Learn me Italians. Specifically Ducati/Aprilia

I personally love the TLR's, but they have that horrrrrible rotary rear damper. If you want to go extra cheap, you could check out an SV1000. They don't have the panache that the other mentioned bikes have, though. The RC51 will outlast them all.

rotard wrote: I personally love the TLR's, but they have that horrrrrible rotary rear damper. If you want to go extra cheap, you could check out an SV1000. They don't have the panache that the other mentioned bikes have, though. The RC51 will outlast them all.

I decided to go extra cheap and picked up a 1 owner SV1000. Fun times will be had once spring arrives.

This was my Guzzi V11:

Definitely no lightweight but it did handle well. Fantastic exhaust note and a lot of fun to ride. The only problems I had were due to flaky relays, after replacing them I had no issues at all. Good examples go for $3-4k. Adjusting the valves takes less than 10 minutes per side.

I'll have another Guzzi someday.

rotard wrote: I personally love the TLR's, but they have that horrrrrible rotary rear damper. If you want to go extra cheap, you could check out an SV1000. They don't have the panache that the other mentioned bikes have, though. The RC51 will outlast them all.

Mine's actually a little harsh but mostly well judged. Maybe when I finally go ohlins I'll realize just how bad it's been but I'm usually a pretty good judge of dampers and I don't mind it. Then again, think of all the stories about these "widowmaker " bikes when in reality they're a Bob Costascat.

Here's the Tiller

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The RC (notice the painted on seat, couple that with rock hard suspension)

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and the duck

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I generally hate Suzukis but love the look of the TLR. The massive frame and rear seat cowl just look tuff, but the GSXR never did it for me. Even the SRAD with the big frame and tail didn't look good,

How's the insurance on the TLR? I've always heard it's absurd.

The TLR is another one I almost replaced my RR with when it got destroyed by the old lady. My ex talked me out of another bike. Wish I would have known better. That yellow/black color combo was HOT!

carbon wrote: Then again, think of all the stories about these "widowmaker " bikes when in reality they're a Bob Costascat.

I think the strange damper is part of what earned them that moniker......since it was related to chassis/handling.....they didn't hold that long though, as the '04-5 10r earned it for being completely batE36 M3 crazy at the time and for the number of unsuspecting riders' souls it consumed.

I could be wrong, but I believe the "widowmaker" rotary damper TL was the first, half faring model. Corrected on the TL R's as pictured.

I think that both the TL-S (half-fairing) and the TL-R had a rotary damper rear suspension.

I wouldn't say that the TL is a widow maker; I just don't like the way the rear suspension feels. I bet that you'd love it even more with the upgraded suspension. I have yet to ride a motorcycle that wasn't made better with Ohlins suspension.

Piiicssss