Suzuki TL S 1000

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

TLS = weird rear shock, Better than the TLR- turns like a super tanker! But not as good as the SV. A mate had a TLS, changed the shock and loved it to bits, They look nice in red. Just my 2 penneth.

[Drew]

TLS = weird rear shock, Better than the TLR- turns like a super tanker! But not as good as the SV. A mate had a TLS, changed the shock and loved it to bits, They look nice in red. Just my 2 penneth.

Not baiting here, I would like to know how the SV is a better bike than a TL.

Yep, the rotary damper is unpredictable and overheats, but the rear shock on an SV is just poo as well.The forks on a TL are FAR superior to the SV (they are cartridge items and good internals are easy to find), as is the motor with the exception of the clutch, (which will work fine if you only use it on take off, and not to pull wheelies.)

The SV decks out when ya punt it on a twisty road, where the TL seems to have limitless lean angle abilities.

But that is all academic, given that the TL is meant to be a sports bike, and the SV is not.

Apples and oranges I reckon.

[98tls]

hahahahaha.....

Fiat Punto vs Corolla GT lol thats a good one.....

Dukes sound and look cooler than Japas

Never heard the sound of any Duc i owned cause the damn clutch was to loud.

[Morcs]

Not baiting here, I would like to know how the SV is a better bike than a TL.

Yep, the rotary damper is unpredictable and overheats, but the rear shock on an SV is just poo as well.The forks on a TL are FAR superior to the SV (they are cartridge items and good internals are easy to find), as is the motor with the exception of the clutch, (which will work fine if you only use it on take off, and not to pull wheelies.)

The SV decks out when ya punt it on a twisty road, where the TL seems to have limitless lean angle abilities.

But that is all academic, given that the TL is meant to be a sports bike, and the SV is not.

Apples and oranges I reckon.

ya dont need clutch to get her up, unless you want to pull up at 100k...

A TL even with stock suspension, adjusted by someone with the knowledge of how they should be, is fantastic. mine turns now.

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

Not baiting here, I would like to know how the SV is a better bike than a TL.

Yep, the rotary damper is unpredictable and overheats, but the rear shock on an SV is just poo as well.The forks on a TL are FAR superior to the SV (they are cartridge items and good internals are easy to find), as is the motor with the exception of the clutch, (which will work fine if you only use it on take off, and not to pull wheelies.)

The SV decks out when ya punt it on a twisty road, where the TL seems to have limitless lean angle abilities.

But that is all academic, given that the TL is meant to be a sports bike, and the SV is not.

Apples and oranges I reckon.

I agree the front & back end on the SV is a bit on the soft side and this is what courses the ground clearance issue. Firm them up and its a different package.

I think the TLS can only be considered a sports/tourer now, they brought out the TLR to cover the sports category shortly afterwards.

My mate that had one had issues with potential tankslappers, he had a few that shook the pistons back into the calipers!! He didn't fancy shelling out for a new rear shock so traded it in. If I remember right alot of others did the same thing and the press hed a field day with sensationalising the handling and claiming it to be dangerous.

Its a shame that to make a bike go as well as there are 'intended' can often involve spending over and above the purchase price ie: suspension upgrades etc.

I think as a package the SV is better all be it with soft suspenders, the motor is strong the brakes are adequate it doesn't look half bad (if you can get over that rear light) and it handles well enough and its cheap!

As you say oranges and apples.

[imdying]

Not baiting here, I would like to know how the SV is a better bike than a TL.

More torque everywhere you need it is a good start...

Yep, the rotary damper is unpredictable and overheats, but the rear shock on an SV is just poo as well.

Nowhere near as poo... apples and oranges. Don't think an SV has managed to snap the mounts off the frame yet either

The forks on a TL are FAR superior to the SV (they are cartridge items and good internals are easy to find)

No less common for the TL guys to dump the front end for a GSXR one than it is for the SV guys.... Tray Batey has managed to quick great quantities of arse on his SV1000 forked race... against GSXRs etc... Interestingly nobody races TLs against them.

as is the motor with the exception of the clutch

The clutch... the rear shock... the 16 bit injection system... the heavier internals... the huge valves that rape the bottom end whilst only providing a little more top end...

The SV decks out when ya punt it on a twisty road, where the TL seems to have limitless lean angle abilities.

Given the budget nature of the suspension on an SV, setup makes a big difference. Moot point though... both models could benefit from some replacement gear if pushed hard.

But that is all academic, given that the TL is meant to be a sports bike, and the SV is not.

Not how Suzuki markets them, but whatever...

[imdying]

My mate that had one had issues with potential tankslappers, he had a few that shook the pistons back into the calipers!! He didn't fancy shelling out for a new rear shock so traded it in. If I remember right alot of others did the same thing and the press hed a field day with sensationalising the handling and claiming it to be dangerous.

Lotta wanking went on then... today people just call them 'fun'

They thought the 92 Blade and the 98 R1 were killers too (although noone actually got killed so they were unable to sensationalize it quite the same).

[98tls]

Lotta wanking went on then... today people just call them 'fun'

They thought the 92 Blade and the 98 R1 were killers too (although noone actually got killed so they were unable to sensationalize it quite the same).

Absolutly correct.A Frenchman actually started it all by having a decent off at the launch in Florida resulting in breaking both ankles,a few poms planted themselves in hedgerows Suzuki slapped a damper on them blah blah blah,how many times ive read "cant see what the fuss is about ive had worse slaps from a GSXR"i dunno,could have a look ive a huge collection of TLS tests from over the years.The SV v TLS thing i dunno,whatever floats your boat i guess,was offered one as a straight swap for the S but didnt do it,something about the TLS to me anyway will ensure theres always one in the shed.

