TL1000 (R or S)

Hiya all...
After reading a good review on older 'affordable' bikes, I have kinda
got a bit of a hankering to find an early TL1000, probably an S model
(cheaper!)
The thing is I can't seem to find any info on what year they started.
So far I think it was 97 but a couple of 'bike guys' are telling me it
was much earlier in the 90's.
Anyone here actually know?
Anyone have any suggestions, pointers, watch-out, etc for buying a TL?
Cheers,
Justin.

 

TL-S in 1997
TL-R in 1998

Ridden the TL-S: nice engine, but the suspension felt weird.

 

Thanks. I'd probably like to stick to a TL-S of around 98 vintage.
Any ideas how much I would be looking at for a reasonable condition
model?

J

 

These should be of help

bikesales.com.au
bikepoint.com.au
redbook.com.au

Definitely get one with a full service history. The TL-S tends to get
'abused' pretty easily.

 

Stock rear shock pretty crap, if it's got an aftermarket one that's
good. Gear selector crap, there's an aftermarket replacement which I've
been meaning to get.

JL
04 Cagiva X Raptor (TL1000 engine)

 

It might have been cheaper when they were new but I'd have thought that
a few years down the track (almost 10) it'd be much of a muchness and
price would probably be more closely linked to condition and usage than
new price.

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

Before touching a TLS, keep in mind that I believe there was a recall
(or some sort of warning) out about the shocks on the early
TL1000S's...apparently it caused severe instability and in some cases,
crashes.

A quick google found the following site which has lots of other info for
you as well as the suspension problem details:

http://www.suzukicycles.org/TL-series/TL1000S.shtml

Happy riding.

 

This is the home of all the relative gossip.

http://www.tlzone.net/forums/view.php?pg=home

I recently got a mate onto an S , showing < 12000 kms
various extras had a small dent in the tank, and some scrapes on one of the
yoshis for $5800.
Check out the aussie forum of tlzone. There were 2 that I know of in Vic
that were for sale; asking > 7k but both had lots of extras.
Rockit

 

They fitted hydraulic steering dampers (as far as I remember)

 

IIRC The rotary style damper on the R would fade under extreme
conditions (ie race track or *really* hard fanging) due to heat build
up, obviously an ineffective rear shock ain't a good thing

 

yeah that was the impression I got as well - everyone I know who's owned
one has said they don't get it - never had it happen to them, and some
of them were complete hoons.

JL

 

Can't argue against that, however my R's now done 58k kms, and hasn't caused
me any problems. There are various adaptations and a lot of discussion about
it on the TL site I referred to in my other post.
As standard, I think that the bike was more suited to a heavier rather than
lighter weight rider, but all that shit has long been sorted out.
If the bike is destined to be in slow traffic, you might need to look at the
gearing and cooling fan setup.
And, unless you fit into the *really* category, rather than the rear shock,
I would be more concerned about how much time the bike has spent on the back
wheel, and what potential damage that has caused.
Rockit

 

There aren't too many advertised privately that I can see. There was 1
on ebay last week that was a buy now for $14000 but it was a late model
TLR. Im more looking around the $5k mark.
BTW..... anyone want to buy my XV1000 project bike? I just do not have
the time to do it (should have realised before I bought it!)

J

 

Yeh. That guy's on_mad_crack...

You'll have trouble finding a TL worth buying for that sort of money.
Like TRX's and, to a lesser extent, ZX9's, they've become a cult bike
since going out of production. You could pick them up cheaper three or
four years ago than now.

Wouldn't have happened if Suzuki had done as they should have and
updated what could've been the top V-twin sportsbike out there...

 

I think I have to agree with you.... they are holding their price
remarkably well. Guess that says something though....
Also the dealers are taking advantage of that too I can see. They are
all asking top dollar....
JC

 

The later XJR1300 has a 17" front wheel instead of the 1200's 16"; that
opens out the tyre choice. The 1300 also got the Sumitomo monoblock
calipers in place of the early-90's FZR1000-vintage four-piston ones;
much stronger brakes.

The ZRX1200 is a better musclebike, though. Lighter, more powerful to
the tune of almost 20hp (XJR13's typically put out only just a smidge
over 100hp), even better brakes, higher-spec suspension (the only thing
Ohlins about the rear shocks on the XJR1300SP are the stickers), more
ground clearance...

They both look a million bucks, though. Sen this one yet?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4634347189&fromMakeTrack=true