| Author | Message | ||
     Vanvideo |
Anyone own/ridden one of these? How do they compare to a Firebolt? I've always liked their design and the ones I've heard have a nice, deep growl. I'm pretty sure they out-muscle the 'bolts, but how do they ride? heavy? seat height? | ||
| New12r |
I have not rode the TL but I have rode an RC51, out powers the bolt but feels like riding a tank. | ||
| Vanvideo |
Holy crap, I actually posted a thread about this same topic earlier this year. Damn, I'm getting stupid. Obviously, I like the bikes, especially in yellow, and am considering switching to the big Suzook. But I's sure hate to give up my 9R. | ||
| Ridrx |
Earlier TL's are prone to rear cyl oil starvation(wheelies) but can be corrected. Great bike if a tad on the heavy feeling side. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I rode the TL1000S in the late 90's. Killer engine, great bike. I remember it pulling like freight train, and feeling hard V-Twin pulses through the bars. It had the weird concentric rear dampener, and I'm not sure how it is supported by the factory and aftermarket. Don't know if the R has a standard shock or not. I know the R was too heavy for the race track, but on the street you might not care at all. It will not have the same soul as the Buell engine if that matters to you. | ||
| New12r |
Easy, keep the Buell, get the TL for giggles and outright mind boggling speed. I keep telling the wife I am gonna get a Busa to commute on, she still thinks I am kidding. | ||
| Glitch |
I had a TLS back a few years ago. Great bike, a bit of a pig in the tight stuff, but real fun around town and such. I wish I still had mine, they make a great commuter, with the exception of fuel mileage. They're heavy, there fun, they're pretty reliable. Wasn't near as hot for the rider as the RC51 is. | ||
| Aussie_xb12ss |
Yes, I sold my Cyclone then purchased a TL1000R. To be honest, it didn’t take me long to dislike it after the handling of a Buell. It went like Hell in a straight line but I just couldn’t get it to handle how I wanted with turning or breaking. I’m 5’8” short & have a mate who is over 6’ who thinks his TL1000Ris great? But he does do a lot of highway riding though? I’m bloody glad to be back on a Buell. | ||
| Jim_m |
I believe the TLR is a bit heavier than the TLS. Out of all the bikes I've had, I miss my 97 TLS the most, but not so much that I'd trade the CityX back for it. Does anyone else remember when Badweb had a TL section? Or did I just imagine that? | ||
| Slaughter |
Check the "Tiller" websites. Suspension is for crap but the fixes are well defined. See if you can find a bike that's been sorted. See also if you can find one to try before you buy (and like ANY bike, see if you can adjust the suspension before taking it out to test ride) Not really great bikes if ridden hard UNLESS the suspension has been re-worked. Not for me but hey, this is FUN we're talking about. | ||
| No_rice |
my friend is big into tl's he just sold his tlr a few weeks ago and got an 01 lightning. i should have bought his tl. he had it setup great. changed the rear set up out for a better one, then came acrossed the ohlins for it. it was definantly heavier, but once used to it you could throw it around nicely. he was out pacing alot of newer lighter bikes at the dragon when we went, but i could still catch him if i felt the urge. just not extremely easy | ||
| T9r |
I had a 1998 TL1000S and it was set up for race. It had monster torque. I got it to tank slap once. It didn't handle as well in the corners as the XBR. I loved the sound of the 2 into 1 M4 race exhaust!!! This says is all as mentioned above (not me on the bike):  Good day | ||
| Vanvideo |
Well, I finally got to sit on a Tiller and fire 'er up. The bike has a nice, deep rumble. I wasn't able to test ride it, I just made a quick preliminary checkout. It is a tad on the heavy side, but not as bad as I had heard. I like the longer reach to the clip-ons. It's a beautiful bike. I might have to make the switch soon. Nothing wrong with my 'bolt mind you, but I've always liked TL-KRs, especially in bright yellow. They quit making them in '03, so perhaps I'd better own one before all the good ones are gone. It's a V-twin; that's the important part. | ||
| New12r |
Its got two wheels, that is the important part! | ||
| Glitch |
It is a tad on the heavy side, but not as bad as I had heard. You can't fully appreciate the heaviness of the TL until you're in the tight stuff. But, since you're in Florida, you'll probably not notice it, you'll love the bike, like I said, I wish I still had mine. | ||
| Njsxb9 |
The TL1000R had serious tank slap because of all the torq. My cousin just picked up a 2003 SV1000 naked which has a revamped TL1000 motor and the engine kicks ass. Its a big big compared to my Buell though. Wish I would fiend away to put the SV1000 motor in the Buell or even maybe a MV Agusta motor haha. |
