The Japanese Ducati...

[JJ]

Always thought these were cool...

[twowheeladdict]

That would look good next to your Guzzi. 

[Tusayan]

As I remember they had poor fuel economy (the opposite of a contemporary Ducati) and since the tank wasn’t that big, very poor fuel range.

[Perazzimx14]

Super Chickens got amazing fuel range per tank. Unfortunately not in a good way.

Its said you can pass a lot of things on these but not a gas station.

[JJ]

That would look good next to your Guzzi. 

A friends brother had a red one with an aftermarket (loud) exhaust...It sounded good, as I recall on the pipe!

[Murray]

As I remember they had poor fuel economy (the opposite of a contemporary Ducati) and since the tank wasn’t that big, very poor fuel range.

That middle of the road suspension and brakes, a charging system that was pretty hit and miss straight from the factory just like an older Ducati.

[LesP]

I think I will stick to the other one from the same period.
Easy 116 RWHP with basic add on's and suspension to suit.

[Dukedesmo]

Quote from: Tusayan on Today at 03:21:35 PM

As I remember they had poor fuel economy (the opposite of a contemporary Ducati) and since the tank wasn’t that big, very poor fuel range.

___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ____________

I had one, about 70 miles before fuel low light came on and not many miles after before it ran dry.

Otherwise a good bike but lacked the excitement/drama of the 916 that replaced it. 

[lucky phil]

Hardly a Japanese Ducati, but a competent bike none the less as Honda's generally tend to be. Ditto on the fuel range.
The Suzuki TL's were nice engine wise but poor in the Chassis department with their silly rotary rear damper and the fame breakages at the rear spring cartridge mount.

Ciao

[LesP]

The TLS (not the TLR) could crack the rotary damper mounting lugs simply because the holes could be skewed a little and the rotary damper body was a slight loose fit.
The cross bolts could then loosen and rack the lug cracking it if the top bolt did not snap first.
It was easy to see based on the opposite to each other half moon contact marks on the lugs but not to much of a problem if the bolts were tight and was sporadic.

I replaced the forks (Racetech 2002 GSXR1000 and radial GSXR1000 forks and coil over Ohlins on my other TLS) back in the day and went to an Ohlins damper and machined a billet spring on a stick.

It had a larger rear sprocket by a tooth or so but would get an indicated 39 to 53 imperial mpg.

I added a Corbin seat which made it a ride all day and half the night bike.

With the TL's there were quite a few engine bits floating around (out of the USA)in the 2000's from the abandoned TL1000R race program so was buying that up along with new cylinders, low mile gearbox clusters etc.

[Scud]

I also had one - in fact a yellow one, just like the picture.

Echoing previous comments, it's a fun bike for short jaunts. But I like go far, so I got frustrated by the poor range and sold it. Otherwise comfortable, reliable, good handling, sounded good (even in stock form).

If you want a Ducati, buy an Italian one. Don't buy a Honda thinking you will have a Ducati experience.

[geoff in almonte]

North of the 49th they were called Firestorms.  Mine was Black.  Horrible gas mileage - looking for a fuel up at 160km, walking by 200.

RaceTech springs and an Ohlins shock took care of the suspension.  V&H cans elevated the sound.  Sargent and HeliBars made it almost comfortable.

At the time they had, I believe, the largest carbs available on a stock motorcycle (46mm).  Dynoed at 103 RWHP.

A fun and competent motorcycle - I had over 160,000km on it when I sold it.

All I really remember about the TL was that they were called 'Widowmakers' around the local watering hole.

G

[JJ]

QUOTE:  If you want a Ducati, buy an Italian one. Don't buy a Honda thinking you will have a Ducati experience.

Agree 100%...have ridden several Ducati's...never owned one...always liked them. 

My buddy has a red  ST2...It is much more refined all around compared to my visceral Centauro...

