Off the showroom floor, the TL had obvious flaws...which were fairly easily remedied. I bought a used one with a blown gearbox in '09. I put an "R" engine in it (which had the TW sensor behind the thermostat--not in the RADIATOR--where it belongs!), opened the airbox (proper race mod) and used the SRAD ducts to cool the rear shock (it would completely lose damping after less than 50 miles before this mod), radically changed the spring preload on the suspension (much more in the front...much less in the rear; and was able to adjust damping properly with these settings), put the "R" brakes on the front and fine tuned the TP sensor to the old-school Two Brothers C/F cans...and voila: it's been my go-to road trip MotoWhip to this day!

More of this, please. All the R1's, all the CBR's, all the ZX 10's, RC 51's... You got my point... You can make an entire series about these oldies...

I have a TLS and will never sell it. I’ve had 3 TLS & 1 TLR absolutely love these bikes. I’m absolutely shocked about Sonic and can’t believe I missed that news report about him....R . I . P 🙏🏽🏍

Forget the bikes... that journalist's story is one hell of a tangent

RIP Sonic. What an unexpected, but incredibly touching tangent. I’m sure he would be honoured to be remembered by association to the machine

I owned one of the first 1997 TL-1000S sold here in Perth and it was truly a beast. There were some early issues but the gear-driven cams sounded awesome and it definitely needed the steering damper! That motor was the best part for me, much more than the 125 HP might indicate. Thanks also for the info about John Cantlie, fascinating and so sad.

Sad to hear about John Cantlie, hope he's still alive. It was reading a great road test of the new TL1000S in Superbike that made me buy a red one in 1997. Fantastic bike still my favourite of the many Japanese bikes I've owned, the only one to have character.

I've owned a '97 TL1000S for 11 years now. When first launched Suzuki got the chain tension wrong, it was too tight and gets tighter as the suspension is compressed. This I believe together with the rotary damper getting hot as it is mounted close to the exhaust caused some the crashes that gave it a bad rep. There were several revisions made in 1998 including the fitting of a steering damper, relocation of the temperature sensor which was in the radiator and meant the bike never came off the cold map so was over fuelling when warmed up and a change to the mapping. With these mods fitted and suspension upgrades together with a power commander to smooth out low down running, they are awesome bikes. I absolutely love mine and don't plan on selling it anytime soon!

I had a TL1000S, in red, but with the optional lower fairings. Also added straight-through cans. It sounded great, went like a missile and in its day, was great value for money given the level of technology and performance . Never had any bad experiences on it. Great, fun bike

I really enjoy learning about the older bikes. Thanks!

Hearing that about sonic made my blood turn cold.

Thanks for keeping me entertained during these very odd times. Brilliant channel guys 👍

I instructed on a track day on one of these, and owned a 750 SRAD at the time, it was actually no more dangerous than the SRAD, the difference was the type of buyer, it kinda looked like an old half faired Ducati with 50 bhp, but was actually SRAD performance. So the born again biker who lovingly remembered his old Ducati, bought one, opened the throttle over bumps and tankslapped himself through a hedge.

Some years ago, a mate phoned me up and told me had picked up his new TLR and will be over shortly to show me. I could hear him coming five minutes before he arrived. Geez the thing sounded good with Yoshi cans.

Great vid! Really enjoyed the history and reputation of this Suzuki. Loved the incredible story. More vids of legendary motorcycles please. Happy riding!

I had a TL1000R......great twin that felt like a Four....120hp at rear!

I remember reading about the "madness" of the TL1000S. When I went to buy my VTR1000 Firestorm I test rode a TL1000S for a weekend, friends with a dealer, and put a few hundred kms on it on twisty backroads. I never had a wiggle or wobble nor panic moment. The bike was sound. The reason I didn't buy it is because it was a more extreme position than the VTR and I was getting a great deal on the VTR new instead of going used.

I remember Sonic and Superbike, and the much early years when TM was the editor. Strange how a bike can trigger such a strong memory.

I've got a story about a TL1000. A typical crashed and converted to a streetfighter type bike, upright bars, no plastic. Came into my shop for an overnight Goodridge brake hose job. I had the consent of the owner for a short 5 mile test ride as i had read all the stories. In short, scariest, hardest pulling motorcycle i had ever ridden. The unintentional wheelie was so hard and fast that the bars/top yoke smacked me in the face, and yes, i was wearing an open face....

