Suzuki TL S 1000

**98tls** · 29th August 2008, 21:43

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Other way round. Service intervals are practically 33% longer than the TLS, and they tend to be better looked after. You'll have less to do to a 2nd hand Ducati, provided you find one with a full service history and a clued up owner.

There's also less to go wrong with them, and the things that have to be done religiously are well documented. Some owners of Japanese motorcycles are a bit Lassez Faire. Shocking, but true.

After many years on a TLS and having owned Ducatis i find this a bit odd,Valve clearances every 24000 kms isnt hard and its a piece of piss,why would a second hand 900ss tend to be better looked after?Think ive seen just as many shitty old Ducs as TLs,less to go wrong?biggest bugbear on an old TL would be the rotary damper mount cracking and at this stage in life most will have had there suspenders done already,if a same age Duc hasnt had them changed it will need doing.Dont get me wrong i love Ducatis and grew up with an old man obsessed with early 900SSs etc so much so that i wanted nothing else but to grow up and buy my own,i did so,not being the type of person to give a shit about the badge on the tank i found that the later model ones (at the time) left a lot to be desired,remember riding a 89 or 90 SS/sport and feeling..how do i put it,

took the heap of shit back to the bike shop and declined there offer.In the TL the japs built a motor to die for,for sure they got a lot wrong but out of the box power wise it measured up to a 916 which on its own was some feat,i couldnt give a flying fuck about what happens on a race track but i do know that a well ridden TL will be planted fair and square up a 916s arse through real world roads such as the Hundaless etc if not in front of one.As for reliability/ease of maintenance etc give me the Jap one ta.

**JimO** · 30th August 2008, 07:55

Originally Posted by avgas

um get a cagiva raptor and get the best of both worlds

i like the way this guy thinks

**Dino** · 30th August 2008, 08:08

98tls - A man that makes a lot of sense.

.

**JimO** · 30th August 2008, 08:52

Originally Posted by Dino

98tls - A man that makes a lot of sense.

.

ooooh nooooo dont encourage him

**Drew** · 30th August 2008, 09:04

I'd be on the TL over a 900SS any day. But it's mostly an asthetics thing.

Always loved riding the TL, but I know some real horror stories about them.

**Jerry74** · 30th August 2008, 12:55

The late model TL and Ducati are both nice looking bikes, however i think they are both worth having but it comes down to this.

1. Do you want a Jap or Italian bike?

2. Compare to a car - Toyota Corolla or a Ferrari Enzo.

It is a matter of taste and personal preference.

I have researched lots and for my budget I would get either a 97 TLS or a 01 900SS for $8500.

I LIKE THE STYLING OF BOTH AAAGHH WHICH ONE ??

**Number One** · 30th August 2008, 13:03

Originally Posted by tate35

I don't know what the boys think lol but this girl likes them

A guy at work came in on one Friday, really nice sound to them and they look GREAT!!

oooooooo yeah!!! My man had the Candy Lime Yellow one...(brought it just before we got together)increased his sexy meter by heaps! One look at his leather clad arse on that bike and a couple of good raps around the Wairarapa on the back wrapped around him and I was his...still am.

Shitty suspension on it though from what I recall.

**98tls** · 30th August 2008, 13:20

Originally Posted by Jerry74

The late model TL and Ducati are both nice looking bikes, however i think they are both worth having but it comes down to this.

1. Do you want a Jap or Italian bike?

2. Compare to a car - Toyota Corolla or a Ferrari Enzo.

It is a matter of taste and personal preference.

I have researched lots and for my budget I would get either a 97 TLS or a 01 900SS for $8500.

I LIKE THE STYLING OF BOTH AAAGHH WHICH ONE ??

Fair call,never liked those early model TLs myself.

**Drew** · 30th August 2008, 13:46

Originally Posted by Jerry74

2. Compare to a car - Toyota Corolla or a Ferrari Enzo.

900ss = Ferrari Enzo ???

I know what you're saying, but if you're gonna call the TL a Carolla, only the Desmocidici would come close to an Enzo.

**Jerry74** · 30th August 2008, 14:12

Originally Posted by Drew

900ss = Ferrari Enzo ???

I know what you're saying, but if you're gonna call the TL a Carolla, only the Desmocidici would come close to an Enzo.

Fair call mate, ok lets compare it to a WRX lol.

**wilber** · 30th August 2008, 15:33

For 8500k you could find a really good TLS ,keep an look out for one with a ohlins shock , much easlier on back tyre so i'm told .
Go find both and take them for a test ride .