Suzuki's famous reliability means you're far less likely to be calling a roadside towing service on a TL than you would on an exotic (read: Italian) V-twin sportbike. The electronic fuel injection is improved over the sometimes jerky throttle response that marred the TL1000S, but it's still not as smooth as what you'd find on a 2007 GSX-R. Faster and more focused than Honda's VTR Super Hawk from the late 1990s, the TLR is the perfect machine for riders who are interested in racking up fast miles by the hundreds.
As seen on the August cover of Super Streetbike, the TL1000R is a motorcycle that responds well to customizing. There's generous bodywork available for elaborate custom paintwork and an equally generous aftermarket ready to supply owners with everything from custom rims to carbon-fiber fenders and anodized bits and bobs.
On the performance front, most TL owners opt for time-proven mods, including aftermarket rear shocks that retain the right-side coil spring but discard the iffy rotary damper in exchange for a traditional (though springless) unit. This can make a TL1000R handle much better than it did when it left the factory, but replacement shocks can run upward of $800 or more. Lots of owners ditched the factory-installed steering damper (that tends to make the bike's handling sluggish in low-speed riding) for an aftermarket unit. And naturally, no V-twin sportbike should ever be heard on the streets with anything less than a set of noisy, fire-breathing exhaust cans. Among the favorites for the TL come from Two Brothers, D&D or Yoshimura, which offers a nifty full system that includes stainless-steel downpipes.
Many, as with the TL1000R pictured here, remain in near-stock condition, with minimal add-ons in the form of a set of slip-on stainless-steel exhaust cans and a set of mock-carbon mini-turn signals at the rear. Bikes in this condition are considered more valuable and sell for a bit more than bikes customized by previous owners. As for maintenance problems, some of these bikes have suffered from clutch slippage after 10,000 miles, and you may want to have a qualified mechanic check the steering-head bearings, as its penchant for wheelies can wreak havoc on some parts. Otherwise, the TL1000R is aces for a used sportbike-especially one that offers so much bang for the buck.
SSB Suggested Mods
Bikes can always use a bit of aftermarket flava to spice them up, and the TL is no exception. If you're in the market for one of these bruisers, consider these into the equation.
Exhaust/Fueling: The TL has a terrific engine tone, and opening it up is mandatory if you own one of these. Slip-ons add sound, but you'll pull some power from a full system and fuel management box.
Paint: There's just so much surface area to work with it'd be silly not to take advantage of it.
Steering Damper: We wouldn't trust the stock supplied damper, and an aftermarket unit will add style points as well as adjustable performance.