How Suzuki Became The Most Deadly Motorcycle Brand
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- Опубліковано 9 чер 2024
- #advrider #dualsport #busa #motorcycle #suzuki #honda #yamaha #TM400 #drz
Suzuki has made some of the most iconic motorcycles we have ever known but they have also made some of the most dangerous motorcycles we have ever seen as well. Take a look at any " Top 10 "dangerous motorcycle list and you will see Suzuki has more models appearing on this list than any other brand. So how can Suzuki be so good yet so bad? How can they be the Dr. Jekle and Mr. Hyde of the motorcycling world?
In this video we will look at their most dangerous models and why they keep making them even when they know they are dangerous.
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Chapters
Intro 0:00-3:10
Why 3:11-4:14
TL1000S and TL 1000R 4:15-8:14
GSXR 1100 8:15-10:53
I'm The BKing Baby 10:54-13:28
The Most Dangerous Ever The TM 400 13:29-19:27
Why Suzuki Has Fallen From Grace 19:28-24:22
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This is such a great channel dude keep it up you're gonna be at 100k before 2024 at this rate
Your words are too kind I appreciate the support Thank you
@@BornAGoon your video are BIG bullshit , i`am drive at 90-is GSX-R , the BEST serie`s bike EVER (on street)
Lol hahaha
@@BornAGoon dude that 400 had points.
I'm there because I want to be read in 2024 when everyone seen this guy was right.
Raced a GSXR 1100 in a 24hr race. A team of 4 riders taking turns riding and wringing the snot out of that bike. After 24 hrs it ran as strong as it did when we started the race!
What?? Non stop? And it never overheated?
@@francisconavarro956Tx Yes, nonstop. Only stopped enough to change riders, and refill the gas as fast as possible...one stop included tire change. They don't overheat when you're averaging over 100mph. No antifreeze either, not allowed, straight water.
i ride a 1100W 96 for myself its an amazing bike
Thats freaking amazing
I was a mechanic in a Suzuki shop from the early to mid 70's, and I raced a 250 Suzuki twin in AMA pro half-mile. Suzuki's were and are some of the most reliable and well-made bikes in the world.
This video is utter bollox...
But very deadly, because if you drive fast the wheel can fall off anytime, wich is dangerous.
Still the best and highest revving engine I know. I'm biased though, I love these bikes😅
this site su----ks
Until bmw shows up
I'm looking to upgrade from my Ninja 400, and honestly what draws me to Suzuki's bikes is that they haven't changed them much at all. They still have an analog look and feel in an age where everything is becoming more and more computerized.
Thats the good part you can buy and old one and nobody would know
I have a 2015 GSXR 750, I love the fact it is still a mechanical bike and not a ride by wire. ABS might be nice but I seem to stop just fine as is. @@BornAGoon
“When the Isle of Man calls you too dangerous, you know that isn’t good.”
Haha. Another great video.
Alex Rins winning the final race of Suzuki's MotoGP entry has got to be one of the most underrated race wins of all time. It's such a damn shame that Suzuki pulled out.
a terrible shame
Everyone knows pulling out never works!
@@robertreasor7522 it worked for kawasaki
Amen, what he said...
Rins Wins 🏆
@@robertreasor7522 lol 😆
I owned and raced a TM-400 in 1973 and 1974. It was the most reliable dirt bike I've ever owned. I loved its (non-stock) engine, but it was an evil handler. I should have put that engine in a Bultaco Pursang chassis. It never hurt me (although a 1972 Cyclone I raced for a dealer did...), It started easily for me, and never missed a beat in two race seasons.
you are a legend
I owned one in the late 70's. It was gifted to me at 15. At 115 lbs, it was a rocket when it lit. Learning about that compression release was painful lesson. I'll never forget the first time to start it. My shoe slipped off the kick start and it kicked back, slapping that bar right against my shin-bone. I limped around for days and still have the scar and depression right below the knee.
evil handler ? apparent you were never handled by the evil that would have taken an exorcist to tame the MX360 that was your competition setting beside you at the starting line from yamaha that was just like superman able to leap tall buildings on a single bounce if you wanted to or not ....and kick starting got expensive as your tm might jap slap you with the worse breaking your leg ...my MX360 would do all of that plus if it started at same time would twist the teeth off the idler kicker gears causing them to lock up splitting the transmission / engine cases into 3 easy pieces dumping the entire transmission gears on the ground ....much more dangerous and unpredictable than your suzuki in your own word never missed a beat meaning you lose as your bike was too reliable and i win this around of champion bench racer owning the worse pile of junk yamaha ever made
My older brother has one and used to ride me around the farm at full speed, I was sitting on the handlebars feet on the front fender. No helmet it was fun but looking back at it I’m surprised I’m alive.
As a motorcycle mechanic (for over 35 years now), I've got a lot of experience with lots of brands. After years of doing motorcross (on Maico's) my first road bike was a '72 Suzuki GT750J (still have it) and around '87 i had started working in a motorcycle shop where all sorts of brands and models came in. One thing I can tell from Suzuki, is that working on them for maintenance and repairs was always a joy compared to the other Japanese brands (Honda the best, Yamaha by far the worst). From that GT750 waterbuffalo, I got on to my first Ducati (600 Pantah) and talk about a difference?? Every time I step on that GT750 again, it keeps me wondering how I didn't get myself killed on that thing and at one point it almost did and it's my experience in motorcross that saved my life that one moment. Anyway: building a good chassis is essential if you want to put in a monster of an engine and that's something Suzuki's developpers never seem to have managed fitting their brains.
I stumbled on your channel tonight and after watching a few of your videos, I have to say that you are truly the "National Enquirer" of youtube. Thankfully you don't have many subscribers. I too will forget you after this comment.
I was working as a motorcycle mechanic in a Suzuki dealership when the 3 cylinder, 2 stroke water cooled street bike came out. The one you try to deride as the "Water Buffalo". Actually we referred to it affectionately as the Water Buffalo. Smooth, quiet and very fast. Suzuki had positioned it as a sport-touring bike.
