Suzuki TL1000R 996

I own a TL 1000R-99 . Have had R1-Thunderace-FZR exit deltabox, driven ZZR1100, ducatti 996, XX 1100, nothing in this mc world can be compared with one litle duc eater.)

I've had a couple of R1s and thought "yep thats the bike for me" but then my last R1 gets nicked so I went looking for something fast but different.

I didnt need to look far for exactly what I had been missing all my life......

First ride out, after handing over not alot of cash for an immaculate 1999 model with a mere 18000 miles on the clock (which is just run in for these bad boys), and I was in the new experience biking nirvana and hooked!!!

The machine pulls through the gears smoother than an R1, can take more punishment than the badly over produced yamaha, feels solid at all times and sounds unbelievable!

I'm going to compare it to the R1 alot here.....

Lean angle is easier to achieve than an R1

Gear box is better

Build quality is way better

Top end is almost the same (ive had my clock reading 180mph on standard sprockets)

And I thrashed two guys on R1s round the mountain section of the Isle of Man TT course last week so the proof is in the pudding there I think.

All in all it's grunty, fast, beutifully noisy and suprisingly nimble for the weight it carries. And in classic blue and white it looks the nuts too.

My advice is the only thing you will ever want to change on it is pop a full stainless system on it just to create a chorus like effect for that engine but only for esthetics...do not change anything else as it can ruin the experience.

Ok the bike long in the tooth now, but if you have one you'll not sell it.. Like the last reveiw / comment it is a bike that becomes an obsession. Let me put it this way 2 out of 3 rides you will hate the thing, 1 out of three rides there is nothing like it and it blows ya mind. It's a love hate thing. I've had better bikes / faster bikes / more expensive bikes, but i wont sell it. I could trade in now for something more modern but then you would end up with something bland that does not stir the soul, which for me a bike should do. Plus if i keep it much longer it'll be a classic in it's own right with cult status. So buy one now whilst they are cheap...

The bikes a big old girl but even a fat chick can give you a good ride....?

There is no arguing this bike is smile inducing! The wow factor is off the charts and is like few others. It hard to get going and its not friendly around town but who cares. When you get this thung moving it rumbles like a harley and flys like a jet. The sound is unmistakenable and what adds to the appeal of the bike. Caution needed as this thing wips to 100 before you know it and trouble can come up on you fast. I have mine extended just a little and new plastics. It looks great! Even though this bike is 9 years old, it gets lots of looks.

On the downside, I had to go with the CR8EIX Iridium plugs to preventing fouling since these bikes foul plugs too often. Suzuki says that if your plugs foul you are not letting the rpm rise before changing gear. However, to stay in the speed limit and high rpm I would never get out of 5th gear.:)

Overal, you will love this bike...it grows on you to the point of an obsession. If you get the chance ride one, you'll know instantly what I and others have said about this marvelous monster.

The Suzuki TL1000R is one of a kind. It's the Japanese Ducati equal. The twin allows for the high end torqe and respectful power through every band. I was disapointed Suzuki didn't advance this bike like ducati in the superbike relm. This bike was far the best ride I have had on a croch rocket. Some negative things being: gas light indicator, the classic complaint "ticking", and slightly on the heavy side. They should bring it back into production.

had my Suzuki TL1000R since new 1999 and have ridden/owned lots of other top flight sports bikes......but ive still got my TLr and i think that just about says it all!

Is comfy either one or two up, keeps up with anything else i meet on the road(or trackday)though it does handle better with a smaller 180(than standard 190)section rear tyre...itl cruise all day at three figure speeds if needed although youl be seeking a garage every 110 miles as it can be thirsty/small tank.....it looks great and sounds fantastic with my yoshi RS3s on...never had any major probs with it....other bikes/cars/boats will come and go but the TL will never be sold on,il keep it forever

The Suzuki TL1000R 996 is an absolutely Awesome Bike! Had mine nearly 3 years now and love it to bits. Definitely not for the inexperienced rider. Not great in town. Scissor gear ticks but doesn't effect performance or reliability.

Best v-twin mony can buy. Amazing amount of power... engine pulls like a tank..

Very stable on the highway but hard to run in the city...

Very heavy, and the rotacion damper sucks, this bike is not for the new biker...if you don't respect the power it will kill you. Trust me.

I have owned my Suzuki TL for 3 years now and have just it in every weather. This bike is amazing to ride and sounds great, on long runs it's very comfortable but can be a handful around town. This is not a bike for beginners in anyway. The only problem I find with this bike is a ticking noise from the engine. I have checked it out and nothing it worn. I have read reviews on this and I'm told that if a TL doesn't tick then it's broke, just being an engineer seems wrong but it's not.

I would recommend this bike to anybody who whats to be different from the norm, you get looked at everywhere you go, people will always ask about it. Don't let magazing reviews put you off, this bike handles fine and won't kill you unless you do something dumb.

Love it! Fast, quick, good wind protection at high speed, pleasure to ride, one hell of a bike for the money! For what you loose riding a new bike off a forecourt you can pick up a TL1000R for the same price and owe nothing and have lots of fun!