Discussion
Ok, I'm looking for some informed opinions on these bikes, oh alright, uninformed opinions will do 
.
I've decided now is a good time to trade up so I'll be selling my SRX6 to make way for either a TL1000s or a ZX9R C1/C2. My budget is around 2K.
The bike will be for general hooning and touring so everyday use not really an issue. I know they are chalk and cheese but I'm keen on both and can't make a decision. The TL appears to be a bit of a headbanger, flappy and a bit mad, like a pitbull staining on its lead. The ZX seems quite sensible in comparison although I suspect it's more capable than the TL. Will the ZX get boring after a while? I've never had a big inline four, infact I've never had a superbike so it's a bit of an unknown to me.
.I've decided now is a good time to trade up so I'll be selling my SRX6 to make way for either a TL1000s or a ZX9R C1/C2. My budget is around 2K.
The bike will be for general hooning and touring so everyday use not really an issue. I know they are chalk and cheese but I'm keen on both and can't make a decision. The TL appears to be a bit of a headbanger, flappy and a bit mad, like a pitbull staining on its lead. The ZX seems quite sensible in comparison although I suspect it's more capable than the TL. Will the ZX get boring after a while? I've never had a big inline four, infact I've never had a superbike so it's a bit of an unknown to me.
The ZX9R is a brilliant bike by all accounts. Looks, speed and handling all excellent for the money. The TLS handles badly, has a finicky motor and a reputation for killing its riders.
I know that the Kawasaki is brilliant but will I get bored of it? I don't know of anyone tiring of the TL. Most seem to love it or find it too scary.
I'm not keen on the Firestorm due to reputation for being a bit pedestrian. But hey, what do I know? The quickest bike I've owned is a trx850 which is about 50hp down on any of these bikes. It's time I got a proper superbike after 10 years of riding though. It's quite exciting really. Happy New Year!
or maybe...
I know that the Kawasaki is brilliant but will I get bored of it? I don't know of anyone tiring of the TL. Most seem to love it or find it too scary.
I'm not keen on the Firestorm due to reputation for being a bit pedestrian. But hey, what do I know? The quickest bike I've owned is a trx850 which is about 50hp down on any of these bikes. It's time I got a proper superbike after 10 years of riding though. It's quite exciting really. Happy New Year!
or maybe...
ZX9 is the "sensible" choice; faster at the top end, less reluctant to go round corners, more comfy over long distances and uses a lot less fuel getting there.
TLS absolutely bonkers absolutely everywhere; accelerates like a greyhound with deep heat up it's poop shoot, drinks fuel like a pish-head on Magners, and will knack your neck and knees after 100 miles.
My money's on the TLS.
Get a well maintained 97/98 bike as they are strongest, preferably one where someone has spent some money on a decent steering damper and replaced the rear suspension (Maxton is good), and stick on some Art cans for the full fat sound effect.
However, you really need to try them both and make an informed decision for yourself.
But my money's still on the TLS.
TLS absolutely bonkers absolutely everywhere; accelerates like a greyhound with deep heat up it's poop shoot, drinks fuel like a pish-head on Magners, and will knack your neck and knees after 100 miles.
My money's on the TLS.
Get a well maintained 97/98 bike as they are strongest, preferably one where someone has spent some money on a decent steering damper and replaced the rear suspension (Maxton is good), and stick on some Art cans for the full fat sound effect.
However, you really need to try them both and make an informed decision for yourself.
But my money's still on the TLS.
The TLS is often owned by enthusiasts, so many (most?) of them have had that rear suspension sorted.
Go to http://www.tlzone.net/forums/ if you have questions before you buy.
Go to http://www.tlzone.net/forums/ if you have questions before you buy.
black1 said:
zx9 great if you like changeing gear ! nowt below 7 grand so you gotta ring its neck all day
i had one rode it twice then sold it bloody crap !
Thats just not fair.i had one rode it twice then sold it bloody crap !
The zx9r is far from crap. They would make a great intro into big bikes from most, say that nowt happens below 7k is only relative.
Good value from money.
As for the twin, i would rather have a firestorm than the TL.
supersingle said:
I've decided now is a good time to trade up so I'll be selling my SRX6 to make way for either a TL1000s or a ZX9R C1/C2. My budget is around 2K.
You need to try both as they are VERY different. Only you will know if the ZX9R will become 'boring'.slim_boy_fat said:
As for the twin, i would rather have a firestorm than the TL.
Agree totally with that, especially at this sort of price range. slim_boy_fat said:
black1 said:
zx9 great if you like changeing gear ! nowt below 7 grand so you gotta ring its neck all day
i had one rode it twice then sold it bloody crap !
Thats just not fair.i had one rode it twice then sold it bloody crap !
The zx9r is far from crap. They would make a great intro into big bikes from most, say that nowt happens below 7k is only relative.
Good value from money.
As for the twin, i would rather have a firestorm than the TL.
ocks off it i had one for 3yrs when they first came out in 1990, you can now pick them up for bout 2grand !
Edited by black1 on Tuesday 1st January 16:41
I had a ZX9R some years back and I liked it, it was fast, particularly in a straight line, with a great intake howl that was so addictive it can get you into trouble 
a bit long n' heavy in the handling but stable enough (at the time) it was reliable with no major issues, except it would sometimes 'burp' coolant when shut down after a brisk ride - better if 'warmed down'.
