RC51 VS TL1000

rc51

Re: RC51 VS TL1000 (fattony)

RC-51 is lighter and handles better.

There's a reason Honda developed the RC-51 to beat the GSXR-750, ZX7-R, and the Duc 996/998.

While Suzuki had the TLR available, they continued to go with the GSXR-750 as a race machine...

Re: RC51 VS TL1000 (fattony)

If you take the motor over to Bimota they might be able to do some thing with it.

Seriously though the TLR is a little outta step. My neighbor has one. Its fine. Just bigger, heavier, and makes less power than the RC.
Oh yeah and the rotary damper sux.
And oh yeah what was the design team thinking when they made that tail section, and the huge front fairing. Not an all out bad bike, but personally I'd rather have the TLS.

Re: RC51 VS TL1000 (dhdrider)

Makes cents thanks

Re: RC51 VS TL1000 (fattony)

Just get both. Ill be getting one again soon.

Re: RC51 VS TL1000 (fattony)

my old roommate had a TLR for about five years.
it's more comfortable than the RC.
it feels slower,and is slower.
it feels heavier,and is heavier.
it never did inspire any confidence in cornering for me-i never felt like it was "hooked up" good-maybe due to the funky rear suspension.
i personally love the styling though.
the engine does feel a little better down low,but feels kind of flat on top(and this was with full Akra ti system,PC,gearing and a couple other mods).
it's still a great bike-my roommate could leave me behind in no time on a good road,and was just as fast ANY other rider on ANY other bike.my point is that unless you're a pro level rider,the TL still has more potential than you could ever use,the RC is just more fun to ride.
Chris

I have both, love both. But I think the RC is a better track bike. Like the earlier post, the RC got more development assistance from HRC. Suzuki made some poor choices in fairing design and if I remember correctly, the overall length of the TL-R disqualified it from some sanctioned events. It was a touch too long for some racing rules as I remember.
The rear suspension was just a bad choice for what they intended for a street/track bike. Going against what's proven to work was not a good idea in my book.
I love the TL_R's engine note, just a bit deeper than the RC and the bike is slightly better looking IMHO.
Either way, I love them both because they're both 1000cc super-twins.
Ken

I've owned a TLS and currectly have a Nicky bike. I've also logged many miles on a TLR.

Hands down the TLR/S has better bottom/midrange than the RC. A stock TLR/S feels like an RC with Satos and gearing!!!! The TLS in particular has a monster midrange burst that will throw you right off if you're not careful.

Top end suffers on both bikes compared to the RC and overall, neither really compare to the RC. The Honda is a far superior bike in everway but the grunt, although the Suzukis are VERY fun to ride on the street.

I personally love the styling of the TLR. It's big and fast and bad to the bone. I plan to own one someday.

I would say that the TLR is a better bike. It all depends on what you feel more comfortable on. MY TLR was bone stock and would keep up with modded RC 51's on the track. Ask LDH he got a taste of it at VIR North course a couple of years ago. I have owned both bikes and the TLR felt alot more planted than the RC. THe TLR's stock suspension is alot better than the RC's.

Re: (G2G)

I have a 04 RC51 and I have ridden and worked on both the TLR and RC51. The TLR rear suspension is the worst I have ever seen and the dampers can go bad quit easily and are hard to set-up correctly. The RC51 feels lighter, smaller and easier to flick around. The TLR has a little better low end but can't compete with the RC in a drag race or on the street with equal riders from what I have seen first hand.
Both bikes respond well to mods and the TLR has a softer seat and a little more comfortable riding position but I still prefer the RC51 as for me it's just more fun and confidence inspiring.

Guest said:

Re: RC51 VS TL1000 (fattony)

RC-51 is lighter and handles better.

There's a reason Honda developed the RC-51 to beat the GSXR-750, ZX7-R, and the Duc 996/998.

While Suzuki had the TLR available, they continued to go with the GSXR-750 as a race machine...

Click to expand...

You are wrong on one point. The TLR is lighter than the SP1 version.

I hade both and still have the rc51. The tl has a bad 3rd gear when you start adding power. The 51 does not. And before you think in a suzuki hater I also own a 2005 gsxr 1060 turbo by KWS racing.

Rider mod would completely change that story