There are lots of things in life that take time getting adjusted to. Sushi is definitely an acquired taste, just as a dirty martini and the notion that the beautiful Beyonce is married to jowly old Jay-Z are rather hard to swallow.
The same can be said for Suzuki's somewhat bulbous and misunderstood TL1000R. Like the aforementioned rapper, the TL's low-slung cheeks add to the bike's quirky appearance. And with a V-twin rumble blasting from its stock dual exhausts, it simply left many a sportbike enthusiast more confused than amused. Its history on the racetrack isn't one that would inspire many bedroom posters either, so the poor TL became a discontinued model shortly after its introduction-and not many were sad to see it go.
Those in the know, however, have cherished their beloved beasts and taken solace in the fact that the TL actually has a few secrets. Though its appearance may initially seem obese, after a couple quick blocks it softens up nicely. Before you know it, the TL actually looks svelte and sexy. It offers a good ride with plenty of chunky power, but only those who gave it a chance would know such things. After all, to many of us, the TL's great personality isn't as important as prettier bikes' drop-dead curves.
Owner Kris Cottrell was kind enough to give the TL a chance, and the things he eventually did with his ride most of us can only dream of and lust after. He's created a unique custom that will leave many newer and sophisticated rides shaking in the corner-literally.
The bone-rattling effect comes from more than the striking paint job, though. Besides Head Trip's wild orange base and 3rd Element Designs' intense graphics setting the room on fire, the bike has a physical tendency to set everything around it shaking. Cottrell explained the motivation for installing the audio system. "A year ago I came up with the crazy idea of putting a radio on my bike. I didn't want a small iPod with two-inch speakers, though-I wanted it to bump.
360 Tire - Rear End | 
Vortex Rearsets |  Burn Baby, Burn The TH is...  Burn Baby, Burn
The TH is a rolling advert for the owner's company, Burn Films. |
"I took the Pioneer flip-screen radio out of my car and went to Head Trip for installation, and two weeks later came the custom-molded tank to fit a car stereo.
"That same year, I went to the Laguna Seca MotoGP with the bike, and with my luck, Pioneer saw it. Then came a phone call from a Pioneer executive telling me to come to the office and pick up the newest stereo model. Integrated Innovations came up with the speaker pod where the gauges were, and cut the crossovers through the plastics. They also spent many hours wiring the system, cameras, speakers and battery isolators."