If you're an I4 guy then the first thing you'll notice is the TL is sneaky fast. Your brain/butt are expecting the buzz of an I4 but you never get it. But while trying to do that you're quickly over 100mph without realizing. I switched from a ninja to the TLS and within a week I had my first speeding ticket ever. 110 coming onto the freeway, luckily the CHP (bike) was understanding and wrote me up for 85+ and let me go with that. It could've been much worse.
The other thing to remember is that the bike was designed in the mid 90's with a specific purpose in mind...to compete with 750's and Ducati's as the rules allowed v-twins to have a 1000cc or so displacement. Newer bikes will make you feel like a wuss, even some six hundreds will blow past you. BUT, when you get to the twisties, the TL's really shine. As your buddies on the 600's and 750's are going up and down through their gearbox, you're in second, never need to cluthc and pulling away. On the track, the TL rocks for that reason and the fact the your bike is making power pulses about half as much as the i4's, so the rear wheel is making/keeping traction twice as long. That was Ducati's secret for so long. Better at HP management. Better at getting that power to the ground and keeping it there.
But, for me, the main reason I got my TL, is because it's the last sportbike I saw that truly has soul. Looks and sounds like no other. It seems like those that ride TL's come from a different breed. Not your average sportbiker. Just read through these pages and you'll see it's more of a community than a normal internet forum. I couldn't pick any of these guys out of a line up (maybe DougTLS, but that's it) but I feel like I actually know some of these guys. SteveTLS has helped with my NOOB issues after I got my TL last year...Rifleman seems like he's the neighbor down the street...and I've never met anyone on this board in person. I've bought two sets of bolt ons, carbon and stainless, from people on this board, never had an issue or anything.
Basically what I'm saying is that if you buy a TL, if you stick around the zone, then you're getting a bargain, and with all you've saved, more than a few guys around here can show you where to put that money to make your TL even better. To truly make it yours. It's not just another TL or another bike, but an extension of your body, connected at the right wrist.
just my .02 cents, so take it for what it's worth.
C
oh and :bigfinger
Just realized another part of your question...Is this a good First bike? You mean First First? Never been a bike before, first? I don't know about that. If you learn on it then I doubt you'll be scared to get on any other bike, but learning on a TL? My advice would be no. Find a smaller 600, Honda f2 or f3 and ride it for a year or so, then move to a liter bike. The TL is powerful, heavy and needs to be respected.
