Suzuki TL1000s - specs, questions!

[Noggin]

Ok, I know I had one, but I'm not particularly technical about them - I just liked riding it

Are there any differences between the 1997 and the 1998?

I'm sure someone once told me that mine was a "full power version" because it was a 97. But when did they wind back the power - if indeed there was a change!!



And yes - it is currently top of my wish list for when the apartment is sold and everything is cleared!! In RED!!!

[KungFooBob]

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/r ... price-spec

Check out the section headed Power and Torque.

[Noggin]

Awesome, thank you. I'll pass that on to the mate that plans to help me search We found an awesome looking 98 with stupidly low mileage, so the cynic in my is going "really???"

But also, it's three months too soon, so pretty sure it won't be available when I actually go looking

[KungFooBob]

I believe you could get little black boxes that lifted the restrictions that effected the 98+ bikes, I imagine most owners would have fitted one back in the day, so I wouldn't be too worried about not getting full power 97.

EDIT:

TRE's...

https://wotid.com/tls/content/view/20/57/

[Noggin]

I believe you could get little black boxes that lifted the restrictions that effected the 98+ bikes, I imagine most owners would have fitted one back in the day, so I wouldn't be too worried about not getting full power 97.

EDIT:

TRE's...

https://wotid.com/tls/content/view/20/57/

TBF, I won't ever use all the power, but mine handled beautifully (especially when I binned the steering damper ) and if the 98 is going to be different, I don't want one.

Also, if I'm going to get an old bike (almost a classic in France!) then I'd rather get the first year - if I can

But that might just be me being a brat, not sure!!

[Yorick]

Don't you worry your pretty little head. Just get the prettiest colour.

One sugar in mine luv

[katana]

If the bike is a french/swiss import the restrictions are the cams. restrictors in the inlet as well as ECU.

[maccecht]

I had a 99 version sexy black. Carbon cans K and N air filter officially dynod at 115bhp at the wheel so not too shabby. V994ENT. Would post a pic but no clue how to.
I owned it in 07/08 it's still taxed so still on the road

[Skub]

A friend had a 98 model which was restricted,I had 98 ZX9R C1 and the TL was very noticeably slower,he bought it new and we all thought there was something wrong with it. Fitting a TRE to his bike made all the difference and brought it closer to the Kawasaki's performance.

[Noggin]

Don't you worry your pretty little head. Just get the prettiest colour.

One sugar in mine luv

You'll have it how it's poured

And all TLs should be red

If the bike is a french/swiss import the restrictions are the cams. restrictors in the inlet as well as ECU.

It'll be French (possibly Swiss, but probably French!), so I guess the power side won't make any difference

I had a 99 version sexy black. Carbon cans K and N air filter officially dynod at 115bhp at the wheel so not too shabby. V99ENT. Would post a pic but no clue how to

The one my mate found advertised has Yoshimura RS3 cans and only 25600kms The kms do make me a bit sceptical!!

But, It's gotta be RED

A friend had a 98 model which was restricted,I had 98 ZX9R C1 and the TL was very noticeably slower,he bought it new and we all thought there was something wrong with it. Fitting a TRE to his bike made all the difference and brought it closer to the Kawasaki's performance.

If I do get one and it feels bad, I'll be back for you guys to remind me about the TRE and then get my mate to fit it Just need to make sure it's not something they check on the Control Technique (MOT) - although on a 20+ year old bike, I can't imagine they would!!

[Supermofo]

Sounds like the French TLS was restricted to 98 BHP. As someone mentioned not only via the ECU but with inlet cams too

https://www.tlplanet.com/forum/main-for ... ch-version

[mangocrazy]

I loved my (full fat, 1997 model) TLS. Once the rear 'door closer' damper had been junked in favour of an Ohlins it handled really well. The other thing that sorted the OE bikes tendency to understeer was to fit a 5.5" rim (from a GSXR600) and 180/55 tyre instead of the OE 6 inch rim and 190/50 rear tyre.

