R1,ZX-9r,TL1000R Opinions please

[Fire99]

Hi All,

I've had a few bikes over the past few years including a ZX-9r c1 and GSXR1100 etc.
I had a layoff for a year as i blew the gearbox on the GSXR and didnt have available money at the time to fix it.
Anyway, cutting a long story short i'm riding a gpz500s as a cheap hack to keep the No-Claims going and have got the bug for another litre bike.

I loved my ZX-9 and am tempted with an E1 or E2 model (y2k) but do fancy something different.

The other 2 on the shopping list are an early 98-2000 R1 and a TL1000r (as ive not owned a big twin before)

Anyway i love the rush of hard acceleration (up to legal speeds officer) so whatever i buy has got to be a bit loony!

Obviously ultimately i've gotta test ride em but i would appreciate you guys' opinion on these or another alternative.

Budget is £3k -3.5k

Thanks all,

Nick

[YamR1,V64motion]

personally i would go for the early R1,if thier uspension is set up they are very good in the handling department and the power delivery is mental, definatly a quicker bike than the ZX9 or TLR but also the least comfortable.

[F.M]

You`ve had a few good fours there....the new stuff are immensly light and a early R1 is a good four cylinder choice though the late ZX-9`s are handsome......850bhp/tonne compared to 650bhp/tonne.. for your previous steeds...If you haven`t tried twins they are worth a try....Very sublime and sound so good with race pipes...You may not even look back....I like the TLR`s..though they are not track tools like the R1...too much weight..Best of luck...Choosing your new steed and the intial honeymoon is the best part of motorcycling....

[Loose Lips]

Try a TLR. It's a Man's bike.

[shot2bits]

Just been reading some reviews of litre sports bikes for reasonable cash - some people actually prefer the original 98 R1 to the current model (based on it's ability and cash saving)... I'd go for the R1 if I were you, you'll have the performance and the cornering ability as well plus they're becoming a classic... Though the early ZX9's were always respected as a good bike as well...

[shot2bits]

Loose Lips said:

Try a TLR. It's a Man's bike.

And that from a bloke called Ian with the nickname 'loose lips'

[Fire99]

Cheers guys for the advice..

I did love the Zx-9 and im sure the slightly later one would be great but i have a sneaky feeling on the road it wont feel a great deal different.

Methinks it may be a tossup between the R1 or TLR (if i find the V-Twin grunt up my alley!)

I'll see if i can take both for a spin. I'll certainly let you know the outcome..

cheers guys,

Nick

By the way, not that i have enough money for one but has anyone ridden the new Triumph Speed triple with the stubby cans?
Saw a couple at Southend the other monday. Looked great little hooligan machines.

[rsvmilly]

You drive a TVR so you like a bit of grunt. Try an Aprilia RSV. Better handling than the TLR - at least a match for the R1, if not better. Not quite as nimble, though, but more stable. Very reliable for an Italian bike (or indeed any bike). If you like instant grunt and so much torque that you can pull strongly from about 4000rpm then thay are worth a go.

[Fire99]

rsvmilly said:

You drive a TVR so you like a bit of grunt. Try an Aprilia RSV. Better handling than the TLR - at least a match for the R1, if not better. Not quite as nimble, though, but more stable. Very reliable for an Italian bike (or indeed any bike). If you like instant grunt and so much torque that you can pull strongly from about 4000rpm then thay are worth a go.

My brother bought a new RSV-R a 3 or 4 years ago but unfortunately i never got round to getting a go on it.
It looked great though.

I'll pencil that one in too. (Glad there is a bank holiday coming up. I think i'm gonna be needing all the time i can get for test rides )

cheers mate.

[fergus]

early R1s understeer like hell. a reduced trail set of yokes will help it actually turn without running wide all the time. It is hard to adjust the problem using the damping/spring rates alone. You need to alter the geometry...

Great bike - runs on carbs. very easy to get running very very smoothly with great throttle response after a bit of time on a dyno. fit a better rear shock, the standard one gives up the ghost after a bit of hard riding, and overheats....

[sybaseian]

I've had a TLR and a TLS in my time.

If you are in the market a friend has a TLS with a titanium race system - I almost bought it from him but I don't like the green bodywork!

I'm sure that you could get it for a couple of grand.

Drop me an email if you are interested and I'll get you more details.

Ian

[Fire99]

sybaseian said:

I've had a TLR and a TLS in my time. If you are in the market a friend has a TLS with a titanium race system - I almost bought it from him but I don't like the green bodywork! I'm sure that you could get it for a couple of grand. Drop me an email if you are interested and I'll get you more details. Ian

Hi Ian,

I've dropped you a mail. The TLS is certainly a bike i've admired from afar. (especially with race cans)

thanks,

Nick

[sybaseian]

Fire99 said:

sybaseian said: I've had a TLR and a TLS in my time. If you are in the market a friend has a TLS with a titanium race system - I almost bought it from him but I don't like the green bodywork! I'm sure that you could get it for a couple of grand. Drop me an email if you are interested and I'll get you more details. Ian Hi Ian, I've dropped you a mail. The TLS is certainly a bike i've admired from afar. (especially with race cans) thanks, Nick

no problem - I'll give my mate a shout, but he's not back from the states til 9 May

[rumpelstiltskin]

Here's another vote for an early R1.I've had a Busa,then a zx12R,then a 99 R1 and i luv the Yam to bits,its dynojetted,K+N,full Akropovic race system,makes me smile every time i go out on it,don't know why,for me it just makes all the right noises and is very flickable,great bike to rev the nuts off!

[MrsMiggins]

TLS or TLR - both great bikes. There's all manner of ways to spend your leftover cash too. Have a look at www.tlzone.net for some sweet looking TLs.

[YamR1,V64motion]

why not a 2001 Fireblade?,not that much different to the 954 and let me tell you that was a great bike , still my favourite out of every bike ive ever owned and ive got a 2006 one now so that says something.

[Loose Lips]

shot2bits said:

Loose Lips said: Try a TLR. It's a Man's bike. And that from a bloke called Ian with the nickname 'loose lips'

Nice one S2B ;

Seriously I have ridden the RSV and it is a good bike a little more nimble than the TLR but I doubt one can be had for 3K.

I have owned Ducati's Suzy4s, Kawasaki's, Triumphs, Guzzi's Honda's and the bike that gives me more laughs per £ is the TLR. Just has so much grunt and a great boom especially if you fit some race cans.

Easiest way to sort it out is to ride them all if you can.

[Fire99]

Cheers guys for all the replies coming in.

I've looked at a few blades and apart from the 1994 Urban Tiger and the 2006 they dont really do it for me. (Aren't us Bike buyers a fickle bunch?? )

I do really think i'm gonna have to try them and see what one does it for me. so to speak. (Now i've said all that i'll probably end up with a harley! err no!)

I do think the big V-Twins with race cans sound awesome!
Saying that my ZX-9 had one of the very first Blue Flame coloured Titanium cans and people said it sounded like a WSB bike.

Thanks for all the help guys.

Nick

[billy h]

hi, if you fancy a twin, y not try an aprilia rsv mille, or if you can afford the mille r with the ohlins suspension and the brembo brakes. could pick 1 up for a decent price????

[M5Player]

What about the gsxr 1000?? if you want a 'loony' bike then look no further!!