling European 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
Models
TDM 850 (MKI)
In 1991 came the TDM850 MkI. The customers demand changed for more versatile bikes than for trail bikes. The engine is similar to the XTZ750, except the bore grow up to give a 849cc displacement. Maximum bhp is 73.7, overall performances are rather good considering this is not a sport-bike, not even a sport-GT. The TDM850 has an hybrid chassis : there is a Deltabox perimetric steel frame and rather long travel suspensions, more trail-like than pure road characteristics. The rear suspension is not progressive, the front suspension is a 41mm diameter cartridge fork. The engine is protected by a metal plate. The braking is far more efficient than with the XTZ, with also three disk-brakes. The front wheel has a rather unusual 18' diameter which limits the tyre's choice. The 3VD - MkI was produced from 1991 until 1995 without any modification except the color pattern.
Yamaha TDM850|TDM 850 (MKII)
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.
Yamaha TDM 900|TDM 900 (5PS)
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.
After 20 years producing the TDM, Yamaha Motor Company stopped the production in 2011. In 2014 rumors and photos leaked on the internet showed a new design of sport touring motorcycle with many similarities between the TDM and this new machine. In 2015 Yamaha released the MT-09 Tracer developed from the MT-09 technology. Even when nobody at Yamaha mentioned the TDM during this project, many professionals and fans believed it is the direct successor.
