WANTED, TLS or VTR

[lewises]

Having just disposed of my Thundercat (Reads WRITTEN OFF) I am now in a position to shel out for another cycle and am looking at a v-twin. Have around $8K to spend. Anything on offer? ANy advice offered most welcome.

[V Twin Raver]

Hey there Lewises, check out www.trademe.co.nz website, there are a few in there on offer. Particularly the TL's

[vifferman]

Yeah, what he said.
There are a few VTRs that have been listed for a while, so you should be able to pick one of those up for a song. I actually bought mine last August on TradeMe, and the ones on there at present look to be in better condition, lower kms, so the prices look very good for what you're getting.
You just need to decide what it is you want - the TLS and VTR are the same sort of concept, but the TLS is a bit more sporting, more power, although not such a good all-rounder, and maybe a little more demanding to ride.
The VTR has some issues to be aware of: the camchain tensioners are crap, and can fail (or not) with as little as 20km on them. The front seems to be most at risk, probably because it gets less oil to it, and because it's on the intake side of the camchain. Typically, they go PING when decellerating from high(ish) revs in a low gear. Easily fixed by replacing them when they get noisy, or by fitting APE manual tensioners.
The R/R is another Honda booboo, and this too is easily fixed for about $300 by fitting a heavy-duty one, available from Mt Eden M/C.

Don't let the above comments put you off - the VTR's still a very good bike, and very good value for money.

[spudchucka]

I've owned both a VTR and a TLS. They are both awesome bikes. The VTR was much easier to ride on an every day basis while the TLS is more the hooligan type machine. The power in the TLS really kicks in from 7000 rpm and goes ballistic to the red line compared to the VTR which starts to run out of puff at around the same rpm. The handling of the TLS leaves a little to be desired. Get one that has an Ohlins or similar rear damper fitted or be prepared to fork out $$$ for one because they make a huge difference. I allways found the front end of the VTR quite dissapointing, bottoming out too easily. Having said that I'm not exactly a featherweight rider either. Try and test ride both bikes as they are very similar but at the same time are extremely different as well. I bought my TL off trademe, the traders handle was "emoto" and I would not hesitate to recommend trading with him.

[vifferman]

I've owned both a VTR and a TLS. ...blah blah blah.... I allways found the front end of the VTR quite dissapointing, bottoming out too easily.

Oh yeah, that's another deficiency with the VTR - the front springs are reputedly too soft, and the rear shock's a bit harsh. Easily remedied.

Try and test ride both bikes as they are very similar but at the same time are extremely different as well.

So what are you saying, Spud? That the VTR and TLS are exactly the same only completely different?

[spudchucka]

So what are you saying, Spud? That the VTR and TLS are exactly the same only completely different?

Sounds pretty Irish I know but thats my experience of these two bikes. I wouldn't say exactly the same, there are many similarities but the two machines are quite different. :confused2

[scroter]

The VTR is for laid back riders who want a good bike thats easy to ride. The TL is for riders who are prepared to concentrate and its not that easy to ride untill you get used to it. both bikes have shit suspension. VTR too soft in front too hard in back. TL well nothing good you can say about a rotary damper however turn the preload up and the damping down on the rear of the TL and its better still shit but better although I found the TL very forgiving in the rear wheel slide department. never slid the VTR though. in short if your a hoon or got some attitude get a TL but its not really good at cruising(its just too addictive to open the throttle). otherwise get the VTR

[lewises]

Thanks Guys, appreciate the guidance. I am largish myself, so the prospect of a too soft suspension setup is something I will be aware of. I currently lean towards the TLS for the excitement of more out and out power. I spose the best thing is to ride them and see.

[Hoon]

Hey what happened to your thundercat? The rear shock and rim on those are very desirable for FZR400 owners.

[duckman]

I've ridden both the VTR and TL(s) and (r), and I would say go with the TL. You wont get bored with the power for a very long time and the handling can be sorted out as you get more comfortable with going faster...and faster...

The most powerful TL was the 1997 TLS - Just incase you were wanting the full dogs danglies.

[White trash]

I
The most powerful TL was the 1997 TLS - Just incase you were wanting the full dogs danglies.

No it wasn't.

The most powerfull TL was the '98 TL1000R but

[duckman]

No it wasn't.

The most powerfull TL was the '98 TL1000R but

Wanna fight about it ??!!!?! Oh wait... are you sure?

[jrandom]

I am largish myself, so the prospect of a too soft suspension setup is something I will be aware of.

Yup. Haven't ridden either myself but can confirm the word is that the VTR front and TL rear suspension are both utter, utter shite. The TL appears to be the easier bike to get to a fully 'sorted' state though.

If I had a choice on reputation, I'd buy a TL. Don't forget the significant point that it's not a Honda, and therefore your balls will not shrivel up and drop off as you spend each evening carefully polishing the hard-to-get-at bits while extolling the virtues of Safe, Reliable Engineering.

But then - just go ride 'em all and buy what you like.

[Quasievil]

Get some class chap, why ride something disposable, get a DUCATI, get a pure breed dont go to the pound and get a mongrel, hehe

I wonder if that will get some bites ???

[lewises]

Hey what happened to your thundercat? The rear shock and rim on those are very desirable for FZR400 owners.

Some kid bounced a ball across the road and the woman in front of me didn't want to mark her car so she hit the picks in a hurry. I was halfway around a corner when this happened and I had a choice of kerb/bridge rail or car, ended up totalling the front end, it was written off and have signed for disposal of the bike.