After starting to work abroad, I decided that projects weren’t the way
forward, and I would much rather spend the precious time I had in the UK
riding not fettling with motorbikes. Thus the trusty
DR750 and
VFR750
went to make way for the legendary TLS, which I had lusted after for
several years. Having earned itself the nickname of The Widowmaker soon
after its launch, and armed with 140 horses, it was a wild and flighty
ride. Whilst being ferociously fast, it could also be civilised should
you choose, and with some soft luggage strapped on, and a all important
grab-rail, it took me and the missus to 2 rounds of the Moto GP, firstly
to Assen, Holland, in 2005, a 7 day trip, and then to Mugelo, Italy in
2006, a 10 day trip. This required the fitting of a new water pump seal
on the day of departure, and a new chain and spockets near Marseilles,
but was a fantastic trip. Not exactly the best tourer though, while being
fine for the pilot, the pillion provision isn’t quite so generous and
clinging on at speed as quite hard work.
After replacing a dodgy alternator which it had when I bought it, and
a water-pump seal a year later, all the TL required during my ownership was a couple
of sets of tyres, and the chain and sprocket set, so was pretty much trauma free.
Certainly the fastest vehicle I’ve ever owned, although the VFR had a
similar top speed, the 2 couldn’t really be compared, as the TL would
wheelie and shake it’s bars without much provocation. Sold to a little
Portuguese guy, who I never heard from since, I wonder if he’s still
alive. I will get another one some day.....