I assembled the first one that came to the shop, took it for a shake-down spin, came back and immediately bought it. What a wonderful bike! It had one problem. Suzuki used polymer bushings in the swing-arm. I machined a couple of Oilite brass bushings and that problem went away.
The worst mistake I ever made in motorcycling was selling that bike. It was by far the best bike I've ever owned and that includes the early 80s Gold Wings when Honda was still marketing it as a performance bike. The Suzuki had the same smoothness and power as the Gold Wing but with a third less weight and little heat rejected by the radiator. 2-strokes send much of the heat out the exhaust. I can remember many a time in the summer sitting at a traffic light in my riding suit absolutely frying from the heat from the Gold Wing radiator.
The TM400. We got one in but could not sell it because it took a real man to crank it. That's the only part you got correct. There was nothing wrong with the magneto or anything else. The problem was that Suzuki went for instant throttle response and to that end, equipped it with a rotor button-in-the-stator magneto and no flywheel. At the time I was 6'7", 235 lb man. I had little trouble cranking it.
I asked the shop owner to let me race it in hare scrambles. He agreed. What solved all those problems was an aftermarket flywheel that bolted onto the magneto rotor. This transformed the bike. Easy to start. The power band, though vicious, was controllable. I NEVER got beat to the first corner. And the bike was stone cold reliable.
I straightened out the handling with Koni shocks mounted at a semi-cantilevered angle. I filled up the shop's trophy case with wins. The owner ordered some more TM400s, put the flywheel on as part of the package and sold several.
Had four Suzukis and currently ride a K5 Gixxa 1000 which I've owned for over 17 years. Always loved their bikes and was devastated when they pulled the pin on MotoGP.
yea me too and they are gonna stop making those GSXR 1000s I hope you never sell that bike
Had 2 K 5's, great bikes, had one stolen. I have a GSX R L1 600, remapped, 114 bhp great bike plenty for me at 77. Have a Ducati Monster 1100 EVO for when I want an easier ride.
Don't see myself a Suzuki fan yet totting up bikes they're the most bought marque over my 30 yrs motorcycling....just bought GSXR1000K5....omg it's good!
I've had / have five new Suzuki street bikes. '82 GS1100EZ and 4 Busas
--I've also had / have five new Kawasaki street bikes. 2 12's / 2 14r's and a ZH2.
Then I jump down to the 3 of level. How I answer when someone asks which of my bikes is the all time favorite, since I don't really have an answer.
@@geraldgoodman932477!? You are my idol man
Owner of a 2007 DRZ400S and a 2014 VStrom 1000adv. These bikes have never let me down and been economical to operate and fun to ride
My second bike purchase was a Suzuki SV650, had it for about eight years. Loved that bike, the "Poor Man's Ducati." The engine was great, was a ton of fun to have that amount of torque on a lightweight sport chassis. Only downside was a somewhat mushy suspension, but that was an easy fix. Unfortunately, I'm tall and the seat-to-footpeg ratio was definitely designed for shorter legs. Started to think about upgrading to a slightly larger chassis, and hoped for years that Suzuki would bring back the SV1000 with a cosmetic redesign. I grew tired of leg cramps and waiting for Suzuki to bring something new to market, so I upgraded to a Yamaha MT-09 about 4 years ago. I love the MT, the inline-triple is great fun and has a distinctive roar to it when you open up the throttle. It is an upgrade in every way over the Suzuki... but there are days that I still miss the old SV and that V-Twin. It's a real shame that Suzuki seems to have no interest in innovating and competing with their peers any more, usually not a good sign for the future trajectory of a company.
Im currently in possesion of 2011 sv650s, which is my first "bigger" bike and tbh, i'm impressed how well it sticks to the road, how gently yet steady the gearbox works, how well the enginge handles my noob skills... Love this bike so far and im looking forward into future with this beast
Well, Suzuki response to everyone is 8S. They're saying, "This is what we got, bring it on."
My dad raced 500's all thru the 80s and 90s. All Hondas until Kawis in 92 and then 4 strokes starting with the KTM 525SX. The number of snapped kickstarters laying around the shop from the 500s is impressive. 😁
The so called water buffalo and the hustler were two of their very best machines Suzuki has ever built.
the hustler?? the boxy car????? REALLY?
@@twrcrew8852 The X-6 Hustler in it's time, was very well thought of.
I was lucky enough to test ride a GT 750, a used one in the late 80s
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it for sale in a small shop.
I owned a GT 550 for a short spell.
10 minutes after copping my DRZ. I have no regrets!
Fire content always.
Thank you bear the DRZ is one of the best ever
I zip around on my sm drz everyday, so fun
@@BornAGoon EU decided we can't have it :[
@@TomTom-gx1sm Of course they did. Not a rich enough toy to be able to bypass emissions. You'll need a private jet or yacht for that...
my first bike was suzuki, GSX400E, in the most vulnerable age: 20-21. I am still here, learned a lot, thank you Suzi
Thanks for listing all the reasons why we love Suzuki!
🤘🏽😂🤘🏽
Seat width is perfect for man with balls to ride. Calling those bikes catastrophe is a sin.
As a content creator myself I just want to say that this man spent over 40 hours making this video....the editing was polished and professional...the script was educational and very well written. Great Job my friend.
thank you very much its nice to see someone acknowledge the effort put into a video My editing skills are bad so I think this one took me 85 yours lol
Yes, so much better than many channels. Pro job. You can tell he is truly into it and not some loser cranking out clickbait AI swill.
@@judgegixxer One of the reasons I support content creators here on YT there is much talent here and many us do care about what we produce. I have followed this channel for several months now and the content is truly amazing. I love the data, the history and the passion.
