Suzuki TL S 1000

[BALZYBUELL]

I agree,i had a tls and mate it was great.the guy i sold it to hadnt riden for awhile and he ended up selling it soon after due to having to much power.although it is manageable he just wasnt comfortable when on it.i wish i still had it.go the tl

[2much]

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.

Yeah that's a fair call, my opinion is going to be rather biased. I've loved the TLs since I first saw one and owning one has only reinforced that. However in saying that, it would be very narrow minded and ignorant of me to not atleast listen to, and consider other's opinions before dismissing them.

Hence why I queried your reasons for considering the TLS as a sports tourer. As well as the fact that I bought the TL thinking that it would be more suitable for long trips around Europe than an 'all-out' sportsbike. However, having now clocked up some K's on the bike I see that the Gixxer thous' made better 'tourers' than the TL.

As far as the handing goes, I'm not sure what GSXR you are comparing it to, if an SRAD 750, then the Tl's never going to measure up to it's handling, but it couldn't be expected to. If you mean an 1100, then I have to be honest and admit I haven't ridden one so I can't comment. What I will add is that the stock damper that suzuki fitted to the TL really handicaps it's capabilities and if the bike you rode was fitted with one then I can understand your conclusions. Fortunately it's a quick fix and the TL can be a different bike, which is the one I was refering to.

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..??

Are you sure that Suzuki continued to 'detune' the TL throughout it's production? The only changes affecting power output that I'm aware of were the replacement ecu which removed some the the TL's rough running at lower revs, and also castrated it slightly. And the new heads fitted to the '98 on which improved the midrange but lowered peak output slightly.What else was there?

I shouldn't bag the SV, so I apologise for that. It's a great bike for the price, and on paper it may be comparable to the TL, but on the road... imho it just lacks something that the TL has... what can you call it? grin factor?

[Squiggles]

imho it just lacks something that the TL has... what can you call it? grin factor?

Soul

[imdying]

When the facts don't pan out... fall back on the intangible

[2much]

That which you call 'intangable' is something that I think you'll find most riders value highly.

How many people have you heard say "I used to have an SV1000, fuck I wish I hadn't sold it"?

[lozz666]

I am tossing up between the TLS and a Ducati 900ss

Which is best bang for the buck?

Go the Mighty TLS i own 1 for 2 years and never missed a beat,handled good and im a fat bastard. After owning a 996 duke i'd never own another duke even if ya paid me.

[Jerry74]

Go the Mighty TLS i own 1 for 2 years and never missed a beat,handled good and im a fat bastard. After owning a 996 duke i'd never own another duke even if ya paid me.

Hmmmm this decision is getting harder

[imdying]

Fook the twin, get an early Fireblade

[Jerry74]

I want a twin but all you buggers are confusing me lol

[98tls]

End of the day it matters fuck all what we say,bum in seat and ride is what you need to do.

[Drumboy4468]

Hi all
I have owned a 97 TLS for the last wo years and have clocked up about 30,000 k in that time. I love it like a lolliepop. The only problem I have had was at about 90,000k ( on th clock) fifth gear wore out. Aparently fifth is cast where as the rest are machined so it is a weak point. It spits out back tyres on a regular bassis but thats the price you pay for that much fun

[Drumboy4468]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HclkpVK6GY

[98tls]

Hi all
I have owned a 97 TLS for the last wo years and have clocked up about 30,000 k in that time. I love it like a lolliepop. The only problem I have had was at about 90,000k ( on th clock) fifth gear wore out. Aparently fifth is cast where as the rest are machined so it is a weak point. It spits out back tyres on a regular bassis but thats the price you pay for that much fun

Welcome to KB,nice to have another TL owner on board.

[Drumboy4468]

Ive been a member for a while but a friend pointed out the TL thread so I thought i would jump in.

[98tls]

Ive been a member for a while but a friend pointed out the TL thread so I thought i would jump in.

And why not,had mine for many years and love it to bits.Came close to selling it a few times but just couldnt bear to part with the old girl,ive spent that much money on aftermarket stuff i figure no point in stopping now so its a keeper for sure.