TL 1000s opinions....

[chipnix]

Ok, me and my GSXR 750 are not getting on, and I miss my sv, so im having a look around and a tl1000 has been offered to me very cheap, from my understanding its just the pre sv1000?

I know that the rear shock is an issue, but can be sorted, other than that is it a good bike? reviews say its a bit bonkers, lots of torque etc....but I just miss the upright seating position, and this one has been nakefied - different bars and no upper fairing, stretfigter lights etc, and a cute little screen.

[gettin2dizzy]

Swap it for a SV650? ;)
Why aren't you getting on with it?
Tl has a reputation for being a bit wild!

[chipnix]

650 is too slow now!! ;)

I just cant get comfey on it, random back pains too that I didnt have when on the sv :(

[r4ce_e3nd]

Ask if he has crashed it, because of the transformation!
I would also consider buying a TL if I would go back to a twin...

[ridelikeaturtle]

Has a rep for eating small children for breakfast? I'd love to have a go on one!

[fat_brstd]

ive had mine for just over a month now and its still awesome every day. Got it after binning my sv with the insurance money and dont regret a second of it. As for the rear shock problems, i dont know but my bike feels fine and goes all the way to the edge of the tire without any twitchyness although ive got an ohlins shock.

great bike but it does eat rubber if you use it hard as im already nearly done in the first rear in less than 2000miles but its been worth it.

[jambo]

A Search will bring up some good advice. Itching2go has owned a TLS and TLR. I was lucky enough to have a Play on the TLS.

Buy carefully there are some proper dogs out there, the bikes are getting on a bit now and were bought by a lot of people that abused them and didn't maintain them. Common issues:

Cracked Frame welds near the headstock.
Original rotary damper at the rear is not the best
All should have a steering damper
Check the gearbox is smooth, dropping out of 2nd or 3rd means a hefty bill
The fuel economy / tank range is horrific!
They're not the mad things they're claimed to be, don't worry about the reputation!
Wonderful bike :D

Jambo

[chipnix]

cheeres all - this paticular one has only done 11,000 miles, but has no history to back it up, but its not too much of an issue as the price is very good :)

[DoodleBug]

Ive got a 650 and a TLS, love both for different reasons. Only time the TL has given me reason for concern was going through the bombhole at Snetterton in the wet, the back wheel spun up and caused a tankslapper, but I was wringing its neck at the time. Nowhere near as bad as the rep suggests. Get the earliest one you can though, the later ones where de-tuned too much.

[duibhceK]

Cracked Frame welds near the headstock.
Original rotary damper at the rear is not the best

these are the issues that keep coming back. All TL owners I know have encountered these issues (I know 3 so maybe that is not a reference ;)). But they seem to be mentioned a lot on forums and in reviews as well...

otherwise excellent bikes.

[BigBaddad]

I love the look of the TL S.:smt041

I think that they got a bit of a hard time from the press, but is this due to the test riders really pushing the bike hard? The rotary shock is not so good and there was cause for concern over the frame cracking. But I think if you get a good one, sort out the shock and don't thrash it round a track it should be fine.

[johnnyrod]

Fast, but the one I rode had rubbish handling. Wasn't set up properly I'll bet, and the rear damper felt awful.

[kwak zzr]

i came back from stormy last night with my mate on his tls, seemed to handle fine from where i was sitting:)

[carlos]

Yeah totally agree with Jambo on the common issues.

And as for the reputation its only a case of self-control - same as any bike really.

Handling issues are a sore point with TLR but the TLS is better, though I reckon a good suspension set-up to your own particular riding style can only be a good thing. Don't even bother trying to compare it to the Gixxer though.

Running costs will be higher, its not just tyres that they eat (2k miles on mine on standard Dunlop 208s and both front and back are shot) but also sprockets, chains and swing-arm bearings.

Normal running temps are very hot and new owners think they have probs with the fan sensors (which don't come on until about 105C).

