revtothelimit - motorbike forum

mangocrazy wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 10:28 am 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.

So you can see why the stock ones I rode were shit

weeksy wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:50 am

mangocrazy wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 10:28 am 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.

So you can see why the stock ones I rode were shit

Mine was stock for many years. I only took the damper off for the last couple of years I guess. But then, I'd not ridden many bikes so the comparison was basically a Blackbird and an old Fireblade that might have been lovely but the riding position was so awful for me (hurt my back) I sold it before I got the hand of riding it! So I guess that anyone used to light flickable sporty bikes wouldn't like the TLs, but it worked for me stock - just a bit better once the damper was off

weeksy wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:50 am

mangocrazy wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 10:28 am 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.

So you can see why the stock ones I rode were shit

I owned the bike from new and rode it stock for a while. I wouldn't say it was shit, just not as good as it could be. I remember taking it for its first ride (zero miles) on one of my favourite roads, the A518 from Stafford to Uttoxeter and back again, a round trip of about 30 miles. In March, on a cold but bright day, running the bike in.

When I got back I was gobsmacked to see I'd scrubbed the rear tyre to its edge! This was ridiculous, as I hadn't been pushing it (for all the above reasons) and it told me that there was a serious mismatch with the rear tyre/rim going on. At that time a 190/50 was the biggest rear tyre you could get - this was well before 190/55 or 180/60 tyres were available and to my mind was a major cause of instability issues. It also made it steer like a barge.

So if you based your conclusions on that rear tyre/rim combination I can begin to understand your view. But 'shit' is still a bit strong. Flawed, I'd agree with.

.

I'd have sorted the side stand spring out
https://ibb.co/XVgmkxj

I had a green one, bought on a whim for commuting, but it was too silly for the sort of commuting I was used to. That and my long legs didn't fit under the tank properly.

katana wrote: Fri Jun 28, 2024 9:34 pm

weeksy wrote: Fri Jun 28, 2024 8:16 pm

katana wrote: Fri Jun 28, 2024 7:43 pm 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.

It had a layer of dirt and corrosion when I saw it in about 2006

Sadlonelygit wrote: Fri Jun 28, 2024 9:29 pm 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.

Yeah just cos a jurno called it a widowmaker, wasn't the early blade called a widowmaker when it came out?

For me the damper made it worse, I agree with you about the chain tension and would go further (mine were old bikes) that swing arm and headset bearing lacked lubrication and if worn would make the bike wobble. Along with a worn cush drive. Also as it was a big v twin the chain wear was quite high with cheap chains.

katana wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 8:15 pm

Sadlonelygit wrote: Fri Jun 28, 2024 9:29 pm 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.

Yeah just cos a jurno called it a widowmaker, wasn't the early blade called a widowmaker when it came out?

For me the damper made it worse, I agree with you about the chain tension and would go further (mine were old bikes) that swing arm and headset bearing lacked lubrication and if worn would make the bike wobble. Along with a worn cush drive. Also as it was a big v twin the chain wear was quite high with cheap chains.

Pretty sure the first zx10r had that 'name' too

Pretty much any motorcycle has a reasonable chance of being a widowmaker

katana wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2024 8:15 pm

Sadlonelygit wrote: Fri Jun 28, 2024 9:29 pm 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.

Yeah just cos a jurno called it a widowmaker, wasn't the early blade called a widowmaker when it came out?

For me the damper made it worse, I agree with you about the chain tension and would go further (mine were old bikes) that swing arm and headset bearing lacked lubrication and if worn would make the bike wobble. Along with a worn cush drive. Also as it was a big v twin the chain wear was quite high with cheap chains.

They were quite sensitive to tyre pressures and rider weight, my mate complained his was wobbly, but it was fine with me on it, the difference being thay I was a good 70 lbs heavier than he was.

Bigjawa wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2024 12:38 am
They were quite sensitive to tyre pressures and rider weight, my mate complained his was wobbly, but it was fine with me on it, the difference being thay I was a good 70 lbs heavier than he was.

Weight could be the reason for many a fickle motorcycle. I have footage somewhere of my twelve and a half stone on rails around Corams on an LC being followed by "Curly Sheridan" , possibly three stone to the advantage , yet it looks like he's riding on the surface of the Moon

By fook,I loathe that overused term 'widowmaker'. You can hardley ever see an ad/vid for any Kawa triple without it being abused.

The original widowmaker was the 1969 Kawasaki H1,then the name migrated to the 1972 H2 750,from there to bikes like the 04 ZX10RC1 and the Suzook TLS. Some folk desire it like a badge of honour ffs.

'Widowmaker' and 'Not for the faint hearted' cause me to up my medication.

Skub wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2024 2:01 pm By fook,I loathe that overused term 'widowmaker'. You can hardley ever see an ad/vid for any Kawa triple without it being abused.

The original widowmaker was the 1969 Kawasaki H1,then the name migrated to the 1972 H2 750,from there to bikes like the 04 ZX10RC1 and the Suzook TLS. Some folk desire it like a badge of honour ffs.

'Widowmaker' and 'Not for the faint hearted' cause me to up my medication.

I fell in love with both the TLs and the ZX10r when they came out and wanted to own the first version each of them (which I did eventually!)

The added bonus for me was the horror on so many men's faces when they saw a girl get off either because "that's a really dangerous bike, it's a widowmaker" (especially once I'd removed the damper!!)

I used to say - Well, one I'm not married and two I'm not a bloke, so it can't make a widow or a widower!!


It's a stupid moniker TBF - didn't the AC Cobra get called that?

I've always thought it was used on something a bit different that the average person couldn't ride/drive. So, to make themselves feel better they called it a widowmaker

Doesn't make me need to up my meds, but it does always make me laugh!

Shakespeare mentioned widowmakers, so either he was prescient or no bike can claim to be the original

The term has been applied to loads of aircraft too, probably most famously the F104 Starfighter.

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2024 2:33 pm Shakespeare mentioned widowmakers, so either he was prescient or no bike can claim to be the original

The term has been applied to loads of aircraft too, probably most famously the F104 Starfighter.

The F104 had a million nicknames, my favourite was 'The Lawn Dart'.

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2024 2:33 pm Shakespeare mentioned widowmakers, so either he was prescient or no bike can claim to be the original

The term has been applied to loads of aircraft too, probably most famously the F104 Starfighter.

He was probably taking the P out of @Skub - what did you do to upset him Skub?!

Noggin wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2024 3:50 pm

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2024 2:33 pm Shakespeare mentioned widowmakers, so either he was prescient or no bike can claim to be the original

The term has been applied to loads of aircraft too, probably most famously the F104 Starfighter.

He was probably taking the P out of @Skub - what did you do to upset him Skub?!

I'm reliably and regularly informed I have the ability to annoy a lot of people by doing absolutely nothing at all.

It's a gift.

There was also a Widowmaker hill climb event in the states.

He's not even on the steep bit!

Skub wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2024 5:02 pm

Noggin wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2024 3:50 pm

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2024 2:33 pm Shakespeare mentioned widowmakers, so either he was prescient or no bike can claim to be the original

The term has been applied to loads of aircraft too, probably most famously the F104 Starfighter.

He was probably taking the P out of @Skub - what did you do to upset him Skub?!

I'm reliably and regularly informed I have the ability to annoy a lot of people by doing absolutely nothing at all.

It's a gift.