Suzuki TL1000R story and impression of the bike

Some time ago I read a road test of the Suzuki TL1000S by Motorcycle on-line: ” “Be afraid” was the first thing that came to my mind when a newbie rider recently asked me if I thought Suzuki’s TL1000 would be a good bike for first-time riders. The TL1000 is pure evil: It bucks, wiggles and wheelies under hard acceleration, shaking its head over bumps at top speed. And don’t you dare miss a first-to-second or second-to-third shift under full throttle — it’ll try and tankslap you off. Newbie riders should simply skip the TL and go straight to the morgue. Each time I ride the TL1000, it’s an adventure, a conquest, and I feel I’ve overcome the beast one more time. Mind you, it’s not ugly, it’s menacing, and I can hear it taunting me now: “Come on, Plummer, go for that big wheelie, powerslide me, you haven’t come close to my limits yet, you ninny. So get off your ass and let’s go riding!”

Well, that made up my mind, a bike that could talk . Way cool. I had to have one - I could have it call in sick on my behalf, the possibilities were endless.

I had to have a TL.

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I’ve been lusting after a big V-Twin sportsbike for years. I pretty much made up my mind that it’ll be a TL1000S, and have read everything I could find on that bike. It seemed to fit the ticket perfectly. It had a bad reputation (something I could do with) awesome power and I loved the looks.

And off course, it could talk, according to reports.

Sure the bike had it’s problems but I reasoned I’m not going to take it to the limits and could ride around whatever insurmountable problems I found. The TL motor is a legend and used in a variety of bikes in one form or another.

The TLR name popped up intermittently. It was more expensive and I didn’t really like the full fairing. To similar to the GSX-R’s I felt - especially in the white and blue colours. I knew Suzuki build the bike for WSB and never raced it although Bimota won some races on a TL powered bike. Suzuki canned development to the TLR as a WSB bike when they realised they can’t run GP 250, GP500 and WSB teams. Or maybe they realised the bike isn’t competitive. So it was last in first out and the rest is history. The TLR was neglected with little more than changes to the paintjobs done over the last couple of years of it’s lifetime. With the advances in superbikes and the bad reputation of the TLS the TLR was mostly overlooked in favour of it’s competetors that is considered more hip and sexy.

A Soooperbike shootout between the TLR, Ducati 916, Honda VTR and Aprilia RSV wasn’t very kind to the TLR either. Although they grudgingly admitted the motor isn’t to bad it didn’t score in the handling and styling departments. I reasoned these guys are pro’s and spoiled and paid to write things that break the hearts of entusiasts of whatever bike is the loser in their little shootouts. Besides I know exactly how full of shit these caracters can be as other bkes I loved were also slated in almost every road test and I loved the bikes with it’s faults to the extent of not wanting to sell them now that the time has come.

So, evaluating their shootout I decided styling was subjective so that shouldn’t bother me. The TL motor is a legend, so no probem there. So I enquired about the handling critisisms on TLR user groups, thinking it might be similar to the TLS’s problems. The response was unanimous that the journo’s didn’t know what they were talking about or didn’t take the time to set it up properly. Proper setting up and an adjustable steering damper sorts most of the problems they complained about. The TLR is a very sensitive bike and once set up correctly handles beautifully - or so they reported. They also said the TLR had an entirely different frame than the TLS. Soooperbike did say it’s the best value for money of the lot and was the most comfortable and it was stable at high speeds. Top speed and 1/4 mile speeds compared well to the other bikes in the shootout (which probably pissed their enthusiasts off) and didn’t count that much to me anyway (well maybe 1/4 mile time held some interest!).

So when my old bike turned it’s 50 000 km I decided it’s time for retirement - the bike not me. I’ve been riding that bike for 3 years in the wind and the rain. Chased everything that moved and wanted to play up and down Clarence drive, took her touring, rode her to work and down to the beach on Sundays. Something had to be done. She still looks stunning and has given me absolutely no problems as no expense was spared on maintaining her. It seemed like a good idea to keep her as a second bike.

A friend decided to sell his TLS. A red one for a very good price. I thought about it too long and lost the bike. I shrugged and kept on riding my bike. I considered a BMW R1150R after I rode one - it was cheaper than a new TLS and seemed more sensible. I read roadtests, shootouts - everything I could get my hands on. One day I’d decide I want this bike the next day I’d want another. I took whatever the shops had for test rides. I couldn’t make up my mind. I knew it would be a twin and preferably a V-twin. Took the SV 650 for a ride… Fell in love with a Falco for a while…

When booking in my bike for it’s 50 000 service I asked the dealer if he had bikes for sale. He had a TLR - he’s a Suzuki dealer. I went to see it after work. It was pissing with rain at the time so we haggled instead. I knew TLR’s weren’t popular with the faint hearted or the fashion concious so he’s probably been trying to shift it for a while. I got a good price, superbike paddock stand, new AGV helmet and he would put on aftermarket slip-ons of my choice. I opted for Laser’s, we shook hands and that was it. He’d store the bike for me for the time being. I was happy - I felt I made a pretty good deal.