It’s good to see people giving respect to others for their effort
Yea, but the Rap song part was unnecessary, so I know which audience this was intended for…
I race an rmz450 and often am the only yellow bike in my race. My bike was sold new for so cheap I was very happy to get it and it's been both reliable and competitive in my intermediate class races. Seeing Ken get that win felt so good to see, im very sad Suzuki couldn't use that as a wake up call
yea this channel is great man... keep it up! subbed :)
As an owner of a couple of the TM-400's I found your reporting fairly accurate. One of the biggest problems with them was that the people who bought and raced them didn't put enough time into fixing them. Yes, yes, I know, you shouldn't have to "fix" a brand new motorcycle to make it ride-able. I have owned and ridden a lot of off road/racing bikes, mostly I raced motocross because I liked the intensity of it, unlike cross-country or desert racing, though I did both of those sometimes too.
I never experienced the ignition problem you mentioned which is odd since I and several of my racing buddies all rode the 400's. I won a bunch of races with my TM but it wasn't stock. I had the engine re-ported to hog out the transfer ports and change the port timing some, all of which smoothed out the power band and increased the torque. I cut the frame and forward mounted new expensive shocks, I put on Traveler forks with 8 inches of travel, and I did a lot of lightening up of the whole bike with new tires, rims, seat, gas tank, and a homemade air filter box that was lighter and more water proof. I also re-engineered the expansion chamber pipe to add more engine softening performance. The bike was still heavier than some of the competition but the long-travel suspension and enormous power made the bike formidable. The friend I used to go to races with had a 400 Maico and the TM could out drag it anytime. Tires had a lot to do with the way the bike handled. I put on DID alloy rims with Cheng Shin 450 knobs on the rear and a 300 by 21 front set up. Reducing the unsprung weight helped the handling too which I accomplished with buying the lightest brand of tire (Cheng Shin at the time) even though they didn't last as long. I also drilled out the brake shoes to lighten them. I was never injured riding either of my TM's, but a friend of mine hit a hay bale while riding one of them and broke his collar bone. I had a lot of good times riding and racing my TM's. Since I lived in cold country in the mountains of eastern Oregon I also wanted to ride in the winter so I made a set of tires for my TM with 3 inch long bolts through them like studs and it went through snow and ice like crazy.
Bet you were riding at a fairly young age.
Hope suzuki paid you for all your time and effort
This dude just said how much he loves his bike without saying how much he loves his bike.
@@itslogical8459
No, sadly they didn't. I won a bunch of trophies though--of course I could have just avoided all the work and bought some trophies cheaper than doing all that work. It was kind of fun though fixing the bike, racing, working on it some more, and racing it again.
Suzuki only give you power.. you have to take care the rest.. 😂😅
Every motorcycle is dangerous. So I don't share your thoughts. I am 50, and owned suzuki motorcycles since I was a teenager. So I can say suzuki makes very reliable motorcycles. Don't blame on a brand when we humans make a lot of mistakes and pay a high price for them.
I agree with you Thanks for watching and commenting
Agreed Suzuki was my first choice of motorcycle and still have it owned ir for around 10 years and only had to do basic maintenance. Their like a Toyota Camry from the 90s they last even with worn out parts
No offense but you sound a little like a fanboy. A motorcycle can be more dangerous than others and he gave some good info to back himself up. Yeah, they're all dangerous but they doesn't mean we should add to that and make them even worse deathtraps
Motorcycles themselves are not dangerous... people are.
probably ridden like you’re 80 years old ur whole life so u never knew the difference lol go w green bruther gobbless
Development Progression Strategies
Honda: Starts at the end and works its way back.
Yamaha: Starts at the bottom and works its way up.
Suzuki: Starts in the middle and works its way out.
Kawasaki: Starts with the outside and works its way in.
Honda: Well-proven tech. Best money can buy.
Yamaha: Innovative. Calculated risks.
Suzuki: Might learn from mistakes. Cost-effective.
Kawasaki: But it performed great in the CAD simulator...
those are some very good points you make
@@BornAGoon Thank you for the interesting and informative videos.
I always thought that Suzuki was the sweetest handler of the Japanese Bikes … I went from an A100 in 1974 to A T20 and RV 50 a bunch of other brands and now a Honda today, TGB 101 50 and a GSX1100 from 1981. Loved the reliability of all my well maintained Suzuki’s , my Honda’s were never as inspiring and I enjoyed a LS 400 and VS 700 vee Twin as a young Father … the 700 being the only bike to Die on me .. I couldn’t keep up with my Brother in law on his 1200 Kawasaki Concours , on some very challenging Central Hawkes Bay country back roads but really enjoyed the challenge …the power edge he had at nearly twice my capacity really shone through then …
I always wanted a TL1000, but after watching this…I still want a TL1000
Too much money for what they are these days.
I get it that the S has, and should have a cult status due to its bad reputation (and as a former owner I can testify it is as hilarious to ride as it is dangerous), but the R still had the rotary damper and was so overweight that you can spend a fortune just to get it close to hanging with an aprilis RSV.
Don't get me wrong, the TL motor has way more character than the Rotax V60, but the ape runs rings around a stock TL, and the engine is every bit as bomb proof if looked after.
My GSXR1100 L was brutal. I did many high speed long distant trips on it. Always above 200kph. When unsettled it had a mean habit of going into an instant tank slapper but ride it smoothly and it will fly like a rocket. Great memories. The ACDC of motorbikes!
@ 200 KPH ( 124 mph) it is just STARTING to come into its awesomeness. Lets say you rode it at 250 kph now you are in the REAL Adrenalin Zone and must remain hyperfocused of ALL Conditions at all times and look way ahead. Honestly above 140 kph you risk losing the bike if you get stopped anyway (at least in Canada) and if the law can prove you were Racing you risk losing it by forfeit. So, Therefore 200 KPH may be your personal limit of comfort, but, life doesn't even begin till you exceed 250 KPH.
My L 750 did the same. Road change meant under wear change.
Proud owner of a TL1000S since 2011 from 1997, great bike.
you are a testament of will and a legend
wait...aren't they the ones with a hinge in the middle ?
@@andyhall7032 How many miles/km on that bike?
