TLR 1000R??

[waynester]

I have owned plenty of bikes in the past, including R1 and 916. Don't own a bike at the moment though, into TVR's as i had a back op last year and my back was a bit dodgy.
Well i am missing at least owning a bike, and the back is a little stronger, so would like another. Thing is i will only have about £2500-3000 to spend as the Tiv is costing as well.
I don't want to sell the TVR as i am greedy
I quite fancy the TLR1000R in blue and white. I prefer V twins and have always liked the TLR's style. What do you all think? Good bike? Anyone owned one?
Cheers chaps
Waynester

[Tim2100]

Great bikes but IMO they are quite large and have got a huge back end. I prefer the look of the TL1000S. (half faired)

Tim.

[barry sheene]

Isn't the TL the one they labelled the 'death bike' a few years back ?

[dern]

barry sheene said:

Isn't the TL the one they labelled the 'death bike' a few years back ?

That was the TL1000S and 'they' were the press. Personally I thought it was one of the best looking bikes of all time and the guy at work who had one didn't seem to have any particular difficulties staying alive on it despite doing a number of track days. Lots of stuff about at the time regarding the fact that the rear shock was dodgy and overheated. You could get it revalved or even converted to a more usual type of shock. Suzuki stuck a steering damper on it and I believe they finally tried detuning it before ditching the bike altogether. I never rode one but it's one of those bikes I'd still dearly love to have a full power version of sitting in the garage (rear shock sorted though).

As far as I'm aware none of these problems existed with the TL1000R although I'm not sure why. Quite how it managed to pull off the trick of being a v-twin and yet still looked fatter than most 4-cyl bikes is quite remarkable

I'd check out the sp-1 although I do like 'ondas.

Mark

[stooz]

it was said it grounded easily, hit the can and pegs earlier than you would excpect. but again, thats press..

sounds great, and went well, last time I came up against one...

[pesty]

best sounding bikes in my opinion.

I beleive they have a different kind of rear shock absorber which was not supposed to be much cop. Apparently the advise I was given was ditch that and get a normal one WP or Ohlins etc.( i considered one of these)

appart form that they are great bikes. Also I think the early ones had a few recalls? leaking petrol tank and something to do with the frame ? Could be wrong on that but if its true you would need to check whther it has been done.

Great bikes.

[bikerkeith]

Both the TL1000R and S had the weird rotary damper, that tended to overheat and generally not function as well as a conventional shock. They can be replaced at a price. The fully faired R was less prone to slappers than the earlier S. A mate of mine bought an R from new, loved it to bits and did loads of track days on it, but then he bought a GSXR1000 and loves that even more.
TL1000s go for silly money because of the press image, you get a stonking 1000cc V twin for not much dosh and they sound great.

[veetwin]

Blows the guts out of aftermarket cans.

Beware.

[mechsympathy]

IIRC the TLS frame can crack around the swing arm pivot. I don't know if there is a recognised mod/fix for it.

I did really want one but the combination of tank slap, cracking frames and damper problems put me off.

The TLR (again IIRC) has a stronger/different frame and none of the problems.

[t-c]

The problem with the 1000S was not so much with the bike, more with the rider, or to be more precise the lack of weight. The tank slapper was induced when lightweight riders pushed the performance envelope, whereas heavier rider (10 stone or more) never had the problem.

The cracking problem occured on both the 1000S and the R, and although Suzuki knew of the problem as far as I am aware, no official recall was ever done as it only really came to light after the bike was discontinued. I know of at least 6 TL's which have suffered cracking both on the subframe and around the swing arm pivot, and the only cure is a replacement which is going to cost.

[and]

Found the TLR heavy through the arms to flick compared to a 4cylinder. Much better with a 180 rear instead of 190 though.

Also check the front and rear wheels are in line with a straight edge, my father in law's TLR was 11mm off centre which nearly helped him through a hedge ! (he had the fuel leak too).

Great sounding bike on normal cans.

andy

[DennisTheMenace]

A mate had one a few years back and liked it , one of the AA chaps i know has ditched the rotary damper (loadsa crap) for a maxton unit and revalved and resprung the front forks and says it had transformed the bike , also it sounds the absolute bollocks on a set of Quill cans stand behind it and you can feel it thumping your chest! rattled the garage too