Meet a superbike that is considered one of the scariest two-wheeled contraptions ever unleashed unto the public, the 996cc Suzuki TL1000S. What was scary about a V-twin semi-crotch-rocket that could pull like a freight train? Namely, the rear suspension design. Most superbikes use a coil-over shock on a swingarm, a basic and solid design. Suzuki’s answer to this was a separated spring combined with a rotary damper and pushrods. If you rode the TL like a sane human being, you’d never be bothered. But we don’t know one person who owns a literbike and doesn’t have a little fun with it from time to time, and that’s where the damper’s flaws started to appear. Reportedly, once the limited amount of oil in the damper got hot and thin, the inevitable meeting with the ground was only a matter of when, not if. Kits were developed to replace the system, but reports of riders tank-slapping their bikes did plenty of damage to the TL’s reputation. Which is a shame, these were straight-up pounders that could light up just about anything like it, but without the need to ride in the crotch-rocket squat. Often compared to the 1970s Kawasaki H2 like as a “widowmaker” bike, the TL is certainly infamous.
And from this dyno video, certainly stout. By all means, the powertrain is the gem in the TL’s program, and hearing this particular beast romp pull a run is sweet enough on it’s own. But when the operator takes a simulated blast through the gears, you start to understand why fans are willing to disregard the slightly concerning reputation. That noise is unreal, and in our ears sweeter than a four-banger bike’s shriek. It might suck in the corners, but did somebody say “drag bike”?