Wow
@@gerardjanssen it's not me I just replied
Still got a 1987 gsxr1100h after 22 years! Awesome machine!
and you're still alive?!?@?!
Great show mate ,thanks.
I dont even own a motorcycle but been binge watching your videos due to the quality of content! Great job! Cant wait till you hit 100k and on!
I think I have one of the good Suzukis then - RG500. One of Suzukis most iconic models, mainly for the right reasons
you're lucky to have a machine like the RG500 🙏
I have a ‘99 TL-R and love it! I don’t push it hard enough to expose any issues with the rear suspension and handling. It’s a very underrated motorcycle and has quite a cult following now with prices increasing for good ones. It also sounds brilliant with the twin Yoshis I have fitted!
I also have a ‘98 SRAD 750, both are in white and blue.. of course. 😌👊🏼
Have you rode an SV1000 ? How does it compare to TL?
I had a 2000 TLR....absolutely loved it. Rode it in many track days. I replaced the rotary rear suspension with a Bitubo rear shock. The bike was soooo much fun. I still regret selling it.
@@stewart8127
I have.
I owned a '97 TLS and spent some time with the SV Thou.
Very different bikes: the SV is completely sanitised.
The TL1000S is a hooligan.
One common misconception is that the SV has the TL engine - it doesn't.
Both TL engines are slightly different and the SV has a more heavily revised version of Suzuki's big V.
Top end work (cams/porting) and different throttle bodies are needed to take the SV motor to either TL spec.
The SV is a very easy bike to ride, with easy handling and soft, linear power.
The TL needs a shove to turn, and packs V-Twin shunt with top end rush.
The induction roar is also missing from the SV.
Both have shit brakes and need better suspension to even think about going toe to toe with an RSV - road or track.
Think of the SV as Suzuki cutting the balls off the TL to make it behave instead of spending the R&D money on a chassis that the motor deserved.
The worst aspect of the TLS is it's unpredictability; it gives no warning before dumping you in the road.
Once upon a time I would have told you that the TL shows no sign of instability, as I regularly thrashed mine down bumpy English country lanes.
...And then one day it threw a tank slapper on the exit of a roundabout on my way to work.
Forget what any bullshitter will tell you about how to deal with a tank slapping bike, because you're hanging on by your fingertips.
Obviously I'm able to tell the tail because it calmed down before launching me into on coming traffic, but it really wasn't a fun experience.
It also fishtailed once in the rain for no apparent reason... Straight line, gentle throttle and no silly rider behaviour.
I finally got sick of crashing and frequent electrical issues, sold it and took a test ride on a tidy '03 RSV Mille, which taught me what good handling and brakes were.
My encounter with the SV came about when that Mille was twatted up the arse by a white van man and insurance provided a hire bike while said van man's insurance was being difficult.
I have to admit the SV was near perfect for regaining my confidence after the accident because it was just so easy and unthreatening.
The SV needs a lot of throttle provocation to wheelie.
A TLS is going to lift the front right up at some point, whether you like it or not.
I've not ridden the TLR, but I know someone with one that has had a WP shock and fork springs.
He's not a light fella, but he said the R was over sprung as standard and that it had the same random mid corner weave that my S did.
I'm not taking tank slapping; it's more like the frame has a hinge or becomes flexible when leaning over.
I can confirm this is cured by replacing the rotary damper with a quality aftermarket shock.
Forget Suzuki's claimed specs, myself and the aforementioned chap has pushed a Mille up a ramp and will tell you both TL models are overweight.
The R was apparently particularly fond of pies and is a hefty old gal!
My V-Twin sportsbike summary goes like this...
SV1000S: giant plodder pretending to be sporty.
TL1000S: Two wheeled hooliganism - it's fun but your going to end up in hospital.
TL000R: Who ate all the pies? At least it's stable.
RSV Mille: if your toes can touch the floor, then forget the Japanese twins.
RC8R: 1970's tractor engine and gearbox with a supercharger bolted on, packaged in a scalpel sharp chassis.
@@stewart8127 I do, and I've ridden both extensively. Paul above has a lot of good points. I won't repeat but add my 2 cents.
The SV is not slow or plodding at all. But, it was set up that way. An hours worth of work and a lot is fixed. Pipes and reworked electronics gets you the rest of the way.
Here's a quick one... the SV has a small screw on one side made out of the softest metal on earth, and a security torx at that... why? Because the bike is set up to not give you full power until about 3000rpm. Why? So that every moron out there didn't wheelie the bike out of the shop. So, adjust that screw so you get full power at 50-100rpm above idle. Guess what? Hooligan wheelie city if you want it. "The SV needs a lot of throttle to wheelie" LOL. I've wheeled the bike in third by rolling on too fast.
Another SV note, the stock suspension is very decent, AND fully adjustable. The stock SETTINGS on that suspension were trash, but again targeting a very different crowd than the TL or GSXR 1000. So adjust the settings and its actually quite good. Would it benefit from aftermarket? Well of course, but so does almost every bike. It's not like the TL that needs a rear suspension so it doesn't kill you.
A TL1000S is a wheelie monster, responsive feeling despite weighing more, iirc. BUT, it can get squirmy on you real fast. Now I rode the same bike again after it had a completely redone rear suspension and it was really great, an excellent machine at that point. And for the love of everything get a proper damper. (The SV1000S comes stock with a good non-rotary damper)
The SV and TL both make a lot of torque, but more importantly a lot of torque very early. I joke that the bikes don't have torque curves they have torque line. You will take an equivalent era GSXR1000 from zero to 60, oh the look on their face :) Now, that GSXR is gonna have your lunch from 100 to 160. But who cares? You're faster in almost all non-track and non-jail/fine/illegal situations.
People love that V-2 and were glad they put it in other bikes!
Every video you make is amazing!!! Hands down the best documentary on everything moto
thank you very much yeahok
Fantastic video. Great editing and narration. Couldn't agree more. Sub'd because if other vid's are done as well as this I should be watching more.
I repeatedly hear people talking down the tm400 but as an intact american male my 73tm400 was still one of my favorite all time rides!
you are a legend
Lol
I won races on my Tm 400 but had shock, fork and added a flywheel kit to the motor that really settled that bike down. It was way faster than other open class bikes at the time!
You are a legend
Did you compete against or come across the '76 Yamaha DT400?
Loved the video excellent work keep it up thanks man!
Glad you enjoyed!
I had a 1981 GS850G. It wasn't a sport bike, but it was a very reliable and forgiving motorcycle. I rode it for 20 years and would probably still have it, if I hadn't piled into the back of a parked car on the freeway. Even in a wreck, it didn't bend all that much, unlike me.
My Brother's first bike was a Yammie RD 250 which he later gave to me. His next Bike proved to be the love of his life. Yes a Suzuki GS 850G. In fact he had 3 over a 15 year period. Gunmetal Grey, Blue and Gunmetal Grey again. They were all 850s, never a 1000 or whatever, had to be the 850. We Bikers can be a bit different. Anyway, thanks for reminding me about my dear old brother and his love for the mighty Suzuki GS 850G!
@@bigozimak I am building an 850G for my youngest son.
My 1982 Suzuki RM 250 was nothing short of magical. I liked it so much I bought a second one!!
I miss those 2 smoker RMs
@@BornAGoon Yes sir me too! Had so much fun on them
First full size bike was an 82' RM125 when I was 13. I can honestly say all these years later and after all the different bikes I'v had, that old Full Floater lightweight is the only bike that still haunts my dreams!
the full floater I remember that
@@BornAGoon I was a really heavy boy for my age but I could still send her a good 7-8 feet up before all that glorious travel would bottom out! So fun!
I got the same bike when I was 12. I was halfway in saving up for it and my Dad surprised me by paying the other half. I think it was $1600 msrp back then. They were the top 125cc MXer at that time.
@20TIL6 Should've gotten the Elisinor 125, the funnest bike ever made, next to the RD 350.
@@HegelsOwl all I want now is a Time Machine so I could be 12 again. 😄
Another great entertaining and informative video. Very much enjoyed it. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it
@@BornAGoon i know its controversial for a purist like you. But prepare yourself dude. Because electric dirt bikes will dominate soon. And the road eventually. The power to weight ratio is too great. On anothet note. Thank you. You are next level. Have you thought about producing movies?? Youre a talent and youve got it.
You Sir, did a really good piece. You have earned a Like and a Sub.
Great video, thanks. Shortly after the SRAD came out in 96 we started installing steering dampers prior to selling any new Gixxer. The reduction in the wheelbase from the previous models made for very twitchy handling and surprise wheelies, leading to tank slappers and many accidents. This bike had a beautiful, race-inspired design and was very popular among beginner riders, but it was definitely not a beginner bike.
very true thanks for sharing your knowledge
The TM 400 was a fantastic motorcycle! I got to witness the machine up close and personal. My nephew purchased one used. My nephew, cousin and I would ride motorcycles along the river in Southwest Kansas. He could crank the throttle at any speed and it would wheelie. It was the rocket ship of the trails back in the day.
I was born and raised in SW KS. Liberal area.
@@michaels7499 No such thing.
@@RJMStraya No such thing as what?
Great content! Entertaining and well done!
awesome video. thanks for the content.
The Suzuki Bandit... A bike I owned for 11 years. Not once did it not start. You could of blown it up with C4 and it would still start.
I sold it at 76000 miles on the clock and wish I'd have kept it as a second bike.
Sitting there hoping my GSR600 isn't mentionned. Thank god! Only just bought it a month ago! :D
YT is very good. Did not watch road bike or suzuki/brand videos before. Did it once or twice. Recommended you. Subbed!
The most dangerous TLS was the 1997. I had a green one and loved it. There were several aftermarket remedies for the rotary damper. I ran a remote reservoir version and the bike was great on tracks that didn't have a long straight.
That and adding a front steering stabilizer/damper.
Great video Mr. Goon! All I own are Suzukis. You did great job covering their quirky and lazy ways. I am not sure if it is the "bean counters" in the corporate HQ, or the design engineers who need to up their game. You made a great point about the DR series. I have an extensively modified DR650 which I love but a lot of the things I have done to it should have been done by the factory (suspension- Hello)! Well done video on this subject!
Cheers!
Thank you I cant figure Suzuki out Its like they dont want to sell bikes at all lol
I owned a DR 650 for a couple of years, which was THE worst bike out of more than 30, that I ever owned!
I had nothing but problems with a complete engine repair and just after that the shock absorber busted, so I had to buy a new White Power for replacement, but when it rode it was great fun...
DOC650!! You have a beautiful DR650. I've watched all your video. Most excellent sir.
@@verbalwidget7267 hey VW! I would say the same thing about you!
I've owned many SUZUKIs from Early RMs to GSX-Rs to TLRs to BUSAs.... Luv'd em all ! Figure'n out the twitchy ones, only makes U smile bigger !
always loved RMs too my RM 80 and 100 were garbage but my 125 and 250s were awesome That is Suzuki lol
Have you ever had a tank slapper at 50 miles an hour with a 10 wheel dump truck on your ass, not slowing down, staying behind you and you can't change lanes, wondering if the idiot driver is laughing at you? It only lasted for about 20 seconds but those were like 20 minutes. I thought for sure I was gonna eat pavement .
You had me in tears with the B-King 😂.
My GSXR 1000 K3 was the best bike I ever drove on street and track, great memories.
Well explained, learned new things, thanks!
although I agree with every word that you said , the TM 400 was and still is my favourite motorcycle that I have ever owned .
It got me podium finishes in beach racing and road racing but in MX I had to be happy with a reasonably consistent top 10 rating and a best placing of 6th in a national event .
Yes I know that it wanted to kill me but we came to an agreement .
That was 52 years ago .
you are a legend
@@BornAGoon Graham in New Zealand we had beach racing back in the day.
