getting a tl1000 but which one?- now got a zx9r instead!

[dansrockin]

hi, just after a bit of advice please.
ive been looking for a tl1000, as i dont have much to spend but fancy a nice vtwin sporty bike, and i found a tl1000r going for £1300, but it was the best part of a 180 mile each way trip to get it.
the bike is a 1998, with 48k miles, and is standard apart from remus cans. it has tax and mot til may.
i have just found a tl1000s, about 40 miles from me, 2001 reg, viper cans and originals, seat hump and pillion seat, and had a new shock fitted a couple of years ago. tax and mot til feb. its also £100 cheaper.
i really wanted the r model, as i prefer the looks, but i do quite like the s model too.
is there really much of a difference in the way the two bikes ride, and any reasons why i should pick one over the other?
im seriously thing of going for the s and saving myself around £200 and a 400 mile journey, but if anyone thinks the other bike may be better, then i could change my mind!

[BigDan1190]

The S model is a better bike with a better engine. The S models are the real widow makers, the R model was tamed down.

[dansrockin]

[Fisty]

They are both very good fun bikes, the R is the "sportier" of the two. The engines are quite different.
The R has forged, lighter pistons, different gearing different cam profiles.
The will both bite you if you give it a handfull on a bumpy corner.
I personally prefer (and own) the R.
____________________
Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[dansrockin]

Do the changes in the engine make much difference in the low and mid range?
I prefer the look of the r, and if it was closer that would prob be the one I'd go for but I don't like it that much more on a looks basis to justify the extra cost and travel!
As for biting in corners, I'm used to bikes that can't handle the power, I've had two vmaxes that were tuned but on standard wheels, brakes and suspension!!
Anything in particular to look for? I've heard about cracked frames on early bikes, is the 01 bike likely to suffer that too?

[Fisty]

Cracked frames are from crash damage.

Look out for headrace bearings, lower rads on the R rot and leak, the toKico 6 pots need looking after.
____________________
Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[dansrockin]

well, change of plan!! the guy selling the tls called and said he had sold the bike so i settled on the tlr.
but, i got told about a bike that was for sale a few miles from my work that was worth a look. its a 98 zx9r in blue, and its absolutely mint! there isnt anything wrong on it at all apart from a 5p size ding next to the fuel filler on the tank. you cant even see it unless the light shines the right way. there is service history from a kwak dealer all the way from new up until a round a thousand miles ago, and at the last service all the valve clearances were done, with reciepts for the work done.
its got new tyres, brakes are good, everything about it seems tidy and fresh, and its got a mot til july.
it was up for 1500 but i got it for 1300 cash in his hand! the guy said he doesnt want to sell it but he fell and smashed his knee in last week and isnt getting sick pay, and so had to sell the bike to pay his bills.
i left a deposit and im picking it up in a few hours! cant wait! ive heard the zx9r is a pretty potent bike!
any tips or advice in what to do to one to improve anything?

[garth]

You've bought a C1, so budget for a new gearbox, ask me how I know.

[dansrockin]

the seller said he hasnt had any issues with the gearbox since hes had it, ive heard that third gear can be a bit of a potential issue though?

[P.addy]

[garth]

[UnspeedySam]

You're all massive pessimists! Congrats on the new bike I've briefly ridden an '02 model and it blew me away. Shame about the insurance prices...or I'd have one
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[dansrockin]

Oh no, it's the same colour too! Lol
I gave it a bit a blast on the way home and there were no noticeable issues with any of the gears, but ill keep an eye on it. What happens when they start to go? Is it gradual or does it just give up?
As for the bike, wow! It certainly moves! Plenty of grunt low down but open it up and it just flies! Gave me a few brown trouser moments on the way home! Lol
It's absolutely mint, the only problem I noticed was a little bit of judder when I let the clutch out from standstill in first gear, it goes as soon as the clutch is fully out and doesn't affect the bike when moving. The seller said its been sat for a few months so I'm guessing the plates are just a little stuck and hopefully they will free up with a bit of use.
https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/dansrockin/image_zpsa870e596.jpg

[dansrockin]

Can't say the insurance was too bad, my sprint st was £80 a year and this cost £30 extra to change it over. Can't complain really at that.

[Paullec]

Nice kwaka.

[dansrockin]

Ta!

[UnspeedySam]

[P.addy]

[Fisty]

Id rather have a TL
____________________
Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[killa]

[0l0dom0l0]

Nice bike that, I've always fancied a zx9r!
____________________
CBT Passed: 30/08/2009, Theory Passed: 31/08/2010, Mod 1 Passed: 6/9/2010, Mod 2 Passed: 13/09/2010. Restriction ended 13/09/2012.

Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.

[garth]

[dansrockin]

[Snorty]

[dansrockin]

It is yes