SRJ999

My '02 TDM had this problem and I had the throttle sensor replaced under warranty this year, despite the bike's age. Should be worth asking your nearest dealer as a starting point

There's also one in the Powerbronze range. It's about £60-70, I think. Cheaper (and better looking) than the Yamaha offering.

Hi, I am picking up my second TDM at the weekend. I've had a 2002 model now for nearly 5 years now and have loved it. I, too, had some handling problems at first but found that the previous owner had screwed the suspension up - softest setting at the front and a rock hard rear. A friend and I set up the sag (using directions from Ride magazine), then set the suspension to mid level before hardening front and rear a couple of clicks. I was amazed at the difference and it was worth spending the afternoon trying out different settings to get what has ended up a good all round setting. First of all, the good points: 1. I generally get 50+ mpg unless I really cane it, when consumption can get to about 35, which is still impressive. 2. The exhaust note, even with standard pipes, is lovely. Get a pair of cans and it sounds cracking. 3. Whilst it's not a sportsbike, I can generally keep up with my arse-rocket riding chums until they get too competitive, when the handling reaches its limits. 4. It is fantastically comfortable. I have taken it to Germany half a dozen times and was still able to walk at the end of the day. 5. Handling isn't affected much when riding two-up. 6. Whilst it's heavy, on the move that makes for planted handling and little affect from side winds. 7. Brakes are fantastic. I haven't got the ABS model but they're still well up to the job. The ABS comes highly recommended, too. A useful accessory to fit is a pair of hand protectors. The units from a Beemer RG1150GS (NOT the 1200) fit with a bit of modification to the bar ends. I also fitted an aftermarket LED rear light cluster, which was a direct replacement for the standard rear light unit. This will go onto the new bike. There are a few issues, mind: 1. Paint finish, particularly on the engine, is pretty ropey. It takes no time for it to look very tatty. Just keep it washed regularly and you should be OK. Once the paint starts flaking on the engine, forget it. 2. The clutch can be a bit of an issue, too. If the engine gets too hot, the clutch starts getting sloppy. Allow the engine to cool a little and it seems to settle down, though. 3. The gearbox is a vast improvement on the 850 but can still be a bit crunchy, with the occasional false neutral. Very entertaining..... 4. Suspension - it ain't a sportsbike, remember, but you can improve it a little. 5. The standard screen is pathetic. Why Yamaha doesn't supply it with the extended version is beyond me. 6. The same applies to the centre stand, or lack thereof. My '02 model had one fitted as an option and I'll take it off for the new bike. It ought to be standard on this sort of bike. 7. I had a problem with the engine running really badly recently (on the old bike, of course). The bike had 30,000 miles by now but I would have expected it to last a while longer. After a number of trips to the dealer, who initially replaced the throttle position sensor ( a known recall issue), they found that the auto choke had failed. Apparently, it is actuated by wax but the wax has gone off, so I had to bodge a manual system with a spring to pull the choke off after starting the engine. The result isn't pretty but it works. You can't replace the choke system alone; the entire throttle body and associated parts have to be bought as a single unit. This will cost over a grand with the fitting; more than the old bike is worth. I'd best quit now; this has been a very long ramble for a first post.....