Yamaha TDM850 (1991-2001)

I bought mine new in 98 and I agree with all the positive stuff written in the reviews but I can't understand why everybody seems to bellyache about the gearbox unless they just repeat what's written in mags.I use mine pretty hard and I've leathered it at times uphill,downhill,through multiple hairpins and in and out of traffic all over europe and I can't recall ever hitting a false neutral or missing a gear.If it helps anybody I have always habitually blipped the throttle on downshifts to mesh the cogs.Mine has 72,000 up at present and I've just replaced my first parts except for oil,chain and plugs which was carb diaphragms.I have other bikes but if I'm going long distance it's the TDM every time.

I got mine earlier this year a 1991 model after a series of sports bikes. The ridng position is excellent, covers journeys of 150 miles+ comfortably and fairly economically, only bad comment - the gear box it's dreadful- from a Fordson Tractor!! slow, ponderous & full of false nuetrals but you do get used it (sort of).

I got mine in Jan 2008 as an MOT failure. Pair of tyres and an indicator relay and it was fixed. I've covered 3000 miles on it and love it. Nice upright riding position, easy slow speed handling and a very punchy motor. Lots of low down grunt. Great around town and on the twisties.

Ive had my 2000 model for a fairly short time but its doing all thats required. Its comfy but powerful and makes me smile! Im 6ft 6 so its good for taller riders. The engine pulls well in most gears but its sometimes hard to find the right gear for slower speeds. The ride is comfy but its a bit soft and wallowy if you push it. The gearbox is clunky and disjointed but doesn't detract from the overall ride. They are pretty cheap too. If you want a good bike thats a bit of a Jack, buy one!

I use mine for commuting in/out of London everyday including a lengthy M25 stretch. Weekend, put on race face and you’ll surprise a lot of sports bike riders, it corners and stops well too. Good seat height giving great visibility, versatile engine, comfy for 100 mile stretches and great fuel economy. It makes a tiresome commute bearable. Only downside is the gearbox, its gash. False neutral between 1st-2nd and every gear engages with a bad clunk. Mines a 99 model and the finish is still really good (is it really a Yamaha?). A surprisingly good alternative to the brilliant VFR.

I went for a TDM850 after being on the lookout for a bike that would suit my height (6ft 6) and the TDM fits the bill nicely. It took a while to get used to the high front end but this was mostly psychological and I'm now loving the handling, its really easy to chuck around. Bright yellow and silver paint job looks the business and it really doesn't look like a 12 year old bike. Engine is good, acceleration is strong but steady - no power bands here. Exhaust gives a pleasant but not overbearing growl when pushed hard. Only niggle is that she runs a bit rough when cold and I had problems with wet weather running which were fixed by replacing the rubber spark plug holders.

Does everything you'll ever need it to do,surely one of the best commuter bikes around, no problems with the engine at 24k, build quality is suprisingly good (1998 model). The only weakness is the gearbox, notchy, noisy and doesn't seem to have any connection with the clutch. You'll get used to it though!