Every once in a while someone produces a bike that truly harkens back to the old days of motorcycling, a bike that requires concentration and skill to master and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Or as one of my favorites writers wrote, bikes from a time “when men were REAL men, women were REAL women, and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were REAL small furry creatures from Alpha Centraui.” The Suzuki TL 1000R was one of these bikes.
The Suzuki TL1000 series were V-Twins built in response to the enormous success of the Ducati 916/996. Both the S/Street and R/Racing bikes were equipped with a 1000cc V-Twin torque monster engine that would let riders leave long marks off the starting line. However, the bikes were also equipped with a rotary rear shock system that was overwhelmed by the v-twin engine, which resulted in front end lift and for many riders, a different type of long black mark (usually in their underwear).
As the reviewers at MCN/motorcyclenews wrote,
” the TL series had a truly awesome engine, producing a claimed 135bhp and a bonkers, adrenaline-pumping lunge off the line. However, while the TL had a truly great V-twin engine, it was attached to one of the most unpredictable handling chassis ever devised. Simply put, the Suzuki TL1000R was for experts or nutters only.”
2001 Suzuki TL 1000R for sale on eBay
This particular example is one of the R/Racing series and looks exceptionally clean with less than 5000 miles. It also has the desirable K series monocolor bodywork including the rear cowl, and even the OEM toolkit. The only modification appears to be a tail tidy and while the seller indicates he does not have the original tail unit, that should be not too tough to source for anyone who wanted to restore this bike to completely stock.
Notes about condition from the seller
- stored in a climate controlled, secured garage.
- Still has original chain, sprockets, and exhaust.
- Engine and drive train are mechanically perfect.
- All original body, windscreen, chassis, electrical, and motor train components.
- Fuel tank has NO scratches, dings, or dents.
- PAIR/flapper valves, evaporative emissions canisters/tubing are all still stock and in-place.
The Suzuki TL/V-Twin effort only lasted from 1998-2003, so the bike is already rare just by its limited production time frame. Also finding one of these that hasn’t been crashed or hacked up by drag bike enthusiasts will only become harder as time goes on. The seller is asking about 1400 above KBB retail but given the condition and low miles, this seems like a fair price. I think this bike is a good bet for a collector but would also be good for someone who wants to add a bit more risk to their riding experience.
-martin/dallaslavowner
I know I’ll get an earful for this one but I love these bikes! I’ve personally owned 6 or so, my old bike shop in Orange County catered to them and because of this bike, I met one of my closest friends (used to Run the Suzuki race team for NZ and AUS). He still has a fully built one that he rides. I remember the Yosh version, their race bike, that thing was really special!
Yes, they are big and heavy but I’ve spent 10’s of thousands of miles on TLR’s and have been eyeing this one on ebay…just don’t care for the yellow ones as much. I ran my last one off turn 9 at Willow but boy was it fun. You could come into turn three a bit slow but the torque would get you up the hill like no other. Besides, one of the few bikes that I don’t feel like an ape on…big, solid machine. Rear shock was horrid and about 8 lbs fat, silly back hump would fly off and a set of brembo’s really helped but overall, good solid fun!
Cool to see you list a TLR, didnt think they would make the cut!
We’ve posted them a few times, but as you noted, we usually get an earful 😉
dc
I had one of the blue and white ones. Put a full yosh race system on, power commander, and removed the silly rear shock/damper and replaced with a Penske shock.
It was still a weird handling, high balance point bike… but man did it sound awesome. I wish the big 4 were still playing with twins, I also had a Honda Superhawk and RC51 and miss that sort of bike as opposed to nasty I4 nonsense.
I used to own a TLR and I loved it too. Loved the sound, easy wheelies and it was huge. Unfortunately it handled like crap, well, now that I own an Aprilia hindsight shows me it handled like crap. hahaha
Love this site! Read it every evening. I have a 2002 TLR and I think it’s one of the sexiest bikes around. Plus it’s an absolute blast to ride. I’ve got a set of sharkskins I put on it every other month or so and ride it at the local track day. Everyone there thinks I’m nuts. Even with all its faults, witch make it unique, it is still a great bike.
Have never owned on, will never own one, but there is something about the TL1000R, maybe it’s the grunty engine in a chassis that may end up killing you that makes it a cool bike. Performance Bike magazine in the UK got hold of one of these a while back and each issue have been modifying it and reducing weight on a budget, so far they have transformed the bike into some thing pretty cool. In Blue/White corporate colour this bike is cool….and whether it did well or not, it’s still a homologation world superbike.
I bought the TLS when they first came out and really enjoyed the bike, just a terrific engine and a great looking bike. I ended up scrapping the rotary damper for a convention one (Biturbo) which helped the handling. I recall the biggest gripe about the “R” version was the weight, though the motors did make a little more HP which helped. I’m currently riding an SV1000S which is more refined, though it’s also around 10 hp down from my old TL..still a fun bike.
I am surprised no one has made a vogon reference yet about the front end…” it hung in the sky the exact same way huge yellow bricks dont”…or am I the only Douglas Adams fan her? That would be sad
Its interesting to me how these bikes are much more popular in the monchrome color sheme than the blue and white. It seems most Suzuki fans felt the blue and white below with the GSX-R and not a V-Twin and they didnt sell that many. The yellow series was more popular and this model bodywork with the big suzuki but not wild wild graphics is apparently considered the best look.
Is it a Suzcati,Ducuki or a Ducaki??? LOL , I admired these when they came out and the sound of a non HD hotrod Vtwin is cool. Would look good next to my RF900.
I currently own a 99′ model (blue/white). It’s my 2nd TLR and I love these bikes. It requires a chassis setup
for your weight and riding style. Anybody that hops on one will sorely be disappointed until they spend time
to obtain a proper set up. After that, it’s pure sports.
It’s heavy and a boat but is an enormously stable riding platform. I enjoy that style myself.
It’s not faster than others but as a fun factor that can only be equaled in my opinion to the Slingshots.
Harley riders smile also when you pull up beside them too.
Is this the one that came out of Utah?
yes, alphine utah. The ebay link is still active in case you want to reach out to the seller .
Marty