I got aTL in 97 , still got it. Tank slaps , yep change damper, mine broke and nearly killed me . Ohlins shock and damper acropovic full titaniam and a race tune = 125hp at the wheel.

I remember a camera man filing me and my mate at Brands hatch on his TL 1000s,I was on my sp1,my mate on his early R1highly tuned. Well I can only describe his riding skills as he was on fire, we had half a lap start and he pissed all over us.

The bike lives on in the V Strom 1000. I am a little big for sport bikes so I bought a Dl1000 and applied continental road attack 2 tires, power commander v, and I good dyno tune. I am more confident in the twisties on it than I am on my little cbr, probably because it's a better fit for my 6 foot 3 inch frame, or a touch over two meters for my brothers across the pond.

This bike together with the TLR-1000 was one of the best sounding bikes, esp. with a D&D or Yoshimura Slip on.

I ride my 2003 Aprilia RSV MILLE everyday, I can never get enough of that 60 degree VTwin from Rotax 👌🏾

Yep, I remember riding John's long-term Suzuki's back in the day Mat. The rotary damper on the S got hot and bothered in no time and it pogoed all over the place like an angry version of one of those little coin operated plastic cars you used to get outside supermarkets. We loved it. John's 'solution' was to lower the front and raise the rear ride height as much as possible (particularly on the R), thus resulting in a much faster looking (and steering) bike that was approximately 40% more dangerous than the original. Good old Sonic.

Brilliant article, and Don you are fast becoming my favourite motorcycle journalist, ps I met "Sonic" back in 96, Superbike magazine did an article on are Sunday weekly breakfast run, top bloke, and omg what an interesting life he's had since, fantastic KZfaq channel, thank you, thank you from a dreary, wet , miserable lockdown Manchester 😀

Really enjoyed the video and rip your friend i was a biker through the 70s and 80s so it always makes me smile when people talk about bikes like the suzuki being old technology and being a widow maker nearly all the two stroke bikes I had were in that vein especially a Kawasaki KH 500 and a race tuned kh 400 they had rubber frames when in any type of fast bend or if riden hard in the wet I also has a suzuki GT 380 that liked to tank slap on bumpy fast over 80 mph roads none of my bikes had any where near not even half the HP of the TL suzuki 1000s but they all left you with a daft smile on your face when riding hard

The same TL1000S that Simon Fourie and sons used to race around the country with in the Battle of the Twins championship...

Got to work on and ride one a couple years ago and quickly found out why it was called the widow maker, twitchy, brutal and not something you could take lightly. Had strange enjoyment from it wanting to kill me when pushing on a bit, certainly an adrenaline rush.

I first heard this beast back in 97/98 and still think is the best sound bike ever. The video dos not make it justice.

Great vid, sorry for the loss of your friend and what a stunning bike.

Never forgotten, John Cantlie. I was on the TL1000S UK launch and I'll admit I thought it handled like a shopping trolley even then (but of course you don't tell Suzuiki that at the time).

I miss John aka Sonic, he did the story on my FZ750R build with FZR1000 parts in the engine aka FZR911 and a YZF750 with a EXUP lump stuffed in it, the front cover was Sonic and another Superbike writer head butting each other while wheeling up a very steep incline at Cobham proving ground... the cover story was ‘Head banger’s), I featured in few stories in this magazine. 👍

Had a TL 1000s Was a super engine. Use to look forward ever month to super bike magazine. Had the best writing on motorcycling. And possibly to blame for discovering Jordan !

As someone who only got in to bikes 5 ish years ago I reallly appreciate videos on the older bikes.

I bought the 97 TL1000S new in February of 98. It was my second street bike, it was the red like in your video, and it was an absolute beast at the time. The biggest issue I with the TL was keeping the front tire down when trying to accelerate out of a corner. I was with a group that road hard on twisty mountain roads in Appalachia and more than once I almost ate dirt in a corner. All that said I would love to have the bike back. For all the almost times it was a great part of my early 20's. Thank you for sharing this video and bringing back some great memories.

My mate has a TLS with a set of Arrow pipe`s thing`s LAF! he`s had it from new & will never sell it,he has 4-5 bike`s he swaps & trades but will never sell his TLS,mans 68 year`s young.

I own a TLS and have ridden an sp1 , will not be selling the tl anytime soon. It's scary to ride but at the same time such a buzz I can't think of another bike I'd rather own !!

