RF900 owners - opinions (of bike) required

**ManDownUnder** · 25th October 2008, 13:55

Re the RF - do it. So long as it's straight (i.e. no accident damage) and nothing about to explode - the engines are awesome, the power smooth and very forgiving, good one up - even better two up.

In short - that's a big yes from me. I changed from the RF to VTR (which I found at an astounding price) and I'm not sure I made the right decision. The RF's a VERY hard to beat as an all rounder offering the ocassional does of serious fun too.

**cs363** · 25th October 2008, 14:05

Well.....I now have the bike in my posession with no money changing hands (most excellent!) but the price I've negotiated is a real steal I believe. I guess I'll have to fork out eventually, but seeing as the owner of the shop I got it from and I go back a fair way there's no panic on that front which is a nice way to be.
It's a bit rough around the edges but nothing a bit of TLC won't cure, just needs warrant and rego but a cursory check hasn't revealed any problems that should prevent it getting a WOF besides a blown indicator bulb.
Really impressed with how the bike feels and performs given the mileage (just under 95,000km) I was expecting to feel a tad on the baggy side but far from it - if I'd ridden it blindfolded (don't try this at home) i would have guessed 35-45,000 km tops!
Thanks heaps for all the very helpful input people, it really is greatly appreciated especially at such short notice.

Looks like I've got a project for the rest of the weekend, pick the bike up from work and pull the bodywork off and start the clean up/list of fixes process....better go and buy a few beers methinks

**riffer** · 25th October 2008, 18:15

Excellent stuff.

I'm looking forward to the pics. To be quite honest, as long as the clutch and camchain are okay, they'll last a good 200,000 kms before needing a birthday.

An oilchange and a retightened and oiled chain will make a huge difference to the gear changing, if its a bit hard to change.

**cs363** · 25th October 2008, 20:19

Well here's a quick pic, taken this evening but the light was going so it flatters the bike a bit.
Indicator turned out to be stuffed - the bottom of the bulb holder was so corroded most of it is missing!

**FJRider** · 25th October 2008, 20:30

Originally Posted by cs363

Well here's a quick pic, taken this evening but the light was going so it flatters the bike a bit.
Indicator turned out to be stuffed - the bottom of the bulb holder was so corroded most of it is missing!

It is a Suzuki... seriously though (yes I CAN be...) the RF900 is an under rated bike by those that have never owned/ridden one.

**cs363** · 25th October 2008, 20:48

Originally Posted by FJRider

It is a Suzuki... seriously though (yes I CAN be...) the RF900 is an under rated bike by those that have never owned/ridden one.

Yes I know....it wasn't quite what I was looking for to start with, but it's not in too bad a nick and I couldn't turn the deal down. So far I'm pleasantly surprised, it's a lot better than I expected. Having got it at a bit of a deal I'm fully expecting to have to buy a few bits and pieces to get it right, that's par for the course.

**FJRider** · 25th October 2008, 21:00

A few in Dunedin are selling for six grand...
I didn't think you'ld be dissappointed...

**Blackbird** · 26th October 2008, 14:53

Here's a nice sketch of an RF900 that I've had on the 'pooter for years - no idea where it originally came from, but might be of interest to owners.

**blossomsowner** · 28th October 2008, 14:40

Originally Posted by cs363

Yes I know....it wasn't quite what I was looking for to start with, but it's not in too bad a nick and I couldn't turn the deal down. So far I'm pleasantly surprised, it's a lot better than I expected. Having got it at a bit of a deal I'm fully expecting to have to buy a few bits and pieces to get it right, that's par for the course.

i think as time goes on you will be more impressed.....they are hard to fault once set up right........have a play with suspension etc to get the feel you want.

enjoy........

always plenty of mods you can do if that way inclined too.........

**vifferman** · 28th October 2008, 14:54

Originally Posted by riffer

I'd like to put some heftier front springs in as the ride is pretty harsh at the front end with all the preload I've whacked on to it to stop the forks from sagging.

That's an easy enough thing to do (and not expensive either).
I upgraded my front fork springs by ordering some new ones on-line from Sonic Springs. Their prices (US79.95, and freight's surprisingly cheap) and service are excellent, and the product is good. Just watch out for their spring calculator - it's biased towards track use, so go a bit lighter than they recommend (say 0.95 or even 0.90 kg/mm if it recommends 1.00).

**cs363** · 28th October 2008, 17:14

Originally Posted by blossomsowner

i think as time goes on you will be more impressed.....they are hard to fault once set up right........have a play with suspension etc to get the feel you want.

enjoy........

always plenty of mods you can do if that way inclined too.........

It's surprising how many people say good things about these bikes when prompted, doesn't seem to be the sort of bike that people rave on about normally but as soon as you happen to mention that you just got one, straight away you get the 'they're a good old bus, very underrated' dialogue...

Once I've finished with the basic TLC - lots and lots of cleaning (don't think this bike had a garage in its previous life), fixing lots of little things, bit of paint here and there, oil & filter change, coolant change etc. Then I'm going to rebuild the forks with Race Tech springs and Gold Valves and throw a second hand Ohlins in the back of it.
What mods are there for these? Just basic stuff rather than anything full on.

**JimO** · 28th October 2008, 17:33

a mate of mine bought a new one for around 9k

**riffer** · 28th October 2008, 18:59

Originally Posted by cs363

What mods are there for these? Just basic stuff rather than anything full on.

Well doing the suspension is a major boost.

Try these too:
K&N SU-9094 Air Filter.
Freeflow pipe I think you already have one of these though).
Go up a size or two in the main jets if you do this though.

**cs363** · 28th October 2008, 21:06

It already has the K&N (

) but a standard Suzuki 4-1. I don't really want a loud bike so will probably stick with that. I recall seeing somewhere that there was a wire that you could cut/disconnect that did something to the power (maybe in lower gears?) but I might have confused that with another bike or different market model....not sure