RF400 Problems

[niero]

Hey guys, whoo my first post and unfortunately an issue. I guess Il start from the very start, I sold my (very beloved) FXR 150 the other day and got myself a RF400R yep, its equivalent to going from a mini to a 10 Ton bus. When I bought it (for 3'000) the rev counter didn't go, the rear tyre may as well have been the rim and she missed two of the smaller (inner?!) fairings (one each side). Dont tell me, You think that I'm an idiot, and I would have admitted that if not for the looks and the ride experience I get from her, I love every single second im riding her (even though I am 1.7m). I have completely rewired her and the rev counter works like a dream now. When I went to a shop to get the back tyre the guy looked at the front and told me that the front tyre was not the correct type. OK, I know for a fact that the rear and the front has to match but how come its not possible to match the rear tyre to the front? I just dont get it! Please help! I always thought that if there is a front tyre there has to be the rear that would fit otherwise no one would buy it. Also I can not find the smaller fairings for her, I have been trying to find them all over the net for the past week, no luck! I know that the bike type has never been sold in NZ as its an import but can anyone point me in a direction where I may be able to find the side fairings,

Many Thanks


Nikolai

[Skinny_Birdman]

It appears from Buckets & Bits (they're in the Wellington area, have been pretty useful for me in the past) website that they are (or at least were) wrecking an RF400, so they might have the bits you are after, although unfortunately when someone prangs a bike the fairings are ususally the first bit to get munched. Otherwise, for the GDP of a small african nation I'm sure Suzuki will source you new ones from Japan.

As far as the tyres go, from what you say it sounds like the tyre fitted to the front doesn't match the bike (ie wrong size or profile), so you may be up to replace both tyres. If it has got an incorrectly sized front tyre on it, you won't believe how much better it handles with two new tyres on.
IMO tyres are something you shouldn't skimp on, buy decent tyres from a reputable manufacturer. On my smaller bikes I liked Bridgestone BT45s and Dunlop GT 501s.

Hope this helps

Cheers
A

[Swoop]

Those "inner" fairings (in front of your knees?) are a bastard to find. I hunted high and low to find one for a bike and the only option was to source an original part from Japan. Other than that, wreckers here or in Oz?
Or last option is to talk to a boatbuilder who can make you up something that will do the job.

[Pussy]

Suzuki NZ did bring the Vtec RF400 in to the country, they were Japanese domestic market models. Your Suzuki dealer should be able to get the bits you want

[ManDownUnder]

possumfl@graceba.net

His name is Bob, tell him you are from KB. He is in the US, wrecks a number of bikes and I've used him for RF(900) parts in the past. He's a nice guy, and airfreight will get you those bits real quick (4 days I think it was... Cola?)

As for threar tire. Don't sweat it, get something that fits that's a reasonable tire (i.e. avoid chinko, cheapo and crappo... the traction isn't there when you need it). It doesn't matter too much if the tires don't match so long as each does a good job.

The front is for pointing, braking and pumping water out of the way.
The rear is primaily for pushing.

Contrary to popular belief they do not have to match. Get what you need, plop it on there and enjoy the ride.

[niero]

Hey once again, thanks for the great advice guys, now when you said wrong size, wouldnt that mean that the tire will not fit the rim? I mean wouldnt it be like the skin on a fat guy who went on a subway diet?!(if that makes sence) And thanks for the advice on the fearings and spear parts, I will definatly check em out ! I just ordered a rear tire for $230, is that a reasonable price for a good tire (Im a student, not a man of great means, but I definatly dont want to underspend on the bike, especially when it comes to something as crucial as the tires).

Nikolai

[Skinny_Birdman]

Hey once again, thanks for the great advice guys, now when you said wrong size, wouldnt that mean that the tire will not fit the rim? I mean wouldnt it be like the skin on a fat guy who went on a subway diet?!(if that makes sence)

If the width or profile of the tyre is wrong for the rim, the tyre will be distorted (pushed out of shape). I don't think the Subway guy is an unusual shape, he just has baggy skin like an elephant. Your tyre won't be baggy like an elephant.... Hopefully

I just ordered a rear tire for $230, is that a reasonable price for a good tire (Im a student, not a man of great means, but I definatly dont want to underspend on the bike, especially when it comes to something as crucial as the tires).

Nikolai

It depends. $230 will get you a nice skinny tyre like the 17x70x140 on the back of an early CBR 600. On the other hand, it wont buy you much for a wide tyre like a 170. Preliminary googling suggests that the RF has a 160 rear...
What brand have you bought? Like the man says,

avoid chinko, cheapo and crappo...

They're fine until it's wet or cold.
It's pretty tough owning a bike when you're a student, but it's well worth it aye.

Cheers
A

[niero]

OK, the tire is called Shinko 005 160/60-17
Full price inc. discount 205 bux. Yeah I definatly get the cheapo crapo is kinda not good for your (and your bike's) well being, Im starting to slide around the round abouts when I lean into the turn. There is just no rubber left. Yeah its defiantly a lot of fun, and the money what I would spend on petrol I am spending on the bike, get about 200km out of $20, somewhat less than the review...hmmm..