I bought a yellow one when they first came out. On a recall, a steering damper was fitted by Suzi. Owned it for 5 years and loved it

In 2000 I bought a brand new R model. Last November for my birthday I purchased a 1998 TL1000S with low mileage. It required some work, then I had someone to remap it to 135 hp. I actually also ride a remapped gen 1 Hayabusa, and a BMW R1200R. I used to ride 3 Buell for 5 years. But I have to say the price I’ve paid for my TL and the pleasure it brings while ridding it is best deal ever!

I love my TL1000R and I will NEVER EVER part with it! Of course it’s far from stock, it’s entirely Carbon Fiber, even replicated the factory 2000 Yellow Factory paint scheme over the carbon fiber and let the carbon fiber show through where the factory scheme was black! Looks subtle unless you know the TL1000R! My TLR has BST Carbon fiber Wheels, Yosh carbon fiber exhaust, clocks are switched over to GSXR-1000 for Ann updated look and more data. If The Bike Show would like to see a bit of the bike let me know and I’ll be happy to shoot you some pics! Would love to see it in a magazine!

Had a silver TL1000s- One of the most enjoyable bikes Ive owned. The scorpion race cans sounded fantastic!!! I never had any issues with it great handling.

I nearly bought one of these back in the day but opted for the 750 SRAD.Now that bike scared me more than any i have ridden B4 or since.

Awesome video! More of this please!!

Fascinating video, I watched all of it. R50,000 sounds like heaps but when I looked up the conversion it’s $AUD 4,665 which sounds pretty good for a bike in that condition. I had a ride on one and I remember it went like stink, but you can’t even compare it with the likes of Ducati or a BMW S1000RR today when it comes to power, braking and handling. The electronics on modern bikes are out of this world now.

I had 2 x TL1000Rs back in the day. Loved them!!!! ❤️

Sorry to hear about Sonic, met him at Willow Springs 24 hour a lifetime ago, loved the English Mags much better than the Merican stuff! Oh and forgot to mention i had that red TLs and raced it for four years and it did try to kill me a couple of times! Good story

My Cat almost died watching this!! 1000cc 2 pepsicola canned sized pistons with massive surge of torque!

I've still got my TL1000S in my shed. It succumbed to the typical older TL engine proble; the main bearing went on it, but I still can't find the heart to get rid of it. It looks like I might make it into a project for one of my students this summer; strip it, replace the bearings, rebuild. with better matched bearings. But hell, that bike is lovely. Never any need to rev the nuts off it, it's much, much more fun to let it lope along in a high gear and just roll on the power. As for the "widow maker" reputation; I removed the steering damper the first day I had it, it made the bike impossible to steer, so much, in fact, that I ended up leaving the road 'cos I simply couldn't wrestle the thing onto the road through an S bend. Even without the damper I never found the bike came even close to a tank slapper, and I certainly landed enough wheelies because the motor just encourages you to. I must admit that, by the time I got my TL, I'd lost the desire to attack every corner as if it were my last, so I can't honestly say what the bike's like on the limit. But that's thing about this bike, the engine is just so much fun that you don't feel that you need to push it to the limit at every turn. The fun comes from simply rolling on the throttle and seeing everything else go backwards. No fuss, no hassle, bags and bags of fun. Oh, and lots of people think that it's an SV as well, so you have the sleeper appeal too.

All round fascinating. Enjoyed the tangent on your mate John too.

It's not the HP it's the torque that counts. Wheelies off the throttle without trying. Icon.

Flip I remember how twitchy that beast was! Loved the motor and the SV 1000 was such a great evolution. Snap oversteer into quick high side.

Blimey, so sad to hear what happened to Sonic. Regarding the TL: Suzuki made a mistake selling it without a steering damper, an error they corrected about 3 months after they were first released. I had plenty of slappers up until they supplied the damper. They also supplied an updated ECU which had a smoother power curve. I had one new in '97 and bloody loved it.

I had two 2001 TLS’s. The biggest improvement was installing 1” higher Helibars. Also sounded great with Yosh cans. The 2001 was the detuned 105 hp versions which were really pretty tame. One design feature I didn’t like was the lack of an oil pan. Strip the oil drain plug and you had one shot at repairing it.

My father owned both sv1000 and dl1000 vstrom and loved them. Done about 60k miles between them. Brilliant bikes!

Touching story. Thanks for sharing.

Nice video - thanks. I used to have a TL1000S. I agree its reputation was undeserved. I sold it for peanuts when I left the country. Should've kept it. I currently have a Honda SP2 sat in the garage, so look forward to your video on it.