Fuel consumption combined with p155 poor fuel tank capacity means you'll be filling up at every station you meet.

On the plus side it sounds, goes and looks fantastic (TLR is better though) all with a hell of a lot more individuality and personality than any Gixxer.

[M.C.]

bloke i knew had a TLR and TLS loved both but said the s was better and he never had any probs with his and they sounded great

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

It's a legend - a wild ride, though only if you're really hammering it. On the road you'd probably not see too much of that. How much? If it's in good nick and cheap enough you could sell it on in a year for similar money and you'd have the joy of having ridden the first bike recalled for a factory steering damper and people will assume you're a riding god everywhere you go.

[Tim in Belgium]

Personally I think Carlos' TLR looks the dogs danglies, don't want to give him a big head, but I love the way the front fairing hugs that front wheel.

There's something very deep about them.

One for my future collection.

[toonyank]

Ok, me and my GSXR 750 are not getting on, and I miss my sv, so im having a look around and a tl1000 has been offered to me very cheap, from my understanding its just the pre sv1000?

I know that the rear shock is an issue, but can be sorted, other than that is it a good bike? reviews say its a bit bonkers, lots of torque etc....but I just miss the upright seating position, and this one has been nakefied - different bars and no upper fairing, stretfigter lights etc, and a cute little screen.

I have been thinking of getting a TL1000R because I'm getting a bit bored with the SV650s mainly because it's small and a bit of a girls' bike (no offence to girlies).

The TL is only a pre SV1000 in the area of displacement IMHO. Suzuki seemed to drop alot of the performance like SRAD type front end etc... and they made it pointy :smt019

My mate has a TLS and he's very experienced and he still loves it and says he still gets frightened (in a good way)

I want one :cool:

[carlos]

Personally I think Carlos' TLR looks the dogs danglies, don't want to give him a big head, but I love the way the front fairing hugs that front wheel.

There's something very deep about them.

One for my future collection.

Why thank you Tim, you truly have taste sir:smt035

[Stig]

I know someone that is looking for a GSXR 750 and is wanting to get rid of a mint Mille RSVR.

[PAPPACLART]

The TL1000S is a great bike. I rode mine to crap and it was a complete dog but now is rebuilt and feels like a new bike.


There is nothing 'Wrong' with the rear suspension so to speak. It's just not that great. Problems that occur generally are more likley to materialise on a hot day if you are pushing hard, the rear tends to move about a fair bit - especially on fast sweepers. The vast majority of riders are not fast enough long enough to expose any weakness of the standard rotary damper.

Fuelconsumption on a TL is not great tho if properly set up with a PC11/111 then with moderate fast/slow riding you can return 100-110miles before the fuel like starts winking at you to hint that it's your turn for the next round. Constant redline or speeds above 110-120mph will have you @ 75mile before the **** Head bike wants more gummy berry Juice!

As for tank slappers, with TL's it's kinda hit and miss - some are fine others are not. I have ridden 3 TLS's and one TLR. My TLS has ohlins and STD forks, use to have ohlins Internals in another set but they got screwed!!! Since my bike has been back on the road, probably done a 100 or so miles on it, and already 2 tank slapers on the 2 occassions I really gave 2nd gear some gas. One on the A40 following TSM @ about 60mph which was a realivley angry one and the second was today.... was hard on the power coming out of a round about on the A413. I do not have my hyper pro steering damper on. In a sick way I do kinda enjoy the slappers and am use to it tho I do look forward to having the S damper back on as then my mind can rest when giving it some gas over bumps/corners.


A TLS really is a good bike and does actually handle very well. For those of you that are concerned anout the TL's rep, applies more so to the 97 model, as I am sure you are all aware, later models got softer power and revised suspension settings along with a sterring damper.

Goand buy one, complete bargain :D

[yorkie_chris]

They sound great fun and the S looks cool too.

I want one!

[yorkie_chris]

This settles it, I'm having one as soon as the 33bhp is done...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPEtoGiE71E&mode=related&search=

What a noise!