Two bamboo poles half-a-mile apart - stuck in the sand when the tide was out.
The TM400 was the killer bike to have! LOL
I agree! I also had one and its bad reputation is seriously overblown.
What a load of bollox
@@DennisMerwood-xk8wp I raced a Chaney framed TM 400 on the beach in Whakatane and Gisborne back in the 70's .
Only got my ass handed to me once and it was by Forest Carden , he was riding a Manx Norton with a V twin JAP motor on methanol and twin GP carbs . It was still putting up a rooster tail at the end of the half mile .
I had not realised that Whakatane was half mile and was way under geared but I still got second .some times this is good for the sole .
I do agree with you that the 76 rm370 was a fun bike, mine felt a lot like jumping a bicycle to impressive heights as it was fairly light and the suspension was far better than my tm400.
I don't even ride but I'm watching these videos and subbing to this channel. Maico video got me hooked.
Thank you.....very informative..... love this video...well done....you gave facts. ❤❤❤👍👍👍👍
I wrote motocross in 1976 with a TM 125. It was my first motocross bike. If you were a good rider it could hold its own with the Honda Elsinore 125.
Hate to bust your balls but "Widowmaker" is Kawasaki H3 and H2 Triples. Old 2 stroke 3 cylinder and 2 cylinder, respectively.
you are right the H2 is the OG widowmaker I highlighted that one in my dangerous video list but outside of that most Kawis were good
Not 2 cylinder bro
Kawasaki is the leader of headbanger bikes,h1,h2,kawa 9.
Suzuki?!😂
What a great, insightful video! I grew up riding in the early 70's on Jap trail & motocross bikes. You nailed this evolution in Suzuki nicely. Just know each brand had their fair share of turds. But, your "perfect bike" had a lot to do with the terrain and application. I loved torquey 4-stroke Hondas, because I rode on the Appalachian Trail all day. Some friends liked the punchy 2-stroke TM Suzukis & Elsinores for racing. Others preferred the smoother Yamaha endurdos. I loved them all...but those big 2-strokes were all scary!
Interesting!
(I remember those bikes! Thanks for sharing!)
The last MOTOGP race I went to that damn Rins won on a Suzuki, my beloved Rossi was second..
what a race that was Rins seems to have COTA down
@@BornAGoon yeah, man.. he looks great on that Honda..
Great video! SV650S best bike I have ever owned. Had 2 of them. Suzuki demonstrating it can make brilliant bikes
they do make great stuff the SV is spot on
I had a 1993 Suzuki bandit 400 which at the time I thought the steel frame made the bike a little heavy. But the frame design was pretty solid around the street. A friend of mine raced his 93 bandit on the local course and ended up crashing in the sweeper turn, a rather broad but fast turn. He blamed it on the tire selection..
I bought a Bandit 400 for my wife as her first bike. Except for having the turning radius of the Queen Mary it was a nice bike.
Great video, I owned several GSXR's 750 and 1100's also had 2 TLR's, and a couple RM's. I must have been a below average street, MX rider cause my bikes never caused any issues. I even had a tuner put large flat bore Keihin carbs and Ontario pipe, to my 1986 GSXR 1100, which caused a 3 rd gear straight up wheelie while speed shifting and laying forward on my tank on a street race. I'm also a Yamaha R1 fan as well. Thanks for the video.
The great thing about the TMs were that they filled up the starting lines and gave guys a chance for a thrill. The only TM I rode was the 125. I might as well been on the 400 as I was such a squid. When they brought out the RM 125, the days of Honda Elsinore dominance were coming to an end. I owned an '81 RM 125. It was as good a bike as existed.
I think it was a TM125 we had as a farmbike back in the 70's , Horrible thing, You could always see dad ride out the farm track in a cloud of smoke only to see him pushing it back a few minutes later. He sold it and bought a Yamaha Ag 100 which ironically for it's size had a towbar on it that we towed a small trailer with for the dogs. I have run Yamahas ever since on the farm.
We lived parallel lives! First a TM then and RM125C. Loved them but I couldn't ride them for shit. A bit scary for this 14 year old back then.
I LOVE my TL1000S. The rotary damper was an abomination. I paid $200 for an R1 shock, made my own bracket and spent an hour fitting it. Classifying a motorcycle as one of the worst ever made when its most glaring fault can be so easily and cheaply rectified is hardly justified. The torque of the motor is also mentioned as a negative, when it's one of the features I like most about this motorcycle.
It was a negative because of the suspension problem. Its okay to defend what you like, but when is clearly a design flaw that cant be defended. I couldnt imagine what it would be like to ride with a rear suspension that wanted to work or not.
@@bumblebeeisfree
But funny enough, the rear rotary damper wasn't the cause of crashes, it was the extreme geometry
(Which they alleviated with a steering damper)
Not many people have the money to buy new shocks after buying the motorcycle. And not many have the skills fabricate new parts to fit certain parts
I've had my TL1000S from 1997, bloody love it!
Wow, this is a really great channel - made a new subscriber out of me
Thank you I appreciate that
I use to own a 1994 gsxr1100. I had it set up for drag but drove it as a daily. And for a dinosaur, it never failed me and I beat the daylights out of it just about every day for years.
I finally ended up selling it to a buddy about 5yrs ago who had wanted it forever.
they did make good engines on those things
Great video! My first Suzuki was an RM125 which I saved my paper round pocket money to buy from a rough farmer out in the sticks! I was around 12 years old, I rode the beast in our local quarry, it was terrifying, but I loved the scariness of the machine, the smell the noise!
