Suzuki TL1000S Review 1997-2001 - History, Specs, Sound, Riding Impressions

I still have a 99 TLS with a 97 00 ECU that I daily. Hasn't given me any serious issues other than a dead battery the other day. I will never sell this bike, the sound and pulling up everywhere and having the only one is priceless.

Nearly bought one but bought a 2006 SV1000s instead. Loved it. Now back in Australia I'm picking up another SV tomorrow morning. Riding it back 700kms. Turn 80 next year.

Ah, my heart bike. I still want a 1997 TL1000, unmodified, no silly steering damper. I test rode one when they first came out (back in the days when dealerships would let you take new bikes out for a test ride) and I have never been so instantly comfortable on a motorcycle. I ended up taking it up into the mountains because I HAD to try it in the twisties...EXCEPTIONAL...it felt to me like it almost anticipated my thoughts. It just flicked through the corners, and I literally could not help yelling "WHEEE!" ever time I touched the throttle. Needless to say, the sales guy was freaking out by the time I returned it, and I was no longer welcome to test ride their motorcycles, lol. So worth it, though. I decided I couldn't afford it, and I regret that decision to this day. I test rode a new CBR600 after that, and it was so smooth and so refined and so well-behaved and so BORING that it almost put me to sleep. Made me realize how exceptional the TL 1000 was. I always find it surprising when people say it's hard to get used to, or handles poorly, or doesn't inspire confidence. Coming from riding a series of big, tall, single-cylinder enduros (Suzuki DR600, etc), this bike, with it's high centre of gravity, low-end torque, and punchy, on-off throttle response felt absolutely familiar and predictable to me, and it really felt like I could instantly trust it when throwing it aggressively around corners at high speed. Like my old DR600, but reborn as a sport bike. I honestly think the bad reputation this bike got was largely due to riders who were used to a smooth, high-revving, four-cylinder sport bike (like the CBR or Ninja or GSXR) with a completely different power band, and with a lower center of gravity, that handled like all four-cylinder sport bikes of the day. Most sport bike riders just found the TL 1000 too different, and had the wrong ingrained reflexes for riding it through curves, which could get you in trouble. But in the end, I think that what an unmodified 1997 TL1000 needs is a rider with a LOT of estrogen. (Well, okay, I suppose a lot of testosterone would do, if you're a dude.) Aggression and perhaps just a touch of recklessness, anyway, regardless of the contents of your underwear.

I agree with you. This is not a bike for everyone, she's not the "usual" jap bike easy to ride. She's a thoroughbred

I had one of these back in the day. My over riding memory, is that as much as you tell yourself that you are going out for a nice calm ride, the character of the bike seemed to compel you into being at least a bit silly. Loved it. Thank you for the review.

Hey man, I’ll soon buy my first bike, a Cagiva Raptor 1000 which has the Suzuki tl1000 engine. I can’t wait!

got mine 2000 model 5 years ago. its got 79000 km on it .The Arrow carbon twin exhaust notes keeps it in my collection💯

Had mine 18 yrs and full blast and love to bits

I got mine, a green one in August 1997, and almost 27 years later I still have it! As soon as an Ohlins rear damper kit became available, I fitted one of those and I have now removed the steering damper. Other mods included braided brake hoses, Heli-bars(slightly higher and wider), cf hugger. Despite the initial problems, eg fuel in the oil, leaking fuel tank, leaking clutch cover, slipping clutch - all now solved, I still love to ride it. From the UK.😁

To be honest, it's my fav bike I've ever owned..i had a red 99, which got knocked over by a guy in a dump truck.. So it became black, with factory 97 new fairings and tail section.. And new yosh fill header, carbon high mount cans, one down on the front sprocket,2 up on the rear.. And a good tune map on the power commander, and a k&n filter.. I had several friends with " faster bikes".. I weigh about 150, same as then.. None of them could really out run me very easily, except the Gixxer1000, or zx14s and of course the Busa.. But i never got left very easily.. It was so fun.. It wound up having a bottom end knock, after 3 years of almost daily riding.. Lol i was told it was from the oil pickup being dry while my front tire was always in the air too long.. But damn it was the ultimate hooligan wheelie bike.. And it's not a bad handling machine thru the mountains either.. Now I'm looking at used ones online suddenly😉

I’ve got one now. Replaced the rear damper, much more responsive handling. I never really thought about how letting off the acceleration would slow down so much but you’re totally right, it wants to kill the speed once you let off. I’m just use to it by now. Did a Saddle Sore 1000 on it, that was tough but fun :)

I ha a red '97 with D&D slip-ons that set off car alarms! Steel braided brake hose and modified fork internals helped too. Used to do a lot of track days on it and toured a good chunk of the US west coast on it too. It felt very different from the Yamaha FZR1000 I had before, with my initial feeling that it was a lot slower, but it has deceptive V-twin power that took awhile to get used to and was probably faster than the FZ. The TL was my favorite motorcycle of the many I owned, I just loved the feel and sound.

This bike looks amazing, what a great piece of history. Thanks for the review Jon.

Love your real world reviews, without any sugar coating.

It’s beautiful, have the picture on my wall. Nice pics, thanks.

Nice. Afer zx12r, I Owned a 97. Was impressed how engaging it was to ride. Amazing sound and vibrations. Also removed the steering damper. It had an ohlins rear shock. I used to track it. Surprisingly, I never had any issues or 'fear' with it. Perhaps the ohlins was the ticket. AM back riding a zx12r again, but would n't say no to another tl

Almost purchased a yellow 2002 TL1000R. Thought it was a beautiful bike. But I was just getting back into riding and wanted something more comfortable and shaft drive. Enjoyed the video Jon and RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

Replacing the rear shock with a standard conversion and a proper set up of front forks transforms the bikes handling and you can throw away the steering damper! Full exh system, air filter and custom map produces a flouless motor! Yea its few grand extra but well worth it! Got a 97 green'y...my 4th since 99.

I want to get a TLS so bad. I already have the R. I need the full collection.

The first time I heard one of these, I wanted one. Glad I didn't pursue that dream ! Nice review !