Saturday came and it was time to go and fetch the bike - it was registered, number plated, insured and all mine. After taking it off the bike trailer I rode it down his driveway and almost ended up in his rose garden. Adjustable steering damper, anyone? I could see he had his doubts as to how long I’d last…

I went to show the bike to my wife. She gave it one look and declared it undesireable and vowed never to get on the back. OK, so it’s all mine, then. When she feels like riding we’ll take the ‘rauder - which she loves.

First ride on the bike was out on Clarence Drive (R44). I kept telling myself - take it easy, don’t want to end up in the sea or ride into the mountain. The bike felt heavy and had to be muscled around corners which at that stage was mostly closed throttle in a gear or two to high. The riding position was unfamiliar and I had cramps on my upper legs within minutes. My wrists were aching. The clutch felt very heavy. But don’t think I wasn’t having fun. People reacted to the deep booming sound, I got some thumbs up along the way.

In Rooi Els I turned around and started back. I was getting a feel for the bike. I started moving my weight around in corners and tried to keep the gas open a touch. Instead of muscling the bike around corners I tried to ride her smoothly through them. It started coming together. The aching arms and wrists were gone - because I was going faster the wind force took most of the weight off my arms. She felt less heavy and cornered smoothly. My confidence grew and I got greater lean angles. She no longer felt like she had a mind of her own. I was very careful of the speeds I was doing as I noticed some of the corners seem to jump up at me. At one stage I was riding behind a Toyota RXI and noticed smoke coming from his exhaust pipe, which seemed odd. Then I realised he was trying to outrun me! Just twisted my wrist and blew him away. I rode the R44 3 times that day - then filled her up again and rode over the mountain to Grabouw.

The ride was all I expected. I knew about the slow handling and the different riding position. The suspension was set on factory settings and I’ll have to fiddle with it to get it set up for me. More concerning was that the bike felt relatively dead. I expected a little more get-up-and-go. Remember I’ve ridden TLS’es. So I decided to take her out on the N2 which is long and straight…

On the N2 I went through first and second, careful not to open her up to much if not pointed straight down the road. When I hit 3rd I thought I’d probably be OK so I gave it some juice and that bike just got up and went like a bat out of hell. She pulled strong up to 6000 rpm but after that the power just blew me away. She started pulling where the other V-Twins started running out of steam right up to 11 000 revs - I bounced of the rev limiter in 3rd. I saw 200 km/h on the clock and was still in 4 th gear! Hooked fifth and the cars started reversing at me at a terrific pase so I backed of. I was grinning from ear to ear. Hooked.

I’ve got the optimal starting settings for the suspension from someone on the internet - unbelievable amount of information available. When compared with the factory settings you can see there’s a difference. I’ll do this as soon as I can but for the time being

Impresions
Pierre asked for my impressions after riding the TLR for about 500 km.
Here it is.
* It’s obviously a totally different package as the ‘rauder. I can see it’ll be more comfortable long distance but it’s a dog in and around town unless I start pumping iron immediately (my clutch hand gets numb quickly).
* It’s frighteningly fast but in a deceiving kind of way. It’s wasn’t called “The Twin with the Top End” when it came out for nothing.
* Axel and I did some drive-bys on Sunday and the sound when she came past me doing 230 was awesome. I was doing about 140 on his Intruder.
* The TL is value for money if you can live with the fashion brigades remarks (beat them up). Most of them are speaking from what they heard and read, anyway, Fuggem. When I can ride it properly I’ll invite them to try and catch me.
* Resale would probably not be earth shattering. They’re bound to be discontinued - I think next year - which is cool with me (how many TLR’s have you seen compared to VTR’s or Falco/Milles anyway?)
* I wouldn’t recommend it for pilions - although the rear seat is big and flat the rear footpegs is very high and theres no grabrail - they’re also likely to fall (or jump) off when the going gets rough
* Factory suspension settings seems to be set-up for a 12 year old Japanese girl riding on a salt pan - lots of work to be done
* Fortunately theres a huge SIG and they supplied the suspension settings and other information eagerly
* There were no changes to the bike the last 3 years apart from subtle changes in the not-so-subtle paint jobs
* The size of the underseart storage was a surprise (big)
* It has a speedo, tacho, 2 x tripmeters, odo, Fuel injection diagnostics and temp guage. No petrol guage but a reserve light
* Fuel capacity is 17 litres. I got 180 km/s before the fuel light started blinking (theres 4 L left). This was riding up and down Clarence drive so lots of 2nd and 3rd gear riding. The light stays on when less that 3 L remains
* Fairing offers adequate protection, especially if you tuck in behind it. The big winds over last weekend only bothered me when they were from the side
* Insurance is very expensive. I shopped around a lot and cheapest I could get was around R500pm. Franco reacons any bike with an R in the name they double the rates! Sofar, I’m pretty chaffed with the bike. The look is starting to grow on me (thankfully). I can’t wait to have it in my garage and be able to fiddle with it and check it out properly.

