All current and prospective TL owners need to be aware of the shock damper mount breaking on these. Should have been a recall. Shame on you Suzuki.
I had mine go crack over a one lane bridge, thought is was chain snatch. Next thing back end is stepping out on corners. Stopped, looked and couldn't see anything wrong. When I got home went over it ans saw broken frame. Spewed at dealer as bike had just been serviced (had just bought it) and I specifically asked if anything to watch out for on this model. Suzuki fix is to shim damper mount to prevent movement/breakage - if they feel like doing it.
Had to write to Suzuki NZ (Bill Grice) to get them to fix the frame. Weld job and added stainless plate to strengthen. I really loved this bike but after that it threw a nasty tank slapper and got sold. A real shame and Shame on Suzuki.
Check out www.micapeak.com and search the registry. List of TL owners all over the world had same prob.
And or www.tlplanet.com
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No they break at the rotary damper mount. I'll try and attach a couple of photos showing break and Suzuki's repair. Due to manufacturing tolerance variations some dampers are loose in the bracket, they can move and stress the bracket. Mine should have been shimmed. Don't trust the workshop check it yourself.
I even contacted LTSA about this - they couldn't have cared less.
For awhile Suzuki was handing out frames but those days are long gone,i never had a problem with mine thankfully.Another option for those that do crack the mount bracket is to fit a Bitubo combined damper/shock doing away with seperate damper altogether.The Hagon unit i have still uses the bracket but has 2 steel plates as well.Good pics Camchain.
Be the person your dog thinks you are...
Good write up.
A pity most TLS's are owned short term (from what i have seen)
I'm still happy with two and seven years on
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Almost everybody used to...
In recent months BIKE took another look at the TL. Apparently when the bike first appeared it was considered very ummm twitchy(?). Times have changed now though and what seemed radical back then is commonplace now.
Their comments were to the effect that people accustomed to modern sports bikes wouldn't be at all worried by the steering of the TL.
Nice write up, enjoy.
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