2001 Suzuki TL1100SY, 996cc. Registration number Y231 CKM. F...

Hammer

£3,000

2001 Suzuki TL1100SY, 996cc. Registration number Y231 CKM. Frame number JS1AG1113000101745. Engine number T501-120232.
When Suzuki released the TL1000S in 1997 it is fair to say it wasn’t expecting the reaction it received. In fact, the next few months were the stuff of nightmares as phone lines to Japan went into meltdown, lawsuits were threatened and eventually the bike was recalled for a highly embarrassing safety update. It’s fair to say the TL1000S was a complete disaster for Suzuki, but were we all being a bit dramatic?
The TL1000S, or ‘widow-maker’ as it was very quickly dubbed, was a brand new concept for Suzuki. Seeing the popularity of models such as the Monster, and with V-twins the 1990s must-have engine thanks to Ducati’s WSB domination, Suzuki decided to build their own version of a sporty naked V-twin. The problem was they went overboard and didn’t bother listening to the firm’s European testers…
The result was an impressively punchy V-twin sportster with over-sharp steering geometry, radical rear suspension that couldn’t keep pace and, as a consequence, a reputation as a tank-slapper. Although quickly recalled and remedied via a steering damper and engine tweak the damage was done. Today, however, the bargain, ‘bad boy’ TLS is regarded as something of a cut-price, connoisseur’s classic.
CKM is a rare unmolested original machine, Bought by our vendor from Alford Bros in Folkestone and ridden back to Goole, he also took it to Inverness and back on a road trip, apart from that it has pretty much sat in storage for 20 years, for a period of time it has been on display at Suzuki in York.
It has just been recommissioned by Suzuki at at a cost of £960.37 with a full fuel system strip and clean. The mileage was only 2,166 at the MOT in April 2021.
Sold with the V5C, MOT, service book, and Suzuki receipt, one for the collector.