1999 Suzuki TL1000R

The TL1000S was first introduced in 1997, with Suzuki’s signature V-Twin engine. It was designed as a roadster sportbike and was introduced to compete in the World Superbike championship of that year, against its rival, the Ducati 916. However, the bike had some issues and did not have a good reputation. A journalist was killed on the bike during a tank slapping incident, and with his wife witnessing the event, the TL1000S had the unfortunate nickname of “The Widowmaker”

In 1998, a full fairing version of the TL1000S titled the TL1000R was designed and produced. This bike was properly designed to compete in the World Superbike championship, but Suzuki pulled the plug on the TL racing program only one year later, in favor of returning to the lighter GSX-R750 as its Superbike entry.  The TL1000R not only competed with the Ducati 916 on the track, it also competed with it in consumer sales

The TL-R had many differences from the TL-S, notably forged pistons, stronger connecting rods, and a much stiffer frame, all while retaining the 90* V-Twin for perfect balance and maximum power. This gave the bike very good top-end horsepower, differing from the other V-Twins on the market which made better bottom-end power. Production of the TL-S ended in 2001, and the TL-R in 2003.