revtothelimit - motorbike forum

KungFooBob wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 9:24 pm

mangocrazy wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 9:22 pm Blimey, not seen one of those for many years. I had a 1997 model TL1000S which I loved to bits, but wasn't quite so enamoured of the looks of the R. But by all accounts they had a monster of an engine.

@Mr. Dazzle it's a 1000cc 90 degree V-twin.

He's taking the piss. It says 'V-Twin Superbike' on the tail.

Figures...

Check the swingarm pivot area for cracks in the swingarm, all Suzukis that age can do it, apparently the swingarm pivot bolt rusts and expands and cracks the swingarm, it's been wheelied by a ham fisted idiot check the steering head for cracks - I knew someone who was pretty shit at wheelies managing to break the head stock off one that he bought from new.

Nice one. Love an old sports bike.

That's pretty epic that it fired up with 8 year old juice in it! They certainly had their own niche and reputation and I'd imagine they will increase in value over time. Good project! Look forward to the updates.

KungFooBob wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 9:24 pm He's taking the piss. It says 'V-Twin Superbike' on the tail.

To be fair, took me a couple of minutes to work that out too.

Taipan wrote: Thu Jul 24, 2025 10:19 am That's pretty epic that it fired up with 8 year old juice in it! They certainly had their own niche and reputation and I'd imagine they will increase in value over time. Good project! Look forward to the updates.

I was yelling like a four year old when it fired up, even hugged it and thanked it. Values seem to be around the £2,500 mark for reasonable ones, we paid £2,600 so feels like a very good deal.

Mr Moofo wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 9:19 pm Erm, what a lucky boy you are.

I think.

I loved the look of the half faired version - but that is an aquired taste

Aye, it's no looker but it fits in nicely in the ugger garage with an 1150GSA, MT09 and a Beemer G310.

mangocrazy wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 9:22 pm Blimey, not seen one of those for many years. I had a 1997 model TL1000S which I loved to bits, but wasn't quite so enamoured of the looks of the R. But by all accounts they had a monster of an engine.

I always thought the S had the stronger engine no?

Taipan wrote: Thu Jul 24, 2025 10:19 am That's pretty epic that it fired up with 8 year old juice in it! They certainly had their own niche and reputation and I'd imagine they will increase in value over time. Good project! Look forward to the updates.

Nowhere as extreme I know but still impressive, my mate owned a year 2000 TL1000S, his work took him to China for 18 months. He parked it in his garden, stuck a cover over it and left it, not even with a trickle charger. He came home a few times but didn't touch the bike. When he came back for good he realised he'd messed up but thought sod it give it a try. Hit the button and it fired instantly! Pumped the tyres up and rode it to work on the Monday

I should imagine non ethanol fuel was a part of that.

I think the S and the R have the same engine, the S felt quicker because it was quite a bit lighter

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Thu Jul 24, 2025 1:59 pm I think the S and the R have the same engine, the S felt quicker because it was quite a bit lighter

I'm going on 25+ year old memories here, but I always thought that the R had the more powerful motor, but the power was more top-endy and the (substantial) extra weight of the R counteracted its extra power. In my (admittedly fallible) memories the S made a quoted 125bhp, the R made 135 bhp, but further up the rev range.

Awesome !! I am a fan of the S over the R, but any new to you bike should be celebrated !!

If you need technical help, do you know Sam Matthewman ? He's a bit of a TL specialist - if I ever buy one here, I'd take it to him for a front-to-back check and going over !! He used to hill climb a TLs

Enjoy

mangocrazy wrote: Thu Jul 24, 2025 6:05 pm

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Thu Jul 24, 2025 1:59 pm I think the S and the R have the same engine, the S felt quicker because it was quite a bit lighter

I'm going on 25+ year old memories here, but I always thought that the R had the more powerful motor, but the power was more top-endy and the (substantial) extra weight of the R counteracted its extra power. In my (admittedly fallible) memories the S made a quoted 125bhp, the R made 135 bhp, but further up the rev range.

You could well be right, I was also going from memory.

Two Thumbs good