Description
Please Note: In response to customer requests, we are implementing an automatic bid bump: if your proxy bid meets or exceeds the reserve price, bidding will jump up to meet that price and you will see “Reserve price has been met” under the price. Please contact abhi@iconicmotorbikes.com if you have any questions!
Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this Suzuki GSX-R750. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Following the success of Ducati’s V-Twin-powered racers in the World Superbike Championship, other major manufacturers followed suit by developing their own race-bred V-Twins. Suzuki’s first attempt at a performance-driven V-Twin model came in the form of the TL1000S in 1997, though the next year the Japanese marque would follow up the half-faired 1000S with the even racier TL1000R. “The concept behind the TL1000R is simple: Build a V-Twin with the potential to win Superbike races,” explained Hiroshi Moritake, who led the TL-R project.
The V-Twin motor was updated for the TLR, getting a revised ram-air-box, Mikuni electronic dual-injector throttle bodies, upgraded cams, forged pistons, beefier connecting rods, improved ignition timing, and a 1,000 rpm higher redline. The changes to the liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 996cc, 8V, DOHC, 90-degree V-Twin ultimately afforded the TLR a cool 135hp at 9,500 rpm and 78 ft-lbs of torque at 7,500 rpm. And despite the bump in performance, the V-Twin retained its reputation for bullet-proof reliability.
The Gixxer-derived chassis was paired with a set of 43mm inverted forks and a progressive link shock, both adjustable for spring preload, rebound, and compression damping. Slowing the twin-cylinder superbike was a pair of 320mm front discs bit by six-piston calipers and a single 220mm disc with a dual-piston caliper in the rear — all provided by Tokico.
Weighing around 430 lbs dry, the TL1000R sported wind-tunnel-developed bodywork including a distinctive “shark nose” fairing, which helped the 135 hp V-Twin cut through the air and reach speeds of up to 170 mph. Suzuki also offered a myriad of trick factory race kit parts for the TLR, including upgraded internals, and a wide array of chassis adjustability such as swing-arm pivot position, ride height, and steering stem rake.
Built in April of 1998, this example is VIN: JS1VT52AXW2100551.
It belongs to our very own Steve the Professor – he bought it new from Motoworld in El Cajon, California. He used it as a street bike until three years ago, at which point he turned it into a dedicated race bike and had SBKPaint spray the bodywork.
Steve built the motor himself in 2009 when he was working Lee’s Cycle in San Diego, California. Features include Carrillo steel rods, Falicon “super crank” (lightened, blueprinted and polished), Arias 2mm over custom pistons with 13.5:1 compression, ported heads by ESP Racing with stock valves, and a Power Commander w/ a custom map. The dyno showed 135 hp and 83 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel (dyno chart is available). He sold the original engine out of it and then built this motor from scratch. This motor has approximately 8,000 miles of street work and four track days on it.
The odometer shows 45,260 miles.
Modifications:
Yoshimura RS-3 exhaust.
Attack top triple tree and Ohlins steering damper.
Ohlins shock.
Carbon fiber heel guards.
Race Tech fork internals.
The steering geometry was changed by Computrack to the tune of $3,500.
Steve “loves this girl but it’s time for something a little smaller.”
Steve has some spares available to the next owner if they want: rear wheel, swingarm, complete wiring harness, regulator, forks, handlebar, misc. engine parts, clutch, and several smaller pieces.
Cosmetic Blemishes:
Inside of the tank:
Adam spun a few laps on this bike during our Laguna Seca track day this summer and it was his favorite bike of the day!
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California, this Suzuki is offered on a clean California title with Planned Non-Operational registration. Please note that Steve misplaced the title on this bike so we got a new one in our (Iconic Motorbikes) name. Have any TL-R stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the comments below!
Please Note: In response to customer requests, we are implementing an automatic bid bump: if your proxy bid meets or exceeds the reserve price, bidding will jump up to meet that price and you will see “Reserve price has been met” under the price. Please contact abhi@iconicmotorbikes.com if you have any questions!
