The "Widow Maker" name was for the 97 TLS, not the TLR. It's short wheel base and torque numbers made the front end go very light (no, you don't say) and it didn't have a steering damper. A British bike journalist killed himself on one when he got into a head shake situation. The 97's got retro-fitted with steering dampers and the 98's came out de-tuned a bit and with a stock damper. 98 was the intro of the TLR and it had a damper from the get go.
The rotary damper on the TLS was a complete POS and only got worse as it got hot, which of course happened quickly as it lived right beside the rear header. The TLR's was a bit better due to better valving to try to compensate for the heat but it also sucked.
I managed to get a 97 TLS and loved it. I replaced both the rotary damper and the SOAS (spring on a stick) with a proper damper/shock/reservoir setup from Bitubo that was MUCH better.
The rotary damper on the TLS was a complete POS and only got worse as it got hot, which of course happened quickly as it lived right beside the rear header. The TLR's was a bit better due to better valving to try to compensate for the heat but it also sucked.
I managed to get a 97 TLS and loved it. I replaced both the rotary damper and the SOAS (spring on a stick) with a proper damper/shock/reservoir setup from Bitubo that was MUCH better.