Rotary (friction) dampened swing arm. You can get the same effect on some bikes by over tightening the swing arm pivot bolt for quick track day adjustments to rear dampening.

I had a tls1000. Wonderful bike, but my 2020 ZH2 is a true widow maker. Spectacular machine! 200hp, 4th gear power wheelies, and a chirping from the blower that sends shivers down your spine.

I survived mine.......and was only able to buy a used one when I'd come back from test-riding an APrilia & was bouncing off the ceiling. Then my wife(a biker) said "FINE!".It was a lot less money....... such a beastie! Such fun!

Wow,,,always wondered what happened to sonic! Bought that mag/rag mostly because of his abilities & shenanigans! Crazy how this video got to me by way of not hitting the skip button & seeing the ol tl1000 and reminiscing! Thxs

I bought a TL 1000s from A& D motorcycles in Denbigh in 1997 . It was the most fun I had on a motorcycle . Went to the Bol dor 24 hrs at Paul Ricard , rode to the costa del sol on a camping trip plus all the usual UK track days . Brilliant memories 👍

Great vid , big fan of the TLR , and Sonic was a top rider and a top journalist, once again great vid

I've got TL1000r, it was so hard to come by but I finally got it!

I still have pictures of Sonic's bike, and the issues it was featured it. That bike is still one of the best builds I ever saw. Loved it.

The nicest sounding production motorcycle ever built! Even nicer sounding than a Ducati!

Love this bike Wheelies right off the line Smooth ,comes right up I still have one

Had a '98 version of this - full power. IMHO, Suzuki just didn't finish the bike. Too low at the back, the rotary damper wasn't tested well and was found wanting, and that afterthought steering damper made it really hard to turn. The 190 tyre at the back also slowed the steering, and the high centre of gravity meant it didn't like turning on a closed throttle - feeling like it was going to sort of flop over. I changed the rear tyre to a 180, fitted a hyperpro steering damper an ohlins shock and dropped the yokes down the forks 10mm, and that improved things hugely (as did a set of ART cans). The closed throttle thing I just rode around. I followed it with a ZX9R, which was a better bike in all respects bar not being a V-twin. The Honda VTR mentioned in the same vid was a limp-wristed version of the TL for those who saw God and blinked.

I tested a TL1000R for a mag back in the day and the damping from the rotary damper gave pogo-stick-like damping ...just in certain situations, cornering over motorway bridge joins for instance. As far as I recall I did get a mild critique of it in print. ...grilled by the editor and owner to do it tho.

I had a 1998 Suzuki TL1000S for ten years,traded it in 2011 for a GSXR 1000 K2,the reputation was total hyperbolic nonsense as far as I'm concerned,okay mine had the steering damper fitted from the factory which was a speedy modification by Suzuki after an early 1997 TL owner died on a damper-less version.It was a great bike,it was very stable,the GSXR shook it's head more than the TL ever did but the most horrifying thing in my opinion was the build quality which was common to Suzuki's ethos at the time,they were selling lower priced bike such as the RF900/600,Bandit 1200/600 but the cost cutting showed,particularly compared to a contemporary Honda.I had a huge list of problems with it,most of which were well known TL foibles and to be blunt,I was glad to see the back of it.

This and the Honda VTR1000F SuperHawk (Firestorm) were so similar yet so different.

I've owned 2 - 98 Honda VTR's and love the v-twin torque and power. My first I had for 17 years and sold it by mistake and recently found a another beautiful Red 98 that I own and will not sell. I love my poor man's Ducati.... and loved how reliable it is. When I was looking to find another twin.... I looked for a TLS but the VTR just feel in my lap and it just was meant to be. I have had Plenty of seat time on my buddies TLR, SV1000 and another's Duc 998 and loved those too but I have to say for the street....my Honda just works. It's a freaking Unicycle and I love it. The sound and the ease of this bike has been amazing. The few times I road a TLS was a blast too...and it never felt like it was going to hurt me.

Thank you for all of your videos, I think we all can say that we really enjoy them. Greetings from America.

I remember the first time i rode a TL 1000. The bike is scary but also amazing. Being a pissed off V twin, the torque comes on and keeps coming. It's an interesting balance.

If i could get my hands on a decent 97 / 98 low k one I'd buy it ( N.Z )great vid thanks for sharing about sonic im sure ive got that mag in a box in my garage lol

Can’t wait for a Honda sp1 review, The beast.

