TL 1000R opinions and experiences needed please

[BLOFLY 636]

My girlfriend would like to know of the TL 1000R features, handling , Brakes Engine performance, Fuel consumption and Headlights. she is now considering two bikes to buy next, the Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm and the Suzuki TL 1000R any information would be very helpful
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Those bloody footpegs......they ought to do away with em!

[Sparks!]

What bike does she currently ride?

Those two bikes aren't exactly beginner bikes.. especially not the TLR. They have a reputation you know
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Dom_]

The VTR has a shocking fuel economy.

All i know about the TL-R (as my mates dads got one) is that they sound the bollocks with a decent set of pipes on.

[Sparks!]

[Ste]

Features? A really smooth gearbox to be expected after 20k miles.

Fuel economy is not bad at all, was doing about the same as my ZX6R.

Handling, the standard rear shock is meant to be really shit and you'll be much better if you get one with an aftermarket shock.

Headlights? Perfectly good enough in my experience.

They are really nice bikes to ride but after my experience with the gearbox dieing on mine I can't say I'd be recommending one unless you're able to do gearbox repairs yourself.

Have a look on Thumper Zone for more info.

As has been said what experience of bikes does she have and what is she going or wanting to be using it for?

[G]

The VTR will make a better every day bike, but I found it a bit bland, while the same can be said of all v-twins generally. The TL is more focused, in position, handling and engine. Not a bike I'd want to ride everyday.
If I liked twin's I could see it being a fun fast blast and track bike though.

[Inspire]

"Ride" this month has a feature on v-twins including the 1000s (the brother of the R). It's not called the "Widow Maker" for nothing.

[Ste]

The TL1000S was known for the dodgy handling and it's tank slapping. The TL1000R was realeased as a fixed TL1000S without all the handling problems and with a steering damper as standard. The TL1000S if without a good damper is meant to be very dodgy handling but the TL1000R is fine as standard.

[Rob W]

My dad's got a TL-R, says it's the absolute dogs. Fast as fuck, handles well if a bit heavy and the noise is untrue when you stick a set of cans on it. He's got Scorpion Titanium cans and the sound is amazing. He took the damper off his one and said it's no worse than other bike's he's had. Fuel economy's not too bad, but he's said it's not really a bike you'd want to commute on or spend too much time in town on.
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TS50 > Senda 125 > ZXR400 > CB-1 > GSX-R1000 > Bandit 600 > ZXR750 H1 > GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > T595 Daytona > Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900

[BLOFLY 636]

hellooo its the girlfriend, ive decided against a tl1000r after coming to the conclusion that i will probably die. what about the vtr? anyone know much about it? cheerio
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Those bloody footpegs......they ought to do away with em!

[strag]

boring...nough said
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carbon bling

[Sparks!]

[BLOFLY 636]

hello, its the girlfriend again i have been riding for about 5 months. i cant test ride any bike bigger then a 250cc because my license is restricted to that for another 7 months. i can get a learners permit for an unrestricted bike, which means i can ride, but only with supervision of someone who holds that class, but i still cant test ride someone elses bike, in case something happens, then not covered by insurance because a learners permit is not a license. i dont want a 1000cc because its a 1000cc, its just they are the only bikes i like the look of that come in yellow i know it will be a fast bike, but most bikes are fast, thats why we buy them. i had a cruiser and i dont want another one. any other suggestions?
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Those bloody footpegs......they ought to do away with em!

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Suzuki SV650S, they come in yellow too.

Still more than quick enough but alot better for someone who hasnt been riding long. VTR's can still be VERY quick!
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

A few ideas:

sv650
cbr600f, maybe different sports 600 - be careful though.
sports 400

A 1lr bike will be intimidating as hell, and I recon you wont have as much fun on those as a smaller, easier to ride, "safer" bike (with regards power). 600 tops I recon, and even then you need to use your head. 600s are very fast.

I've been very happy with the Cbr400 so far. Apart from mine being a little unreliable one. . A sports 400 is fast enough for the road I recon, UK roads anyway... Who wants to lose their licence anyway?

