I’ve alwaya had a soft sport for the RC51. Long story short, how much better is the Honda than the Suzuki?

I found a well priced TL1000R with 40k miles. I’ve really enjoyed my SV650 and want to add a v twin superbike to the herd. I’m wondering if it’s better to stay patient and continue looking for a RC51 or if the Suzuki’s whose suspension earned it the nick name “widdow maker” is worth consideration?

I love the way the TL1000R looks. It’s specs are not too far from my old R1 but I bet the 90° twin delivers a much different power delivery and ride feel.


Anyone here had a chance to ride them back to back?

How's about going looking for a Bimota SB8R ?

Uses the TL1000R engine

Had one for a bit, back at the turn of the century...

Find a RC, preferably a SP2.

You don’t want the Suzuki, trust me. Rode both, bought the RC.

I understand that the RC is a better built bike but as far as ride, power, power delivery and suspension how did they stack up? Where there any areas where the Suzuki was better?

The prices of RC51s around here have bordered on insane. This bike is one where I could unload the SV, get the TL and still have money left over. So it’s tempting.

Those Bimota bikes are cool but they are $$$$. One of my friends is really into them.

Don't know about the Suzuki, but around here the RC's are also priced at insane levels....

IIRC, the TLR used a weird lever action shock on the rear. They're still an iconic cult bike. But Suzuki did think outside the box on this one.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
Those Bimota bikes are cool but they are $$$$. One of my friends is really into them.

Indeed. Had a few, in the mid- 90s, starting with a DB2, then a Mantra, both with Ducati motors, then the SB8R at about the same time as the Mantra. Both the DB2 and Mantra ended up with extensive engine modifications. The DB2 made 996 riders afraid

Got a nice letter from the factory

However, that was long ago.

Life goes on.

There used to be an aftermarket conversion to replace the goofy rotary shock on the TL with a conventional unit. Dont know if theyre still available.

The RC51 may be the least comfortable bike I ever sat on.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
Where there any areas where the Suzuki was better?

No.

Usually your posts are bikes I know very little of. But in this case a homerun. I raced RC-51's for quite awhile till the rules and competition made that stupid. I bought and still own a street one. I bought a TL the minute they became available with the idea it might be a better race bike and I love Suzuki's anyway, but with no Suzuki race parts it simply wasn't going to be, so I used it as a street bike and still do. So that's like 17-20 years of owning both and riding them on a regular basis. It really gets down to what bothers you the most about owning what is in effect an ancient motorcycle. Suzuki has never been great about parts. Honda is great. But Suzuki because they were smaller reused parts for many model years so that stuff fit most models and thus parts were easy. Both will be a problem if you break something one-off but the Honda is miles better in terms of keeping it running. In terms of the bikes the TL engine is much more a top end engine. So more fun, but in street terms practically no difference. I find the ergo's favor the Suzuki. The rotary shock is an issue and at 40K its probably done and you need to research one of the available options for a conventional one. The TL will cook you in the summer time, but its a huge plus if its cool.
In practical terms street riding is a wash in terms of performance. In terms of support to maintain it the RC51 wins.
Having said all that I know the day is coming that something goes on the TL and it is done. That future seems farther out in the future on the RC. But at this point I can't really think of a reason to buy either in a practical sense. But if I had to choose one get the Honda.