RF900 enquiry.

[zeocen]

This is quite a while off now, but I figured I'd try soak in as much info as I can now so when I get my full/money in a few months I can dive straight into it.

Without seeing it in real life, I've pretty much fallen in love with the Suzuki RF 900.. The look appeals to me in a big way and I like the (very small?) tour side of it. The 1995ish model. Being a die hard kwaka fanboy this is a "Big Thing" to dig a different japanese brand so much

I know some people around here have them and I was wondering what they are like for a) general all round use (primary transport) b) touring, c) track days/finding new ways of killing myself. And also their value in terms of money, I have to say they're very desirable for the prices I've seen them go for (albeit with high miles).

And finally, as i'll be going from a 250 straight to a 900 if I do decide this is the bike for me, is it a wise decision? Is it forgiving or a bit of a hardcase?

I was initially looking at a ZZR600/ZZR1100 (mostly, the latter ) and having ridden a ZZR1100 in safe enviroments I feel pretty comfortable and feel I have enough self restraint to not twist my wrist *too* far. Does anyone know how the RF900 compares to, say a ZZR1000 of the same year?

By no means am I looking for a _FAST_ bike, just a nice solid all rounder for my size (6'1ish, 88kg).

Sorry to anyone who hates this bike or thinks this post is a bit too early to be asking such questions, hopefully I don't get eaten alive in the sports bike forum section!

Thanks in advance !

[Devil]

RF's are great. Tour easily, plenty comfy and bloody good value.

No problem going to a 900, it's all based on self control. The RF wont bite unless you're a moron.

BUT, ride more bikes first... There are many many great bikes out there.

[WRT]

I had an RF600 a few years back, fantastic bike. Did a lot of touring on it, including two up. Used it for commuting, for a long long time it was my only form of transport, and was all I needed. Comfy, roomy, fastish (for a 600 sport tourer), handled respectibly, and looked the biz. If I was looking for a cheap sport tourer, the RF900 would be very high up on my list of bikes to keep an eye out for.

[DingDong]

Great tourer, comfy and very stable to ride (no nasty niggles) as long as you keep good rubber on it, Pilot Road are cheap and suit the RF well.

In my opinion the RF900 is the best all rounder you can get for 5K (or 7K for that matter)

One thing thats not good though, the drive chain is 532, It'll cost $500 for either a new chain or conversion kit to 530, some still buy the $500 chain?

[riffer]

Bollocks on the chain. Use the GSXR1100 chain and sprockets, I replaced mine for $320 all up.

I paid $4750 for a 95 with 45,000 miles on the clock. 18 months later it's now done 62,000 miles.

I've found it to be pretty hard on front tyres - it tends to triangulate them, but its got a front-heavy bias so not unexpected.

The lack of a fuel gauge is a pain - especially with a reserve that lasts a good 80-90 kms.

Big problems with the carbs. Pay attention to the needle jets and the emulsion tubes they run in - its a problem with Mikuni downdraught carbies - friction as the jet needle slides and it wears the needles and emulsion tubes. I've replaced mine with the carbs from the 135HP MantaRay model, and freed up the exhaust and it flies now.

There's a known problem with the alternator cush drive - in some of the earlier models (94, 95) the drive for the alternator failed and they replaced a part to stop it snapping - unfortunately this part only lasts about 20,000 kms so needs to be checked often - and its a prick to get at too.

Don't leave it lying around in the rain because it won't run on four cylinders afterwards. It's a problem with the water either getting into the coils or the low-tension leads just behind the headstock. My solution is to smear Vaseline into the low tension connections as they exit the wiring loom and as they enter the coils. Others have had problems with the spark plug boots but not me, so I'm hesitant to say its an RF problem.

The brakes are non-standard for a Suzuki (Nissin - normally found on Hondas) but they will take the Tokicos from the Hayabusa which apparently is a mod worth doing.

The whole bottom end (with the exception of the clutch) is straight out of the GSXR1100 so its bulletproof.

The RF has a steel perimeter frame so in the unlikely event of a bent frame at least it is actually fixable, unlike an alloy frame.

Most RFs have about 125 at the crank, but you can get a lot, lot more. To meet American emission standards they did the same trick as on the gixxers - look for the pink wire just under the battery on the gear lever side - more midrange power in 3rd gear if you undo it. You can drill and remount the digital pickup as they will easily take another 4 or 5 degrees of advance. Also, putting in the cams from the 92 GSXR750 will help liberate even more power. With these two mods and a rejet you could get 160HP.

Good for 265km/hr on a good day. Best kept secret in motorcycling.

At my old work I loaded the manual on the file server. Its still on there (suckers).

The manual is here:

http://view2.aimproximity.co.nz/Simo...air_Manual.pdf

The parts fiche is here:

http://view2.aimproximity.co.nz/Simo...microfiche.pdf

[Dooly]

Excellent bike.
I'd have another one anytime.
Fast and comfy.

[zeocen]

Thanks for the write up riffer !! Very interesting indeed, seems if I buy one of these I won't be bored with upgrading that's for sure.

Argh, *pulls the months to come faster* .. I have looked at a wide variety of bikes but I always end up back at sport-tours like the ZZR and now RF, and I'm liking the RF more and more everytime I hear about it.

I didn't realise it had such power/power potential though, very exciting.

Thanks again everyone for the info!

[rogson]

........Fast and comfy.

I'll second that. I had the ignition problem mentioned above but also fixed it by employing the method described above. The main fuse also blew on a really hot day when the electrics couldn't cope with the headlight, fan, indicators and brakelight all being on at the same time. I carried a spare fuse on the bike. Will do 160 2-up on the flat tyre (don't ask me how I know).

[riffer]

Will do 160 2-up

I have it on good knowledge that an RF900 will do 160+ two-up with Colapop on the back...

[Colapop]

They will and do... apparently...

[F5 Dave]

I'm really enjoying mine again after sorting out the emulsion tubes the DIY way (one didn't work so needed a respin). Then I changed the knackered chain & it was like a new bike. 530 conversion is the way to go.

But I'm going to mention it. Sod going from a 250 to a 900. Still good for wellll over 100 hp & a big heavy bike to boot. Being tall & strong will only help wheeling the bike around.

I'd say forget your ego & look at a 600 instead. A friend just did & despite being 40 decided that he really didn't need the extra & now is glad he didn't make such a big jump. Used to be a chap on here regularly, he went from 250 to R1 & was always calling the No problem changing from a 250. Crashed the bike to bits twice, the 2nd time irreparably damaging himself. What's the rush?
[bleat over].

[zeocen]

Oh there's no rush at all mate, like I said I by no means want a fast bike.. down the road, sure. It's just the fact that from scouring various places it seems that there are quite a few RF900's going around and I've only seen one RF600 so far, other model 600's seem to be a bit more pricey than the RF900's i've seen.

It's definately not about ego, it's just about finding the right bike.. I wouldn't call it "no problem" from moving up, but if I did buy something close to a litre bike I'd treat it with respect everytime I put my leg over. Just like I have done , and still do treat my 250 with respect. There'll be no wheelies or 23845kmph drags for me.. I'm more of a tour and take in the scenery rider than, ride into a corner due to lack of experience/respect.

Hope this didn't come off defensive, just letting you know that a litre bike isn't my only option! I just like everything about what I've seen and read of the RF900.

[Colapop]

It gets my big fat arse around

[R1madness]

Great bike (if you can get over the fat arse look on them). We could sell plenty if we had them. I do agree that its a big move from a 250 but you seem to be talking the right talk about restraint etc...... How long have you been riding? if you have been on your 250 for a while (years) i dont think you will have too many problems.
Other choices to consider are:
VFR800
FZR1000exup
YZF1000 (Thunderace)
YZF600 (thundercat)
all would rate in my books.

[Grahameeboy]

I had one. 98 Canadian spec.

Cush drive covered under warranty

Ignition advancer with K&N. Did't have to alter the needle. Made a huge difference.....a lot quicker and kept standard pipes.

Put heavier front fork springs and had the rear re-valved with an Ohlins spring so had both spanner and thread adjustment.

Made it handle like a dream.

Didn't like sintered pads as needed to replace the rear disc.

Also put a more powerful bulb in rear light....100% brighter.

Never got top speed but did 140 mph (8,000rpm) easy on SH1 Motorway.