Morcs
10th March 2008, 18:35
Time for a wee write-up.
After having the TL for over a month, and doing and learning a lot in the process, I now know why so many people dissed them, and at the same time why it has a cult following.
I suppose some people just cant handle and appreciate pure raw motorcycling at is best. These bikes are about as subtle as a heart attack.
I bought her on waitangi day for $6,240. It was tidy, little used (30,000kms) and is a 99 model.
I took it round the block, and bought it straight away (got to live a little eh?)
Handling. Where better to start. Almost everyone disses it.
Despite everything ive heard, and read, the TL doesnt handle that bad at all - which is saying a lot considering im used to caning around on compact 400 V4's. Stock suspension setup, with the non-adjustable dampener and 190/55 rear tyre (corsa 3's, a bloody excellent tyre) wasnt that bad at all.
Ive done my own tweaking with the shocks, raised the forks 5mm, added preload too. On the rear I originally tried having that 'damned' rotary dampener set so it only works on the rebound and not compression. Wasnt keen and generally balanced everything out with some more preload on the rear. This setup ideally is to give a good balance between bumpy twisties, and smooth track type surfaces. Forks are bottoming out under quick heavy braking, so ive just cranked up the compression to see how it goes.
Ive noticed some improvement in the sense it feels lighter. Going to try a 180/55 tyre on the rear to see if it turns in quicker - at the moment I have to clutch in to go round small roundabouts!
Engine.
What can I say. This motor is superb. The power and torque are awesome. Tame yet has bite. Can cruise lazily around or fang around like its running on P. Power comes right from down low, 6th gear at 2k and it winds up nicely. In any gear get it around 5k and it takes off.
Then theres the wheelies... I havent progressed my wheelies since flipping my CBR, but just popping the front right up and back down shortly after Is an absolute doddle. Just crack it open in first. I reckon I could get it up in 2nd with a bit of clutch, but wheelies are neither big not clever. I blew a set of fork seals in 3 weeks, so better stop or get smoother...
Performance wise it does a quarter mile in 11.3 seconds, going through the gates at just under 200kph. Top speed is an indicated (by speedo) 270kph. More than enough. It pulls right through to 200 in no time, backs off a little to 220, a little more to 240, then starts struggling from then on.
TRE - Death-inc did the Timing retardent elimantor for me. Just whacked in a resistor and bobs your dads brother. Id only had the tl a week and hadnt ridden it, so cant vouch for much difference except it doesnt stumble at around 4k in the lower gears.
Im thinking of down gearing it further. Was forced (no stock) to go up 1 tooth on the rear, with no major difference. A nice gold shiny X-ring chain is a nice touch though!
Braking.
Brakes were pretty good as standard. The way the suspension was originally setup gave good feel and control under heavy braking. The brakes were spongy, yet when you give that little extra squeeze they stop you on a dime.
Upgrades. First thing to do was get braided lines on the front to eliminate the spongy-ness. I also replaced the front pads with aftermarket ones as My blown fork seal had saturated the old pair. However, not long after having them installed, I experience warped rotors during the bed-in process. Not cool. Got to buy a set of wavey replacements (under $300 from the US :) ) Will probably go back to stock compound pads after that. The braided lines werent terribly effective, still spongy until cranked right on, then they are ON!
Living with it
I commute 30kms in solid rush hour traffic. It isnt a nightmare (well the journey is tedious) but its far from ideal.
The TL is nimbled enough weaving out of cateyes whilst lane splitting :D but its heavy on the wrists (very) as well as the motor just aching to do some work. But hey, its a thou.
Seating position isnt great round town, im 6' 2'' and find myself right forward, nuts rubbing the tank. Only when I get onto clear motorway, and preferably 120+ does the weight come off the wrists and I can shove my arse back and enjoy the roomyness.
It pillions well except the distance between rider and pillion round town (due to being forward) is quite big and not ideal. Plus all of the pillions weight goes through my wrists too. Handles ok with a pillion though and doesnt complain.
Work done already
So far ive done: Oil and filter, new brake fluid, braided lines, sintered pads, heated grips, digital clock, integrated tail light, chain and sprockets, suspension setup.
To be done
Ive kept the list short. Dont want to go mad on a 9 year old bike...
Integrated radar detector (whistler cruisader) is due to arrive soon, then a new set of tyres (michelin 2ct front, and a 180 road 2 rear), wavey rotors and stock pads, a gloss black hugger, gloss black bellypan and a dark tinted screen to add to the cosmetics.
Ive decided to turn gay and against my better cosmetic judgement will put the ventura headlight gaurd and the packrack brackets with sissy bar back on.