I know nothing of TLS (other than the hype etc) but have ridden a TLR which was also fast n' heavy but handled OK (Maxton rear shock conversion) and sounded phenomenal with a full race Yoshi system.
I also had a Firestorm and it definitely was not 'pedestrian' - not as quick (in a straight line) as the ZX9R (or maybe a TLS?) but lighter, more nimble and better handling, if a little bland in the looks department. The front suspension was a bit soft IMO, although that may be due to my weight
but the biggest fault was poor tank range due to combination of poor MPG and small tank but otherwise a good all-rounder. I think the later models had a larger tank and there was a company that made a larger tank otherwise it's fillup time every 60 - 80 miles 
If I were considering the above bikes I'd probably look at the TLS mainly because I've not had one and because it's supposed to be a bit mental - that and the TL motor sounds so good with race cans.
a bit long n' heavy in the handling but stable enough (at the time) it was reliable with no major issues, except it would sometimes 'burp' coolant when shut down after a brisk ride - better if 'warmed down'.I know nothing of TLS (other than the hype etc) but have ridden a TLR which was also fast n' heavy but handled OK (Maxton rear shock conversion) and sounded phenomenal with a full race Yoshi system.
I also had a Firestorm and it definitely was not 'pedestrian' - not as quick (in a straight line) as the ZX9R (or maybe a TLS?) but lighter, more nimble and better handling, if a little bland in the looks department. The front suspension was a bit soft IMO, although that may be due to my weight
but the biggest fault was poor tank range due to combination of poor MPG and small tank but otherwise a good all-rounder. I think the later models had a larger tank and there was a company that made a larger tank otherwise it's fillup time every 60 - 80 miles If I were considering the above bikes I'd probably look at the TLS mainly because I've not had one and because it's supposed to be a bit mental - that and the TL motor sounds so good with race cans.
I had a Firestorm and now have the SP-1
While they are thirsty I always managed over 100 miles per tank except when thrashing it around the TT course at which poing a tank would last 1 and a half laps. buy that was VERY HARD riding!
the SP-1 will do 1120 on a tankful but will aso happily empty its tank in 90-100 on a "brisk" run.
On the plus side the Firestorm seldom needed thrashing as it just has so much bottom end.
From my experiance you need to ride the V twins in a completely different way to the 4s.
You need to be 1 gear higher and use the torque to bring about that factor.
While they are thirsty I always managed over 100 miles per tank except when thrashing it around the TT course at which poing a tank would last 1 and a half laps. buy that was VERY HARD riding!
the SP-1 will do 1120 on a tankful but will aso happily empty its tank in 90-100 on a "brisk"
run.On the plus side the Firestorm seldom needed thrashing as it just has so much bottom end.
From my experiance you need to ride the V twins in a completely different way to the 4s.
You need to be 1 gear higher and use the torque to bring about that
factor.Thanks for your replies. I think I'll probably go for the TLS. It's the bike my heart wants and it's not like I actually need a bike, so if I'm going to have one it might as well be fun! The ZX9R is obviously a great bike but just doesn't have the Suzuki's lunacy.
The inline fours I've ridden have been 600cc or smaller and they were all a right pain to ride. I'm not interested in bikes with no midrange. I'm sure the kwaka has plenty of grunt but it's still a four and is only a 900. I'm told that the newer GSXR1000s have comparable low/midrange to a twin.
I can't believe how cheap the TLS is. Tatty examples from £1200 and 2K gets a very good bike.
The inline fours I've ridden have been 600cc or smaller and they were all a right pain to ride. I'm not interested in bikes with no midrange. I'm sure the kwaka has plenty of grunt but it's still a four and is only a 900. I'm told that the newer GSXR1000s have comparable low/midrange to a twin.
I can't believe how cheap the TLS is. Tatty examples from £1200 and 2K gets a very good bike.
odyssey2200 said:
I had a Firestorm and now have the SP-1
While they are thirsty I always managed over 100 miles per tank except when thrashing it around the TT course at which poing a tank would last 1 and a half laps. buy that was VERY HARD riding!
I've never managed good economy figures on any of my bikes/cars....... While they are thirsty I always managed over 100 miles per tank except when thrashing it around the TT course at which poing a tank would last 1 and a half laps. buy that was VERY HARD riding!
odyssey2200 said:
the SP-1 will do 1120 on a tankful but will aso happily empty its tank in 90-100 on a "brisk" run.
Presume you mean 120? if so that's not bad but I get that from the 916 before it goes to reserve. run.odyssey2200 said:
On the plus side the Firestorm seldom needed thrashing as it just has so much bottom end.
Agreed, the VTR is an easy bike to ride, comfortable and doesn't need thrashing to make good progress, I swapped mine for the 916 which is faster (at the top end) but the low-down of the VTR plus the more upright seating position make it easier to inadvertently wheelie and more of a hooligan despite it's drab appearance Edited by catso on Tuesday 1st January 23:07
I've had both a Suzuki TL1000R and a 2001 Honda Fireblade RRY.
Although the TLR was quick it was nothing compared to the Fireblade. If you want a really fast bike with a lot of low down grunt, try a blade.
If you look hard enough you can pick them up from 2k. Mine had 38k on the clock and it never missed a beat, sold it for £2300 earlier this year.
Although the TLR was quick it was nothing compared to the Fireblade. If you want a really fast bike with a lot of low down grunt, try a blade.
If you look hard enough you can pick them up from 2k. Mine had 38k on the clock and it never missed a beat, sold it for £2300 earlier this year.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff