VTR1000/TL1000S suspension

[Backmarker]

I am currently umming and ahhing over purchasing a new (secondhand) bike having been out of it for five years or so. My last bike was a '96 GSXR750T, and had an L before that. After something a bit less frantic this time around though R1's are looking good.........

My questions about these two models are:

1. What improvements does the VTR need, on a short test ride the rear felt quite hard and wooden, whereas the front seemed 'vague', is this normal? Or is the standard suspension quite adequate correctly setup?

2. I have read a bit about changing the TL's suspension, is there a conventional unit setup available for the rear? Or is an aftermarket upgrade sufficient, ie staying with the rotary type damper?

Cheers

[Fatjim]

1. Yes, and no.

[bungbung]

Do a search of the interweb. There is a lot written about the vtrs suspension.

In a nutshell, the front is undersprung and poorly damped for the average rider. The rear spring is too strong unless you're riding two up with luggage.

All this can be easily fixed. Robert Taylor could provide costs for his solutions along with more detailed information.

[Squiggles]

2. I have read a bit about changing the TL's suspension, is there a conventional unit setup available for the rear? Or is an aftermarket upgrade sufficient, ie staying with the rotary type damper?

Cheers

Biturbo do a conventional rear which does away with the Spring-on-a-stick you see on the RHS of the bike, The ohlins unit just replaces rotary damper.

[Backmarker]

Have you changed your rear susp. Squiggles? And if so how have you found it?

[Squiggles]

Yep, i'm running an ohlins on the rear... big improvement over the stock, doesnt squat under acceleration and handles the bumps like they arent there.

[98tls]

If and when you find a TL make sure you do a thorough inspection around rear damper unit for cracks where the mounting bolts go through frame,have been known to crack (sometimes very hard to see) which becomes a headache.Ohlins would be the best of the bunch for sure,i though went for a Hagon and (money thing) its serving me well.The Bitubo by all accounts works well to and as posted earlier does away with the seperate damper.

[vifferman]

What improvements does the VTR need, on a short test ride the rear felt quite hard and wooden, whereas the front seemed 'vague', is this normal? Or is the standard suspension quite adequate correctly setup?

Depends what you mean by 'adequate'.
I thought it was OK, compared to other bikes I'd had or ridden. But then there's an old saw which goes, "The best you know is the best you've ridden".
However, as others have said, and you yourself have noted, the suspension has shortcomings, and is definitely built to a budget (and not a fat one by any means). Dropping the front end a few mm helps a little with the vagueness, as does running the right tyre (and pressure), but it really needs revalving and respringing. The rear could do with an Ohlins or similar with the appropriate spring for your weight and riding style.