Tl1000s?? or vtr1000???

[judy8373]

tls1000

welcome to the site

thanks for your advice

[The_Dover]

Gee, a response from the man himself (Dover) I is humbled...........I am biased, don't tend to like shock mounts breaking on me,sorry if I upset you sir

I think if it's lasted this long it's a pretty safe bet. They haven't made the TL's for years now.

[TLDV8]

If those are the only 2 bikes you're lookin at, get the VTR, no contest..... but if you go for the TL check out the rear shock mount, most of them break.

They don't break, they can crack on the L/H frame tab but it is totally avoidable if checked early.The problem is the stock rotary damper being of a smaller width to the mounts so they can distort or worse loosen the bolts which can then snap) The mounting holes in the tab's can also be off drilling wise..Two TLS's and neither have cracked...Like any bike,they need some form of upkeep and are probably not for the mechanically challenged or lazy.... How long do i expect to keep my TL's,three spare TLR gearbox's might give an idea......Far from the perfect bike but good enough for me,they eat the k's week in week out.

Here is a pic,you can see where the damper has been sitting,the L/H mount does the same but is thinner so supceptible to cracking when distorted.

[Highlander]

Which it is not.
Since both will easily get you to loss of licence speeds, top speed and how quickly it gets there bears little in my decision making process.

What I will be looking for in my next bike is (in no particular order):
Fuel Range (my current bike does 350 Km between full and Reserve so I have been spoilt, this is my biggest concern with the VTR ).
Look & Sound (the VTR rates highly in both I think).
Likely on going maintenance costs (reliability).
Rider / Pillion comfort (ergonomics and ride pleasure, handling feaures really) How much time is likely to be spent 2 up will determine how much waiting I give Pillion comfort.

Work out what YOU want in a bike and which fits the criteria best.

That said the VTR is one of the bikes on my short list to try.

[Dooly]

I've had a TL, brought one new in '97.
I found it too hard for me to ride, the position. I found the bars too low.
Mind you, I'm only 5ft 7 and have a arthritic banged up hip, so all that did'nt help.
I test rode a VTR at the same time, and chose the TL for the more power, even tho the VTR was more comfortable.
I did'nt keep it long, in fact only about a month, and swapped my Bandit back etc.
9 years later and now an old bastard, I brought a VTR1000 as a re-introduction back to biking.
Its much more user friendly for me, and I like it a lot.
I'm not so focussed on going fast but it will get up there if I want.
If I had to chose now between the two, I'd go for the VTR, but at the end of the day, its, as always, down to personal choice, whether its looks, power, gas mileage etc etc.

[baldrick]

the tl's are excellent - except for the rep of the rear suspension and a couple of other things (re-sale being one of them). the vtr's are not without their issues too, and at about 98hp, you'd probably get bored with the power sooner rather than later. why not an sv1000? that's the bike the tl shoud've been originally.

[98tls]

if it was i wouldnt have bought one.....

[jonbuoy]

Both got their good and bad points. Cam Chain tensioners and Charging System faults seem to crop up on the VTR websites, as do soggy front forks on early models. Replacement springs or fireblade forks will sort it. VTR motor seems to be pretty bullet proof otherwise and is a good engine for the road. 42,000kms and not a drop of oil used between changes on mine. Only other things I have heard of are some coolant leak issues on early ones - don't think there will be any with that problem now, also watch for black discoloured clutch fluid from perished seals.

[cowpoos]

why not an sv1000? that's the bike the tl shoud've been originally.

nah...a SV1000 is a watered down TL....standard TL would still run rings around a SV everywhere but comfort....

[loosebruce]

VTR1000 Firestrom
VTR1000 SP1/2
TL1000S

The firestrom has it's place in life but compared to the TL is a sack of shit, but then it depends on what you want if you want a bike with better handling, more power and a shit load more fun the TL wins hands down. If you want a mundane boring grandad bike that'll get you from A to B the VTR is for you.
The SP1 is not mych of a comparison against the S more up against the TL1000R but in saying that the right rider on a TLS can run rings round anything out there.

[Stormer]

A 230kph+, roll-on-throttle wheelstanding, music-to-the-ears-sounding VTR a boring, grandad bike??????
Yeah, like, whatever dude...

[98tls]

A 230kph+, roll-on-throttle wheelstanding, music-to-the-ears-sounding VTR a boring, grandad bike??????
Yeah, like, whatever dude...

good for you mate...there an awsome bike and in my travels i have had many conversations with many very happy VTR owners and have always ended up agreeing to disagree which is all good....just cant get over how ugly VTRs are though.......... enjoy it mate....great bike and yes they sound awsome

[Morepower]

VTR1000 Firestrom
VTR1000 SP1/2
TL1000S

in saying that the right rider on a TLS can run rings round anything out there.

awww what did you tell them that for , its much more fun when they think you are riding an evil handling , possessed bike thats out to kill its rider with wicked tankslappers and that getting around one lap of the track without being seriously injured or the frame falling apart is some sort of miracal . Now they know its a easy to ride bike that even a slow old bugger like me can look reasonably competent on!

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

hmmmm... Well I have a 2002 VTR and totally happy with it. Looks, sounds great, great sports tourer, just a fun bike. The engine is pretty bullet proof... (I can't comment on the older models tho... only that it has a smaller tank and a few other mods to the later models)
http://www.quantumillusions.com/grafx/vtr1000.jpg

I test rode a Tl1000 and just couldn't get comfortable riding it and that was only after 10 minutes... it all comes down to a personal thing of comfort, ease of riding, and your needs for the bike.

You need to test ride each bike, see which meets your needs, riding style and what you want to do with it. and if neither do it for you continue to look around

[n0regret5]

not even gonna bother reading the thread - TL1000S hands down. i assume you mean a firestorm, as the SP1 was a bit of a grunter..but i'd take a tiller any day. mainly cos they've got REAL attitude and character..