Looking at a used TM, what to look for?

[zomby woof]

I’m going to look at a 2019 TM125 MX. It’s supposed to be low hours, in very good condition and he’s selling because he says it’s too much bike.  Like me, a TM144 was his dream bike but he got a deal on the 125 and bought it. Also like me he’s no youngster but finds the bike too difficult to ride. I, on the other hand, love a pipey 125. 

Anyway, is there anything I should be looking for? Any known or potential problems I might see? 

Ive wanted a TM for a long time and this might be the perfect opportunity to finally get one  

Thanks

Edited March 15, 2021 by Zomby woof

[lankydoug]

Hey Zombie, I haven't seen you around since the Cafe Husky forum.   I migrated from Italian red Husky bikes to TMs and I love my TM.  I was going to buy a 144 and got a smoking deal on a 2019 en300.  It's by far the best bike I've ever owned.  For some reason I have many things Italian.... bikes, shoes, boots (Gaerne) and food is pretty good too.   I also bought a 2015 Aprilia Dorsoduro 750.  

[motoxgiant]

3 hours ago, Zomby woof said:

I’m going to look at a 2019 TM125 MX. It’s supposed to be low hours, in very good condition and he’s selling because he says it’s too much bike.  Like me, a TM144 was his dream bike but he got a deal on the 125 and bought it. Also like me he’s no youngster but finds the bike too difficult to ride. I, on the other hand, love a pipey 125. 

Anyway, is there anything I should be looking for? Any known or potential problems I might see? 

Ive wanted a TM for a long time and this might be the perfect opportunity to finally get one  

Thanks

The only thing unique about the TM relative to most dirt bikes would be the tension of the power valve cables. Other than that, check the feel/tension of the steering head bearings, play in the rear linkage and shock, and condition of the wheel bearings.  Bounce the bike up and down under your weight and check fork seals and shock seal condition. Open the radiator cap and see if there is fluid at or near the top of the fins.

"too much bike" may be a stretch ... more likely, as you mentioned, he couldn't put in the effort needed to make it sing. They require active engagement.

 

[SmokinJoe]

This is the dnyo graph from the 2018 dirt rider shoot out. They say was done on pro circuits dyno. The green line is the TM the orange ktm black husky blue yz. 

Typical of TM 125's they are weak off the bottom and hit hard in the mid and run strong through the top. That bike will punish you if you're a lazy rider. 

It does look like it might be difficult to keep on the pipe. High speed tracks it probably feels awesome. Tight tracks might have you chasing gearing. 

Yes I know it's the 2018 but TM 125's have had this style of power band for a long time. 

 

[zomby woof]

5 hours ago, lankydoug said:

Hey Zombie, I haven't seen you around since the Cafe Husky forum.  

I knew I recognized the name but couldn't recall from where. Perusing the TM section last night, I recognized user name Camstyn? I think he was CH too? I loved my Huskies, especially the CR150, but I figured that I had to either sell it, or start collecting them and become the Husky guy in Canada. My local parts guy/Husky specialist told me recently that parts are becoming scarce and very difficult to get in some cases and that's what concerned me.

I sold the 150 (and a pile of parts) at the right time, and bought a new leftover YZ125 for not a lot more. It's a capable bike but I don't love it and I don't like working on it.

Anyway, thanks for the info. I should be going to look at it tomorrow morning. After doing a lot of reading, my only concern is parts cost. Husky parts were cheap. Yamaha parts are cheap. TM parts... are not cheap, and I'm talking wear items. Good luck if something big breaks.

Too much bike was my wording. He was honest about it, he's 64 and the bike requires more work on his home track than he's interested in at this point. I race predominantly long, natural, high speed motocross tracks and I love to scream a 125, so it may be a good fit for me. I may also find that I'm not as young as I thought I was too ?

Thanks for the info guys

 

[metal_miracle]

I my experience the only item i have found to be expensive for tm . its the plastic kit.

There are after market options for sprockets/brake pads. and such. . Think allballs make bearing kits.. and even pro circuit make exhaust for tm bikes.

Edited March 15, 2021 by metal_miracle

[motoxgiant]

Lots of ProX parts, but you have to look at it with a clear mind - production volumes just don't support cheap prices on some unique parts. They are low volume Italian race machines. It's amazing that initial sales prices are so close to mass market machines.

