Canadian FJR
Canadian FJR
Any current/past TL owners here. Looking for some info.
Canadian FJR
Canadian FJR
Suzuki TL1000 s
- Thread starter Canadian FJR
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pista
Well-known member
Not a TL, but would an SV1000S be close enough?
In either case, I love that big V-twin sound!
In either case, I love that big V-twin sound!
Queensland Ken
Well-known member
Sorry, I have a TLR
SwollenRaccoon
Well-known member
Got a riding buddy that had one, a 98. I have a 98 SuperHawk, and we used to do a lot of riding together, including track days.
* Good power. He had a full-race (not street legal) Yosh full exhaust system. In that configuration, I'm guessing he made 15 to 20 more horsepower than my Honda, and could pull away from me with relative ease. That exhaust was LOUD, but sounded pretty bad-ass.
* Nice slipper clutch. Made hot corner entrances easy.
* In stock form, a little twitchy in the corners, requiring constant minor corrections. Following my SuperHawk (with Race-Tech fork work), he stated that the Honda just seemed to stay on a constant, smooth arc, while he had to make little adjustments all the way through the corner. Obviously variable with rider skill, but I think a pretty accurate observation.
* Terrible low and mid-range fueling. Through towns at lower speeds, stumbles, bucks, farts, and hiccups, making for a frustrating experience. Once under the whip, with rpms in the upper half, it was just fine.
* Great track day handling. Ridden at a full, anger-in-your-eyes pace, it handled like a race bike. My buddy (who raced in the early 80s) could push that TL hard enough to not only shred the edge of the front tire, but lean it far enough to completely round off the EDGE of the front tire, where the sidewall slopes back to the tire bead. A much more capable track day bike than my SuperHawk.
* Inverted forks (not that it matters) and a slightly funky rotary rear damper. Which means there's no rear shock upgrade for you to try. There may be some aftermarket places that can rebuild or upgrade your rear damper, but I don't know.
* Slightly uncomfortable riding position, at least compared to my Honda, and a couple of CBR600F4s that I've ridden. Tougher on the wrists than those other bikes.
* Slightly questionable quality from the factory. He had a couple minor problems, fixed under warranty. The fueling stumbles were never completely fixed, and remained until he sold it. (I have a buddy with a 10-year old V-Strom 1000, and his motor is the same way. He's had it looked at by Suzuki technicians at least 5 times, and they can't solve the issue). Just the nature of that motor's software and/or design, I guess.
* This is completely subjective. It's not very pretty. It's not ugly, but it's in ugly's neighborhood. My SuperHawk isn't much of a looker, but I think it looks better than the TL. Not that any of that matters. That said, once you're in the saddle, pulling away from lesser sportbikes and leaning farther than you thought possible, physical beauty is the last thing on your mind. I've ridden one, and for the most part, it was a blast to ride.
If you have your eyes on one, and it's priced really low, buy it, and go rip it up. It's a very fun bike. Get it to a track day, and you'll like it even more. Hope this helped.
* Good power. He had a full-race (not street legal) Yosh full exhaust system. In that configuration, I'm guessing he made 15 to 20 more horsepower than my Honda, and could pull away from me with relative ease. That exhaust was LOUD, but sounded pretty bad-ass.
* Nice slipper clutch. Made hot corner entrances easy.
* In stock form, a little twitchy in the corners, requiring constant minor corrections. Following my SuperHawk (with Race-Tech fork work), he stated that the Honda just seemed to stay on a constant, smooth arc, while he had to make little adjustments all the way through the corner. Obviously variable with rider skill, but I think a pretty accurate observation.
* Terrible low and mid-range fueling. Through towns at lower speeds, stumbles, bucks, farts, and hiccups, making for a frustrating experience. Once under the whip, with rpms in the upper half, it was just fine.
* Great track day handling. Ridden at a full, anger-in-your-eyes pace, it handled like a race bike. My buddy (who raced in the early 80s) could push that TL hard enough to not only shred the edge of the front tire, but lean it far enough to completely round off the EDGE of the front tire, where the sidewall slopes back to the tire bead. A much more capable track day bike than my SuperHawk.
* Inverted forks (not that it matters) and a slightly funky rotary rear damper. Which means there's no rear shock upgrade for you to try. There may be some aftermarket places that can rebuild or upgrade your rear damper, but I don't know.
* Slightly uncomfortable riding position, at least compared to my Honda, and a couple of CBR600F4s that I've ridden. Tougher on the wrists than those other bikes.
* Slightly questionable quality from the factory. He had a couple minor problems, fixed under warranty. The fueling stumbles were never completely fixed, and remained until he sold it. (I have a buddy with a 10-year old V-Strom 1000, and his motor is the same way. He's had it looked at by Suzuki technicians at least 5 times, and they can't solve the issue). Just the nature of that motor's software and/or design, I guess.