Thank you for your very complete review. I heard this bike going down the road years ago and hunted it down used. But your review is very enlightening. There is more to a motorcycle then a great motor. The plain jane one I found was clearly abused by it's former owners anyway. My condolenses on your friend. May he turn up grey bearded and safe and you down some ale with him if that happens.

We live in Australia and own a black version, and ride the Alpine regions of Victoria and New South Wales. Love the sound and power, incredibly reliable......... the only issue was the leaking fuel tank because it had been sitting in a shed for four years !! So replaced it with a second hand one. Yes it doesn’t quite handle through the twisty roads as a 900ss I owned for a few years.......but going to keep it ps can’t believe this KZfaq video came up in my feed when I wasn’t even looking for it , well done on the background/history of the TL 1000👏

I had a TLS and I almost loved it... I survived a few tank slappers, but barely. I ran over a road reflector during heavy acceleration, which caused the last tank slapper. I now have a rod, a plate, and a few screws in my ankle and foot. F that p.o.s.Will never own another one but would try a TLR.

Had a 97 tls. Bloody superb... my mate had one at same time... we called them tlsibub. Went out with guys on 9rs etc... the TLs instant grunt was unmatched. Honestly I don't know how we survived. Ace memories... what a machine

Yes. I still own 97's TLS and even a 500cc super single conversion project with TLS engine is working on my channel. Although TLS has numerous drawbacks and problems. There is a sense of TLS that cannot be felt in a new bike.

I remember the TL, a mate had a great one with ridiculously loud carbon cans. 😂 I also remember Sonic.

Wow. Wondered what happened to "Sonic". So sad. But thanks for the story. Made hairs stand up on my neck

Yep do more vids about 80s and 90 bikes guys, people love those

Great engine. I wish Suzuki would bring out an SV1000. Sad story about the journalist. I didn't know about this.

I was very interested to hear about Sonic. The 80/90's were really a golden era in the UK, especially for the media. I used to read Superbike and Fast Bikes avidly

Hope you guys will review the Aprilia RSV Mille, another awesome big V-twin from the same period

What road is that? Looks like a fun ride

Having the same motor (Dl1000 2002) over 120000klm and never opened the motor. I love this motor.

Chassis flexed too much and the side stand would grind out. My mate had one and we would swap bikes from time to time on a run out. Good fun though !

I had a 1997 one I think and it was awesome.

I am genuinly saddened and yet humbled and in awe of Mr. John Cantlie, I was a avid reader of Superbike Magazine (& FB too) throughout the mid 90s to early 2000s (and until later for FB until most of the old crew was largely all gone elsewhere themselves post the early 2000s). Sonic was at times a happly smiling prankster on 2 wheels, ..for the photo-picture shot, a flair for describing felt motions and being, when riding, while that great of humour inside and his ability to stunt.. the SPM rival to Shakey (or Frosty,) for some cunning stunts antics if I am not misremembering. I am sorry when in the reccent past I had heard on the news sparked a bell or recognition , but not linked in such as this. The world is a poorer place without him.

Any Chance of Reviewing The VTR 10000 Firestorm, Please :):)

Awesome machine the TL1000R and the TL1000S were amazing. The V-Twin Superbike era was probably the best time for ducati, honda and suzuki. The technology coming out at the time and the battles in the World super bike racing. Still my absolute favorite motorcycles era.

Lovely tribute to an awesome guy.....

Great bike for the sound alone, engine still being used in suzuki's VSTROM1000 and SV1000 until 2007. As with alot of Suzuki bikes, build it right and use it for 20 years. Rear shock Bitubo upgrade and the right set of cans and this makes a very nice and respected weekend bike.

When i worked at a dealership we had TL 1000s and vtr 1000f. I first took vtr one day home and next day i try TL home. TL was much more fun :) Powerwheelie king :) I want to have one again but hard to find one in good shape now.

By brother had a new TL1000s, he loved it & it never tried to kill him. Neither a friend who went on a ride from Cornwall to the Scottish highlands on his.

I had the R1 when it came out, a friend of mine back then ran the Suzuki press fleet, Roger Simmons, he said later the issues were variances in the amount of oil had an effect on the rotary damper, to much and it could lock up causing issues which is why some had issues and some didn’t. Basically the manufacturing was not tight enough then,

god i was a fan of sonic...i had a tl100s 1997 and followed his long termer...even went to bath to get the suspension set up. heart broken to hear what happened to him...what a guy!