Opinions Wanted
Is one season, 7500 Miles, on the Gs
enough to step up to a TL1000S
that I bought for next season?

When is time to change?

Should I do some beginner track days with the GS
to further my abilties, before changing to the TL???

I went for a ride with a bloke i work with who owns a TL not too long ago.  The differences in performances are like night and day.
 He chose to follow me, so as i took off along the highway ( i was acclerating as hard as i could on my gs ) i heard and then i saw him passing me on my left. While he was on one wheel !. The show off.
Any way we ended up switching bikes ( only for a couple of kms on a road with very few curves ) And these are the two things i noticed most about the TL.
: It likes to accelerate. Very, very much so.
: You have to work the bike a bit more to get it to tip into corners.
Other than that i found the seating position to be very comfy, it gets blown around by the wind less, sounds awesome and i would be likely to kill myself if i owned one.
But that's just me, I haven't had the chance to ride too many different types of motorcycles in the last year or so.

buy whatever you want
a gs will go 80
a tl will go 80
anything else is between your brain and your right hand

The short answer is yes.  7500 miles is certainly enough (for most people) to have a firm grasp on riding basics and be pretty aware of what kind of situations on a motorcycle are dangerous (I.E. you should definitely know enough by now to not inadvertently injure yourself on a liter bike).

But really, it probably depends on what kind of riding you're going to be doing.  If you're going to be doing wheelies and/or taking the bike to a track, then you might be better served with an 'inbetween' bike before the liter bike.

That's just my opinion, though... I could be wrong

watch out  those TL's make power way DOWN low...they can pull wheelies all the up into 3rd gear if you "screw witht he righ hand-brain function"....hehehe I'm going to coin that....

IMHO it depends on you. Are you a sensiable rider? Can you put the little GS on a dime without any worries? Liter bikes there are no second chances. Little hick-up riding things =big messes and crashes.....

keep rubber down and your head up

I ride around town 90% of the time and to take the step from my gs to a 1000 would not be an option for me. ( you asked for opinions so i will give you mine. Choose to do with it what you will.   ). To exploit the performance the TL has to offer in the above setting would be freakishly dangerous as it can gain speed quite rapidly and you would never use everything it has to offer between intersections. However on the highway it can pass cars and trucks much more easily than the gs ( don't even need to change gears ) meaning you spend less time in the on coming lane. Bonus.
What ? Am I making sense. Wow, even my inner monologue needs to take a breath between sentencs.

another random though that came into my head...

maybe look into a 600cc class bike as an alternative to a little more power than the ol' GS but a tad less than the TL....Do you have V-twin envy or open to I4 suggestions? I really think one motor design to another is dependent on riding conditions...V-twin is all about down in the city commuting

I spent about a year and 6000 miles on the GS before I got my TL1000s.  Couldn't be happier.  Be aware that teh mod bug will get you and cost you some coin.  yoshi exhaust sounds soooo sweet on the v-twin.  Also, the TL winds up really fast so be careful with the right hand.  More effort than the GS to corner, but I feel much more planted and secure on it.  Also, beware that 97 models have some issues that are easy to fix.  I already fixed mine.  Visit www.tlplanet.com for more info.  Welcome to the planet. :nana:

Matt

Edit:  Also cruising at 80 mph on the highway at 4500rpm is nice.  The TL has never struggled to do anything I ask it too.

TLs are nice bikes... There's probably a few mods needed for increased rideability, but we're used to that!
You know the pros and cons that you're getting into, so I'd say go for it!
Wheelies... nah.  Liter bikes always have power on tap, and you don't have to wring it out of the engine like you would do on a 500 or 600.  Nice, easy, smooth and you'll be all right!

What is it about the TL that makes you want it?

I want a TL too.  Big.  Powerful.  V-twin.  Great looking.  The question is, why wouldn't he want one?

Because it's big and powerful.  :lol:  Just wondering if he's craving looks or comfy or the ability to do wheelies in all gears or what.  The first-gen SV is the little brother of the TL - V-twin-ness, more power than the GS, and nice looks, with better handling than the TL.

Quote from: RoadstergalBecause it's big and powerful.  :lol:  Just wondering if he's craving looks or comfy or the ability to do wheelies in all gears or what.  The first-gen SV is the little brother of the TL - V-twin-ness, more power than the GS, and nice looks, with better handling than the TL.

'Little' is the word... why do they always make bikes too small for me?  

Quote from: Jace009gsDo you have V-twin envy or open to I4 suggestions? I really think one motor design to another is dependent on riding conditions...V-twin is all about down in the city commuting

I kinda have V-twin envy...Like the sound of Twins, very distinctive.
Also wanted something Sportier...without the cost of higher Insurance.
The TLS gives me all of the above

Quote from: JascoBe aware that teh mod bug will get you and cost you some coin.  yoshi exhaust sounds soooo sweet on the v-twin. Visit www.tlplanet.com for more info.  Welcome to the planet. :nana:

Matt

Hey Matt, I Know I already bought these goodies for her. PC2, Ohlins Rear. The TL already had a K&N filter, Wileyco Slip-ons & Braided lines.

Quote from: RoadstergalWhat is it about the TL that makes you want it?

It is kinda Rare...got a unwanted bad reputation. It has Cult like following
Can be sport ...can be touring....good in the twisties.
Dont have to be reeving high to get power.

Quote from: Turkina'Little' is the word... why do they always make bikes too small for me?  

I will bet you money that you have a wider variety of bikes availble to you than I have.   :guns:

Quote from: RoadstergalBecause it's big and powerful.  :lol:  Just wondering if he's craving looks or comfy or the ability to do wheelies in all gears or what.  The first-gen SV is the little brother of the TL - V-twin-ness, more power than the GS, and nice looks, with better handling than the TL.

It was also a question of price....
I was looking for a TL & found one at 3200$ U.S., that is a really good price for up here.

Quote from: Roadstergal

Quote from: Turkina'Little' is the word... why do they always make bikes too small for me?  

I will bet you money that you have a wider variety of bikes availble to you than I have.   :guns:

True... can't sit on a phone book like ya can do in a car  :mrgreen: It's not whether you can ride the bike, it's if you can fit on it, be able to use all the controls properly and not be in pain.  Sport rearsets kill me with my long legs  

ps: go for the TL! That's a great deal!

Quote from: Catcams... TL1000S that I bought for next season ...

Quote from: aaronstj

Quote from: Catcams... TL1000S that I bought for next season ...

ohhh, right.    

you'll be fine on the TL. Just remember to take it easy for the first few months to aquaint yourself with the characteristics of the new bike.