Rode a TM 300!

[firffighter]

Went and looked at a used TM 300en last night. I had done a ton of research on the TM's and a lot of reviews stated the motor was too much and has a hard hit. This was a 2000 low hour bike and I absolutely loved the motor! Great grunt and you could ride a gear high just without stalling with just the slightest of throttle. It does transition quickly and responds crisply, but I love that. I hate a slow reving 2-strokes, may a well ride a thumper! It feels like a 250 with way better bottom end response.

Bike handled like a dream and was very light and flickable for a 300. Tons of sweet billet parts and awesome brakes and hydraulic clutch.

Problem was, this guy has let it sit and waste away in his barn for the past 9 years. Too bad because I was ready to pull the trigger on it if it didn't need so much attention.

I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up if I could find a nice used one that has been well cared for. I was definitely impressed.

 

[Rick]

Any pictures? What was he asking for it?

 

[Beta Steve]

Why is it okay to gush about TM's here, but Beta gets so much hate?

 

[Rick]

I didn't get the memo stating all other brand discussion was off limits...........

 

[wa_ndro]

My mate has a 2012 EN300, it is an absolute weapon! I can see why people say they have a heavy hit though, he crashes EVERY time he rides, and he is a great rider

 

[firffighter]

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/mcy/3962350470.html

Pictures are a bit deceiving as it looks fairly clean in the picture, but it needs quite a bit.

There are actually others up for sale now locally! Never seen so many TM's. All old, but still.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/mcy/3985681185.html

Aluminum fuel tank!

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/mcy/3993452677.html

Check out the center stand.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/mcy/3982013064.html

Fun to talk about other bikes. Lots of amazing choices right now. Sherco, Beta, Husky, TM, etc.

 

[Rick]

The 2000 looks clean in the picture.......I think the center stands were so cool on those bikes!!!! The TM importer is in So.Cal......parts could be expensive? But from other sites I've read that lots of other stuff crosses over, much like the GasGas.

 

[stabak]

My buddy has an alu framed revalved 250 '10. It's tall, crisp and good looking but it seems like it's not intended for enduro and tight stuff. It needs to be ridden hard kinda mx'ish.

 

[Caravan Monster]

I had a 2000 tm 125. My experience was that TM occupy a really weird place in the dirt bike market (in the UK anyway). The bike itself was good to ride. The Paoli / Kayaba forks and ohlins shock very good, better than any gas gas I have rode and the brakes were awesome, especially the floating front disc. The little 125 engine would rev to the sky, and a better rider than me could have done well with it. Some of the fit and finish details were not good though, much like the older gassers.

Parts were reasonable, much the same as gas gas and ktm prices, and much cheaper than japanese manufacturers. TM UK is an excellent importer, and you could talk to someone who knows every nut and bolt on these bikes when ordering parts.

Trouble was that it was virtually impossible to sell, despite being in good condition and ready to ride. The industry press must have done a real hatchet job on TM, and to this day, dirt bike know-it-alls will tell you that TM stands for 'time and money'. The person who eventually bought my TM seemed very happy about how much bike such a small amount of money had bought.

I believe that the fit and finish on the later ally framed tms is much improved and I would certainly consider one as an alternative to a gasser, but only if I was sure to be keeping the bike for many years !