Description
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Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this 2000 Suzuki TL1000R. 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.
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.
This example is VIN: JS1VT52A5Y2101528. The seller is the second owner – he acquired it from the original owner out of Apex, North Carolina one year ago.
During his ownership, the seller has covered 2,700 miles. The odometer shows 28,637 miles.
The seller summed up his bike as follows: “I acquired this fine example of Suzuki’s big twin sportbike a year ago in February 2021 and am only its second owner. The original owner was clearing his garage of several toys with this Tiller being one. The bike had been garage-kept its entire life, but had been sitting for a period of time unused. During my brief stewardship I have gone over the bike extensively to get it mechanically and electrically road ready. Throughout its early life the original owner made several modifications to the bike, many of which are near impossible to find today and are highly sought after.
The bike looks, sounds, goes and stops amazing and is easily rewarding to ride. I immediately felt comfortable on it. As a longtime fan of bikes from this era (especially big twins) I really appreciate how special the exhaust system is on the bike. The burbling and occasional pop on deceleration is too much fun. Beyond the inspiring soundtrack, the riding dynamics are phenomenal as well. She’s very stable through the corners with plenty of grip, although I have not pushed the bike hard. Acceleration is brisk with a very linear torque curve and shifts so smooth through the gears. It snicks the next gear without drama and I can even find neutral no problem. Cold starts take a few extra seconds to bring her to life, but this appears to be common among TL motors. Hot starts are super fast. Braking is strong as well, although it takes one stop to get them up to temp.
Despite the mileage, the bike has been absolutely reliable during my ownership. And although she has always been garage-kept she is no garage-queen. The bike shows evidence of 22 years of use even though the plastics overall still look remarkable. The bike does show signs of a left side lay down at some point in its life and there is a small oil drip. The original bellypan appears to have been burned through by the Yoshi exhaust, though it still mounts solidly. I sourced a replacement an OE bellypan but it has the same fitment interference issue.
I have seriously considered keeping this piece of engineering artwork, but at the end of the day it is redundant in my garage and I only have so much room! I have owned several big twins from the early 2000’s (RSV, RC51, SV1000S, Futura) and the TLR ranks up there as one of my all-time favorites.”
Modifications:
Full Yoshimura stainless steel exhaust system.
Penske rear shock with remote reservoir (professionally rebuilt and set for my weight ~230lbs summer ’21).
Lindemann Engineering rear linkage.
’04 GSXR1K forks (professionally rebuilt and set for my weight summer ’21), Braking floating front rotors, GSXR front radial calipers and master with new SS lines, reused Galfer brake pads (all components rebuilt summer ’21).
GSXR rear caliper with OE TL master, modified tube reservoir, new DP brake pads and new SS line (all components rebuilt summer ’21), Braking rear rotor.
Sato fully adjustable rearsets.
Pazzo shorty levers.
Clear clutch cover.
DID ERV7 520 chain, Superlite hard-anodized rear sprocket/Superlite steel front sprocket (17/42), Bridgestone S22 tires (all parts in this line installed summer ’21, 2,700 miles).
Power Commander II, Speedo Healer v4, Brandon Wells sheet metal trunk (aka Gap Mod).
“All electrics in the rear of the bike were missing and/or nonfunctional upon taking ownership. I sourced a used OE tail light and mounted it slightly tucked into the rear fairing and put in some very bright LED bulbs. The aftermarket undertail was modified to accept this.”
Not pictured is a TRE (Timing Retard Eliminator) mod.
Recent Maintenance:
Motul 5100 10w40 w/ OE Suzuki filter (2x changes, last changed February ’22)
Motul RBF600 for all brake and clutch fluids (summer ’21)
Engine Ice coolant following thorough flush (summer ’21)
NGK spark plugs and new OE air filter (summer ’21)
Drained and refilled stock steering damper 5w Silkolene (summer ’21)
New Philips Xtreme-Vision H4 headlight bulbs
New front OE wheel bearings
TST Industries LED turn signals with flasher relay mod
Professionally refinished rear tail hump (the tail cover had an out of bike experience at some point according to the original owner, so I had it refinished)
The sale includes the following spare parts:
Corbin driver’s seat w/ blue trim
OE forks
OE Suzuki N.O.S. belly pan (never mounted but has some slight scratches from moving about the garage)
OE rear seat
OE TL front fender
OE Passenger pegs
Original 6-pot calipers and OE TL front master
OE TL rear caliper
OE TL rear reservoir
OE front and rear rotors
OE clutch cover
Vortex gas cap
Cosmetic Blemishes:
“Despite the mileage the bike has been absolutely reliable during my ownership. And although she has always been garage-kept she is no garage-queen. The bike shows evidence of 22 years of use even though the plastics overall still look remarkable. The bike does show signs of a left side lay down at some point in its life and there is a small oil drip. The original belly pan appears to have been burned through by the Yoshi exhaust, though it still mounts solidly. I sourced a replacement OE bellypan but it has the same fitment interference issue. There is some “patina” on the tank from jacket zipper/belt buckle wear, a small chip in the paint of the left side of the tank and some wear on the tail fairing from the tail cover and driver’s seat (all pictured). The tail hump came off the bike at some point while moving and resulted in some scratches and paint blemishing. I had the cover refinished and repainted by Trading Paint (you’ll see his work at any given MotoA weekend) and now looks brand new.”
“The original owner had installed a tail riser mod that raised the angle of the subframe. I didn’t care for it and returned to the stock configuration. This revealed the rub marks on the cans, but there is no other damage.”
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax S22 Hypersport tires.
The seller states that there are “no major mechanical issues, but the bike will leave a drop of oil or two after riding.”
Currently located in Sanford, North Carolina, this Suzuki is offered on a clean North Carolina title.
Have any TL1000R stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
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!
