Erm, I Got A Not Tdm

[danielcarway]

Sorry I've been absent so long, but here's the thing. In short, had a few years off biking with a dodgy hip, fixed that, fixed the TDM, got it back on the road last year, lovely. 

 

Then I made the decision that I could afford to take early retirement earlier this year, and with a not bad lump sum - that's mostly apportioned to house things, but there was a bit left to treat myself to a new bike. Since I first saw them I've wanted one of these. I'm quite shallow, and I must admit I fell in love with the looks, but then that's the same reason I have a 4TX. Luckily they both go as well as they look, and to be fair it's probably more bike than I need (my username isn't ironic), . Trevini will tell you it's got annoyingly loud exhausts but I really do love it.

 

TDM is still here too while I decide what to do. I can't justify having two bikes so will probably move it on, but after 22 years it'll be a wrench.

[LIAW]

fuel use and service costs might help, KTM's are great bikes and great at producing power but they are also great at expense, if you can afford it enjoy it and have fun 

[dapleb]

Noice capn. Not jealous at all abooot the retirement either! Oil be retiring a few months after never.

This post was last modified: 08-06-2025, 07:32 AM by dapleb.

[leehenty]

Nice bike. but KTM means Keeps Taking Money 😁

Retirement, they tell you you will have all this free time, its a lie.

Welcome to the Club of the retired. We have to ride fast to get there, before we forget where we are going😂

[danielcarway]

I'm definitely finding it's likely to be expensive, 42mpg even with my Slow style. Ordered an oil service kit (filter, screen, weird shaped O-rings), cost £41 and has to come from Germany. Never mind, for now I think it's great.

[chrisr]

Don't do anything rash, like getting rid of the tdm, you know this is only a passing fancy, many have come to regret their actions!

[Studley Ramrod]

Sweet 👌

[leehenty]

Im in the same boat, a new floosie bike, but my TDM isnt going anywhere any time soon.

This post was last modified: 09-06-2025, 08:02 AM by leehenty.

[fixitsan]

Bikes like that suit alpine passes, according to KTM brochures at least, and I'm glad they make their machines.

 

My hankering was for the 950, on looks. But the 990SMT with fuel injection that can easily be reprogrammed (using free software) it's easy to see the attraction

 

I've got an FJR1300 as my TDM support bike this year, and might sell it at the end of the season, so I might look for a 950 for next year. If you can afford to keep 'old faithfull' TDM you probably should, It gives stability, good enough comfort, tested reliability, because I heard KTM = Known To Malfunction.

 

Maybe the reason the KTM looks so attractive is I went over Applecross Pass this weekend 2 up on the loaded 300kg FJR

Your KTM would be my choice over the FJR, with an aggressive remap, best tyres,  -2 teeth at the front sprocket. Or a big single supermoto

 

It's a shame it's so far away.

 

Has anyone here done Applecross and Hard Knott Pass I wonder ? How do they compare in terms of a challenge ?

 

 

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[leehenty]

I can get up Hardknott on my Royal Enfield, just not very fast

[Jsiddle]

I went over the Applecross pass on a Honda CD175 in 1980 and the Hardknott in an 850 mini van in 1983 (one week after passing my test).  Not sure which was the most interesting experience

[fixitsan]

I went over the Applecross pass on a Honda CD175 in 1980 and the Hardknott in an 850 mini van in 1983 (one week after passing my test).  Not sure which was the most interesting experience

 

Light weight is the answer then I guess !

 

:good:

[Trevini]

I did Applecross in the Maser some years back. Dropped into limp mode about 1/3 of the way in (throttle body fault), so that was quite fun what with having both wastegates open and restricted to 2500 rpm. Had to drive all the way back home like that. The starting procedure was TB inlet pipe off, poke butterfly until closed against stop. Start engine and drive for about 5-10 miles until it went into limp mode again.

[fixitsan]

I did Applecross in the Maser some years back. Dropped into limp mode about 1/3 of the way in (throttle body fault), so that was quite fun what with having both wastegates open and restricted to 2500 rpm. Had to drive all the way back home like that. The starting procedure was TB inlet pipe off, poke butterfly until closed against stop. Start engine and drive for about 5-10 miles until it went into limp mode again.

I bet that made for a very long day

 

I was nervous going up Applecross due to the weight, but the sports mode gave instant generous throttle response. Useful when you need to give it a blip to pull you up quickly out of a tight turn

[Trevini]

It wasnt as bad as it could have been. The usual rather sprightly acceleration (as youd expect from 406bhp at the wheels) was obviously down by quite a margin and 2500 rpm in top gear equates to 79mph. It just took a while to get there - in reality slower than a Metro 1.0 from the early 80s.

[dablik]

Applecross is reminiscent of the the Alps for sure, just on a smaller scale but no less enjoyable, one of my most favourite places to sit and have breakfast outside the Applecross Hotel, did Hardknott but it was a very long time ago so difficult to compare, remember it being a bit hairy though.

[dapleb]

Did both every year for a few years.



Fartknott loike small devon road.



Applejuice loike half a small Devon road.



Or Fartknott loike a mini Scotland. Fast and flowing....ok maybe not fast.



Applejuice loike a mini Wales. Toight and twitsie



Prolly 20 years since I did either.

This post was last modified: 13-06-2025, 12:47 PM by dapleb.

[fixitsan]

Thanks for the comments guys (and apologies CaptainSlow for the thread hijack !)

 

So I'm thinking I need to try Hardknott for myself, probably this weekend, and probably on the TDM.

The weather forecast for the Lake District seems to show Sunday would be the better of the days.

 

I'll put another message up about it

[dapleb]

Not quite 20 years. This was maybe the last visit.



https://youtu.be/m7dFeXm1M-0?feature=shared

This post was last modified: 13-06-2025, 03:24 PM by dapleb.

[fixitsan]

Not quite 20 years. This was maybe the last visit.



https://youtu.be/m7dFeXm1M-0?feature=shared

 

Many Thanks :good:

On a mark 1 too !

 

I need to see it for myself now