Hi from a new RF900r owner (knox)

[knox]

Hey everyone, new girl here! I just posted this in the angels forum but then saw there was an actual noob section - doh.

I've had bikes for years but mainly been a casual rider / commuter, and on Saturday I'm picking up a '97 Suzuki RF900r - a proper sports tourer! Although, not having a big bike didn't used to stop me - I rode one of my first bikes (a Honda CB250rs) all around the North Island and top of the south, and it was awesome!

That doesn't really mean a whole lot though, as it was ages ago and I need to get used to the new bike and get back into the swing of riding regularly, and up my skill level (there seem to be a bunch of courses around at the moment - I'm keen to do them). And I'm wanting to meet fellow riders, for adventures! I'm not into racing or getting my adrenaline fired up on my bike (I have other outlets for my risk-taking) so I'm a pretty sedate rider, especially while I get used to this big bike.

The things I'm excited about owning a big bike for are the potential for long rides around the freakin awesome country we live in, and the social side of motorbike ownership - motorcyclists have always proven to be rad people from all of my encounters with other riders in NZ and around the world!

So yeah, if anyone has any RF900r tips, or how to shave a seat down tips (I need it just an inch lower - gonna try this!) or how to use this forum tips, let me know! And I'm in Christchurch if anyone wants to go for a ride - pm me.

Cheers, and look forward to meeting some of you out there!

Knox

[Drew]

That's a fine choice in motorcycle right there. Mine is friggin awesome!

They were released in a bunch of different markets, and we got the cast offs from all over the world. So there are fast ones (UK and Australian market bikes), and not as fast ones (Canadian and other places). Just means if it's getting tuned, they need to be careful about it.

Second gear gets worn. If it starts jumping out of second gear, get it fixed pronto.

Other than that, HAVE AT IT!!! They will keep up with anything on the road if ridden properly, and you can get 350ks out of a tank of gas easily if it's a good runner.

Welcome to the mad house.

[knox]

Awesome. Mine's speedo is in MPH - definitely not Kiwi! And it goes right round to a kinda terrifying 190mph :blink:

It was a slightly spontaneous decision when I saw it for sale, and love at first sight (I've always wanted a black sport bike!) and then I tried to talk myself out of it by googling reviews and issues with them. But it was all positive and people seem to love them! So I bought it :eek:

Despite the huge potential power, I found it much more easy to ride nicely than the 2007 250 Ninja I used to have, that thing was like a hyperactive child. I didn't notice any gear slippage but will keep an eye out, and have downloaded the manual so I'm on top of what maintenance and checks to do.

I take my bikes to a place here in New Brighton, I think it's called Road and Race? He's a very busy but (from my experience) good mechanic, and charges a good rate, so I'll take it there to get looked at ASAP just for piece of mind.

[GrayWolf]

Welcome to the Madhouse...

RF900 are great bike, I'd consider them an 'equal' to the legendary FJ11/1200's. As Drew said, not the fastest, but competent, solid, built with real world riding in mind.

Enjoy, and that bike will just tempt you to bugger off for the day, and go eat a few hundred KM's of road!!! ;)

[knox]

Not the fastest is good. Solid and real are good too. Should be a fun time!

Where's the best place to keep an eye on for local rides that are happening in chch, suitable for taking my time in?

[Drew]

Not the fastest is good. Solid and real are good too. Should be a fun time!

Where's the best place to keep an eye on for local rides that are happening in chch, suitable for taking my time in?South West, Lindes pass.

Ohhhhh, I get ya. No idea.

[EJK]

Welcome to the forum! By the title of the thread I instantly knew Drew will love you.

Christchurch riders are a tad quiet during the winter but I know there are some rides going on in the weekends. Look here for some weekend rides http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/164869-Canterbury-Weekend-Rides

I'm also picking up my new bike next week. So if you wanna go on a ride on a nice day let me know.