* This is completely subjective. It's not very pretty. It's not ugly, but it's in ugly's neighborhood. My SuperHawk isn't much of a looker, but I think it looks better than the TL. Not that any of that matters. That said, once you're in the saddle, pulling away from lesser sportbikes and leaning farther than you thought possible, physical beauty is the last thing on your mind. I've ridden one, and for the most part, it was a blast to ride.
If you have your eyes on one, and it's priced really low, buy it, and go rip it up. It's a very fun bike. Get it to a track day, and you'll like it even more. Hope this helped.
Canadian FJR
Canadian FJR
Thanks for the feedback folks. I'm looking at a piped TLs. Ugly as sin but seems like a fun backroad/track thrasher.
Canadian FJR
Canadian FJR
rickysnickers
Well-known member
I have an R as well. I might be able to help answer any questions you might have. As far as rear shock upgrades go, there are plenty, Ohlins, Penske, Bitubo. There are also a few people that have installed F4 shocks. The only real issues the bike might have are electrical. There are two main connectors on the bike, a yellow one and white one. They need to be kept clean and have some dielectric grease put in them to keep corrosion out. A few upgrades to the electrical system though, and there are no problems. The engine is fantastic! As for the comments above about the burping and whatnot, that could be as a result of not having the TB balanced correctly. I have a full race exhaust system on my bike and it does not do any of this. As for fit, I'm 6-3 and the bike fits me fine. I don't find it to be uncomfortable at all.
For more in depth stuff, look at tlzone.net or tlplanet.com. TLZone is mostly European guys, while TLplanet or more US based, but both are good.
For more in depth stuff, look at tlzone.net or tlplanet.com. TLZone is mostly European guys, while TLplanet or more US based, but both are good.
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gixxerjasen
Well-known member
There should be aftermarket for this...if the old bike is still being supported. I had a TLR and Bitubo was a big supplier for inexpensive shocks for these bikes so I had one. It replaced the SOS (Spring On a Stick) and you pulled the rotary crap off and used it as a doorstop. TLR had other alternatives as well but they were all big $$$.
Amazing motors on those bikes, but in the end the brakes and suspension are sub par compared with other bikes just a few years newer, and they are heavy. They make for excellent street bikes though.
The motor got me in the 20's for mpg around town but I wet my whistle on touring with that bike and got 45mpg on the highway. I attribute the 20's to the fact that every street light becomes a personal drag race so you can soak up the torque and enjoy the music from the pipes. Those bikes make some serious low to mid range torque, and it's addictive. I traded mine for a GSX-R600 and on my first ride on the gixxer (my second one) I'd forgotten about the lack of low end torque. I think I was up to almost 6 grand on the tach and couldn't notice myself moving at all. Took some getting used to again.
I see you plan to use it as a backroad thrasher...that it'll do well. You'll never need to replace the brake pads for the engine braking. Back roads are all roll on roll off roll on roll off, and full of grins. You should be getting a good deal since they are now vintage. Spend the money and have fun. Check out the forums tlplanet and tlzone for more info.
Canadian FJR
Canadian FJR
Test ride this Saturday.
Canadian FJR
Canadian FJR
gixxerjasen
Well-known member
Enjoy, let us know how it turns out and post pics.
My TLR was one pieced together from a wrecked bike with a cleanish title. Such a pain, I'll likely never do that again.
Here she is after I got her able to be ridden.
As I sold her with my own custom paint job.
My TLR was one pieced together from a wrecked bike with a cleanish title. Such a pain, I'll likely never do that again.
Here she is after I got her able to be ridden.
As I sold her with my own custom paint job.
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Canadian FJR
Canadian FJR
WOW !!
What a gnarly, unrefined crazy ride that thing is.
I better make some room in the garage, I'm bringing it home next week
Canadian FJR
What a gnarly, unrefined crazy ride that thing is.
I better make some room in the garage, I'm bringing it home next week
Canadian FJR
gixxerjasen
Well-known member
Yep. Electronic fuel injection is all you get for electronics...the rest is just raw motorcycle. Good stuff, glad you liked it.
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Queensland Ken
Well-known member
Yep !
Brings a smile to my face
Got to learn to ride the bike, pussy foot it and it will bite you,
There are a couple of forums around, most of them devoted to changing everything on the bike.
Give the 6 pot calipers a good service and go over the connectors.
gixxerjasen
Well-known member
I thought that's what all forums were for!
Lord knows I've spent a pile of money over the years thanks to forums. On the other hand, I've sure saved a lot of money in the process too.
rickysnickers
Well-known member
Very cool! Enjoy!WOW !!
What a gnarly, unrefined crazy ride that thing is.
I better make some room in the garage, I'm bringing it home next week
Canadian FJR
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