9 replies to this topic

[leehenty]

I had taken her off the road for a year whilst I tried other bikes with a view to trading up to a newer big bike. Well I had test rides on quite a few, but nothing really stood out as a great big improvement. The 1250 GS I tried was awesome, with its fancy suspension, but heavy and very expensive.
Recommissioned my TDM 900 and it was like a pair of old slippers. Im not a fan of TFT dashes either.
Im sticking with the old nail. Had her 16 years now and its been good value.

[Snowbird]

Good choice Lee, I often look at other bikes thinking it would be nice to upgrade but for the pitifully low miles I do on the bike I just can't justify the money and I like an old school bike without all the fancy bits that I'd probably never use anyway.

And I do like proper clocks.

[dablik]

Knew ya would 

[trevini]

It’s the right choice Lee and we all know it.

 

There’s a load of new bikes that are essentially TDM clones in that they’re parallel twins with around 80 ish bhp and they’re all likely to be pretty good bikes. It just goes to show how good the TDM is that they’re all copying them even after all this time.

 

The problem is, as Lee has already stated, is that they’re just so damn expensive. I doubt my old niner would be worth a few grand even on a good day with a few battle scars and 65k miles on it. It’s still a great bike and most likely has many more miles left in it. A new something else would run to at least £8k for a nearly new used bike and over £10k for new both of which wouldn’t really give any major improvement over the current 20 year old bike. Ok, maybe a few riding modes (probably unnecessary on an 80bhp bike), cruise control would be useful and abs could be good, but it’s a hell of a price to pay for it. It also adds more things to go wrong. Granted they’re old now, but we’re even seeing a few 900s with abs pump issues and compared to the new stuff, are still very simple.

[LAURENCEAUX]

It’s the right choice Lee and we all know it.

 

There’s a load of new bikes that are essentially TDM clones in that they’re parallel twins with around 80 ish bhp and they’re all likely to be pretty good bikes. It just goes to show how good the TDM is that they’re all copying them even after all this time.

 

The problem is, as Lee has already stated, is that they’re just so damn expensive. I doubt my old niner would be worth a few grand even on a good day with a few battle scars and 65k miles on it. It’s still a great bike and most likely has many more miles left in it. A new something else would run to at least £8k for a nearly new used bike and over £10k for new both of which wouldn’t really give any major improvement over the current 20 year old bike. Ok, maybe a few riding modes (probably unnecessary on an 80bhp bike), cruise control would be useful and abs could be good, but it’s a hell of a price to pay for it. It also adds more things to go wrong. Granted they’re old now, but we’re even seeing a few 900s with abs pump issues and compared to the new stuff, are still very simple.

 

I agree totally with these comments - if your bike is safe, then hang on to it.

[leehenty]

 She's done 46,000, has had all the bits done in stainless and titanium and still runs like it was new.
 
All these new fangled modes etc are just things added, that manufacturers tell us we need and must have.
 
For VFM nothing beats it. I paid £3195, 16 years ago with 3k on clock. It's very light for it's class too.

Edited by leehenty, 01 July 2024 - 07:55 am.

[fixitsan]

 

 

All these new fangled modes etc are just things added, that manufacturers tell we need and must have.

Plus many manufacturers are starting to charge a subscription for those 'standard' things

[dapleb]

Yeeehaaaaa. ԅ⁠(⁠ ͒⁠ ⁠۝ ͒⁠ ⁠)⁠ᕤ

[AliG]

Good choice Lee. I have been riding the blue Niner I got from ChrisR 6 years ago. Lee gave it a complete overhaul last winter and despite the fact that it has over 65,000 miles, it still runs just as well as my 2012 black one. It is going for a Spanish inspection shortly to be registered in Spain. All being well, I'll do the black one after that. Like Lee, I have a Bonneville as well, which I was riding during ChrisR recent visit (well he had to have his old bike) and whilst I like the Bonny and can throw it around more than the TDM, I still smile when I get back on the Yamaha. Don't envisage ever changing.

[leehenty]

Rode it 30 odd miles today. Consider me well slapped around the head, for even considering changing it. Smiles per mile are high.