April 2016 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 25
The Beane Report story and photos by Steve Beane
Introducing TM
the Ferrari of Dirt Bikes It wasn’t that long ago that Beta motorcycles were the most exotic thing to hit the results in a trails of the Michigan. Now, with four seasons of Florence’s two-strokes making tracks in s e n s a t i o n the D14 woods, it’s hardly a rare occurrence to see one on a starting line or card flip, and akin to getmost guys have either had a chance to ride one or know someone who has. ting hit in The same can’t be said about TM, although we hope to change that. TM has been in the face the karting and motorcycle business for forty years and over time has earned a reputa- with a 2x4 tion of creating exquisitely crafted and very fast dirt bikes. If Beta’s are the Alfa Romeo’s – with some Untouched beauty of the off-road world, then TMs are the Ferrari’s of dirt biking as attendees at the recent finesse the off-road banquet in Mt. Pleasant (and followers of Tom Dunn’s Facebook page) can attest, 270mm roat least in terms of appearance. tor provides all the stopping power the front tire can manage. The aluminum frames feature welds that could be displayed in the Welding Hall of The TM144EN that we have in the stable has quickly become a favorite when the goal Fame, the brakes are top-shelf, the in-house is blasting whoops and threading trees. Stock jetting may have been appropriate for a two-stroke engines feature electrically con- moderate day in Italy, but significantly more fuel was needed in the old-school Keihin Air trolled power valves, and blue anodized Ex- Striker carb for the temperatures we’ve experienced in Michigan since Thanksgiving. Now cels are laced to highly polished billet hubs. that we’ve had a chance to dial in fueling the bike starts easily, idles well, and runs cleanly KYB SSS forks grace the front end, while the through the rev range. rear suspension is handled by a TM designed, One kick is usually all it takes to light up the physically tiny mill, and after a short warm developed, and manufactured shock. up the bike pulls away with authority. Dirt Rider claims the 144 lugs as well as a KTM200 The perimeter frame allows the fuel to sit and at the very bottom that’s true, but in a back-to-back comparison the KTM acts like a extremely low in the center of the bike, al- mini-250 when the throttle opens – the 144 wants more revs and more aggression from though the design limits steering angle (most the rider to make speed. The difference is the ferocity with which the bikes accelerate – noticeable in the shop). Seat height is not par- the TM pulling harder and with much less vibration. We’ll be experimenting with throttle ticularly low, but the saddle is broad and sup- cams and gearing to get a quicker transition into the meat of the power. portive, and the controls fall easily to hand The clutch pull from the hydraulic unit is surprisingly stiff but connected to a very preand foot (after trimming the rear brake rod cise transmission, and fanning the clutch is a sure-fire way to get the engine percolating. to drop the pedal tip). Standard handlebar- Power is well-metered, with a linear pull through the low-to mid, and a strong surge as the mounted controls include a large headlight / power valve opens. Two ignition maps are available, although map 2 provides a smoother, turn indicator/horn/kill-switch combination less frenetic delivery. that we have already remedied with help The 144 leans into turns easily, accelerates quickly, and changes lines easily– if you from our friends at Sicass Racing, a two place haven’t ridden a small-bore two-stroke lately you may have forgotten just how light they map switch, and a speedometer/tripmeter feel and how nimble they are. The light weight is also evident when hammering whoops High quality hardware abounds that reads from the rear wheel. or trying to loft the front tire over roots. The little engine rewards aggression – we’ll soon We are currently developing an upper triple see if the same can be said for the 300cc version as we have one on the way. clamp with adjustable bar mounts to open the cockEngine size and tuning play a large role in how a pit up for larger riders. Radiators are well tucked in, bike handles, so we’ll have to rely on test results and the white and baby-blue body work is well intefrom Dirt Bike and Dirt Rider magazines regardgrated and leads to a very natural feel on the bike. ing the performance of the 250 and 300cc sibAir enters the airbox through a channel on the top lings, but suffice it to say that we’re excited to be of the fuel tank meaning that the Peace Pipe is a less representing TM, in no small part because we daunting prospect than it once was, but water enter get to race one! the airbox easily from the top of the tank when presTM makes two stroke race bikes in 85 (moto sure washing. The stock pipe and silencer are manuonly), 125, 144, 250 and 300cc capacities while factured by HGS. ProCircuit already offers pipes and offering four stroke machines in 250 and 450 spark arrestors for the bigger bikes, and is currently capacities. Their lineup includes moto, enduro, developing the same parts for the 125 and 144s. flattrack, and supermoto bikes. The US importThose that have ridden TMs will tell you that er’s site can be found at www.tmracing-usa.com they are biased towards the racing. Starting is accomplished by lever only, and those beautiful alumiPlusOnePerformance will continue to bring unique num frames are stiffer than most. The upside is that and exotic bikes to the off-road riders of D14, and the bikes are lighter than almost all of their competwe’ll continue to develop parts and tuning that makes itive set, extremely fast when ridden with aggresthem even better than when they left the factory. sion, and capable of charging over rough terrain that Check us out at the races, on the trails, or at www. would give pause to lesser bikes. When it comes afterhourscycle.com. time to stop, an aggressive grab of the front lever Ready for more!