Up to First Service
I couldn’t believe I could run up the km’s so quickly. Riding this bike is soooo much fun, I can’t keep off it. I’ve ridden the R44 (Clarence Drive) whenever I had a change, sometimes turning around and going again! I’d ride it after work to Worcester, then Villiersdorp and the Kleinmond. Sunday blasts of 500 k’s on more than one occation, looking for quiet back roads and finding some delightful pieces of tar to play on.
I was still not happy with the handling of the bike. The suspension settings i got from the TL owners group was being kept until I could dail it in. As I didn’t have a garage at the time, the bike was being stored and I couldn’t work on it. I did however check the tyre pressure and bumped it up to 250 front and rear. Made a hude difference in the handling and I’ll be keeping an eye on it from now on.
The rear tyre was almost finished and seemed to lose the last couple of shreds of rubber very fast. I got a fright when I noticed a spot where the rubber was run through to the steel! I shopped around for a tyre and decided on a Bridgestone BT56 as I ride a lot and can’t put a new rear tyre on every 4/5000 km’s.

Now, after 10 000km’s
The bike turned it’s 10 000th km yesterday on my way home from work. Unbelievable! Almost time for a service again - groan.
I’ve had absolutely no problems during this period - biking related problems that is. The new Bridgestone is OK and seems to be doing well, still lots of tread on it. I’ve changed the suspension setup, and the bike handles like it’s on rails now. Had a problem in finding the tool needed to adjust the rear spring. Illgman-Frost showed me about 5 different ones but shrugged me off with “None of them works, sorry.”
Cape Town motorcycles seemed eager to help but their bloody mechanic attacked my bike with a huge hammer and what looked like a punch. Needless to say the punch got shoved up his ass and the hammer was rammed down the throat of the supervisor. In the end I did the job myself with a hammer and a punch! Ha
I’ve used the bike for giving a co worker a lift for he last week now. I think he either has a secret crush on me (sis) or he really don’t feel like walking 80 k’s a day! Reason I’m mentioning this is that he seems to be doing OK on the back. I have a hard time under braking, though. There’s something slightly perverted about lifting someone of the same gender, I wouldn’t have minded having a young lady sitting on my back like a backpack, but a guy…?! Anyway, that’s just me, your results may vary.
There’s a huge TL following on the Internet. Most of these guys seem hardcore racer type individuals. I’ve been reading some of the things they get up to, weird weird bunch.
I think Henesia got a bit jealous as out of the blue she called me and asked me to take her to the Cobra Rally on Sunday. She added “We could even ride your sports bike.”
So Sunday came and off we set. I took it easy all the way and when I prompted her, here was her impressions:
“I’ll ride long distance on this bike. It’s much more comfortable than I’m used too. We did a 300km trip Sunday and I was not as tired as I would have been on, say, the Marauder. Wind blast was not a factor at all. The seat is wide and comfortable and the footpegs and heel plates are OK, although for someone with longer legs it might be too high.
I feel fine today, the following day, apart from some mucle pains in my neck (I haven’t ridden in 2 years), my hips and my wrists.
I found it difficult not to slide around on the seat under braking and was pushing with my wrists against the tank - hence the sore wrists. Under accelleration I hung on to Chris. I think a grabail would be useless and it would be set to far back.”
Sunday also marked the day the bike fell off it’s stand in front of the Drummond Arms in Rooi-els. There’s damage to the battery cover, the clutch lever broke, the left front indicator and mirror is scratched. When the bike started falling I tried to get some of my body parts underneath it and my knee is sore. I was rewarded with a sickening crunching sound as the fairing crunched on the stones. Aaaagh. My beautiful baby. It’s the second time the bike fell over. First time I managed to catch it in time. Better watch those stands and start shopping for frame sliders.
The bikes engine seems to be loosening up. Power wheelies everywhere. Have to be carefull when giving it stick. Yesterday I overtook a bus down a hill and when I opened it up in second gear the front came up! Woooa - down a hill nogal!
I also have to comment on the handling of the bike, which I’ve been asked about whenever someone notices the bike and starts chatting. The handling is heavy, so it’s important to check tyre pressure regularly. Replace the steering damper with an adjustable one if you can - I haven’t I need the workout and are very proud of my new biceps. The bike has been stable at all times and I’ve been up to the silly numbers on the speedo - although not flat out. It wiggled the front end once, under a 2-inch power wheelie into the teeth of a howling southeasterly wind. I’m not a wheelie boffin but subsequent wheelies were more successful and it’s never happened again.

I sold the TL during 2003 after 65000 hassle free km’s and every time someone rides past on one I still go “I had one of those”

Tags: The Blog