Anyone own/owned a TL1000R?

what they like in the real world? heard the tank slapper widdow maker gumph but has anyone any views on it who has owned or owns one?

hard work to do the daily commute? just a weekend toy? safer if you add this or that?

basically, id like a thou (twin)....unfortunatley they dont make curvy thou's (do they?) and i simply just do not like the pointy....

the more i look at TLR's, the more im falling in love...it possibly has looks only a mother could love but is just beautiful imo....

any good links etc??

thanks in advance guys

Dappa D

There is a TL website called TLZone...i think...

A friend had one and let me have a quick ride. It takes much more effort to go around corners, but pulled like train.

The tank slapper 'Widow-maker' reputation comes from the early 'S' models...the 'R' is a different animal. That was designed with superbike racing in mind as twins of the time could take advantage of an extra 250CC over the IL4's. It never made the grade though, and the IL4 GSXR750 was never replaced.

Its the 'S' that is closer to the curvy SV in appearance.





As a footnote...I didn't like it and my friend sold it after about 2 months to go back to an IL4.

thanks amnesia yup ive found tlzone looking now

I have owned both a TL1000S and a TL1000R on the road, the widow maker claim is a load of BS and originally started by a bike magazine famous for riding like idiots. A lot of people will tell you that they are lethal and will slap all over the place, they tend to be the same people that haven't ridden one and read the comic books.

Originally Posted by Dappa D

hard work to do the daily commute? just a weekend toy? safer if you add this or that?

Only you can answer that, what I may find comfortable others may not. A few riders fit the clip-ons from a TL1000S or aftermarket ones for a bit more raise. The seat, like the SV's, is comfortable to sit in for a couple of hundred miles but you wouldn't want to long distance tour with it.

Originally Posted by Dappa D

basically, id like a thou (twin)....unfortunatley they dont make curvy thou's (do they?) and i simply just do not like the pointy....

A TL1000S is the closest, or a SV800S...

Originally Posted by Dappa D

the more i look at TLR's, the more im falling in love...it possibly has looks only a mother could love but is just beautiful imo...

I like it.

cheers Dave, had a feeling you may be along on this one and was interested in your opinion.

sounds good, obviously if it was a resounding NOOOOO from all angles id not delve further into TLdom....but as is I think this could be the next bike....

although this could all be pointless atm and depends on how much mr insurance decides to pay out (and when) and/or..if im willing to sell my studio eqiupment..hhmmmm and how it feels on the test ride..

in the meantime ill just keep drooling over pics like this...


(£3395

[fizzwheel]

If you do get one try and get one thats had the rear rotary damper malarchy sorted out and IIRC the frames prone to cracking around the rear shock mount to. But I might be wrong on this...

I looked at getting one, but decided against it, they're getting on a bit now and all the ones I looked at looked to my eyes that they'd turn into a money pit very quickly and it put me off.

You need to try in your mind to disassociate yourself from the hooligan rep that the S has.

I'd get a test ride and make your own mind up, But IMHO you can buy a better litre twin for that kinda of money...

[yorkie_chris]

Why the R not the proper one?

I've seen S's for sale with pretty low mileage on what is a pretty strong motor for sale for £1500, so no, you really can't get a better litre twin for that money

£3300 for that R is taking the pi$$ though.

If I were to buy one I wouldn't touch one that hadn't had a maxton, ohlins or bitubo rear shock fitted.

Same colours as the one I had on the road, the one in the garage used to be yellow (now has white race plastics on) which I think suits the bike better in my opinion. I thought the Suzuki Blue'n'White made it look huge.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

the frames prone to cracking around the rear shock mount to. But I might be wrong on this...

That is the 'S'.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

£3300 for that R is taking the pi$$ though.

Thats what I was getting at with my "Get a better Litre twin for that kinda of money" comment.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

If I were to buy one I wouldn't touch one that hadn't had a maxton, ohlins or bitubo rear shock fitted.

Neither would I. Its the advice I've been given by a few people that had owned TL's both S & R models.