motorcycle

[Ruprecht]

so you pulled the rotary shock on the tl,real men left it on and had a large supply of clean underwear to take with them on a ride.

Hah! Yeah... I'm prepared to chalk a lot of things up to "character", but rock hard suspension after about 30 minutes or so of riding wasn't one of them (and it wasn't great to start with).
Although in my defence, I did leave it on there until the frame cracked at the rear shock mount.

 

[neverwas]

ouch,bet that wasn't a cheap repair and upgrade.

 

[Ruprecht]

ouch,bet that wasn't a cheap repair and upgrade.

Known fault, the frame ended up being covered by Suzuki.
At that stage I decided I'd had enough of their "innovative" rotary rear damper, and the Ohlins was about $1100.
Huge improvement though (combined with running a 180 rather than 190 rear). So much so I took the steering damper off.

 

[neverwas]

i didn't know that,but i only ever rode my friends ones,had a few scary moments when that shock locked up which resulted in the dreaded sphincter tightening manoeuvre. but the engine is great,i do like v twins.

 

[TSO]

That's WAY to much power for a new rider, he'd be busted up within a week.

I have taught dozens of people how to ride on that bike in the last 12 years. Its a great learning bike because it makes power through the entire rev range and is almost impossible to stall. It's probably one of the most forgiving motorcycles to learn on and its only drawback is it's heavy compared to most sport bikes.

 

[djacobox372]

Make sure you set some money aside for life insurance.

 

[Ruprecht]

i didn't know that,but i only ever rode my friends ones,had a few scary moments when that shock locked up which resulted in the dreaded sphincter tightening manoeuvre. but the engine is great,i do like v twins.

Yeah, the TLS got an evil reputation. 2nd bike (after the Kawasaki H2 750) to get widely dubbed the "Widowmaker" by the press. :icon_lol:
It was only the '97 model they did the frame swap for (they beefed up the mount on the later ones, although they can still break apparently), and I can't remember whether it was actually announced as a recall or just done on demand. It was out of warranty though.
I love the V-Twins. The tall narrow packaging, the torque characteristics, the feel and the sound. Suzuki make a hell of an engine too (the reason I've owned so many, not because of brand loyalty). Pisses me off they neutered the TL engine and whacked it into a budget bike for the SV, and then only developed it further for their V-Strom "Adventure" bike.
Only bikes to come out recently that really suit my tastes are the KTM 1290 Superduke ($$) and the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100. ...and aside from the steep price, I'm not convinced they can match Japanese every day ridability.

 

[Ruprecht]

I have taught dozens of people how to ride on that bike in the last 12 years. Its a great learning bike because it makes power through the entire rev range and is almost impossible to stall. It's probably one of the most forgiving motorcycles to learn on and its only drawback is it's heavy compared to most sport bikes.

Yeah... small isn't necessarily better. A few of my riding mates were trying to teach another friend to ride on an old PE175 in a supermarket carpark. Small, light, two-stroke enduro bike... basically he gassed it, dropped the clutch, monoed all the way across the car park and hit the supermarket wall.
Nearly two decades later he's just looking to get his licence again. :icon_lol:

 

[Cherdawg]

Known fault, the frame ended up being covered by Suzuki.
At that stage I decided I'd had enough of their "innovative" rotary rear damper, and the Ohlins was about $1100.
Huge improvement though (combined with running a 180 rather than 190 rear). So much so I took the steering damper off.

Does the TLR have the same problem?

I always loved those bikes, abit skittish/dangerous near the limit though.

 

[TSO]

Yeah... small isn't necessarily better. A few of my riding mates were trying to teach another friend to ride on an old PE175 in a supermarket carpark. Small, light, two-stroke enduro bike... basically he gassed it, dropped the clutch, monoed all the way across the car park and hit the supermarket wall.
Nearly two decades later he's just looking to get his licence again. :icon_lol:

Sounds like my oldest brothers first experience only replace car park with a big fucking hill.

 

[Tebowned]

Duck a cruiser. If you have an extra 25k laying around get a Kawasaki H2 you won't regret it.

Jk Harley 883 are nice for the younger crowd.

 

[Ruprecht]

Does the TLR have the same problem?

I always loved those bikes, abit skittish/dangerous near the limit though.

The TLR still has the rotary rear damper, although a much improved version (not good enough that I wouldn't ditch it for Ohlins).
Never heard of it cracking frames though, they went with a twin-spar instead of the trellis frame and beefed it up a lot (which is why it's a bit porky compared to the TLS).

Sounds like my oldest brothers first experience only replace car park with a big fucking hill.

You said your last bike was a ZRX1200, what are you riding now?
I do love those Old School big, *** I4s. 80s and 90s muscle bikes basically (I know the ZRX1200 is 2000s, but it's a bit retro). Although they can be a bit piggish at low speeds.
One of the first big bikes I rode around on was a mate's Yamaha FJ1100. It was the search for the effortless grunt of that bike combined with handling like my GSXR 750 that had me wanting to build a 7/11, and ultimately lead me to the TL1000S. Eventually I got the GSXR 7/12 as well, but that was as much about nostalgia as anything else.

 

[Ruprecht]

Duck a cruiser. If you have an extra 25k laying around get a Kawasaki H2 you won't regret it.

Jk Harley 883 are nice for the younger crowd.

You're right. If he's still learning to ride he probably wouldn't live long enough for any regrets! :icon_lol: