1999 Suzuki TL1000R SRAD Registration Number: T843 MNT Fram...

Estimate

£3,800 - £4,300

1999 Suzuki TL1000R SRAD

Registration Number: T843 MNT
Frame Number: TBA

In the mid- to late-1990s, V-twin motors were all the rage, largely down to Ducati with their 900SS and 916 ranges, Honda with their VTR1000F FireStorm, and Suzuki the TL1000S. 

The TL1000S was considered to be a bit wild and wayward; the 120bhp motor and flappy handling led to accidents, even one fatality. Second generation TLs would leave the showroom with a steering damper fitted, but it was often the rotary rear shock/damper which was more likely the culprit. Suzuki tackled this by fully-clothing the TL1000 and giving  it an ‘R’ suffix.

Out went the S-model’s aluminium trellis and in came a beefy beam frame. The ‘R’ also had a more solid braced swingarm, a revised damper system and separate shock absorber. In its Suzuki TL1000R guise the bike never hit the track officially, but in AMA it ran for one season. However, the TL-R-powered Bimota SB8R won an WSB race in Australia with Anthony Gobert on board.

This example was first registered in 1999, and in recent times has been carefully stored as part of a small collection.