Some piccys:
After having the TL for over a month, and doing and learning a lot in the process, I now know why so many people dissed them, and at the same time why it has a cult following.
I suppose some people just cant handle and appreciate pure raw motorcycling at is best. These bikes are about as subtle as a heart attack.
I bought her on waitangi day for $6,240. It was tidy, little used (30,000kms) and is a 99 model.
I took it round the block, and bought it straight away (got to live a little eh?)
Handling. Where better to start. Almost everyone disses it.
Despite everything ive heard, and read, the TL doesnt handle that bad at all - which is saying a lot considering im used to caning around on compact 400 V4's. Stock suspension setup, with the non-adjustable dampener and 190/55 rear tyre (corsa 3's, a bloody excellent tyre) wasnt that bad at all.
Ive done my own tweaking with the shocks, raised the forks 5mm, added preload too. On the rear I originally tried having that 'damned' rotary dampener set so it only works on the rebound and not compression. Wasnt keen and generally balanced everything out with some more preload on the rear. This setup ideally is to give a good balance between bumpy twisties, and smooth track type surfaces. Forks are bottoming out under quick heavy braking, so ive just cranked up the compression to see how it goes.
Ive noticed some improvement in the sense it feels lighter. Going to try a 180/55 tyre on the rear to see if it turns in quicker - at the moment I have to clutch in to go round small roundabouts!
Engine.
What can I say. This motor is superb. The power and torque are awesome. Tame yet has bite. Can cruise lazily around or fang around like its running on P. Power comes right from down low, 6th gear at 2k and it winds up nicely. In any gear get it around 5k and it takes off.
Then theres the wheelies... I havent progressed my wheelies since flipping my CBR, but just popping the front right up and back down shortly after Is an absolute doddle. Just crack it open in first. I reckon I could get it up in 2nd with a bit of clutch, but wheelies are neither big not clever. I blew a set of fork seals in 3 weeks, so better stop or get smoother...
Performance wise it does a quarter mile in 11.3 seconds, going through the gates at just under 200kph. Top speed is an indicated (by speedo) 270kph. More than enough. It pulls right through to 200 in no time, backs off a little to 220, a little more to 240, then starts struggling from then on.
TRE - Death-inc did the Timing retardent elimantor for me. Just whacked in a resistor and bobs your dads brother. Id only had the tl a week and hadnt ridden it, so cant vouch for much difference except it doesnt stumble at around 4k in the lower gears.
Im thinking of down gearing it further. Was forced (no stock) to go up 1 tooth on the rear, with no major difference. A nice gold shiny X-ring chain is a nice touch though!
Braking.
Brakes were pretty good as standard. The way the suspension was originally setup gave good feel and control under heavy braking. The brakes were spongy, yet when you give that little extra squeeze they stop you on a dime.
Upgrades. First thing to do was get braided lines on the front to eliminate the spongy-ness. I also replaced the front pads with aftermarket ones as My blown fork seal had saturated the old pair. However, not long after having them installed, I experience warped rotors during the bed-in process. Not cool. Got to buy a set of wavey replacements (under $300 from the US :) ) Will probably go back to stock compound pads after that. The braided lines werent terribly effective, still spongy until cranked right on, then they are ON!
Living with it
I commute 30kms in solid rush hour traffic. It isnt a nightmare (well the journey is tedious) but its far from ideal.
The TL is nimbled enough weaving out of cateyes whilst lane splitting :D but its heavy on the wrists (very) as well as the motor just aching to do some work. But hey, its a thou.
Seating position isnt great round town, im 6' 2'' and find myself right forward, nuts rubbing the tank. Only when I get onto clear motorway, and preferably 120+ does the weight come off the wrists and I can shove my arse back and enjoy the roomyness.
It pillions well except the distance between rider and pillion round town (due to being forward) is quite big and not ideal. Plus all of the pillions weight goes through my wrists too. Handles ok with a pillion though and doesnt complain.
Work done already
So far ive done: Oil and filter, new brake fluid, braided lines, sintered pads, heated grips, digital clock, integrated tail light, chain and sprockets, suspension setup.
To be done
Ive kept the list short. Dont want to go mad on a 9 year old bike...
Integrated radar detector (whistler cruisader) is due to arrive soon, then a new set of tyres (michelin 2ct front, and a 180 road 2 rear), wavey rotors and stock pads, a gloss black hugger, gloss black bellypan and a dark tinted screen to add to the cosmetics.
Ive decided to turn gay and against my better cosmetic judgement will put the ventura headlight gaurd and the packrack brackets with sissy bar back on.
Some piccys: