Prize Puzzle
Prize Puzzle
Yoshimura's evil Twin?
REMEMBER RUBIK's CUBE? JUST like the multi-colored brain teaser that drove many to their wits' end in the 1980s, the task of sorting out an untried Superbike is a puzzle of the tallest order. Doubly so when starting from scratch while battling for a championship-get the setup close at one racetrack, only to be re-immersed in a maze of options at the next venue. Time constraints imposed by limited practice and qualifying sessions only make the job more difficult.
Performing under such pressure is why factory riders and wrenches earn the Big Bucks. The quest for finding the winning combination keeps these people going week-in, week-out. While competition is not without its rewards, there have been times in my post-rac ing, journalism career when I've been grateful that my income potential is no longer measured by a stopwatch. I was reminded of this fact during a short stint on Yoshimura's Suzuki TL1000R at Willow Springs Raceway.
When fantasizing about works rac ers, I usually conjure up dreamy track conditions: a calm, sunny and warm day when the tires hook up like a cat on carpet. Given those circumstances, a machine loaded to the gills with the latest factory goodies could generate untold confidence. But having ridden racebikes in less-than-ideal conditions, I know this isn’t always the case.
While most streetbikes are typically forgiving throughout their range of chassis adjustments, a thoroughbred racer can be an extremely fickle mount when its setup doesn’t match the conditions. With the Yosh TL-R’s chassis unchanged since it was last raced by Steve Crevier at the Las Vegas season finale, I was in for a lively ride.
Making matters worse, I rode the bike on a cold and windy morning. Rigid as a week-old corpse, the suspension was calibrated to endure the sharp transition onto and off of the Vegas banking. While the suspension didn’t agree with Willow’s undulating, bumpy surface, I did experience moments of sure-footed composure on the track’s smoother sections. I can only imagine how much more sound the handling must have felt while tracing the relatively smooth Las Vegas
Motor Speedway infield. As it was,
I’d had enough after a dozen laps, having endured my share of front-tire deflections and wind-induced wiggles and wobbles.
As for the engine, its broad, linear spread of power was absolutely wonderful. In fact, it had more juice than I cared to use. The dry, slipper-type clutch needed only a light pull at the lever and emitted a chattery sound and feel very much like that of a Ducati 996.
Power picked up nicely right off the bottom with a throbbing vibration that soon smoothed out as the revs built into the meat of the midrange. Back torque on deceleration is adjustable, and it was set so lightly that the big Twin would freewheel like a two-stroke when the transmission was downshifted entering comers. Exciting stuff.
In the end, though, I found the Yosh TL-R more pleasing to gaze at than to ride. Admittedly, my impression wasn’t gathered under ideal conditions, but sometimes you have to take it as it comes. Too bad Yoshimura won’t have another season to solve the TL puzzle.
Don Canet
