Suzuki TL (1997 to 2003)

The Suzuki TL family, principally the TL1000S and the later TL1000R, was Suzuki’s bold late 1990s attempt to build a world-class sporting V-twin and it had no true direct predecessor in the model line. It remained a single-generation family: the half-faired TL1000S ran from 1997 to 2001, and the more track-focused, fully faired TL1000R followed from 1998 to 2003. The S looked lean, compact, and mechanical, with sporty half-fairing treatment and an exposed alloy structure, while the R was broader-shouldered and more aggressive, wrapped in full superbike bodywork as Suzuki’s answer to Ducati and the homologation wars of the era. Power came from a 995–996 cc liquid-cooled 90-degree DOHC V-twin, with output peaking at a claimed 135 bhp in TL1000R form; drive was RWD via chain through a 6-speed manual gearbox, with no automatic option.