Nice coverage. I worked at a Suzuki/Kawasaki dealership in Westchester county, N.Y. and borrowed a TM400 to race from one of our customers. It was totally stock including what had to be the worst front tire that could be put on a race bike. Our introduction to the TM was laughable because we'd stall the engine when we let out the clutch due to the lack of flywheel effect. Once under way, it was like going into some kind of shock with the sudden power. On the track, I had difficulty cornering the big TM and after some examination felt like the fuel tank forced the rider too far rearward for good weight distribution so one always felt like the front end was going to wash out. I was an expert class weekend racer and wanted above all to return the machine to its owner without wrecking it. I was great off the line with it but due to handling difficulties couldn't find a trophy at the end.
I had a 73' TM400 with a flywheel, got me from Novice to Am. Desert District 37. Bought a new 76' RM370 got me to Expert. Suzuki engines and transmissions were so much better than the 71' Yamaha RT360, had to put new tranny gears in that every time I took it to a MX track. BUT the Yamaha taught me how to be a Motorcycle Mechanic, which turned into a Service Manager and was my occupation for 40 yrs. So I have Yamaha to thank for a great jobs in Honda Dealerships in So. Cal. and Nor. Cal.
I was there at Carlsbad, when 'Roger', won the MX-GP, on a Suzuki "TM"!. ( Even though we were there for, "Rocket Rex Stanton, on the CZ!!!) Loved this podcast!! 👍 Please keep up the great work!! Some of these brings a tear to my eye. Some of the bikes you have ive owned, rode, and raced. Like old girlfriends from your past. The only difference is ones there, never age. ✌️😎👍
the 71 tm400 was the best e-ticket ride ever invented and yeah they didn't handle, it's kinda hard to turn with your front wheel always in the air and no you couldn't win on one but that didn't matter because it was such a rush, the 71 tm400 was the only bike that you'd come in at the end of a moto your arms were cramping, your legs were shaking so bad you could barely walk but you were still grinning for ear to ear, you haven't lived until you've twisted the throttle in 4th gear at 70 mph and found yourself practically having to climb up on the front fender to try and get the front wheel back on the ground, the funny thing is, even starting the bike could be just and dangerous as riding the thing and unlike riding it, there as no grinning when it kicked back on you, there was also no walking for a while...........
Nice coverage. I worked at a Suzuki/Kawasaki dealership in Westchester county, N.Y. and borrowed a TM400 to race from one of our customers. It was totally stock including what had to be the worst front tire that could be put on a race bike. Our introduction to the TM was laughable because we'd stall the engine when we let out the clutch due to the lack of flywheel effect. Once under way, it was like going into some kind of shock with the sudden power. On the track, I had difficulty cornering the big TM and after some examination felt like the fuel tank forced the rider too far rearward for good weight distribution so one always felt like the front end was going to wash out. I was an expert class weekend racer and wanted above all to return the machine to its owner without wrecking it. I was great off the line with it but due to handling difficulties couldn't find a trophy at the end.
The TM was a very important bike in that it: showed the buying public it wasn't all about horsepower
HOLY CRAP 😮 I MUST BE IN HEAVEN 🔥🔥👊 Really Appreciate ya. Just came across ya. Subbed immediatly 👍✌️😉
I had a 73' TM400 with a flywheel, got me from Novice to Am. Desert District 37. Bought a new 76' RM370 got me to Expert. Suzuki engines and transmissions were so much better than the
71' Yamaha RT360, had to put new tranny gears in that every time I took it to a MX track. BUT the Yamaha taught me how to be a Motorcycle Mechanic, which turned into a Service Manager and was my occupation for 40 yrs. So I have Yamaha to thank for a great jobs in Honda Dealerships in So. Cal. and Nor. Cal.
I was there at Carlsbad, when 'Roger', won the MX-GP, on a Suzuki "TM"!.
( Even though we were there for, "Rocket Rex Stanton, on the CZ!!!)
Loved this podcast!! 👍
Please keep up the great work!! Some of these brings a tear to my eye.
Some of the bikes you have ive owned, rode, and raced.
Like old girlfriends from your past. The only difference is ones there, never age.
✌️😎👍
Is that Chuck Sun in that tree? 🤣
@@rippn6124
No, it's 'chuck's' son.
I think it is his son.
Ow oowee!! I broke me leg just gazing on a tm400...it's just a flesh wound 😂
the 71 tm400 was the best e-ticket ride ever invented and yeah they didn't handle, it's kinda hard to turn with your front wheel always in the air and no you couldn't win on one but that didn't matter because it was such a rush, the 71 tm400 was the only bike that you'd come in at the end of a moto your arms were cramping, your legs were shaking so bad you could barely walk but you were still grinning for ear to ear, you haven't lived until you've twisted the throttle in 4th gear at 70 mph and found yourself practically having to climb up on the front fender to try and get the front wheel back on the ground, the funny thing is, even starting the bike could be just and dangerous as riding the thing and unlike riding it, there as no grinning when it kicked back on you, there was also no walking for a while...........
Just like Joel's, Roger's... and alot of donors!
I rode a 74 tm400 a lot, i thought it was a great bike. Broad power band, and handling was fine. I could out run a mx360 anywhere with that tm.
TM 400, - I had one of these shitboxes, power came on super hard and a very short powerband. It almost took the fun out of riding.