[streetfighter]

Gotta be the Storm!

996cc(not a 1000 )
108bhp in standard trim
152mph
Fireblade brakes
bulletproof engine (dodgy cct's though, but I know a man who can sort that)
Heaps of torque
Sounds easily as good as the TL with good pipes on. I've got Micron carbon ovals.



They have a small 16l fuel tank and when you get on it that'll only do about 100 miles.
You need to change the rear shock, Penske do a good road/race shock.

Mine is making 122bhp.
Fitted with full SS pipework and Micron cans.
Penske rear shock
K&N, Dynojet and modded air box.
Modded cct's
Moriwaki high comp. pistons
Revolution close ratio box
Added fuel pump (not fitted as standard)

So, I'm a little biased I admit. But as a well mannered road bike that sounds the nads and looks good (add a belly pan) you can't beat it, and it's a HONDA!

All that for as little as £2500.

[BLOFLY 636]

i really want the firestorm so i agree 100 bloody percent with ya mate i like the belly pan too. they are about $7000 aus for a 97 - 99 model, so fairly frikkin cheap and sexy as hell. i have looked at the 600's and they just dont do much for me
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Those bloody footpegs......they ought to do away with em!

[SW Motech Shop UK]

I had a VTR1000 and a TL1000s and used the demo TL1000R alot when i was working at a Suzuki dealer. My favorite was the TLS for its evil power delivery(only the early ones) and its quick handling, in comparison the TLR was like a boat. The firestorm is a nice bike, quick but not blade quick, easy to ride and comfy. i spent £500 on tuning toys for mine and that made a big difference. You need to muscle the Suzuki's to get the best from them but the Honda will do whatever you want without too much input. or buy an R6 instead
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[VTR SP1]

I have ridden the VTR and found it quite comfy but diddent think the brakes were as sharp as other bikes I have ridden.
If you get a black one with MIG high level pipes you will look the dogs.

I know a bloke who put a GSXR1000 front end on his TL1000R and he said it sorted the bike. Looked quite good. The TL is a heavy bike so if you are a bit short in the leg it could be a problem.

Dont listen to all the blokes who are gealous cos they have little bike's. Get whatever bike you want. If you want a 1000 get one, not a VFR400.

sp1

[Sparks!]

Doubt you'd last that long on a VTR after only riding for 5 months, no offence.. I test rode a VTR as I was looking to buy one, it wasn't as fast as my R6 was but it was still pretty quick... plus they are physically quite big.... I'd never reccomend someone who's been riding 5 months to get a 1000cc bike, but well up to you! SV650S might be a better option. VTR's are very nice bikes though.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Ste]

Agree with Yams; a litre V twin after 5 months of riding a cruiser is not a good idea. Get something like an SV650 or similar type of bike rather than going straight to the litre bikes as that'll probably end badly.

Both the VTR and the TL are powerful bikes and if you're not used to riding powerful bikes then expect to crash.

[VTR SP1]

[california_rookie]

How about an SV1000S? 'Tis a bit more of an everyday kind of bike than the TL, but still got a great motor and a decent suspension, even if it's not as race-oriented. Not to mention it looks pretty good and is damned cheap: About 6,000GBP new vs. about 4,000GBP for a good-condition used TL and 4-5,000GBP for a VTR in the same nick.
https://www.suzuki-bikes.com/images/sv1000s.jpg
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[strag]

IMHO the Firestorm is a dull bike, if you want a commuter, then go for it. I am not saying its a bad bike just...well dull really and pretty uninteresting to ride. The suspension is not to hot and the brakes are ok, but it is a bit of an in between bike, not a sports bike and not a tourer. The comparison here is between the Firestorm and TLR, bit of a difficult comparison, maybe if you compare the TLR to an SP1/2 you have a better chance.
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carbon bling

[Ste]

Have a look at these videos done on a VTR1000 showing it not being a dull bike and how it would be an interesting commuter.