[Jerry74]

Got passed by a TLS and very nice sound coming out of it

[98tls]

Got passed by a TLS and very nice sound coming out of it

Must have been an SS dressed up as a TLS,TLSs sound like shit.

[Jerry74]

Must have been an SS dressed up as a TLS,TLSs sound like shit.

hahahahahahahhahaha yeah the Duke sounds much nicer, was a 1000 ss at Caltex Yaldhurst in ChCh the other day and I love that V Twin growl.

I can't wait to get mine...... 900 ss is my dream bike.

[98tls]

hahahahahahahhahaha yeah the Duke sounds much nicer, was a 1000 ss at Caltex Yaldhurst in ChCh the other day and I love that V Twin growl.

I can't wait to get mine...... 900 ss is my dream bike.

umm yea ok.

[2much]

Not baiting here, I would like to know how the SV is a better bike than a TL.

Because it's softer, more comfortable, more forgiving, and safer for noobies....

yup, I think that about covers it.

I think the TLS can only be considered a sports/tourer now, they brought out the TLR to cover the sports category shortly afterwards.

Ahh no, actually they brought out the TLR for homologation for WSB (and other racing of course)... hence R= racing, S= sports... pretty obvious really.

having owned 2 Gsxr1000's as my last two rides (and ridden a few sports-tourers), I'd be hard pressed to call the TLs anything but a pure sportsbike...

Exactly what factors cause you to think otherwise? Obviously not the riding position (I'm assuming from you offering your opinions here that you have some experience on the TL). can't be the power, took till the 999 before ducati could match it, you consider the TLR a sportsbike so it's not the weight (which IMHO is it's weakest point). Handling perhaps, although (as already mentioned) it's considered ahead of it's time as far as that goes... Im out of ideas, please enlighten me?

My mate that had one had issues with potential tankslappers, he had a few that shook the pistons back into the calipers!! He didn't fancy shelling out for a new rear shock so traded it in. If I remember right alot of others did the same thing and the press hed a field day with sensationalising the handling and claiming it to be dangerous.

LOL! it was bullshit like this that put me off buying a TL originally too... It wasn't till I spoke to guys (&girls!) who had actually owned or ridden them that I heard the truth. "Wish I had never sold it" was the most common term.

As for tankslappers, any modern sportsbike without a steering damper will do that (refering to the original TLS before the recall)... With damper, my K3 GSXR was much more inclined to slap than the TL will ever be, sportsbikes are supposed to be light and twitcy, don't like it, get an SV.

Lotta wanking went on then... today people just call them 'fun'

They thought the 92 Blade and the 98 R1 were killers too (although noone actually got killed so they were unable to sensationalize it quite the same).

What he said^^^

Take that steering damper off your late model sportsbike and go pull some wheelies... go on, I dare ya!

Funny how the 04ZX10R followed the same treand and yet didn't get the bad press (although they highly recommended fitting a damper)... perhaps we're finally learning to appreciate great bikes?

umm yea ok.

ROFL! couldn't have saind it better!



My 2c on the whole TLS vs 900ss...

If you want to be bored, comfortable and able to tell everyone you ride a Duc (even if it is the ugly sportstourer and not the 916 you've always dreamed of).... go the SS, enjoy.

Or you want a bike that's fun, challenging, shows you there are muscles in your forearms you never knew you had. (and it's no less reliable than a Duc btw). They are not an easy bike to ride hard and they demand respect... but fuck, that's half the fun innit? If you want a bike that makes you grin like an 16yr old girl on E, get the TL and thank me later.

Oh, almost forgot... if you wear a skirt, get an SV.

Goodluck with whatever you choose.

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

...

Exactly what factors cause you to think otherwise? Obviously not the riding position (I'm assuming from you offering your opinions here that you have some experience on the TL). can't be the power, took till the 999 before ducati could match it, you consider the TLR a sportsbike so it's not the weight (which IMHO is it's weakest point). Handling perhaps, although (as already mentioned) it's considered ahead of it's time as far as that goes... Im out of ideas, please enlighten me?

Yes I do have experiance of the TLS my mate had one (I had a GSXR at the time) and we swapped rides all the time. Cant fault it for power it has heaps. No I dont consider the TLR a 'sports' bike, I said Suzuki did. Having ridden the TLR I found it lacked feedback and was very slow to turn and heavy. Regarding handling...ahead of its time!!!??? Mmmm personally I thought the GSXR handled better. I dont know that I'm capable of convincing you otherwise you seem a dedicated TLS rider. Good on ya.

[dipshit]

Exactly what factors cause you to think otherwise? Obviously not the riding position (I'm assuming from you offering your opinions here that you have some experience on the TL). can't be the power

They started detuning the TLS from 98 so it wouldn't embarrass their TLR. By the end of production in 01, the TLS barley made more than 100hp. Thats much less than a SV.

The only reason they felt more lively to ride, was the way they delivered their power in more of a rush in the top end. That kind of power delivery will feel more like a rocketship even if it is actually less hp.

Imagine a 160hp il-4 that had a big gaping hole in its mid-range and only came in, in a rush at the top - compared to a 190hp il-4 that started making lots of torque down low and had a very linear spread of power. Which one do you think would be "more exciting" to ride and would feel more like a racer..??