Superbike successor to Suzuki's torquey and well liked TL1000S, the highly tuned 135PS TL1000R is a 165mph beast that oozes charisma.
Its engine is a 90-degree liquid-cooled V-twin with double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and fuel injection. But cam timings are far more radical than those used on the supersport TL1000S. An aerodynamic full fairing contains ram air induction scoops and hot air exit ducts. There are two radiators instead of one to improve heat dispersion and even the oil cooler is liquid cooled. A second fuel injector is activated at high revs.
The engine closely resembles a race-ready unit and comes in an exceptionally high state of tune for the road. Early S models soon developed a reputation for unpredictable handling, damaging sales. As a result the chassis was revised and an unusual rotary steering damper was relocated. The frame is a massive twin-spar alloy design and the swingarm is braced from below in superbike racing style. The TL1000R has an upside-down front fork with 45mm stanchions. Its front mudguard is shaped to counteract lift at high speed.
Front suspension is matched to damping on the rear wheel, maintained by temperature-compensating needles. Awesome stopping power is guaranteed by twin 320mm disc rotors and Tokico six-pot calipers. Overshadowed by the pace of Suzuki's own GSX1300R Hayabusa, the TL1000R is aimed at riders who want to own a potential superbike racer that will be expensive to run.
Obvious alternatives are Honda's VTR1000 SP-1 and the accomplished Aprilia RSV Mille.
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