[Brand X]

Great street motor, I had the last model year brand new.. Generally will run longer then any Ducati could even think about..As long as the valve chain tensioners  are up to snuff.. Largest Carbs ever fitted to a twin motorcycle from the factory..(as said before)You could get 40 MPG on the road, but generally 30 mpg is what mine returned.. One of the nicest sounding motorcycles with stock pipes.. (IMO) Always handled like there was a hinge in the middle of the frame.. There are fixes, but a standard CBR-1000 would always be a better handling platform overall.

[Tom]

Had a friend that use his all the time.  No car.  He put on aftermarket cans on it.  Nice sound.  Never rode it and didn't know that they sucked mpg.

[LesP]

A pity they stopped making real Ducati's in 1985 but I guess one belt drive bike is OK.
Even these slowly got any character removed after the original 2007 1100S.

My worst on this was 110 kms to reserve. (10 litres)

[Rough Edge racing]

Great street motor, I had the last model year brand new.. Generally will run longer then any Ducati could even think about..As long as the valve chain tensioners  are up to snuff.. Largest Carbs ever fitted to a twin motorcycle from the factory..(as said before)You could get 40 MPG on the road, but generally 30 mpg is what mine returned.. One of the nicest sounding motorcycles with stock pipes.. (IMO) Always handled like there was a hinge in the middle of the frame.. There are fixes, but a standard CBR-1000 would always be a better handling platform overall.

You must have missed the story of the Canadian 90's 900 with 250,000 miles on the original engine..It would have kept going except for a total wreck..100k miles is not unusual for a Ducati..

[timmythecop]

I used to have an SP1. Only reason I got rid of it was it only made sense at 8 or 9 tenths. I quit while I was ahead. I ended up trading it for my SP1000.

[Brand X]

You must have missed the story of the Canadian 90's 900 with 250,000 miles on the original engine..It would have kept going except for a total wreck..100k miles is not unusual for a Ducati..
[/quote

It's not unusual for the air cooled ducs to go far fewer miles and be totally shot also.. Superhawk is another league altogether in long distance miles..

[JohninVT]

A pity they stopped making real Ducati's in 1985 but I guess one belt drive bike is OK.
Even these slowly got any character removed after the original 2007 1100S.

My worst on this was 110 kms to reserve. (10 litres)

They stopped making real Ducati’s in 1985?  LOL...whatever. 

[80CX100]

    I know nothing about these Hondas, but I do have to join in re the comments on the glorious sound.

    It may be a sign of immaturity or small genetalia (Prine reference lol) but a pleasing exhaust note has always meant a lot to my motorcycle experience.

     When I first started volunteering for the VRRA, I would hear this very distinctive, deep Basso Profundo working it's way around the track out of sight, and as it approached wherever I happened to be staged, I always expected a guzzi or Ducati to pop into view, but each and every time the bikes would thunder by, without fail it would be one of these Honda Hawks. 

      They may sound nice with stock pipes, but ridden in anger with open mega phones, it's like crack cocaine for a gear head's ears, js 
       

[geoff in almonte]

I used to have an SP1. Only reason I got rid of it was it only made sense at 8 or 9 tenths. I quit while I was ahead. I ended up trading it for my SP1000.

The SP1 and VTR1000F were/are completely different bikes.

G

[Rough Edge racing]

It's not unusual for the air cooled ducs to go far fewer miles and be totally shot also.. Superhawk is another league altogether in long distance miles..
   

What you say is not what I hear...A lot of Ducatis get beat to shit on track days..Those are the ones that make the bad news stories..But if you're riding super high miles per year, a Japanese bike may be the better choice..

[timmythecop]

It's not unusual for the air cooled ducs to go far fewer miles and be totally shot also.. Superhawk is another league altogether in long distance miles..
   

What you say is not what I hear...A lot of Ducatis get beat to shit on track days..Those are the ones that make the bad news stories..But if you're riding super high miles per year, a Japanese bike may be the better choice..

Ah, I see now we are talikng about Super Hawks, not RC51s. The image in the first post is blicked on my feed, and I assumed RC51 because if its "1 liter Ducati eater" monniker.

[JJ]

Of course, if you wanted a genuine "vintage" little DUCATI, you must open up your wallet....WIDE!

[Mr Pootle]

You want a Ducati? Become an Italian postman.


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