Suzuki RF900, still life in the old dog?

[gav]

Just bought one of these, its a bit rough, but should scrub up OK. Browsing a AMCN test on line and this bit caught my eye.
The RF does not have the technological brilliance of the VFR 800, but would well and truly shame the VFR when the time comes to press on a bit quicker than socially responsible.
http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/rf900.htm
Really? Still 135hp is not to be sneezed at. :yes:
So whats the hot set up? Think theres a few RF owners here on site, what tyres do you recommend? Anything I should look out for (apart from cops :innocent: )

[T.W.R]

Gav :shit: you nabbed that bugger off trademe for $3.5g didn't you ??

[riffer]

Shame on you Gav. You should know how to use the search function.

How about this thread? (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=42939&highlight=rf900)

Or this one? (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=38509&highlight=rf900)

RF's are great, until, it appears, the KMs get up on them. Then the carbs shit themselves, I've found out (http://http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=44711&highlight=rf900).

A well sorted RF can see most bikes off.

[Lou Girardin]

The RF would eat a VFR, but there's no way they make 135hp.

[riffer]

AFAIK, the only ones to make 135 at the back tyre were the Austrian ones, and the Manta Ray specials.

Most will make between 105-115 at the rear wheel.

[Colapop]

What do they make with the 750 cams?

[riffer]

And the 4° advance kit?

and a full rejet?

If done properly, at least 150 at the crank.

But just remember, the clutch and the gearbox won't handle it.

You'll have to throw GSXR1100 parts at it.

Oh - and did I mention the suspension might not like it either?

[SDU]

Congrats on your new toy Gav- where are the pics?

[vifferman]

I test rode an RF900 a few years ago before buying the VTR1000. It was OK, but felt 'budget' compared to the VFR800. I wanted to like it, but it didn't do much for me, even with an aftermarket pipe on it.

And there would be something wrong if it didn't see off a VFR800 - it's got 156cc more displacement, and weighs a few kg less.

But I'd like to see what one is like when it's got >100,000 km on it...

[MSTRS]

And the 4° advance kit?

and a full rejet?

If done properly, at least 150 at the crank.

But just remember, the clutch and the gearbox won't handle it.

You'll have to throw GSXR1100 parts at it.

Oh - and did I mention the suspension might not like it either?

I thought that they were basically GXSR1100's with smaller barrels, in a tourer frame?

[gav]

Well, picked up the RF tonight, for the locals the previous owner lived on Governors Bay Road, also if you look outside its pissing down, and dark....great...except it wasnt raining or dark when I left home, so forgot to change my tinted visor. Took the bike for a quick spin last night, first impressions werent great, didnt want to turn, felt sluggish and frankly abit of a handful. I was hoping that it was just low tyre pressures. Anyway tonight in the rain on a bumpy goat track of a road, it didnt feel much better but at least I was solo tonight rather than two up last night. Couldnt see bugger all so a slow trip home, pulled into first gas staition and check the tyre pressures, wound the tire pump gauge up to 38psi, and managed to wiggle the end onto the front valve, after the second ping checked the current pressure 21psi :yes: the rear was just as low, filled up with gas and back onto the road, instantly felt so much better, but it wa sraining harder, oh well, eventually got it home and into garage. Will have a closer look at it tomorrow.
Yeah TWR got it off trade me, but was more than 3.5g, not sure if its the same one? Heres some photos from the auction....

[far queue]

Congrats on the new bike, hopefully the weather will be good on the weekend so you can out for a decent play.

[gav]

Heading to the March Hare, see ya there! :Punk:

[T.W.R]

Yeah TWR got it off trade me, but was more than 3.5g, not sure if its the same one? Heres some photos from the auction....

The 2nd pic looks like the main display one from the auction :yes: $3.5g was the price it was at the last time I'd looked at it. Governor's Bay eh? mmm it'll know it's way around there then:shutup:
You'll have to get a luggage system for it :niceone:

[far queue]

Heading to the March Hare, see ya there! :Punk:
Cool, if Oldrider comes along too we'll have a good collection of "new to us" bikes.

