amf25
10-14-2011, 02:54 PM
Hey guys, just wanted to do a review on some newly installed TST Industries aftermarket levers for the 2011 GSXR 600. Levers are always one of the first things I put on my bikes as they improve the control of the machine so significantly. I used to ride a custom Yamaha R1 raven and an R6 but am on suzuki’s for now. I have experience with CRG and Pazzo levers on past bikes for my comparison. I also have Pazzos currently on a GSXR1000.
I decided to give TST industries a try on my 2011 GSXR600. They have a cool website, pricing is better than other levers. Manufacturing is USA made. It is widely known to stay away from the imitation china-made ebay levers because of voids in those aluminum blanks and other quality issues. I also went with the TST low mount fender eliminator to clean up the rear.
First Impression, Packaging
On opening the box, I found clutch and brake levers packaged individually in thick clear plastic sleeves. There was no damage or scratches from shipping. The clear plastic was a cool touch so you can check them out without unwrapping them completely before installation time.
Construction
When unwrapped from the plastic sleeves, I got an idea of the quality of construction. These are definitely high quality levers. Lightweight, very nice paint and finish. The design of the adjusters is similar to the pazzos which I’m familiar with and use on my other bike. The TST has 6 adjustment levels, each click was precise sounding and in feel. The moving parts were smooth, without wiggling or ‘slop’. Overall these felt very nice in hand.
Installation
Getting the old levers off and the new ones on is a pretty straight forward job. I’ve done it before so it was a 10 minute breeze, but shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes even for a first timer taking it slow. I encountered no problems at all during the switch out. Tools I used were a 10mm socket, flat screwdriver and long-nose pliers. I set up a video camera for an install video, will post that up in a bit too.
Clutch Lever
First impression of the installed clutch lever was as good as my impression out of the box. It’s a shorty lever so I could two-finger the clutch easily. Resistance/pull was good, engagement zone was narrow and precise. Definitely a huge improvement over the stock levers, which is why the stockies are the first thing to go on all my bikes. The adjustment dial is a one hand procedure. All the ‘slop’ and play of the stock lever was gone.
Brake Lever
The function of the adjustment dial is the same as the clutch side, each position snaps into place tightly. The range of adjustment is perfect for the size of my hand, again a one hand on-the-fly procedure to change. The feel of the brake engagement zone was predictable. I found no shortcomings of the levers on either side.
Overall Impression
I’ve waited until a few hundred miles after installation so I could comment on the feel and on any problems if they were to come up. So far there have been no issues at all with these levers. Confidence with handling is improved from stock as is expected. All the moving parts and adjusters are still tight and precise. There have been no problems regarding the build, quality or function of these TSTs.
Only one color combination is on the website, black levers with red adjusters. I think this probably looks fine with most any color of bike, fit perfectly on my factory white. But if you need a specific custom color you’ll have to look at another brand.
Design-wise, you can’t go wrong with tried and true adjustment dial that other aftermarket levers use too. “TST” is engraved on the top surface of the inner side of the lever. In comparison, my Pazzos have “Pazzo” printed on the side of the lever facing the clip-on. Not a functional difference, just a design preference. In my experience, you can’t go wrong with a Pazzo lever, and these TST’s are right up there with them.
A big difference between the two is the price point. Pazzos costs about $180, compared to $115 for the TST. For a top quality USA-made lever, this puts TST far in the lead in terms of value. For this reason I would definitely go with TST again over other brands, extra money could always go for other parts or new gear. Two thumbs up from me.
On to pictures, I have the video too... to be posted later. Let me know what you think of the TSTs in light of my review. Thanks for reading.
http://tstindustries.com/home.php?cat=292
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6343.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6348.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6352.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6355.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6350.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6505.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6507.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6508.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6510.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6514.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6521.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6526.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6528.jpg
I decided to give TST industries a try on my 2011 GSXR600. They have a cool website, pricing is better than other levers. Manufacturing is USA made. It is widely known to stay away from the imitation china-made ebay levers because of voids in those aluminum blanks and other quality issues. I also went with the TST low mount fender eliminator to clean up the rear.
First Impression, Packaging
On opening the box, I found clutch and brake levers packaged individually in thick clear plastic sleeves. There was no damage or scratches from shipping. The clear plastic was a cool touch so you can check them out without unwrapping them completely before installation time.
Construction
When unwrapped from the plastic sleeves, I got an idea of the quality of construction. These are definitely high quality levers. Lightweight, very nice paint and finish. The design of the adjusters is similar to the pazzos which I’m familiar with and use on my other bike. The TST has 6 adjustment levels, each click was precise sounding and in feel. The moving parts were smooth, without wiggling or ‘slop’. Overall these felt very nice in hand.
Installation
Getting the old levers off and the new ones on is a pretty straight forward job. I’ve done it before so it was a 10 minute breeze, but shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes even for a first timer taking it slow. I encountered no problems at all during the switch out. Tools I used were a 10mm socket, flat screwdriver and long-nose pliers. I set up a video camera for an install video, will post that up in a bit too.
Clutch Lever
First impression of the installed clutch lever was as good as my impression out of the box. It’s a shorty lever so I could two-finger the clutch easily. Resistance/pull was good, engagement zone was narrow and precise. Definitely a huge improvement over the stock levers, which is why the stockies are the first thing to go on all my bikes. The adjustment dial is a one hand procedure. All the ‘slop’ and play of the stock lever was gone.
Brake Lever
The function of the adjustment dial is the same as the clutch side, each position snaps into place tightly. The range of adjustment is perfect for the size of my hand, again a one hand on-the-fly procedure to change. The feel of the brake engagement zone was predictable. I found no shortcomings of the levers on either side.
Overall Impression
I’ve waited until a few hundred miles after installation so I could comment on the feel and on any problems if they were to come up. So far there have been no issues at all with these levers. Confidence with handling is improved from stock as is expected. All the moving parts and adjusters are still tight and precise. There have been no problems regarding the build, quality or function of these TSTs.
Only one color combination is on the website, black levers with red adjusters. I think this probably looks fine with most any color of bike, fit perfectly on my factory white. But if you need a specific custom color you’ll have to look at another brand.
Design-wise, you can’t go wrong with tried and true adjustment dial that other aftermarket levers use too. “TST” is engraved on the top surface of the inner side of the lever. In comparison, my Pazzos have “Pazzo” printed on the side of the lever facing the clip-on. Not a functional difference, just a design preference. In my experience, you can’t go wrong with a Pazzo lever, and these TST’s are right up there with them.
A big difference between the two is the price point. Pazzos costs about $180, compared to $115 for the TST. For a top quality USA-made lever, this puts TST far in the lead in terms of value. For this reason I would definitely go with TST again over other brands, extra money could always go for other parts or new gear. Two thumbs up from me.
On to pictures, I have the video too... to be posted later. Let me know what you think of the TSTs in light of my review. Thanks for reading.
http://tstindustries.com/home.php?cat=292
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6343.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6348.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6352.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6355.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6350.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6505.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6507.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6508.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6510.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6514.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6521.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6526.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/jwh2oo2/2011-10-12%20gsxr600%20levers/IMG_6528.jpg