Tl1000S

[Knacker]

Right iv been offered a TL from 1 of my mates as he is going to a Il4 now I know the bikes history since he has owned it is pretty good he's mainly been using it to commute for the last 5k, it's had regular oil changes and iv been for ride outs with him a few times and he doesn't ride anywhere near fast enough.

So the condition of the bike aside what are they like to live with I'll be keeping the gsxr aswell.

Iv heard they had problems with the front end and they had dampers fitted, are they really that bad?

I imagine consumables aren't going to be much different but does the power and delivery affect life of the tyres?

It does need 2 new tyres and c&s but I'm in no hurry to get it on the road.

I don't want this to turn into a v twin vs il4 thread as I'm not compari ng the bikes, just wanted some information about it from someone who has owned or extensively ridden 1.

Ta!
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Current: Gsxr 600 Srad - GS125 - DT125
Previous: K1 GSXR 1000

[mr.kris]

they can eat tyres but not much more than any other big bike the front damper isue was a recall it shud have had it done there a bit slap happy without it but perfectly useable they drink petrol! if you need to know anything PM me i owned one and have riden and serviced plenty of others
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TS50X---CM125---MZ150---Z250---RS125---ZXR250---BANDIT600---TRX850---TL1000S---CBF600---ZX6R---BANDIT1200S---CG125---VFR800---CBR1000F---CG125---CG125---CB900F---CB900F---CG125---TUONO1000R---KLR600---GSX1300R HAYABUSA---VFR400NC30---BANDIT1200---CG125

HAYABUSA now in use!

[Knacker]

Cheers kris, another thing I forgot is pillion use the missus loves going on the back (no that isn't a sexual innuendo) I imagine power wise it will be fine but things like comfort and pillion seat height, I'm 6"5 and she's about 5"4, I guess it'll be fine for the job but any information usually Is good infomation when you don't have a clue about something.
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Current: Gsxr 600 Srad - GS125 - DT125
Previous: K1 GSXR 1000

[mr.kris]

my mrs is 5ft 8 she says its ok pillion on the TL she also said big wheelies are not fun i disagree but meh!
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TS50X---CM125---MZ150---Z250---RS125---ZXR250---BANDIT600---TRX850---TL1000S---CBF600---ZX6R---BANDIT1200S---CG125---VFR800---CBR1000F---CG125---CG125---CB900F---CB900F---CG125---TUONO1000R---KLR600---GSX1300R HAYABUSA---VFR400NC30---BANDIT1200---CG125

HAYABUSA now in use!

[Ste]

How many miles has it done and has it had the gearbox replaced?

[Jenks]

does it have the standard rear shock?

How are the downpipes?
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1978 MZ TS 250 1 Supa 5
1992 yamaha fzr1000 exup
1998 aprilia af1 sintesi

[Knacker]

It's done 35k which is the only worrying part of it and as far as I no he gearbox hasn't been done.

The downpipes are standard and it has standard cans it's dry stored and only used on dry days, I'll give him a ring tommorow but from what I can remember it's a standard shock but I could he wrong.
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Current: Gsxr 600 Srad - GS125 - DT125
Previous: K1 GSXR 1000

[Knacker]

Edit the downpipes are fine and standard
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Current: Gsxr 600 Srad - GS125 - DT125
Previous: K1 GSXR 1000

[chris-red]

You will need a aftermarket rear shock from what I have heard, the standard rotery shock overheats and becomes useless after a few hard turns.

If it is an early one make sure it has had the recalls, it was known as a widow maker after a few people where killed on them due to the shitty shock, flighty front end and power delivery.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Knacker]

Widowmaker, lol best not tell the missus that bit.

Hmm I would of thought it would of had a aftermarket shock by now but if not what sort are we talking about as afterall I'm thinking about getting it as another bike to have fun with not spend 2k on ohlins to get the bitch to go round bends.

I'm taking it out for a test ride tommorow so I guess it's fair to say I'll see how it goes from there.

I rode 1 about 6 months ago but only went down a piddly straight and did a dodgy u turn after about half a mile, and t was a shop bike as the bloke offered me a decent swap but didn't fancy going to far what with the lack of insurance and gay license.

I notice gearboxes where mentioned are they an issue with tl's?
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Current: Gsxr 600 Srad - GS125 - DT125
Previous: K1 GSXR 1000

[Damon]

[ram_doom]

I own a TL S. Dont believe the shite about dodgy handling. Any bike with over 100 bhp at the wheel, and instant throttle response is going to get frisky if you whack it open when leant over. I removed the steering damper from mine as it made the steering far too heavy at low speed, and took away a lot of the feel. Now that the suspension is set up right I havent had any 'moments' with it.

Handling is fine standard as long as you spend some time playing with suspension. Forks are pretty good in fairness.
I've gone down to a 180/55 at the rear, which quickens up the steering without having to drop the forks, and I've replaced the rotary damper and spring with a combined Bitubo shock, which is a massive improvement. Loads of ground clearance too.

Fuel economy can be fairly reasonable (up to 45 mpg cruising at 90 ish), and comfort is ok, handlebar position does funny things to your wrists under constant braking and accelerating though.
I rode it from the Isle of Skye, to Swansea in one go back in May so it cant be that bad.

Its practical too, theres enough room for tools, a scottoiler, and a tyre repair kit under the pillion seat, and the fuel tank has a little strut to support it whilst you carry out maintenance.

