The incomparable Suzuki TL1000S - 25 years young!

From its launch in 1997, the Suzuki TL1000S quickly gained a reputation as the bad boy of the supersports scene, with a punchy engine and, well, challenging handling characteristics.
25 years on, we take the TL1000S on to the track, with a Ducati 748SP for company. Who'll come out tops?

[@NJS-TL1000S]

Super video and just great to see a 97 TL out there on the track ... I am a massive TL fan (and 97 owner) ... Nice one' ... 👍

[@nickrider5220]

Enjoyed that 👍🏻 I bought a red TLS in 1997 too, really liked it, put full akra system on it - wish I still had it, but I bought an R1 the following year...wish I still had that one too !

[@lipglosshelmetsandhim]

Nice, Love seeing the TL being wound up. I love my red Tl1000s. Love to take it on the track.....one day.

[@manxrider1979]

Slight correction - I found out later this was a Ducati 748SP, not a 916. It was great fun having a blast with a confident and sure-footed rider, whatever the bike!

[@RE650NZGraeme]

But you dropped inside and pulled away... well done - nice riding! Loved it!!

[@erikscariot5937]

my TL1000s brought me here . . .

[@annezwart5083]

Very nice riding!

[@franksagen5049]

Nice!!! What ratio do you use ( 17/38) ?

[@GixxerZilla]

Point and quirt my man. Brake late. Win!

[@oldschoolbudapestworkout2105]

Any tuning on it? I remapped mine with now 134 hp

[@manxrider1979]

Yup. Power commander 3, and tuned by Slick Bass (Carl Fogarty's mechanic from way back). Original engine components but race exhaust and amended air intake. 143 rear-wheel horses. Goes very well indeed.

[@oldschoolbudapestworkout2105]

@@manxrider1979 any mechanical issues after tuning?

[@manxrider1979]

@oldschoolbudapestworkout2105 None at all. Still running on the original clutch, and no mechanical issues. The engine's been very strong.

[@mattgeans3758]

@@manxrider1979 What Race Exhaust?

[@manxrider1979]

@mattgeans3758 Sorry - missed your question. It's an M4 full 2-2 system but with 3rd party cans. V loud.

[@ade-1772]

To me your riding it like a 4 cylinder not a 2 cylinder use that torque man lol so not high rev use the gear up and blast the gas it's got it bro

[@manxrider1979]

Hiya. Just saw this comment, and it's a fair one. This was my first track day in nearly 20 years, and I was definitely settling in. Way too many revs on the way into the long left hander! I'm planning to get back out on track early next year, so look forward to more chugga chugga and less rattling...

[@ade-1772]

@@manxrider1979 nice and wish I had the balls to track mine but don't want to trash her but you have fun and ride safe man

[@chrisstephens6194]

TL"s will rev like a 4 cylinder

[@craigincali]

Get rid of the music so can hear the exhaust

[@Jwemmy2008]

Hi Craig. If you stay with it for just a minute, the music fades and you can hear the pure TL revvy stuff for the rest of the video.

[@mattgeans3758]

Hey @manxrider1979 and @oldschoolbudapestworkout2105 I'm totally pumped to get my TL out to a track now. I've had my '97 TL for about 14-15 years now and looks exactly like your bike. Absolutely love it! My daughter is now getting into riding and I've put down for a SV650 track bike which will leave me wanting to get out on the track too....Being TL owners and also being in the UK, wondering what tuning @oldschool did to reach 134hp and if either of you did anything for the rear suspension to protect the rotary damper from overheating....also wondering if either of you have changed your suspension out with a Maxton Suspension mod. seen here in this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpvHqWyKlMyfoMU Would love your input, or anyone's from these comments on their TL mods.

[@manxrider1979]

Hiya, and firstly - apologies for this reply being soooo late - I didn't see any notification. Anyhoo, I bought a Hyperpro adjustable suspension unit, Hyperpro progressive springs for the front, swapped the front stoppies for Nissin 4-pots and the rear now uses a caliper from the Gsxr-750. Now handles and stops like a new bike, as well as having blistering acceleration!

[@wokeybrokey8006]

had a 97 when knew. Now have a 99,,,,not as mental but still potent. Did you do the slipper clutch mod, I've had mine welded but regret it as its made the clutch so heavy!

[@manxrider1979]

Hiya. Nope. Amazingly, the clutch is still original and untouched, despite a hard life, endless track days and the odd sprint event! Frequent oil changes and some mechanical sympathy... 😀