The next Suzuki I own was a road bike, GT250X7, again I was 16 years old, I had no tax, MOT, insurance or even a valid license and was chased by the cops a few times! when I grew up I bought a GSXR 1000k5 when it was only a year old, I had traded in my 1998 Yamaha R1, the difference in the GSXR compared to the 1998 R1 was night and day, fuel injection fly by wire throttle etc etc the GIXXER was amazing! fast forward to 2023, my current track bike is a GSXR 1000 k7. its a beast and will catch up and pass a lot of modern bikes on start finish straights, handling is not to bad either for an older bike. I like you get a surge of adrenaline when I see that "S" symbol. Such a shame its all come to end with the GSXR ! I hope that something happens and they decide to come back!
sounds like my story I saved up my paper route money and bought an RM 100
At 15 in 1975 I bought a TM400 and rode it year round every week for 6 years. I never got hurt unless it was totally my fault, the bike was great for what it was!
I take it you never hung on the cable then...?
@@itslogical8459 You mean a stuck throttle? No, but even then I was already a decent wrench and was up on the issues from Dirt Bike and Motocross Action so I stayed on top of service and prep and my TM was a 74 model so Suzuki had fixed the "instant on" spark advance problem with the CDI.
PS, I didn't race, which is not to say I didn't haul ass now and then, I like fire and logging roads and especially hill climbing, the 400 was great for that and it didn't hurt I only weighed a buck fifty then either lol!
@@loganpe427 hung on the cable... giving it full throttle 😊
Deadly is a strong word.. As a Authorized Suzuki Dealer I prefer the word "Word-renowed-amazingly-powerful-sports-vehicle."
The description here and every where else I have heard of the 400 Cyclone makes me think"that all sounds so familiar." Then it hits me,every characteristic of the Cyclone is shared by my 1999 YZ400F. Another bike that makes you truly work just to start the pig! Forget about if its cold outside,gotta run VP 110 just to make the thing a bit easier to start.
The GSXR-750 and 1000 are fabulous bikes. So is the Hayabusa. The gasoline burning motorcycle has been perfected. I like simple bikes so I'm sticking with my GS1000. Old Japanese bikes are great if you can find one that hasn't been thrashed or trashed. With ordinary care they last indefinitely.
I agree William. The GS1000 was another winner from Suzuki. And from my experience Suzuki engines always out lasted their Honda rivals.
Suzuki engines were always high mileage and durable.
I think my favorite of all time is the gsxr 750
I owned a 1983 GS1100E and bought new to this day I still think and dream about it and I own a 2005 Hayabusa I also bought new.😎💖🔥💯
@@derekscarrsr2688 Derrick I have a 1998 TL1000S with 1,432 miles on it. I am 75-years old and afraid to ride anymore! LOL
@@derekscarrsr2688 My GS1000L is a 79 and the 83 GS1100E is wonderful. 108 HP. Great handling. I was a Cycle World and Motorcyclist subscriber back then.
Love it! I always had a warmth for Suzuki and this has not changed it except make it stronger (and I remember the 70s).
To be honest I owned a 1972 Suzuki Gt 750 water cooled 2 stroke triple and man that bike was scary fast! But what was even more scarier was trying to take a corner on it! That bike was pretty heavy and the engine cases were low and wide so wide that when taking a nice sharpe turn and trying to lean it over the side cases would start grinding and limited my controlled lean in a turn which almost made me crash a couple of times.
So with the bike being super quick in the straight away and poor handling in the turns I decided to now regrettably sell that bike before I killed myself because back then I was a squirrel behind those bars and surly would’ve kept pushing the limits on that Suzuki GT750 water buffalo motorcycle and most likely wouldn’t be here today writing this!
I had a Suzuki bandit 800.. I rode it around my block once and parked it until I traded it.. absolutely terrifying motorcycle..
I even tried starting in 2nd and it still wanted to go up..
There never was a Suzuki Bandit 800
and if it was lifting its wheels in 2nd, you didn't know how to operate a clutch
As much as it hurts me to say it. I agree with you 100%. 30years, 17 bikes, 8 Suzuki's GSXR's. However on a positive note. They do build bikes designed for the home mechanic. Not over engineering has been the strength it gives me to stay loyal to the brand. An old GSXR 1000 K5 still occupies a corner which has captured my heart 18 years ago and still makes me feel alive. So one has to ask, is it deliberate by Suzuki?
Our family has had a swag of Suzooks: TM125 (scary bike, savage power with no handling to speak of ...), RM125C (not much better, but a bit more fun than the TM), RV90 (don't ride this bike on a creek, it tries to float, but so much fun in the sand!), PE370 (a monster but oodles of scary fun), Katana 1000 (oof! A set of smooth bore carbies on that sucka was a true workout for the right wrist, then both as you hang on for dear life!) Now my daughter has a Swift! 😂
My first intro to riding was on a late 70's Suzuki RM50. So they will always have a place in my heart.
The TL V twin's biggest problem when it was released was the epic tank slappers that occurred far too often. Even experienced testers had big issues. THAT'S what caused the crashes. I remember they were in press constantly til Suzuki had to find a solution...
Eventually they were fitted with a damper. Not exactly fixing problem but still...99% certain it was retro fitted too for all the vexed owners of brand new TL's that were red on release and for testers btw...
As a former TL1000S owner, I can state that it did slap.
The real issue is that it was unpredictable; you'd think that it would shake it's head when on the power down a bumpy road, but mine only gave the expected slight twitch of the bars.
I did go lock to lock once when I rolled OFF the throttle and the weight transferred to the front.
These are all rear rebound issues caused by the rear damper, usually the damper would heat the oil changing its viscosity which would slow rebound to the effect it would not rebound enough before the next spring input, loading the damper progressively more before the stored pressure rebounded the shock more than the last spring input required, the tlr suffered less so in this regard with less unsprung weight ..
@@mitchpender8113
There's a lot more problems with the TL-S chassis than the much (justifiably) maligned rotary damper.
There's speculation about the forks having shorter travel than usual and the unbraced swing arm being too flexible and also short because of the need for a short, quick steering wheelbase which was otherwise compromised by the length of the motor.
In reality no one ever really got to the bottom of the TL-S handling woes.
I'd imagine with today's computer aided design, being able to simulate the different stresses being applied to the chassis, someone could come up with a comprehensive theory, but clearly the mid 90's were still very much "suck it and see".
