New BIKE!! Woohoo!!!

[Bend-it]

The mighty and (according to everybody) under-rated RF900! (Photos further down the thread)

Was meant to arrive today, but biketranz :first: (good on ya guys!) rang up on Saturday to say it was ready to be delivered on Saturday morning! Cool Bananas!

I was out sighting in a new rifle, so the wife actually received it, and her reaction was "That's a big bike!" :rockon: (In comparison to my 250 Bandit before...

So, took her (the bike) for a small ride into town and back from Newlands on Saturday :sunny: evening just to get a feel for things. Yes, it's heavier and bulkier than the 250 (obviously!), but heaps more stable in the wind, and man, the pickup and go is something else!! Cruising at 100km/h, the bike's just ticking over at 3500rpm, out fo a 11,000rpm redline :innocent: , and pulls quite happily from 2000rpm! This thing rocks!

At the time of this write-up, I've only been on the bike a grand total of 30 mins, probably, and it's great!!

The things I'm getting used to are:
- Handlebar position is a little "turned in", which means my wrists are "turned out" slightly, but not too bad. It keeps me from leaving too much weight on my hands, having them more relaxed instead. I might also angle the switchgear down a little. Just means my hands are more like this / \ than - -.
- Seating position is also quite different from the bandit, quite abit more "leaned forward" and gave me a sore back on Saturday, but today was great as I get used to it.
- And of course, there's the additional weight, but hey, with the additional stability, it's actually not too bad!

Overall, I'm a happy chappy! Pics will be posted when there is nice light to take a good photo!

Woo hoo!! :2thumbsup:

[MyGSXF]

Congrats on the new arrival Bend-It.. :Punk:

Take your time to get used to the 'differences' between the bikes before you open it up too much!

I went from a heavy wallowing cumbersome 750 cruiser (8 years of riding it), to a light zappy 400 sports/tourer... man.. felt like I had to learn to ride all over again.. the differences were so significant!!

Anyhooow.. ENJOY!! :Punk:

Jen:rockon:

[WRT]

We need pics, and you need to update your profile!

Congrats tho, the RF's are a great bike. Take your time getting used to it though, for the first few rides you're going to find the corners are coming at you A LOT quicker than you'd expect.

[Str8 Jacket]

Congrats Dude! We need pictures!!

[vifferman]

Congratulations!

Seating position is also quite different from the bandit, quite abit more "leaned forward" and gave me a sore back on Saturday, but today was great as I get used to it.
The trick is to make sure that you are arching your back the right way (so you're not straightening the limbar curve). Stick your bum out, and your stomach, and support yourself using your abs and thighs (by gripping the tank). On the road - particularly as speed gets up to 100km/h or more, you should be able to tkae your hands off the bars and not tip forwards, i.e., if your posture is right, there's practically no weight on your hands/wrists, and you're not interferring with the bike's steering.
Practice this, and after a while it will be automatic.

[Bend-it]

We need pics,


Congrats Dude! We need pictures!!

And I need a clear day for nice pics!! Might go down to the carpark and take some for now tho... Chance to start it up...

Oooh the noise it makes... makes your spine tingle... Has a Zorsts Exhaust, built by an outfit in Christchurch that apparently made pipes for John Britten!

[Drum]

Congratulations Bend-it. The RF's a nice bike - there seems to be a few around in Welly at the mo. Enjoy.

[vifferman]

Oooh the noise it makes... makes your spine tingle... Has a Zorsts Exhaust, built by an outfit in Christchurch that apparently made pipes for John Britten!
Kewlness! :niceone:
They made the s/steel megaphones for my VF500 when I lived in Chch.

[outlawtorn]

congrats on the new bike dude, well done, may you have many happy miles on it......

[Wasp]

Can't wait to see it mate!

[Colapop]

Yep they're great bike alright. I've found they're so forgiving and quite easy (relatively) to handle. Really good blokes ride them!!

[kiwifruit]

good bullet proof bike man, congrats :)

[Bend-it]

Sprry about the crappy quality... took the photos in the work carpark with phone camera...

