Suzuki TL1000S (1997-2001)

I've owned mine for 10 years and still can't think of what to replace it with. It is a fantastic bike, huge power everywhere (I had a ZZR 1100 previously)handling better than me and enormous fun. I run a full Yoshi system, and the noise is incredible...not so bad at tickover, but amazing when opened up. Best mods apart from the exhaust, fully adjustable Sprint steering damper (run at its weakest setting) and braided brake hoses. If you haven't tried one, make the effort, it's an adrenaline fuelled rush every ride!

The most fun you can have without busting the bank and fun it can be. The noise can loud with aftermarket cans ( art cans on mine )but they`ll hear you coming and you`ll be differant. Have fun but itis an animal when it wants to be so be warned

All i can say is ignore what the mags say about the TL remember they ride the bikes to the limit, how many of us can say we do i ride hard and fast and the TL is supurb yes get a new shock for the rear and yes get a new damper for the front get the suspension set up for you and more than anything remember to respect it. when the the TL was new it was one of the first big v twins to come out and have so much power and the said full throttle out of a corner it was a bit wild ! what did the expect try and do the same on a new GSXR 1000 that would get a bit wild as well!!!! I love the TL with race cans the sound it just adictive you find yourself cracking open the throttle just to hear that thundering sound it can keep up with most of my mates and we all have 1000cc sports bikes. I go to allot of bike meets and get the same looks and muttrings ( you dont see many of those around ) and thats the good thing its not another GSXR. Great bike loads of power great noise good handling when sorted somthing different oh and it makes you smile everytime you go for a ride isnt that what its all about.

I have owned my TLs for 7 years now and and love it. keep it on an optimate charger and look after its cailpers. Keep an eye on the 2 side bolts the lossen themselves off. also if you have a small water leak coming from R/H casing hole just to the front. That is your mechanical seal has gone it costs about £30.00 from your suzuki dealer. Its not a big job and not the end of the world. Leave lots off slack in your chain as it goes boe string tight when you pinch up nut on rear wheel. so find tigtest part of chain then ajust there . there is lots more but if anyone is looking to buy one and have a Qestion Email me on kennymcq@googlemail.com

Hi I had the TL1000r and had to sell it due to personel reasons, Regretted it ever since, Just got the TL1000s and what a machine experieced rider's only, and give it respect loads of power handles well if you take it by the scruff of the neck, pulls pulls pulls although my TL1000r was a better machine.

I've actually owned 2 TL1000S so that itself says something about them. Some people can get on with V twin engines and others say they can't. If you can then you've got to try a TL1000S. The uummph from the engine from 6000rpm onwards is utterly addictive as is the engine noise with race cans. The handling can be twitchy when HARD on the power over bumpy roads. The main prob is the rear damper unit squatting under power which lifts the front end such that undulations on the road can cause the front to twitch. Its no worse than any other bike I've ridden but the torque allows you to get in that situation easier than some other bikes. Mines fitted with a WP rear shock and handling is more than good enuff to keep up with pretty much anything round the twisties on track days (brakes and chassis are capable of keeping with most things if in good sted). I've toured all over europe without aches and pains on it and if not in 'cane it' mode it'll return around 46miles per gallon. People who buy TL1000S all miss them when they replace them and quite a significant proportion go and buy another one. I can't think of a package that offers anywhere near the same fun and character of the TL1000S at the same price Very early bikes (97) produced the most power but had slightly lumpy delivery. This should be sorted nowdays with a recall remap. If the bike runs lumpy at 3-4000rpm then the throttle position sensor needs adjusting which is just loosening off a couple of screws, repositioning the sensor and securing.

A friend of mine who owns Leicester's best bike shop, called Chris Sharpe once said about the TL1000s, its got an FJC engine...Which he axplained as one of those rare bikes you ride and then say to yourself its an fjc, ride. "F...ing Jesus Christ"!Ride one and see what he was talking about.

To quote a respected member of Leicester's biking community, called Chris Sharpe.This bike delivers an unforgetable mad rush of power, which he called an "F.J.C" engine, {F..king Jesus Christ}...There are faster and wilder bikes out there, but nothing kicks like an angry TLS!

Very nice bike,Plenty of power,Runs rough at low revs[3000] handles ok.It as Ohling shock. Front brakes very good back rubbish,Engine not as good a my Vrod but i will not part with it

Had my 1998 TL for a month now and im chuffed with it. Its a full power original version, meaning masses of grunt everywhere in any gear. It has race cans which are a must for the fantastic noise and extra power. Even without fuelling mods for the cans its kicking out 125bhp. The handling is fine once setup, even more so with the crap steering damper removed, but will be miles better when I fit Ohlins or similar. If you find the fueling at low revs is dodgy, adjust the throttle position sensor, then it will be as smooth as a babies bum. Strengths: Masses of grunt from the engine, comfy, just ticks along at high speed, cheap. Weaknesses: Handling is different!, thirsty when ridden hard, question mark over frames cracking.