Suzuki TL1000s - specs, questions!

[katana]

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.

TRE is a wire cut and 15k resistor. Just means that the ecu thinks the bike is in 6th gear and doesn't retard the timing.

[katana]

Oh and go and get the info on where the frames crack. Before viewing get them to send you pics so you can see if cracked and if it has been repaired.

[mangocrazy]

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

The (full fat) engine made more power and torque than Ducati's 916 and the handling quirks were fixable. Brakes were on par for the time and the TL was significantly lighter than the 916.

Not sure how that translates to a shite bike.

Have you actually ridden one?

[weeksy]

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

The (full fat) engine made more power and torque than Ducati's 916 and the handling quirks were fixable. Brakes were on par for the time and the TL was significantly lighter than the 916.

Not sure how that translates to a shite bike.

Have you actually ridden one?

Yes. Several. It was shit. I also worked on one with a wanky shock thing, that was shit too.

The only redeeming feature of riding a TL1000 was the fact I could give it back.

[katana]

Was that Doccas?

[weeksy]

Was that Doccas?

Sure was. Which may not exactly help my arguments

[Noggin]

Was that Doccas?

Sure was. Which may not exactly help my arguments

It doesn't help your argument


Also depends on the year, the 97 ones were better

[mangocrazy]

Yes. Several. It was shit. I also worked on one with a wanky shock thing, that was shit too.

The only redeeming feature of riding a TL1000 was the fact I could give it back.

It would be helpful if you could qualify 'shit'. I owned one for about 3 years, and yes it had its flaws. The rear shock was shit (which I've already admitted), the forks were also harsh in their action and the standard tyre and rim combination was rubbish. But all those things were relatively easily fixed and once done it was transformed.

But the motor was absolutely stonking - it was as fast as my Ducati 888 SP3 which had a Corsa spec, big valve blah de blah John Hackett motor, but had better torque. It was immense. It made mincemeat of my mate's ZXR750. It was the only bike I've ever owned where I was laying darkies on a track day (a mate riding behind me verified this).

Today if I was to ride one it would almost inevitably be a disappointment. But 25 years ago a sorted TLS was the dog's bollocks.

[weeksy]

I didn't ride one that had been transformed, I rode a stock one, well 2 different stock ones

I'm not sure how much clearer I can be, it was awful. Fuelling, handling, center of balance, riding position, just, well, all of it.

[KungFooBob]

I didn't ride one that had been transformed, I rode a stock one, well 2 different stock ones

I'm not sure how much clearer I can be, it was awful. Fuelling, handling, center of balance, riding position, just, well, all of it.

Yeah, but you like KTM's, so your opinion can't really be trusted :p

[Sadlonelygit]

Your biggest issue will be that the vendors idea of vgc and your idea will be quite different.
So far this year I have looked at 3 bikes and 9 cars, all of which have been 'nickel' and 'excellente'
None have made it back to chez moi, and I have owned bikes that certain members on here have compared to an anchor (no, I didn't mishear them!)
My 'limited' experience with the TL found the damper was a knee jerk litigation plaster, when the issue was more to do with chain tension. Too tight and they pitched onto their nose and started an oscillation that could cause a lack of control and the legend of a widowmaker.

[mangocrazy]

I didn't ride one that had been transformed, I rode a stock one, well 2 different stock ones

I'm not sure how much clearer I can be, it was awful. Fuelling, handling, center of balance, riding position, just, well, all of it.

OK, we obviously rode two very different bikes. This was mine:

Tl3.jpg (44.58 KiB) Viewed 284 times

[katana]

Was that Doccas?

Sure was. Which may not exactly help my arguments

Doccas had a bitubo rear shock and a washer to raise the rear too.

[mangocrazy]

Was that Doccas?

Sure was. Which may not exactly help my arguments

Doccas had a bitubo rear shock and a washer to raise the rear too.

So not exactly a stocker, then.

[weeksy]

Was that Doccas?

Sure was. Which may not exactly help my arguments

Doccas had a bitubo rear shock and a washer to raise the rear too.

Only when me and Crust had fitted it. Which was after I last rode it

[katana]

Sure was. Which may not exactly help my arguments

Doccas had a bitubo rear shock and a washer to raise the rear too.

So not exactly a stocker, then.

Not that different.

[katana]

Sure was. Which may not exactly help my arguments

Doccas had a bitubo rear shock and a washer to raise the rear too.

Only when me and Crust had fitted it. Which was after I last rode it

Now what I want to know is why I remember that. Has zero use for me as an important thing to remember, yet there it has stuck.

[Noggin]

Your biggest issue will be that the vendors idea of vgc and your idea will be quite different.
So far this year I have looked at 3 bikes and 9 cars, all of which have been 'nickel' and 'excellente'
None have made it back to chez moi, and I have owned bikes that certain members on here have compared to an anchor (no, I didn't mishear them!)
My 'limited' experience with the TL found the damper was a knee jerk litigation plaster, when the issue was more to do with chain tension. Too tight and they pitched onto their nose and started an oscillation that could cause a lack of control and the legend of a widowmaker.

I know But that's one reason I've asked Phil to look for me and the biggest reason that 98 version I posted above isn't really on my radar. I don't want to drive 6+ hours to Phil's then another 5 or whatever to get to the bike and find that it's a sows ear!! I figured that he'd have more in a reasonable distance from him (and all would have seen less salt and less mountain roads than from locally!). But there isn't any rush, so if I head to the uk and the 98 hasn't sold I might book to come back from that direction and go look at it just to see (there's not that much difference in driving to come back via Caen or others by there as from Calais). So it'll be an option, sort of!

I still think the biggest issue with the TL was the way people accelerated on it - it didn't handle like a big IL4, but people got on and rode it like one. Different animal altogether! But, the chain thing could help with that too. I guess there were issues (chain, rotary damper etc) and not being smooth would exacerbate ?

I didn't ride one that had been transformed, I rode a stock one, well 2 different stock ones

I'm not sure how much clearer I can be, it was awful. Fuelling, handling, center of balance, riding position, just, well, all of it.

OK, we obviously rode two very different bikes. This was mine:


Tl3.jpg

But, it's not red????!!

Before,





After (

[Supermofo]

I only rode one TL I think probably a 2000 model. I had a 96 Fireblade at the time. The engine was great but first corner I shit myself as the same effort required to get the blade on its ear barely registered and it took a big old heave to get round the bends. Conversely the TL owner at the first set of lights, before I said anything, said the Blade was like riding a knife edge.

His had the damper fitted and maybe it was that, but the handling was like treacle.

Didn't stop my mate being faster than me so obviously didn't limit him but I reckon he'd have been quicker still on the Blade. I'm guessing it helped owning it and getting used to it.

Wasn't just me either that found it handled odd. In Spain on the mountains my little bro rode the TL whilst I followed on my Dad's VFR8. The TL would pull on every straight and I'd reel him in on every bend.

But having said that. I'd still like to own one. They look/sound fucking awesome. My first experience of a TL was when they first come out. My TZR 250 had seized and I was waiting for the AA at the side of the road. In the distance there was the sound of approaching thunder and a TL appeared from the roundabout up the slip road at warp speed. Made a real impression.

My mates one was maroon red, looked lovely and sounded incredible

[mangocrazy]

Mine was also blessed with a complete custom exhaust system with oval Titanium cans which made it sound incredible and even quicker than stock. The handling was sorted with the Ohlins shock and the steering sharpened up with the smaller rim (5.5") and taller tyre (180/55). I seem to remember I dropped thr forks through the yokes to sharpen the steering up as well.

And after riding the bike home with the Suzuki damper fitted, I took it straght off and left it off.