[fridayflash]

you got new flash wheels ejk? Knox, the rf is a great bike, i had a burgundy one, shame i didnt keep my spare seat as it was a factory touring one and about one to two inches lower than stock. you could have your mechanic wind off your rear shock preload a little to lower the height, and slide the forks up by the same amount. good luck with the new bike :cool:

[skippa1]

Hey everyone, new girl here! I just posted this in the angels forum but then saw there was an actual noob section - doh.

I've had bikes for years but mainly been a casual rider / commuter, and on Saturday I'm picking up a '97 Suzuki RF900r - a proper sports tourer! Although, not having a big bike didn't used to stop me - I rode one of my first bikes (a Honda CB250rs) all around the North Island and top of the south, and it was awesome!

That doesn't really mean a whole lot though, as it was ages ago and I need to get used to the new bike and get back into the swing of riding regularly, and up my skill level (there seem to be a bunch of courses around at the moment - I'm keen to do them). And I'm wanting to meet fellow riders, for adventures! I'm not into racing or getting my adrenaline fired up on my bike (I have other outlets for my risk-taking) so I'm a pretty sedate rider, especially while I get used to this big bike.

The things I'm excited about owning a big bike for are the potential for long rides around the freakin awesome country we live in, and the social side of motorbike ownership - motorcyclists have always proven to be rad people from all of my encounters with other riders in NZ and around the world!

So yeah, if anyone has any RF900r tips, or how to shave a seat down tips (I need it just an inch lower - gonna try this!) or how to use this forum tips, let me know! And I'm in Christchurch if anyone wants to go for a ride - pm me.

Cheers, and look forward to meeting some of you out there!

Knox
Enjoy.....a bikes a bike

[knox]

you got new flash wheels ejk? Knox, the rf is a great bike, i had a burgundy one, shame i didnt keep my spare seat as it was a factory touring one and about one to two inches lower than stock. you could have your mechanic wind off your rear shock preload a little to lower the height, and slide the forks up by the same amount. good luck with the new bike :cool:

Oh? Maybe I should try and pick up one of those instead of munting the seat around myself. And yeah, I was going to get the mechanic to bring it down as much as possible - I'm not going to ride it anywhere near as aggressively as it's designed for so it should be fine to drop it a bit.

[Tazz]

Oh? Maybe I should try and pick up one of those instead of munting the seat around myself. And yeah, I was going to get the mechanic to bring it down as much as possible - I'm not going to ride it anywhere near as aggressively as it's designed for so it should be fine to drop it a bit.

Or just take the seat to an upholster. Couldn't be much $$$ to sort it out. Used to be a place down by Smiths auctions (P.A.C.E or something?). Don't know if they are just commercial stuff but if so some wine or beer would possibly get it done.

[knox]

After riding it today I don't think I'll change the seat - I found my legs a bit too cramped, so might go with suspension adjustments as option 1. Anyone know a good chch mechanic who could help me tweak things for a good personalised set up - lever angles etc as well as peg height, seat height and suspension? My mechanic's shop seems to be being quake repaired! I'm fairly close to having flat feet but since I'm often stopping on gravel or holes or other surprises here in quakeytown, a firm footing is pretty important!

[haydes55]

I have short legs and have never owned a bike that I could be flat footed with both feet. Just watch where you stop and lean the bike to a side where you can get a foot down, or balance and just have your toes of one foot on the ground. If it ever feels like it's going to fall over, take off and turn the handlebars into the fall (leave a gap to the car ahead). Give it a few weeks to get used to it before committing to messing with the bike.

[knox]

I have short legs and have never owned a bike that I could be flat footed with both feet. Just watch where you stop and lean the bike to a side where you can get a foot down, or balance and just have your toes of one foot on the ground. If it ever feels like it's going to fall over, take off and turn the handlebars into the fall (leave a gap to the car ahead). Give it a few weeks to get used to it before committing to messing with the bike.

Good to know, thanks.