As an aside the 144 would fill in that low end and then some - they are small-bore beasts. Not just a piston though, its bore and stoke.

Edited March 15, 2021 by motoxgiant

[zomby woof]

2 hours ago, motoxgiant said:

It's amazing that initial sales prices are so close to mass market machines.

 

I've thought exactly the same thing. They're a lot closer to a KTM or Beta than one would think. I just like having the option on parts.

144 would be my choice, but for the same reason the current owner bought it, the price is right! My guess is he's not a rev happy 145 lb adrenaline junkie like me. My size and style suit a 125 very well. I've arranged to see it tomorrow morning and I'm taking deposit money with me.

Edited March 15, 2021 by Zomby woof

[zomby woof]

It appears we have a problem.

Before going I asked if he had the ownership for the bike, something similar to what you call a title in the States. He has nothing and says the distributor told him TM does not offer this paperwork.

Is this a story? I can't buy a bike that I can't register.

[motoxgiant]

You're in Ontario, so the bike was likely purchased through Barker Brothers. They should be able to provide a replacement MSO - I would talk to them directly. Yes, they should come with one.

[BoxcarWilly]

On 3/16/2021 at 8:21 AM, Zomby woof said:

It appears we have a problem.

Before going I asked if he had the ownership for the bike, something similar to what you call a title in the States. He has nothing and says the distributor told him TM does not offer this paperwork.

Is this a story? I can't buy a bike that I can't register.

Barker Bros will get you sorted.

 

Be sure to check out the clutch basket washer, they are prone to fail on the 125s. I have/had (long story) a 144 and love it. I had no trouble getting any parts. OEM gaskets were cheap, plastic was expensive. I would say to expect a 20-25% mark up over most items. (YZ125 piston kit $120, TM125 piston kit $180) or so. 

[zomby woof]

I called BB hoping for a little info and they never returned my call.

As much as I wanted it, because of the ownership problem, I never did go see the bike.

[298]

That bike was originally owned by one of the fastest canadian amateurs. It’s been ridden HARD. 

 

As far as ownership, not sure where people in here get info from. Barker doesn’t offer any paperwork with new bikes. Zero. I had to get an affidavit to register my brand new bike. 

[zomby woof]

Thanks for the info.

I'm aware of that process, and I really did want that bike,  but I didn't want to take a $7000 chance.

Nonetheless, I see somebody did a week ago and it's back up for sale already. So there's either something wrong with it, or he bought it a lot cheaper than the asking price to flip and try to make an easy grand.

FWIW, it was also my intention to ride it HARD. That's what a 125 is for ?

[298]

34 minutes ago, Zomby woof said:

Thanks for the info.

I'm aware of that process, and I really did want that bike,  but I didn't want to take a $7000 chance.

Nonetheless, I see somebody did a week ago and it's back up for sale already. So there's either something wrong with it, or he bought it a lot cheaper than the asking price to flip and try to make an easy grand.

FWIW, it was also my intention to ride it HARD. That's what a 125 is for ?

Different type of hard. Air filters not cleaned almost ever, never seen grease on anything, yet still pounding 30 minute motos at gopher. Then put away dirty. Not too mention the clutch was used like the throttle and the washer recall was never done, meaning clutch assembly is toast
 

the last guy to buy a bike off them ended up having to buy a $4500 crate motor for it (his TM supermini). It was beyond repair. 

Edited March 30, 2021 by 298

[zomby woof]

I think I know the kid you're talking about. I live close to GD. If I see a bike with a sand tire, or find out it's been ridden there regularly I won't buy it. Maybe I dodged a bullet.

 A dozen years ago when I was looking for an Italian Husky, there was a really good deal on a CR125 on Kijiji. Somebody scooped it before I got there. A week later it was back up for a lot more money in a different location. Guy bought it to flip, but probably didn't realize what he was buying. He tried to sell that thing for at least 5 or 6 years. I'll be watching the TM ?

[zomby woof]

In case anybody local is here doing research that bike is up for sale again. Third time in six months

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1581751592

[298]

On 8/21/2021 at 11:09 AM, Zomby woof said:

In case anybody local is here doing research that bike is up for sale again. Third time in six months

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1581751592

Yea, avoid it like the plague