Flip-screen radio | 
Dual cameras in the rear are displayed in the mirrors. |
Dual speakers molded in rear end. | |
Though the notion of installing a subwoofer in place of the gauges might indicate a blatant disregard for the law, we really can't think of any better way to do it. After all, if you're going to have a DVD player molded into the gas tank, it only makes sense for there to be a good surround sound system backing it up.
Along with the dual 5-inch speakers, two Moto Cam cameras are molded into the tail section and display the rear scenery into the coordinating left and right mirrors. Cottrell has given the TL's notoriously plump rear an even larger waistline, but it's been padded with the proper electronics to make it worth the extra girth.
Pulling it up from the side is a single beefy dual-port Blue Flame can that hammers the exhaust out in the TL's signature melodic pulse. It's attached to Hindle headers, but otherwise the motor remains largely unworked.
Rear End - 360 Wheel - Urban Industries Inc.
It's mostly about the look here, but there are still some trick gadgets working away; though not as electronically involved as the audio and visual gear, the Hi-Low Rider air suspension does its own dance with a 10-inch over C&S Customs swingarm. The North Carolina firm knows its stuff, and this one-off TL arm is yet another fine example of its custom swingarm mastery.
Fitting in with the hefty rear end is the first ever 360-section rear tire on a TL1000R. Hosting the fat rubber is an 18-inch wheel from newcomer Urban Industries. RIS Designs knocked out some custom rotors front and rear to mate the wheels. Their slick powdercoat, however, wasn't from the company that wanted a K-note to do the job. Cottrell recalled the tale. "I wanted to make the wheels stand out more, and powdercoating the centers wouldn't be enough. I went to a local powdercoat company and it wanted to charge me $1000 to mask the wheels and powdercoat them. I left the shop and spent six hours masking the rear wheel and four hours masking the front, then went back and spent $100 for the job."
Sometimes, it literally pays to take matters into your own hands, which is exactly what Cottrell does for a living in his company's production of motorsports videos. The bike's paint scheme reflects his company name and serves as a nice advertisement for his work. But perhaps bike design should be added to his rsum because he's done things to this TL we didn't think were possible-with results that can rock the house.
The Buyer's Box
2002 Suzuki TL1000R
Original Make/Model: 2002 Suzuki TL1000R
Front end: Urban Industries Inc. wheel, RIS Designs rotors, steel braided lines
Rear end: Hi-Low Rider air suspension, Urban Industries Inc.360 wheel, C&S Customs 10-inch over swingarmbr>Motor: Hindle headers, Blue Flame exhaust, Driven sprocket
Paint: Dale at Head Trip, graphics by Corey Saintclair at 3rd Element Designs
Polish/chrome: Chrome Effects www.chromeeffectsbikes.com
Bodywork: Custom tank, speaker cowl, Honda 954 headlight mod, 2005 R1 taillight mod, Aprilia mirrors, custom tail section
Accessories: Pioneer stereo system, Avic N3 head unit,600-watt amp, Moto Cam camera, RIS Design Grip Ace system,RIS Design fork spikes and gas cap, Driven Racing chains,Odyssey batteries, Vortex rearsets
Other: GPS, Drastik Plastix neon
Owner: Kris Cottrell
Builder: Kris Cottrell