Suzuki RF900, still life in the old dog?

**gav** · 26th February 2007, 23:00

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.

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

)

**T.W.R** · 26th February 2007, 23:17

Gav

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

**riffer** · 27th February 2007, 05:08

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

How about this thread?

Or this one?

RF's are great, until, it appears, the KMs get up on them. Then the carbs shit themselves, I've found out.

A well sorted RF can see most bikes off.

**Lou Girardin** · 27th February 2007, 05:40

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

**riffer** · 27th February 2007, 06:31

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** · 27th February 2007, 06:32

What do they make with the 750 cams?

**riffer** · 27th February 2007, 06:39

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** · 27th February 2007, 11:59

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

**vifferman** · 27th February 2007, 12:04

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:Me** · 27th February 2007, 12:07

Originally Posted by 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?

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

**gav** · 27th February 2007, 21:00

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

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....