Suzuki TL1000R reviews

I purchased a new 2001 TL1000R in January of 2002. I traded a ZX6E. It has been a totally different experience for me. This bike has massive torque at all levels of the rev range. The riding position is perfect for getting down and dirty in the twisties. Stop and go traffic sucks. That last statement is true for most riders, but if your riding the TL you will have to slip the cluch on nearly every take off. When looking at it you can see the quality that went into its construction. This bike looks powerful sitting still. In this case you can judge the book by its cover. Show less

My 2000 TLR had 1200 mi when the clutch started slipping. I ordered a set of replacement clutch springs from Barnett, it now has 9600 mi on the odometer. I have not had any further problems. Total cost of fix was $17. **note** Plan on replacing springs at next oil change as the oil will need to be drained to remove the side cover. I was able to use the same o-ring with the low milage that was on the bike at the time. Show less

In response to the guy from Australia who wrote the silly review "Why the Bad Press" maybe if you spent less time changing the oil all summer to get an extra horspower or two and desperately hunting down other bikers to boost your own ego you would actually realize that motorcycling is more than just power and speed.By the way about your genius statement" if the Japanese built a bike like the 900ss and called it a supersport they would get laughed of the face of the earth" Ducati came out with that bike in the 70s and at that time it was very much a supersport. But I guess you didn't have time to think it through while you were changing the oil. Maybe it's because of people like you the TLR gets bad press. Damn shame. LONG LIVE THE TLR Show less

I'm on the look out for a new bike.. The old CRB 1000 is getting very long in the tooth and a nice new twin could be just the answer. There rises the problem -- VTR1000 OR TL1000R? The TL1000R looks sexy compared to the VTR but the VTR gets all the good press. Can some one help my decision? Has anyone out there ridden both bikes.. and what's all this stuff I hear about the TL1000r's clutch slipping on a brand new bike and the tank slapping mid corner ? E-mail me if you can help spik2@optushome.com.au Show less

I have always been a Suzuki rider but i almost fell for a CBR929 or the R1 but i looked a round and feel for the TRL due to comfort, then i took it home and right from the dealer (under estimated it's power) the back slid out a little with just a tap of juice :) I have no respect for 929's, 750's etc... (well the Hayabusa and Gixxer 1000 01' is another story) I have just done some minor mods to the bike and this baby is BAD. Going for a fine tune on the dyno next week and when thats done watch out Gixxer 1000 i'm coming hard and i have a total of $9500 investment so far on a 2001 TLR, think of what can be done for another $1500 or less Show less

I don't own a 2000 but did buy a slightly used '98 R. I'm a Marine stationed in Okinawa and I bought this bike at a local shop. Unfortunately, my bike blew over in a typhoon but am currently awaiting parts from my dealer in New Mexico. The damage is minor and I can't wait to get back to riding, especially after hearing all the great comments! I have no complaints other than finding a "deep & throaty" set of canisters and a set of 5-spoke wheels. Does anyone know if they make high mount exhausts for this bike? I've already had several offers to buy the bike, even with broken parts but have declined them all. I have a lot of great things in store for this bike and hearing your comments solidifies my decision in purchasing my '98 Blue and White TL1000R...thanks!!! Show less

I am attempting to get a large group of TLR riders together for Octoberfest in Daytona Florida during the month of October, 2001 and a group together for Bike Week 2002 in Daytona. The purpose is to show all other bike enthusiasts what the TLR is all about. Anyone who has ridden a TLR knows that this is the fastest production bike available and when there is a heard of 3 or more TLRs the roar of the exhaust is simply incredible. I did something of this sort last bike week and there were 9 of us on TLRs, it was awesome to see the heads turn from other sport bikers when we pulled up to a red light and all you heard was a roar from the deep exhaust pointed up at the sky. If you ride a TLR and are planning on being in the Daytona area for Octoberfest 2001 or bike week 2002 email me at garrison1383@yahoo.com Keep on riding and be safe! Garrison Show less

I have been riding for about 10 years, and have never come across a machine quite like the TL1000R. Any street bike that can stand up on its rear sneaker with just a flick of the thottle at about 4500 rpm. right out of the box deserves a closer look from the pencil pushing geeks that wrote all the trash press about it. (let me see your stinkin' R1 do that, Mr. inline four!) Yes, I do admit, for a 120 lb. weakling, the TL may seem a bit heavy; but your baddest 4 is only about 30 lbs. lighter. I really dbout that anyone short of an avid track racer (which most of the motorcycling world is not) will notice. I currently own a 2000 TL1000R with a set of Yoshimira aluminum cans. Let me just say, that when I go for a ride with all of my sport riding pals, I am the one who gets the most rubber necking from the general public. If it's not the incredible styling that catches thier eye first, it's the growl of the exhaust note that makes thier ears stand at attention. of course, I am the only twin rider in the group. Not to mention that when we find that long streach of asfalt which makes every sport rider into a drooling, throttle pegging, maniac; I always seem to be directly out in front of the pack trying desperately to keep the fuel tank from blocking my view. don't get me wrong, the 929's and R1's are right there on my six, but they just can't hang with the awesome tourqe of the TL. Handling is unmistakingly up to the rider. I think that for me the TL gets mega points for traction and stability. Just take it easy on the throttle when exiting corners with all that low end tourqe. In short; the TL1000R is the all around best bike I have ever owned and deserves much more support from the factory and racing circuit. Show less

Forget the magazines and their explicit track bias for bikes they review, this is an easy to live with bike with all the show and go you ever need for a damned good price...and japanese reliability too boot! I have recently acquired a '99 yellow model with Remus stainless cans and only 3,300 kms on the clock. I traded a '98 TL1000S on it. I ride 400kms round trip every week to and from work, and then also ride to and from clients on the bike as well, averaging 600km a week, man is this bike awesome! The bike is easy to ride, very comfy, with great fairing protection, and boy does it draw attention from all the ducati posers on sundays and the porsche drivers during the weekday rush! The girlfriend reckons it is the most comfy pillion perch she has ever encountered and loves the rumble that emanates from those cans when i get up it thru the Black Spur. Stuff the press. I was after one of these for the last year, nearly went for a Ducati ST4, but saved a packet and got heaps of grunt with a much bigger grin factor thrown in. Do yourself a favour give it a good test ride, find a friend with one and check it out, or just buy one and enjoy. I have ridden for the past 10 years on two-strokes, four-strokes, twins and fours including R6's, R1's, GSX-R750 & 600's, 900SS's, 916, Harley's, ZX-9R and lots of older stuff - the TL has me hooked. This has some of the best attributes of all those bikes packaged into one sexy, capable and awesome sounding bike. Show less

First off, this bike kicks, screw what the press has said of it. Great low end torque, brakes, suspension, handling...etc. Yes, it could be a tad lighter. But hey, everybody's saying that it's still a step behind the R1 and that the TLR is not worth its price. Let me tell you, I got a smoking deal on my TLR, $7990. Right now, I know I'm right with the R1. All I need to do is make a couple of mods, spend $1500, maybe $2000 and I'll blow the R1 away easy. So, if my bike was $7990 and I put in $1500 in mods, I've still only spent about $9500, less than the R1 costs out of the box. There's no comparison for me, I love my TLR. Show less