[Bend-it]

Really good blokes ride them!!

Yeah, or so I've heard, and a rumour I will be sure to pass on...

[MyGSXF]

Niiiiice.... :Punk:

[Bend-it]

The others, MYGSXF, vifferman, wrt etc, thanks for the tips... will be getting to know the new bike... s.l.o.w.l.y... :)

Not necessarily meaning speed-wise, but by gradually growing into it, not rushing things...

[emaN]

well done bro!
they're good enough to pass loads of R1 & Gixxer riders on the outside... but get left behind a little down the straights...:angry:

get into the next motoTT trackday dude! well worth it!

Def lower your clutch & brake lever, remove the inserts under the rubber part of the peg, change yer front sprocket to a 14 tooth, put a 530 kit on, K&N filter, braided lines help loads too...
And make sure spark plugs are always nice 'n snug!

What are the tyres like? I've got a front Strada for sale if you need one...
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=38192

Enjoy bro!

[Bend-it]

Got new tyres put on before I bought it... Battleax bt014s front and rear, so should be awhile before needing new ones. :)

I might leave the track day till I get abit more familiar with the bike eh?

What does changing the front sprocket to a 14 do? 530 chains more readily available than 532 chains?

[MyGSXF]

gradually growing into it, not rushing things...


Well said.. you deserve a DB! :Punk:

[vifferman]

Got new tyres put on before I bought it... Battleax bt014s front and rear, so should be awhile before needing new ones. :)

Good tyres! :niceone:


What does changing the front sprocket to a 14 do? 530 chains more readily available than 532 chains?
Makes it more responsive, esp. around town, as most bikes of this ilk (including the VFR800) are overgeared.
I wouldn't go as low as a 14-tooth though; it may be cheaper than putting an extra two teeth on the back, but you're looking at more noise and chain wear, as the chain is having to go around a very small radius. Fifteen on the front is the smallest I'd go.

[Bend-it]

I wouldn't go as low as a 14-tooth though; it may be cheaper than putting an extra two teeth on the back, but you're looking at more noise and chain wear, as the chain is having to go around a very small radius. Fifteen on the front is the smallest I'd go.

What is it standard?

[Dooly]

Great bikes, you'll love it.:yes:

[Pex Adams]

Can't wait to see you out on it.

[Bend-it]

Keep an eye out... I'm riding around town most days, or between town and Newlands! :)

[Maha]

Yep they're great bike alright. I've found they're so forgiving and quite easy (relatively) to handle. Really good blokes ride them!!


Yeah, or so I've heard, and a rumour I will be sure to pass on...

As long as you two dont team up for a ride together....:gob:
Cos' you know how that would look.......:whistle: ................................(pt)



CHAR OICE Bend-it, well done mate, should have got a Bandit Bend-it?....:dodge:

[emaN]

yeh,you may be right viffer, might actually be a 15tooth on there now.
(17 standard,from memory?)
no extra noise,and chain is lasting sweet as. (i'm pretty anal about cleaning 'em & lubing 'em tho).
gives alot more pull outta corners; works great on Taupo track.
the 530 kit is alot more available and cheaper & lighter

do a trackday man; safest place for it. just enter the slow/novice group and you go as slow (or quick) as you want.

[Bend-it]

Does droppingthe front sprocket by 2 teeth have the same effect as increasingthe rear by 2? 'coz I could do that and not have the problem of too small a sprocket, couldn't I? And still go to a 530 chain?

[Wasp]

Looking hot! :ar15:

[emaN]

dropping one off the front sprocket normally equates to 3 on the rear sprocket.

it ain't a biggie changing it over, and it's probly the cheaper way to go.

I did keep it standard while touring Europe on it tho' - was a more comfy/sedate/smooth ride for touring purposes.

[Bend-it]

Cool... it's a job for the future anyway, when the chain needs changing... No point swapping perfectly good chain and sprockets... :)

[emaN]

not when they cost what they do!...:gob:
make 'em last as long as poss!!!...:yes:

:scooter: