Yamaha TDM 900 GT ABS 2009 — Specifications

Can a sporty tourer be elegant without betraying its character? In 2009, Yamaha France took the TDM 900, this indestructible adventurer with an industrial robot look, and gave it a custom suit with the GT version. The idea? To transform the tireless kilometer-eating machine into a comfortable and well-equipped GT, without betraying its soul of a supple and robust twin-cylinder engine.

To achieve this, YMF engineers redesigned the rear of the motorcycle to directly integrate a set of side cases. The trick avoids a unsightly protruding effect and preserves a reasonable width to weave through traffic. These original cases, a little tight for a full-face helmet, can be replaced with more generous models as an option. Rider protection was also at the heart of the modifications. The windscreen gains height and width, hand guards protect the hands, and a substantial engine guard rising towards the tank completes the ensemble. Even the mirrors have migrated from their perch on the handlebars to the fork head, for a cleaner front and a more accomplished look.

At the heart of this transformation, the soul remains unchanged, and that's good news. The faithful inline twin of 897 cm3 delivers its 86 horsepower and meaty torque of 87 Nm with exemplary progressiveness. It is solidly held in an aluminum perimeter frame which offers a balance between stability in curves and agility. The suspension, with 150 mm of travel at the front, is designed for long distances rather than the track, and the standard ABS brings this welcome serenity in the rain or on gravel. With its 249 kg dry weight and 20-liter fuel tank, it devours national roads and motorways with reasonable greed.

This custom finish inevitably has a cost. Count a surplus of approximately 1800 euros compared to a standard TDM 900 ABS, and nearly 2000 euros for the "Full Pack" which adds a center stand and a 44-liter top case. At that price, it crosses swords with more conventional tourers such as the Honda Transalp 700 or the Triumph Tiger 800 of the time. Its asset? A unique personality, accessible torque and integrated GT equipment from the origin, designed for long-distance travel without sacrificing the pleasure of daily riding.

The TDM 900 GT is therefore a niche proposition, but terribly consistent. It is aimed at the demanding globetrotter who is looking for a distinctive motorcycle, capable of carrying him and his luggage comfortably, on all types of surfaces, without ever becoming a race beast or a liner. It is proof that with a little imagination, one can dress a rough diamond in a true GT, without taking away its precious character.