I still miss it.

[Noggin]

Sounds like the French TLS was restricted to 98 BHP. As someone mentioned not only via the ECU but with inlet cams too

https://www.tlplanet.com/forum/main-for ... ch-version

My mate just reminded me of that. Might just have to live with a diet version Like I said, I'm never going to use all it's power so I shouldn't be so picky!! LOL And by the time I get one it'll have been over 7 years since I rode one, so I probably won't notice any difference!!

I loved my (full fat, 1997 model) TLS. Once the rear 'door closer' damper had been junked in favour of an Ohlins it handled really well. The other thing that sorted the OE bikes tendency to understeer was to fit a 5.5" rim (from a GSXR600) and 180/55 tyre instead of the OE 6 inch rim and 190/50 rear tyre.

I still miss it.

I killed mine along with my shoulder And honestly, I as sad about that as I am about the shoulder cos she was bloody lovely!

I got told off regularly for having taken the damper off mine, but we were trying to sort an engine problem and it was just so much added hassle with that - and dayum, she handled like a blooming dream without it!! So it never went back on I also think that a lot of the tank slappers were due to heavy handed use of the throttle, and I was taught not to ride like that from the start, never had any issues with her without the damper - apart from when other people were judgey because a girl had a scary bike and no damper!!

So many people would look at me then the bike and go
"is that yours", I'd look around the empty street and then at the bike and the key in my hand and go, yes!
"but that's a TLs", yes (in my head I wanted to say - Oh shit, is it?? Fuck, no one told me! I just wanted a red bike. I best push it home and sell it!!!)
"but, but, it's really dangerous and you don't have a damper on it", no (it's not dear man, but maybe you'd be better off with a nice little SV650 while I keep the bike boy toy!) & no (cos I like how it rides without one!!)!

Stupid boys!!

I did look to get a proper damper that was light, but never got around to it, mostly because of money, but also because for me it handled bloody lovely without. Even did a couple of hill climbs and TDs without the damper

I don't expect I was technical enough or fast enough to notice the understeer, and definitely won't be fast enough on the road now (and can't risk my licence at all any more )

TBH, if we can find a pretty standard 1997 (possibly 98) that hasn't had the French equivalent of the M&P catalogue thrown at it, I'll be VERY happy!!

I htink part of being fixated on the 97 is that the TL1000s was a pretty special bike (for some of the wrong reasons to some people) and if I'm going to have one again I'd like to have an early/original one. The power is probably less important nowadays cos even though I'm still a twat on a bike, I have to be a slower twat and take a few less risks now

[Supermofo]

Well if it's French then I don't see much point only looking at 97s unless you specifically want the first model year, as it sounds like they'll all be the same power. I suspect the specialness in the UK was due to the full power/non full power over everything else. Get what you want but if they are all the same I'd be driven by condition/KM over a model year when looking at a bike over 20 years old.

[Noggin]

Well if it's French then I don't see much point only looking at 97s unless you specifically want the first model year, as it sounds like they'll all be the same power. I suspect the specialness in the UK was due to the full power/non full power over everything else. Get what you want but if they are all the same I'd be driven by condition/KM over a model year when looking at a bike over 20 years old.

I'm trying to think that way!! The only thing I 100% won't change on is that it has to be red!! LOL

This is the one my mate found, unfortunately I can't actually buy one until about three or four months time, but it does look pretty awesome. Just want to know WHY it's done so few miles and how it's been stored in that time!!

Its the most expensive one I've seen available, but the best condition!! LOL

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/motos/2677525109

[Supermofo]

Well if it's French then I don't see much point only looking at 97s unless you specifically want the first model year, as it sounds like they'll all be the same power. I suspect the specialness in the UK was due to the full power/non full power over everything else. Get what you want but if they are all the same I'd be driven by condition/KM over a model year when looking at a bike over 20 years old.