[gav]

The 2nd pic looks like the main display one from the auction :yes: $3.5g was the price it was at the last time I'd looked at it. Governor's Bay eh? mmm it'll know it's way around there then:shutup:
You'll have to get a luggage system for it :niceone:
Sorted, came with a pack rack, and I've got Ventura packs to suit, throw over panniers and tank bag, :yes: !

[MyGSXF]

Awesome looking new toy ya got there Gav!!!! :Punk:

Enjoy the weekend away, getting to know her better!!! :love:

Jen :rockon:

[T.W.R]

Cool, if Oldrider comes along too we'll have a good collection of "new to us" bikes.

MMM the mystery pilot of the ST4 at the wheatsheaf on Sunday :yes:
Johns parked up somewhere near amberley tonight, definite nervous anticipation happening with him at the moment. He's meeting up with a bloke later in the week going through to Karamea then taking the Tiger back to Thunderbike for a service check then heading back this way.

[T.W.R]

Sorted, came with a pack rack, and I've got Ventura packs to suit, throw over panniers and tank bag, :yes: !

Awesome! sussed for heading to the Hare :ride:

[ManDownUnder]

I found (recently) my RF LOVES being 2 up. It settles the steering (more...) and corners like it's on rails.

Try it - get a pillion of 80kgs and go for a blat. It goes better than I expected - a LOT better!

[MSTRS]

....check the tyre pressures, wound the tire pump gauge up to 38psi, and managed to wiggle the end onto the front valve, after the second ping checked the current pressure 21psi :yes: the rear was just as low, ....

Try 38 front and 42 rear

[SDU]

I found (recently) my RF LOVES being 2 up. It settles the steering (more...) and corners like it's on rails.

Try it - get a pillion of 80kgs and go for a blat. It goes better than I expected - a LOT better!

Shit! Gav will have to feed the wife lots of pies & choc to do that- might be a bit drastic.

[far queue]

MMM the mystery pilot of the ST4 at the wheatsheaf on Sunday :yes: Ahhhhhh, so that's who was waving at us. Lemans & I stopped, SVBoy shot past, and SDU stopped, so we missed out on our drink and had to go chase him down. We wondered when we'd find out who was waving at us, as we couldn't really hang around.

[gav]

Thanks guys, any info regarding best tyre combination?

[Colapop]

I dunno what's best but since I switched to same make front and rear it's been heaps better... (from what I remember) Also went to a 170 from a 180 (170 is recommended by the manual - which can be yours too if you need one) it gets in and out of corners a little easier.

[riffer]

Thanks guys, any info regarding best tyre combination?

If you are doing predominantly commuting and/or touring with the occasional weekend hooning, go for the Metzeler Roadtec Z6s.

If you are only interested in being a hoon, I'd suggest that Pirelli or Michelin make some great sports tyres that can handle the sidewall pressure an RF will throw at it, but to be honest, if you want to hoon, you probably don't want an RF. They're more about eating up the miles at a good pace than throwing around corners, but they will corner well if you are prepared to use some body language.

Note: RFs are really really hard on front tyre sidewalls. They will triangulate lesser tyres very quickly.

Go for the Z6s. Best allrounder tyre on the market I reckon.

[Silverfern]

My other half has a 96 RF900 and loves it, previously had a GSX 750. I hate the pillion position, the pegs are too far back, have you had any comments? Is your speedo in kms or miles?

[gav]

Its in miles. First impressions of the pillion are good, as comfortable as the 2001 VFR800. :scooter:

[riffer]

Not surprising. You could fit an 140kg chick on the back comfortably. :mellow:

[MSTRS]

I dunno what's best but since I switched to same make front and rear it's been heaps better... (from what I remember) Also went to a 170 from a 180 (170 is recommended by the manual - which can be yours too if you need one) it gets in and out of corners a little easier.

Check your rear wheel 'spokes' - one of them will have a rim size on it. Either 5 or 5.5. That determines the best tyre for your bike. And I'd agree with Z6's being tops for these bikes. Indeed, for any heavy bike with 'spirit'.

[Chaosmage]

As riffer and mstrs say The Metzeler Roadtec Z6s are good. I had their predecessor on when I purchased the bike. And bought Z6's when the time came and have been happy as.