suzuki tl1000

garry · Nova Slayer Joined: 09 Apr 2005 Karma :

THE WIDOWMAKER !!!

shite bike , or just bad press ?

looking at buyin a mint 98 tl100 .. there seem to be so many conflicting reports ..
bike is totally standard and in as near to shoroom as you can get..

any thoughts people .....................
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Type_Mo · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Karma :

From what ive heard... Thumbs Down

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Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

TL1000R or TL1000S?

What milage has it got? What service history has it got? What parts has it had replaced?

pjones_po · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Karma :

From what ive read they were recalled to have factory steering dampers fitted which I believe was what earned it the nickname "widowmaker".

Apart from that the only other criticism I have heard is that the rotary damper on the rear shock is pants...

Im referring to the TLS not the R.

pj25 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Karma :

I alway's thought the widowmaker was the early r1's? TL1000 can't be that bad they use the same engine in the SV1000. Thumbs Up

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kat250 · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Karma :

The tl1000 s was the "supposed" widow maker but it really just got bad press. The r model had all the bugs ironed out of it. The s model in my opinion is the best may not be as sporty as the r model but its beautiful.
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colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

ive heard that the the chassis wasnt up to the standard of the engine.

someone on either this forum or 125ccsportsbikes, died on one although the bike may have been faulty rather than there being a design fault in that case

i had also heard that the rotary damper caused problems but I cant remember what
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pjones_po · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Karma :

garry · Nova Slayer Joined: 09 Apr 2005 Karma :

kb-zxr · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Karma :

Never riden one but I hear that frames can crack, and a vid I've seen with Shakey Burne in reckons that it aint a great handler either.

Plus they are ugly.

Go on. Get the RSV instead. Maybe a VTR Thumbs Up

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

ive seen rsvs going for about £2000 on ebay although £2500 is more usual.

probably a better bet in my opinion but i dont know much about either

i reckon its usually better to buy a newer less than mint bike than an older minter.
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the grim reaper · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Karma :

My missus had a TL1000s and it was a lovely bike. There is a direct replacement monoshock available for the crappy rotary damper and that totally transforms the handling (use this as an argument to knock the dealer down a few quid).

It wheelies well, looks lovely (IMO) and the bad press it received was totally undeserved. They sound incredible with loud cans on them but don't get carbon ones as the power pulses have been known to split carbon cans !

Also budget for a sprint or ohlins steering damper as the default one is awful.

I'd recommend one and, if you do buy one, I have a TRE kicking around at home, if you're interested (it removes the torque restriction in the first three gears).

Cheers

Grim
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Vin · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Karma :

It was reviewed in Bike magazine very recently as a second hand buy. The tester seemed to think that its handling wouldn't seem so out of the ordinary in these days of flighty quick steering sports bikes. Not that anything bike testers write about handling would be of much relevance to me as I suspect that a bimbly like me would find it great, but I only have a TZR250 to compare it too.
TL1000, Firestorm and RSV seem like really good value nice looking bikes to me.

numark1 · Scared of girls Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

How can you say no to that....

https://www.vonhofs.com/TL1000R/TL1000R-8_9-4-04-sm.jpg

Ste had one in yellow and from the pics it looked amazing. Thumbs Up

pjones_po · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Karma :

Ahhh but thats the R and thats a whole different kettle of fish... i go weak and dribble on my keyboard everytime I see one!

Wink

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

ste's bike also died shortly after he got it
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Rookie · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Karma :

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

well i got my 2001 tt600 for £1900 from a guy who has hardly ridden it with 7000 miles on it.

Someone in workshop is having problems with an N reg 400 they have with 20000 miles on it that they paid £2000 for.
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colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

oops double post
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fuzz · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

How does the TL compare to likes of the VTR? I take it the Firestorm is a little tamer?
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Rookie · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Karma :

Jack_Cheese · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Karma :

The TL's frame should have been replaced on early bikes, or strengthened as it was prone to cracking. If it hasnt been replaced, don't touch it. The Cagiva Raptor may be a decent option - another trellis framed beast, using the same motor. Not to mention it looking gorgeous. Though you do lose the fairing practicality.

Jack
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kb-zxr · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Karma :

Wave2k · G's Stalker Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

ive ridden a TL1000R, i have to say it was pretty good, it feels like a bit of a tank though. it also goes fast, and you dont know your going fast because of that lazy twin.
still a cracking bike.
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Rob W · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Nov 2004 Karma :

Well my old man's had a TL-R from new since '99, and I dont think he's in any hurry to change it. It took him a while to get used to the handling because of the size/weight of the thing, but now he throws it around like anything. I had trouble sticking with him on my ZXR, that thing really does handle well if your prepared to put the effort in and get used to it. Plus with a set of Scorpion cans it sounds fucking AMAZING Twisted Evil

. As for the gut wrenching torque, I can vouch for that having nearly been thrown off the back of it a few times.

Nice bikes Thumbs Up

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