I'm trying to think that way!! The only thing I 100% won't change on is that it has to be red!! LOL

This is the one my mate found, unfortunately I can't actually buy one until about three or four months time, but it does look pretty awesome. Just want to know WHY it's done so few miles and how it's been stored in that time!!

Its the most expensive one I've seen available, but the best condition!! LOL

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/motos/2677525109

The mileage is low but not completely unusual as per these 2 which are both lower.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-detai ... ap&fromsra

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-detai ... ap&fromsra

KFB's GSXR1100 was less too and fine.

I do think you're right to wonder how it's been stored but it'll be hard to tell really other than cosmetically. Well I say that but I'm talking about it not being full of 3 year old fuel and 10 year old oil as opposed to stored in a nice dry garage vs outside with no cover, you'll definitely be able to tell that! All you can do is thoroughly check over the bike, make sure it starts/runs correctly and then plan on a full service after you've bought it.

In terms of mileages some people just don't use their bikes much. My Dad bought his FZ6 Fazer in 2003 and think it's done 9k miles now.

[weeksy]

I'm going to be the prophet of doom and say that with your ailments and issues it's a poor choice of bike. Get something lighter, more flickable, easier to manouver, easier to wheel and push about.

As well as that, the TL1000 was shite 20 years ago, it's not got any better

[Noggin]

Wow! I never realised bikes came up with so little mileage so often!! LOL

Downside for this one is that it's the other side of the country from me, like 900-100kms depending on the route!! (definitely closer to the uk! LOL). So it's a bit of a commitment to go check it over and not buy it if it's shit. My mate is a bit closer, but again, still a decent drive for him.

BUT, if it's still available when I'm ready, I will make a deal with him to go look at it for me and then I'll go meet him if it's any good!! I'll probably be getting it (if it's that one!) in time for winter, so will store it in the valley and get a full service done so it's ready to go in spring

Otherwise, scour the net in the winter and get something ready for spring/summer next year!!

Would be amazing to get another one tho

[Noggin]

I'm going to be the prophet of doom and say that with your ailments and issues it's a poor choice of bike. Get something lighter, more flickable, easier to manouver, easier to wheel and push about.

As well as that, the TL1000 was shite 20 years ago, it's not got any better

It's definitely got a better centre of gravity than the bike I'm currently riding, and easier to move around on and off than the CBF! To me it was light and flickable (I went from Blackbirds to the TL, so it was much lighter!!) and it'll be easier than the CBF!!

Thing is - everyone likes different things. I can't imagine you enjoying tracking a Blackbird, but I did, a lot!! LOL Ok, I didn't know any different, but I'd do it again and still enjoy it!!

Any bike is a poor choice for me. At some point I will almost certainly lose the use of my right arm (there are nerve issues going on, tests on the 2nd august to be sure - if there are, there is no solution. I already have issues getting my arm back up off the bars after a ride - control of the throttle is totally fine, just can't lift my arm if I've been out a long time or done loads of twisties). So, at some point I will have to convert the controls to the left side only (I know it's possible as I looked it up after the accident), and then I suspect a more sporty bike will be more difficult to manage like that, maybe.

On that basis, I plan to do the stuff I want to and like now. No time like the present etc (well, once my apartment is sold!). And the TLs was my dream bike (along with the ZX10r) from before I had a licence!!

Arguably there are better bikes - but people have said that about EVERY bike I've ever had, except maybe the 390 Duke!! Ok, many of those were guys that thought women should only ride a nice little SV650 (not putting you in that bracket!), but still, my choices of bikes have never really appealed to that many other people. But I learnt to ride stupid fast on the road on a bike that apparently was too heavy/long/rubbish to go round corners, but I found it did that just fine - so, I tend to just go with what I like and if I like riding the TLs and can when I get another, I'll keep on doing that

[Yorick]

I'm going to be the prophet of doom and say that with your ailments and issues it's a poor choice of bike. Get something lighter, more flickable, easier to manouver, easier to wheel and push about.

As well as that, the TL1000 was shite 20 years ago, it's not got any better

Get off that fence and tell us what you really think