I replaced the rotary damper with a Nitron race shock, sprung to my weight, and while the Nitron certainly helped the old beast hold a line, it was still an unforgiving and unpredictable bitch.
The tank slapper incident happened after the shock swap.
The TL engine was a fantastic blend of performance and character, but no matter what bolt ons you throw at the chassis neither the S or the R will ever handle like the Europeans or Honda's VTR SP1/2.
I say this as a former owner of a '97 TL-S (the original bad boy before Suzuki tamed the throttle response), multiple aprilia RSVs and current owner of a KTM RC8R.
Oh and I also spent a while abusing a loaner SV1000S, which proved that Suzuki did make a fairly sweet handling big V-Twin (it suffered from Suzuki raiding the budget parts bin).
Sadly Suzuki chose to cut the TL engine's balls off to ensure the SV would behave.
The TL was certainly a gnarly beast. But man, was it a formidable bar hopping commuter and back roads rocket ship! My love for Suzuki's late 90's dirt bikes and early 2000's GSXR1000 will never fade. Still great machines, some 25 years later. In fact, I might be buying a y2k RM250 tomorrow, and if I found the right Gixxer, I'd be buying that too. 😎
Excellent video.
I owned a TL1000S and loved (and hated) it. When it was good, it was VERY good. But when it was bad, I questioned my life's decisions. I also owned a 400 Bandit and that was perhaps one of the best bikes I've ever owned.
@@RogerWyatt365 if you mixed those 2 bikes together it might make a great cocktail called the SV650.
The only Suzi I currently have is a 96 DR350E. It's not the legendary Honda XR350, but I'm not complaining (especially when I push the magic button)!
@@RogerWyatt365
The TL engine had so much character.
It's a real shame Suzuki cut its balls off to make the SV1000 behave instead of really going to town on the chassis.
I agree with you on the good/bad thing, my S was very Jekyll and Hyde.
Great video bro.
Appreciate it
I enjoyed that!
I had -98 TL1000R , rear suspension on my bike was deadly as stock and factory steering damper was really stiff: Race tech ,springs and shimming sorted fork, Öhlins rear shock and hyperpro steering damper rest , bike worked better the faster you rode and was really stable but not comfortable, for me i had terrible shoulde pain with that bike when drove at legal speeds .
Suzuki is the Toyota of motorcycle. They actually have a hard time selling their motorcycle in my country because it's so tough and no one need to replace their Suzuki.
That is true they build some reliable stuff
@@BornAGoon reliable stuff.....but deadly? LMAO. What in this world isn't?
*Also....The Suzuki Escudo is a hill climb monster that made over a 1,000HP* ua-cam.com/video/1HlMyvZFPoE/v-deo.html
Fantastic video!
Thank you very much!
My first real mc after scrub brake minis was a 78 rm80. It was beat but awesome!! Then a used TS 125 that was almost perfect the a used 1983 GS750e that I rode for ten years. Bullet proof, just changed oil and a voltage regulator. I love Suzuki.
thanks for watching and commenting K Ober
I've been riding Suzukis since 83. Started on RM80 then RM 125s, RM250s even a DRZ 125. Streetside Gamma500, 86'Katana,9 0G"SXR750 Currently 03''&14' GSXR 1000s.
I survived. Was going to buy the new Busa but so expensive i ended up getting an electric skateboard that does 80km/h. You guys don't know what you're missing.
a strange choice, considering that a fall of 80 kmh without protection means death, or do you want to say that you wear protection every time? As for me, it's best to bike - you can fall, but nothing will happen if you don't ride where the cars are.
In 1985 in Canada, I bought a GSXR 750 good lord I loved that bike!
I still have a 1995 RMX 250 that has been turned into a super motard a great bike but yeah, I agree with you video.
Cheers from Tokyo!
great video - brought back some memories
Had a '91 gixxer 750 - was beautiful - the black and Silver paint with the pink and purple bits - took her up a big road on one of the first days riding her and snapped the chain that took off the water pump and the bit of steel that is around the gear shaft (where the changer enters the engine, so the piece that holds the seal) - emptied all the water and oil out - managed to not drop her and got home in a van
Was never able to properly repair it and she leaked oil out of the gear shaft hole forever - then started leaking petrol into the engine oil - it then spent a year in Galway in a bike shop called specials -
I was trying to get a replacement engine either a 750 or 1100 - but after a year it still wasn't even looked at - so ended up getting it back and selling it and had to walk for 2 years till I paid it off
It was the most "high spec" bike I have ever riden I think I did 255KPH on her - practically drove itself around corners - was so bummed when I had to let her go :(
I grew up riding the tm400 & never had any issues as mentioned here. I always had to land it at full throttle to avoid the pain from bottoming out the suspension. I wore out the TM400 replacing it with a RM465. More of the same, didn't corner near as well but handled landings much better.
Very well done! Suzuki needs all the shit you can throw at them! They have had decades where they were the dominant motocross machines and roadracing machines…I raced RM125’s and owned 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982 examples of that bike. They were FANTASTIC! They won so many world championships….it’s sad to see them today.
very very true thanks for watching
Owned Suzukis since 1970, never had a bad one.
I Owned 3 TL 1000S and i can say IT is a Thrill of of a Ride. The Power Delivery was insane.
lolol kindy art class. But seriously Rins and Mir got a raw deal and deserved better and they got it. Either way I'll never part with my GSX-R 750.
fingerpainting Suzuki
Yeah. I felt weird watching this with my SV parked outside. Nevertheless, lovely bike. I'm thinking of getting a GSXR or a GSR 750 next
nah the SV is a good bike
Got a GSR 750 since two years. Absolutely love it!
Thanks for a great history lesson on the Suzuki bikes. I am glad I became a Jeep guy as I got older.
I had a nice TM100 and a friend had a TM400. I was amazed how it felt like it was twisting under power. Then I'd get back on my TM100 and it felt like a Briggs & Stratton!