Suzuki TL1000R (Suzuki TL1000)

Member Name: VDScooby

Product:	Suzuki TL1000
Date:	28/05/02 (10234 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Different, Noise, Speed

Disadvantages: Different, Noise, Speed

I bought a a red TL1000R new in June 1999, and have just sold it almost 3 years to the day.

The bike handles and goes ok as is, but a set of end cans and either removing the top of the airbox, or just the valve operated flaps within it is a good place to start minor improvements - the increase in torque means you can be in the next gear up at any given speed with as much grunt still available.

There is a problem with the TL1000R, known to Suzuki but in their usually style they ignore it, and hope it will go away. At 11 months and 2000 miles my bike broke down, the fuel injection light came on and the bike would not start.

The problem was mis-diagnosed twice by Carnell (no surprise there then) as a faulty fuel pump, in fact it is a water trap in the wiring loom, in the connector to the solenoid on top of the battery. Water gets in during washing or whilst out in the rain, the water then rots the connector out. My bike had the entire wiring loom replaced. My advice is check your bike, dress the connectors with electrical grease and seal the whole thing with silicon.

Oh and if Carnell carry the work out for you, it will take them 3 months, the bike will come back with a fuel leak, missing headlamp proptector and the cast sectors of the frame will be tarnished from being cleaned with too harsh an acid cleaner - oh and you will vow to never ever buy another Carnell bike - Hey! as an example.

What else, junk the steering damper and go down to a 180 sector rear tyre to aid the bike's turning in. Rear tyres last 2000-3000 miles, Avons are good value at £160 per pair (Universal Tyres) Insurance - me at 34 yrs with 4 yrs NCB £450 fully comp with Hastings Direct.

They make a lovely sound TL1000R, are odd looking and the media sticks the boot in on them - with no real justication.

Pay £4000-4200 for a good 3 yr old S/H model, I've seen damaged repairables for £1400 - but when a new fairing panels costs in e
xcess of £200 - chosse your used parts carefully.

Summary: