Drew
8th December 2010, 21:30
The write up is by an owner in the states, but the stats are very interesting.
Suzuki RF900R - Perfection Is Not An Objective But An Obstacle.
Which is why as often as we pay homage to the idea of ‘perfect” defined as flawless, the machines that usually get under our skin are the ones that are anything but flawless. In fact, so imperfect they are almost human. You like a given motorcycle because of what it is - you love it in spite of what it is… y’know? It often begins with a determination as to whether you are attracted to a particular machine as it is, or because you see the potential in it. If the aggregate of attributes outweighs any niggles of imperfection – it’s on!
If you research the brief history of the Suzuki RF900 you have to ask yourself "What were they thinking”?
The RF900 is a very sharp looking bike, (to my eye anyway) although no one thought it was sharp looking as new, because the styling was (too?) advanced for the time. Certainly, it was as technologically as advanced as any contemporary offerings. However, when Suzuki introduced it they failed to follow through with a cohesive marketing plan. It was more capable, performance-wise than the classic Katana series, but not a full-on race bike like the GSX-R. So Suzuki was left wondering how exactly to market this baby... and they dropped the ball. Suzuki stopped importing them to the US after the 1997 model year, due to poor sales. Between the Katana's history, and the GSX-R's racing look and performance - the poor RF9 was stuck without an easily defined niche.
When I was looking for a bike during the summer of $4.50 a gallon gas a couple years back, I had a budget but no preconceptions. I looked (for several weeks) at a hell of lot of worn out junk, sellers were trying to pass off on “newbies” during the crisis. As the saying goes: “You kiss a lot of frogs…”
I had worked for a Suzuki dealership when I was young, and owned plenty of them previously. I am a fan. But, having not been near them in decades, I knew nothing about what was out there. So… (by accident more than by design)... the first time I saw “my” RF900R, I was blown away. Wow! I knew what I was going to buy. (Didn’t hurt that this bike was so much cleaner than anything else I had looked at! Like the previous owner actually gave a damn about it.) This bike gets positive comments from everybody, and even non-riders seem to be drawn to it… though surprisingly few motorcycle freaks have ever heard of one. Did I mention it really looks good?
There are advantages and disadvantages in buying a bike that was not a huge seller. Prices are reasonable and it's nice having something relatively rare, but this makes them hard to buy, not many are for sale. People that own them seem to not want to let them go, I got lucky with mine.
The RF900 uses the crankcases and gearbox from the water-cooled version of the GSX-1100R, which introduced the term "bulletproof" to motorcycling. When matched up with a unique cylinder head and small-ish carbs (that had their origin on the RF600) and bored out to 937cc, the resulting engine is light, powerful and virtually indestructible. The 4-inline cylinders are angled forward quite dramatically, which allows the four downdraft carburetors to feed straight intake ports. This helps better fill the cylinders and improve gas flow, contributing to the RF's awesome low and midrange performance. The bike makes 80% of peak torque at 3,500 rpm, which means never having to downshift on the freeway. Just roll open the throttle and you take off! To improve weight distribution and handling, the radiator had to be curved to clear the front wheel, since the engine sits so close. The 5-speed gearbox is more than adequate, and I have never found myself hunting through the gears for more power. (Top speed is about 165mph - completely academic these days - so who's complaining?)
Handling is great, it is lighter than the Honda VFR 750 and even the Katana 600, and has a nice sense of balance that makes it a joy to ride. However, this is not a full on race bike, and throwing it around on a tight windy road will wear you out. It can do it - you just have to work harder. It really comes into it's own on fast sweepers, and higher speeds are what it lives for. The twin spar steel frame is lighter, stiffer and less expensive than one made of aluminum, (how’d they do that?) - but Suzuki was criticized by the motorcycle press who looked down on steel as being "old-fashioned". What? Take the plastic off a Katana and an RF and you can see which is the more advanced. The Katana frame is still made the way it was in the 80's.
The rider's stance is not as radical as a race-replica but is more leaned forward than most, yet I do not find it to be that bad. The seat is plenty firm for long rides, but I can stay on board in reasonable comfort at least until I need fuel - so it doesn't really matter. There are a couple more minor inconveniences. First, there is no center stand. Second, there is no fuel gauge, only an "idiot-light" and of course a reserve valve on the petcock. Sorta old-school - and I can live with it.
Turns out, the RF900 R is a powerful, well-balanced motorcycle that is easy to fall in love with. It is strikingly good-looking, unlike anything else on the market. It cannot be easily categorized, it has a sporty look, but it is not a race-bike. (The best label is probably – “Sport-Tourer” - but I hate labels. To me it's just a damn good overall "motorcycle.") Mechanically, this bike will take just about any abuse, so you can buy low mileage examples secure in the knowledge that the engine is going to be fine. I sure like the fact that of my entire fleet of two-wheelers it’s the one I know would get me from LA to Denver (or anywhere else) with the least hassle in the least amount of time. It also holds the distinction of being the only motorcycle I’ve ever owned that I had no desire (or need) to modify. It works better than good – as is - and holds it own even now… in every performance category! Even Land Speed Records…
What is kinda cool about this is that these records are ENDURANCE records. Look at how fast this RF900R went - for how long - and it becomes really impressive... for a 16-year old motorcycle.
(Information thanks to Metzeler Tyres)
The facts:
Date: June 4/5th, 1994
Team: Suzuki Germany, Metzeler, German motorcycle magazine Motorrad
Bikes: 2 RF900R, red and black prepared from the Suzuki mechanics Michael Schellig and Klaus Schimo
Power: 146hp at 10900rpm
Tyres: Metzeler, serial carcass and tread design but modified tread compound, 120/70 ZR17 ME Z1, 180/55 ZR17 ME Z2, 2.5/2.9 bar
Fuel: leaded super 98 octane
Oil: Castrol RS
Modifications: No main and sidestand, longer windshield, red battery-supplied emergency lamp, fast tankclosing, LCD speedometer, 2 infrared sensors for rear tyre temperature, 100W headlight, positioning lights, carbs adjusted rich due to overheating, 1 muffler-plate (baffles) removed.
Riders: 18: Salvatore Pennisi, Waldemar Schwarz, Walter Villa, Rainer Jänisch, Yves Briguet, Andreas Bronnen, Rainer Bäumel, Helmut Faidt, Hartmut Skora, Dorothea Späth, etc.
Commission: FIM (Federation Internationale Motocycliste)
World Records:
Time Distance Average Speed
1hr 256 km (159m) 260.491 km/h (161.896mp/h)
6hrs 1514 km (941m) 252.341 km/h (156.831mp/h)
12hr 3022 km (1878m) 251.835 km/h (156.516mp/h)
24hr 5904 km (3669m) 246.000 km/h (152.890mp/h)
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z_JxwVLqtow/S_s28gCO25I/AAAAAAAAABM/fMZhIMf9AGU/s320/P1000273-.jpg (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z_JxwVLqtow/S_s28gCO25I/AAAAAAAAABM/fMZhIMf9AGU/s1600/P1000273-.jpg)
But nobody cares about 900's anymore (passé class) so that record, will p'robly stand for a few more years – at least until the 1300's go faster than the 900's did "back in the day". Then - it will be shouted from the rooftops! Along those lines however, people are far more interested in (for instance) the "new" record, set by a Hayabusa, for the 24-hour LSR just a few months ago. Everybody is proud of that one - you betcha! Trouble is, it is slower than the 16-year old record set by the RF900R. Look it up!
Suzuki RF900R - Perfection Is Not An Objective But An Obstacle.
Which is why as often as we pay homage to the idea of ‘perfect” defined as flawless, the machines that usually get under our skin are the ones that are anything but flawless. In fact, so imperfect they are almost human. You like a given motorcycle because of what it is - you love it in spite of what it is… y’know? It often begins with a determination as to whether you are attracted to a particular machine as it is, or because you see the potential in it. If the aggregate of attributes outweighs any niggles of imperfection – it’s on!
If you research the brief history of the Suzuki RF900 you have to ask yourself "What were they thinking”?
The RF900 is a very sharp looking bike, (to my eye anyway) although no one thought it was sharp looking as new, because the styling was (too?) advanced for the time. Certainly, it was as technologically as advanced as any contemporary offerings. However, when Suzuki introduced it they failed to follow through with a cohesive marketing plan. It was more capable, performance-wise than the classic Katana series, but not a full-on race bike like the GSX-R. So Suzuki was left wondering how exactly to market this baby... and they dropped the ball. Suzuki stopped importing them to the US after the 1997 model year, due to poor sales. Between the Katana's history, and the GSX-R's racing look and performance - the poor RF9 was stuck without an easily defined niche.
When I was looking for a bike during the summer of $4.50 a gallon gas a couple years back, I had a budget but no preconceptions. I looked (for several weeks) at a hell of lot of worn out junk, sellers were trying to pass off on “newbies” during the crisis. As the saying goes: “You kiss a lot of frogs…”
I had worked for a Suzuki dealership when I was young, and owned plenty of them previously. I am a fan. But, having not been near them in decades, I knew nothing about what was out there. So… (by accident more than by design)... the first time I saw “my” RF900R, I was blown away. Wow! I knew what I was going to buy. (Didn’t hurt that this bike was so much cleaner than anything else I had looked at! Like the previous owner actually gave a damn about it.) This bike gets positive comments from everybody, and even non-riders seem to be drawn to it… though surprisingly few motorcycle freaks have ever heard of one. Did I mention it really looks good?
There are advantages and disadvantages in buying a bike that was not a huge seller. Prices are reasonable and it's nice having something relatively rare, but this makes them hard to buy, not many are for sale. People that own them seem to not want to let them go, I got lucky with mine.
The RF900 uses the crankcases and gearbox from the water-cooled version of the GSX-1100R, which introduced the term "bulletproof" to motorcycling. When matched up with a unique cylinder head and small-ish carbs (that had their origin on the RF600) and bored out to 937cc, the resulting engine is light, powerful and virtually indestructible. The 4-inline cylinders are angled forward quite dramatically, which allows the four downdraft carburetors to feed straight intake ports. This helps better fill the cylinders and improve gas flow, contributing to the RF's awesome low and midrange performance. The bike makes 80% of peak torque at 3,500 rpm, which means never having to downshift on the freeway. Just roll open the throttle and you take off! To improve weight distribution and handling, the radiator had to be curved to clear the front wheel, since the engine sits so close. The 5-speed gearbox is more than adequate, and I have never found myself hunting through the gears for more power. (Top speed is about 165mph - completely academic these days - so who's complaining?)
Handling is great, it is lighter than the Honda VFR 750 and even the Katana 600, and has a nice sense of balance that makes it a joy to ride. However, this is not a full on race bike, and throwing it around on a tight windy road will wear you out. It can do it - you just have to work harder. It really comes into it's own on fast sweepers, and higher speeds are what it lives for. The twin spar steel frame is lighter, stiffer and less expensive than one made of aluminum, (how’d they do that?) - but Suzuki was criticized by the motorcycle press who looked down on steel as being "old-fashioned". What? Take the plastic off a Katana and an RF and you can see which is the more advanced. The Katana frame is still made the way it was in the 80's.
The rider's stance is not as radical as a race-replica but is more leaned forward than most, yet I do not find it to be that bad. The seat is plenty firm for long rides, but I can stay on board in reasonable comfort at least until I need fuel - so it doesn't really matter. There are a couple more minor inconveniences. First, there is no center stand. Second, there is no fuel gauge, only an "idiot-light" and of course a reserve valve on the petcock. Sorta old-school - and I can live with it.
Turns out, the RF900 R is a powerful, well-balanced motorcycle that is easy to fall in love with. It is strikingly good-looking, unlike anything else on the market. It cannot be easily categorized, it has a sporty look, but it is not a race-bike. (The best label is probably – “Sport-Tourer” - but I hate labels. To me it's just a damn good overall "motorcycle.") Mechanically, this bike will take just about any abuse, so you can buy low mileage examples secure in the knowledge that the engine is going to be fine. I sure like the fact that of my entire fleet of two-wheelers it’s the one I know would get me from LA to Denver (or anywhere else) with the least hassle in the least amount of time. It also holds the distinction of being the only motorcycle I’ve ever owned that I had no desire (or need) to modify. It works better than good – as is - and holds it own even now… in every performance category! Even Land Speed Records…
What is kinda cool about this is that these records are ENDURANCE records. Look at how fast this RF900R went - for how long - and it becomes really impressive... for a 16-year old motorcycle.
(Information thanks to Metzeler Tyres)
The facts:
Date: June 4/5th, 1994
Team: Suzuki Germany, Metzeler, German motorcycle magazine Motorrad
Bikes: 2 RF900R, red and black prepared from the Suzuki mechanics Michael Schellig and Klaus Schimo
Power: 146hp at 10900rpm
Tyres: Metzeler, serial carcass and tread design but modified tread compound, 120/70 ZR17 ME Z1, 180/55 ZR17 ME Z2, 2.5/2.9 bar
Fuel: leaded super 98 octane
Oil: Castrol RS
Modifications: No main and sidestand, longer windshield, red battery-supplied emergency lamp, fast tankclosing, LCD speedometer, 2 infrared sensors for rear tyre temperature, 100W headlight, positioning lights, carbs adjusted rich due to overheating, 1 muffler-plate (baffles) removed.
Riders: 18: Salvatore Pennisi, Waldemar Schwarz, Walter Villa, Rainer Jänisch, Yves Briguet, Andreas Bronnen, Rainer Bäumel, Helmut Faidt, Hartmut Skora, Dorothea Späth, etc.
Commission: FIM (Federation Internationale Motocycliste)
World Records:
Time Distance Average Speed
1hr 256 km (159m) 260.491 km/h (161.896mp/h)
6hrs 1514 km (941m) 252.341 km/h (156.831mp/h)
12hr 3022 km (1878m) 251.835 km/h (156.516mp/h)
24hr 5904 km (3669m) 246.000 km/h (152.890mp/h)
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z_JxwVLqtow/S_s28gCO25I/AAAAAAAAABM/fMZhIMf9AGU/s320/P1000273-.jpg (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z_JxwVLqtow/S_s28gCO25I/AAAAAAAAABM/fMZhIMf9AGU/s1600/P1000273-.jpg)
But nobody cares about 900's anymore (passé class) so that record, will p'robly stand for a few more years – at least until the 1300's go faster than the 900's did "back in the day". Then - it will be shouted from the rooftops! Along those lines however, people are far more interested in (for instance) the "new" record, set by a Hayabusa, for the 24-hour LSR just a few months ago. Everybody is proud of that one - you betcha! Trouble is, it is slower than the 16-year old record set by the RF900R. Look it up!