| Author | Message | ||
     Jjk |
As the owner of a new 1125CR, it has dawned on me that the new Buell reminds me a lot of my TL1000S. Big brute of a v-twin motor, similar riding positions, awesome but unusual styling, very aggressive nature, etc. Anyone else have the same thoughts? I swear Erik Buell must have owned a TL at some point! | ||
| Ruprecht |
Yup, at least on paper. Exactly the reason I want one. It even has the same bad media reception and reputation. I was planning on getting an '09 or discounted '08 (and I still keep my eye on this site), but the falling aussie dollar, my own changing financial situation, and a lack of any sort of discount cycle, has me riding the TL for at least another year. I won't test ride one till I've got the money either... I can't afford to like it too much! | ||
| Jjk |
Hey Ruprecht - do NOT test ride an 1125 then! I test rode a CR and knew within about 2 seconds that I needed one! It is like a sharper, more precise, but still completely unruly TL1000S. No other bike I've ever ridden has made me feel like I could replace the TL and be happy until I tested the CR. And I have ridden all sorts of stuff over the years - GSXR1000s, CBR1000s, 999R, supermotos, etc. A modified RC51 almost gave me that feeling but not quite. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Find a way to pull the trigger. It's totally worth it! R | ||
| Ds_tiger |
Hmmm I raced WERA national series- a TL 1000R and street rode many miles on a S version. The CR (I have not riden a R) is better handling, more aggressively turned out & tuned (suspension rates, steering geometry and wheelbase) An the motor- there is no comparison. The Suzook was fast and made good power- it has nothing on the Rotax mill- which whacks out the +++ power in a much more aggressive and forcefull manner compared to the Suzuki. FWIW- interesting thread though | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Think "spiritual decendant". One has to come first, another has to follow.  R | ||
| Ruprecht |
Yeah, JJK. I've ridden a fair variety of machinery myself, and basically know that what I want is a TL1000S with more power and better handling. It's just the right combination of ballsy performance and everyday useability for me. It seems like the 1125R/CR fits the same bill. I actually asked pretty much the same question myself when I signed up on this forum. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/390100.html (Message edited by ruprecht on January 26, 2009) | ||
| Jjk |
Hey Ruprecht - sorry I missed your thread all those months ago. I was still into my XB9 back then and hadn't given much thought to the 1125 until the CR was introduced. I have owned 2 TLS's, my current one for almost eight years, and have very similar mods to yours (Ohlins rear, full Yoshimura exhaust, Powercommander, removed steering damper) and it is still, without question, my favorite bike to come out of Japan. I also have ridden several TLRs, including ones with Ohlins/exhaust/etc and they needed all of that stuff done to make them anything less than dull. Once sorted, though, they were very competent handling bikes, typical Suzuki excellent front end feel at big lean angles. My CR reminds me so much of an exaggerated TLS - more torque, quicker steering, willingness to wag it's head all the time. Do you still have your '90 GSXR750? Fantastic bike. I love late 80's/early 90's Japanese supersport bikes. I have an '88 FZR400 and a '93 CBR900RR and would love to add an old Gixxer. | ||
| Ruprecht |
I've still got the Gixxer. Love the old oil cooled models, the '90 750L and the (much rarer and more expensive) '89 750RRK being my pick of the bunch. She's in the shed at the moment though, waiting on a carb rebuild (haven't taken it apart yet, but there's petrol pouring out of the left side of the carbs onto the engine while she's running. I'm hoping it's just a stuck float.). I did actually consider a K5 or newer model Gixxer as an upgrade. But, even though I'm certain the new Gixxers are great bikes, they just don't seem to have the character of the older ones, let alone the TLS (especially my unneutered '97 model). Not to mention I prefer the roomier ergos of the TLS by far. What made you go for the CR over the R? Haven't seen the CR down here yet, I'm keen to check one out. | ||
| Jjk |
For some reason I prefer the looks of the CR to the R. It is completely wicked looking in person. Plus, it has a shorter final drive ratio than the R, which makes it even more aggressive to ride. It actually has decent wind protection, not great, but the bike is such a vast improvement in every aspect over my XB9 Lightning that I was replacing. I was considering a new leftover '08 ZX10 at the same time (can be had for less than $10k Out-the-door here in Texas) but none of the current Japanese literbikes make much sense for me right now. Most of the roads I run in the Hill Country here have corners taken at 60-120mph, so having a 186mph top-end isn't too important. Trust me - if you love your TLS, you will be bonkers for the 1125CR! I can already feel it becoming my favorite bike of all-time. | ||
| Jjk |
Oh, and as for old Gixxers it is so hard to find decent ones here - it seems like all of them have been chromed/stretched/crashed/neon-ed/etc. I would love an '88-'92 model. Or even a nice SRAD which are so evil! | ||
| Tlrich |
I bought a 01 TL1000R in 02 with 1,200 miles on it , it now has over 45,000, it never failed to put a smile on my face. It's never let me down and has not cost my any thing extra to keep it running. It's by far it the best bike I've ever owned.  | ||
| 1_mike |
Mine (TLR) was a "big" electrical nightmare. Bought my TL1000R new...a tank of a bike. Harness plugs kept ending up with bad contacts. Used dielectric grease on ALL the pins/spades. Helped with all but two. Took 35,000 miles to figure out which connections were bad! Added lotsa light weight goodies, more compression, ported heads, remapped the ECM. The wheels and remapping made the two biggest positive differences. WITH...the exception of the fuel and timing mapping, the CR is MUCH closer to right than the TL was...from the beginning. I worked out the TL's problems fairly easily though. Just money and the right parts. The CR is proving to be more difficult to get straightened out. And it's just the ECM! But once the mapping is worked out, I think it will be a much nicer bike overall than...at least my TLR was. Mike |
