My next door neighbor (who rides) has a line on a really great deal on a TL1000. I've ridden before but I've never had my own bike. I've taken the MSF course and I've been licensed for about 2 years but I'm definitely a beginner. I was looking at a 600 F4 but they're just outta my price range. The deal on the TL is legit but I'm nervous about getting such a big bike for the first time. He knows I'm not a ***** out kinda guy and am nervous about a big bike but...

He suggested the TL over the CBR for the following reasons:
-better riding postion for a beginner
-lower seat height makes it a little easier to stop (I have short legs)
-more comfortable for a passenger
-less plastic to screw up if/when I drop it in the garage
-heavier bike means better control from natural/man-made wind
-more torque

What are your thoughts on these points as well as the bike?

 

Very good points man.. With the TL1000, sure you have a grip of power but its all easily controllable.. Id say get it. Just you will have to watch out for your speed gaining on you... Do you know what i mean?? Like youll want to get on the gas a few times and next thing ya know your doin 100 in a 35mph zone... speed climbs fast...

Id definetly go with it thought... Cbr are nice bikes but you have to really work em to get the speed out.. Thats my opinion... You should enjoy that TL alot... Give it a shot man...

 

Yea.....a lot more! I think you will enjoy the Suzuki. You don't have to live at the end of the tach to enjoy the bike. Good luck on your purchase.

 

Nothing wrong w/ a TL 1k. I wish more people liked them, but everyone needs to be the top dog w/the gixxer 1k. Can't beat V-twin fun! For a beginner, its a lot, but I think it's all about the rider. Respect the bike, and you should be ok.

 

be careful man. my friend has been riding for 2 years now and graduated form his f2 to an 02 tl. abour 3 months later bam, bike totaled. his fault, but that thing has tons of torque, and can get away from you if you arent paying full attention. not saying you cant handle it, just be safe and take baby steps. ive seen so many friends and other riders go down because they were trying to exceed their skill level. respect it, and WEAR GEAR. i cannot emphasize that enough because it will save your life

 

All good points. One point he missed though, the TL is porky. It weighs a bit more than the F4. That means there's a lot more bike to deal with at low speeds, and a lot less comfort when trying to throw it into a curve.

Besides a few nit picks, (like that wacky shock), the TL was a really underrated bike. But it is a handful for a newer rider. Good luck, either way you go.

I say forget both and buy an SV But I'm biased.

 

Which TL: R or S?
if you talking about a TLR I would definately chose it over an f4 for many reason.
If its a TLS I dont know what I would chose, never ridden a one before.

 

Which TL are you talking about the S or the R. You cannot compare a F4 to a TL they are 2 different in so many ways. The TL is a Vtwin the F4 is a 4cyl. The TL is alot heavier and has alot more low end power (torque). The TL has a rumble that is awesome I still get excited when i start my TLR up and give it throttle. I love the sound. When you say "less plastic" I think you are describing the TL1000S which is still a fun bike but I would go with the f4 over a TLS but if it is the TLR then that is something different. Let me know which version of the TL you are talking about. The TLS is slower then the TLR and IMO ugly but I have seen TLS's with aftermarket farings that look really good.

steve

 

He didn't clarify when we were talking about but I can only assume he meant the S. I prefer the styling of the CBR and R but I just can't really afford them. I'm thinking that this is going to be the beginner bike and once I have more money and experience I'll get something like the CBR.

 

you're going to have a hell of a time setting up that thing... unless you feel like swapping in an Ohlin's conventional rear

 

Not really, just spend some time finding a setting that you like. It took me a while on my TLR but I did eventually find a setting I was happy with. It is true though that the bike can be made almost dangerous if you go the wrong way with the setup, I found that out I would have loved to try an Ohlins on it, but the performance vs $$$ just doesn't match for a mostly street ridden bike.
Overall the TLR is a wicked bike, highly underrated.

 

Even though if its a really good deal I wouldnt do it. Its a lot of torque and the rear wheel can get pretty squirrelly on you if you dont control the throttle right. IMHO a liter bike for the first bike isnt a good idea.

 

It's a '97 with 6k miles and the selling price is $4400. Supposedly blue book is $5300.... opinions?

 

Well as it turns out I didn't get the TL1000S... and I haven't even gotten anything else in that time. I'm still looking to get a bike and I'm looking to make the same decision. Anyone else have any additonal incite?

 

TL1000S would be a good bike. They look good with aftermarket fairings. Also throw some Yoshimura exhaust on there. V-Twins sound really good with aftermarket exhaust.

 

I've also recently become interested in the SV650S. I'm not super crazy about the half fairings but I could get used to it, especially for about $1000 than a bike with full fairings.

 

I would take a SV 650S to mess around on, but that's about it. I'm not really into the whole naked bike craze. I love full fairing bikes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've also recently become interested in the SV650S. I'm not super crazy about the half fairings but I could get used to it, especially for about $1000 than a bike with full fairings.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Great starter bike bud! That would be a perfect choice. Plenty of torque, good power, and SOOO easy to ride.

Plus, take a look at this!

http://www.hotbodiesracing.com....php4

 

I really like the idea that I can add fairings and whatnot as I get more comfortable with the bike. Knowing my clumsy *** I'd drop it moving it around in the garage and would be none too happy about it.