The mrs says its comfy to go pillion on, but doesnt like wheelies.
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TL1000s, KDX200

[mr.kris]

the ppl who say they dont handle are normaly also the ones that say that they have to have the latest R1 or R6 as its the only bike that will put up with there awsome pace then ride like a compleet fagot most of the time there talking utter shit it dosent handle as well as most sports bikes but if ur not useing it for track days its fine even if you are it will do the job with little fuss
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TS50X---CM125---MZ150---Z250---RS125---ZXR250---BANDIT600---TRX850---TL1000S---CBF600---ZX6R---BANDIT1200S---CG125---VFR800---CBR1000F---CG125---CG125---CB900F---CB900F---CG125---TUONO1000R---KLR600---GSX1300R HAYABUSA---VFR400NC30---BANDIT1200---CG125

HAYABUSA now in use!

[MarJay]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to put the TL S down, and I will freely admit I've never ridden one...

However, the handling issues are well documented, and are down to a combination of factors:

1.) (and most importantly) Rider weight. Apparently if you weigh 14st + then the bike will be pretty docile and you probably won't experience any issues. If you weigh around 10st or less then it can be slap happy. This is similar to equal types of large bike such as earlier blades and R1's, however a couple of magazines did tests which said it was probably a bit worse because of the other factors.

2.) Chain tension. If you set the chain tension too tight (which is easy to do due to the sprung swinging arm and the fact that the chain tension is supposed to be set with the rider on board) then this can cause rear suspension pumpdown when the rear damper unit gets hot and can in some cases cause the frame to crack over harsh bumpy roads.

3.) Rotary rear damper. Good when cold, when it heats up it has less oil volume to absorb the heat. This means it 'goes off' quickly with heat, and as I recall it is next to an exhaust pipe so gets hot easily.


so, in short if you're a tubby bloke who knows how to correctly set the chain tension (a fair bit more slack than most bikes IIRC) and the bike has had a replacement rear shock/damper fitted, then you'll be OK.

If you're a numpty who weighs 10st in wet leathers and sets the chain tension like a bowstring on a stock bike, you're likely to come a cropper.

As I said, I have to point out that this post isn't from experience, but rather accumulated knowledge from a number of magazine articles on the subject over the last ten or so years.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[mr.kris]

il let you off then as i am a tubby bloke that knows how to tighten the chain right ! lol the shock is not as bad as most ppl say tho i ride hard not racer hard but hard for road use and it was fine didnt mean to to sound like i was saying u were a tawt or anything like that just read it back and thats how it sounds it wasnt ment to lol
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TS50X---CM125---MZ150---Z250---RS125---ZXR250---BANDIT600---TRX850---TL1000S---CBF600---ZX6R---BANDIT1200S---CG125---VFR800---CBR1000F---CG125---CG125---CB900F---CB900F---CG125---TUONO1000R---KLR600---GSX1300R HAYABUSA---VFR400NC30---BANDIT1200---CG125

HAYABUSA now in use!

[Alex A]

I can only speak from experience of riding about 60 miles over a NZ mountain pass on a TLS earlier in the year. On that particular bike the notoriously shoddy rear shock had been replaced with an Ohlins, and I'm 15st so the front was planted enough with the stock damper. With a full yoshi system, the engine was pretty potent too. Also had some Power 2CTs on - a tyre I rate highly. I was expecting it to be great fun, but it was the most terrifying bike I've ever ridden. There was just no feel for traction or sense of stability when turning in and cornering. It only seemed to 'handle' corners in any kind of predictable and assured manner when I was heavily on the throttle, which is fine if you want to cane it everywhere, but with very little margin for error it becomes very unnerving on unfamiliar roads. Cornering at constant throttle with minor adjustments gave me no confidence whatsoever. I'm a fan of V-twins, but combining all that grunt with unpredictable and edgy handling was simply not enjoyable. Perhaps with more time on the bike my impressions might change.
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Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[MarJay]

[Vin]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[Knacker]

Hmm not often I agree with MarJay but he did say he hadn't ridden 1 no need to rip off his head and shit down his neck.

Well I certainly don't weigh 10 stone and the bike is at a fanfuckingtastic price so iv decided I'm going to buy it.

Didn't get to go round and have a test ride but I will before I buy it. If it hasn't got an updated shock it will have before I ride it. The bike will probably sit in the garage for about 4 months before I really get to have some fun on it.

I'd never say I was a hugely experienced rider but I reckon it will teach me alot (weather it teaches the hard way or not I don't no) only 1 way to find out.

What sort of rear shock possibilites do I have and I no they aren't going to be cheap, and to be fair I don't fancy on scrimping or cutting corners anyway.

Lastly I run raceteks on the gsxr and I think they are a cracking tyre but am I likely to find that I'll have to use other tyres, I no it sounds like a stupid question but do different types of bike require tyres?
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Current: Gsxr 600 Srad - GS125 - DT125
Previous: K1 GSXR 1000

[mr.kris]

lol widdow maker! alltho mine did brake my back T11 and T12 hmmmmmmm oh well im sure ul be fine! TL is a good bike! i used raceteks they were fine id go for angel ST tho as there a good blend
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TS50X---CM125---MZ150---Z250---RS125---ZXR250---BANDIT600---TRX850---TL1000S---CBF600---ZX6R---BANDIT1200S---CG125---VFR800---CBR1000F---CG125---CG125---CB900F---CB900F---CG125---TUONO1000R---KLR600---GSX1300R HAYABUSA---VFR400NC30---BANDIT1200---CG125

HAYABUSA now in use!