View Full Version : RF900 - Any info appreciated
Hi
I know it's not an SV, but at least it's a Suzuki, I'm going to look at a 1994 RF900, it's got 22,000 miles on the clock and apart from an aftermarket can it's completely stock standard. It sounds good, but I know nothing whatsoever about these bikes/their engines/common reliability issues.
Just looking for some general information about any common problems I should look for; faults they often have, parts which wear quickly, anything like that, so I can go along and see it prepared.
Thanks, Larry.
The Basket
02-06-08, 05:10 PM
Not much.
Typical Suzuki.
Mechanically strong but cosmetics can go very shabby.
Corrosion is the main issue and that far out bodywork is difficult to replace.
The oily bits are old school even then! So should be ok.
If it is well maintained and not been wrapped around a tree then it will be ok.
Wouldn't walk over a same age Fireblade to see it though.
philbut
02-06-08, 07:07 PM
Think they are meant to be a good sports tourer but were just too heavy to compete with the blades of their era as basket said. having said that if it's in good nick then it will probably be a steal as they aren't a particularly popular bike. The styling is a bit Marmite, but I think they look OK.
Thanks guys, well as long as there aren't any major things to look out for I'll probably go for it if it's in good condition! I personally love the styling, always been my favourite bike since I was little but I've only just become old enough to afford the insurance!
The Basket
02-06-08, 10:27 PM
Remember that the RF could knock on nearly 170mph in its day. Proper cheap speed...not the sort of thing which can be considered a budget machine.Budget for replacing the suspension and the brakes. Because...they will be worn or tired. Tyres too. Suzuki Budget Bike means corners have to be cut somewhere. As long as you pay for what you're getting...no probs. But the market is full of proper sports bikes going for a song. Don't overpay based on some alleged classic status.
I've thought about it having budget suspension and brakes, but they can't be a lot worse than the ones which come on curvey SV650's can they? I'll probably look to replace them though because, unlike the SV, I hope to keep this bike as long as I can. I'll have to try not to seem too keen, definitely won't take any of that "it's a classic so pay twice what it's worth" approach though, I'm quite skeptical of that kind of thing. The SV has been very good though, mechanically never missed a beat, it was knocked over in a car park though so has some fairing damage.
It's a 2000 (X-reg) curvey 650S model with c.32,000 miles, had a major service less than 1000 miles ago, heated grips, double bubble screen, aftermarket can, all in good condition apart from the damaged lower fairings (which aren't part of the original bike anyway). I'm hoping to part-exchange it for the RF, though don't really know what I should be looking for? I'd be happy with 600 or 700 off asking price on the RF? This sound like a good deal?
rictus01
03-06-08, 12:34 AM
Couple of things to think about, the chassis is old world and the engine was always far to good for it, so don't expect miricles here, as said brakes and suspension are about the same as the curvy SV but coupled with the engine power are a liability, the bodywork is extensive and only made for that and the 600, so rare as hens teeth, make sure it's in good condition and don't prosume you can get replacements, the tail light was also made just for that bike, so make sure it's in good nick to ( yes it does have a big ar*e), you won't find many about these days so although you'll be able to get mechanical spares with ease, cosmetic ones aren't going to be readily available, Oh and make sure Darth vader's OK with you having his personnal transport :D.
Cheers Mark.
The Basket
03-06-08, 06:57 AM
If I was buying a ER5 then yep...bad suspension and poor brakes I can live with.The RF can do 170mph! You need it to be in good shape because it is bloody fast.Realistically...you will need to budget for jobs that need doing SprocketsChainsTyresBrakesSuspensionand insurance will be steep. Buying any bike is the same deal. Keep on looking and poking. The big dangers are accident damage and corrosion. Plus the bodywork has to be mint for the reasons already stated.As stated before...The bike may be a budget buy but it won't be budget to keep running. Look at prices of bikes on the internet. If the bike is too expensive then I wouldn't. Too many good bikes out there to take a punt on an over priced RF.
It's 'butt ugly'. There is no way on this earth anyone will ever be able to say they couldn't see you were braking. It has the biggest brake lights ever.
Despite the copious amount of fairing the electrics get exposed to the weather and as a consequence suffer from electrical gremlins.
The engine is too big for the chassis and can get out of shape quite quickly and is not all that forgiving. As has been said. The brakes on the 900 are not all that good.
Other than that, it goes like stink (comparatively).
The Basket
03-06-08, 08:26 AM
I actually like the styling!It looks strange and that's the ways I likes it.Would buy it for novelty alone.Some of the colours it came in proves that Suzuki were really not right in the heed.
DanAbnormal
03-06-08, 11:49 AM
A freind of mine had an RF600. Did 140mph regularly but things also fell off a lot. One of the worst bikes I've ever ridden. RF meaning Rough as F*ck. Give one a go, you never know you might like it.
The engine is too big for the chassis and can get out of shape quite quickly and is not all that forgiving. As has been said. The brakes on the 900 are not all that good.
Why does everyone feel the need to slate the RF900's brakes? They work very well, so well that a large number of club racers ditched the Tokico 6 pots on their GSXR 1000s and fitted either Tokico or the RF's Nissin 4 pots. You'll find those 4 pots being retro-fitted to all manner of bikes because they are very good calipers. Triumph fitted exactly the same caliper to most of their range right up to the last of the 955i Daytonas.
The rest of the RF, except the engine, was pretty pants though. There's one languishing in our back garden that broke its gearbox.
Why does everyone feel the need to slate the RF900's brakes?
I'll admit I have never owned one. But I have had an extensive ride on one. The first thing I thought (after the looks) was the brakes were awful. No feel and they certainly seemed far inadequate for the speed the bike did. Stopping really did take quite a bit of effort.
I'll admit I have never owned one. But I have had an extensive ride on one. The first thing I thought (after the looks) was the brakes were awful. No feel and they certainly seemed far inadequate for the speed the bike did. Stopping really did take quite a bit of effort.
You must have ridden one with uncared for brakes, or maybe a bad choice of pads. This one we have sat in our garden was absolutely hammered but quite well maintained, and the brakes on it were pretty damn good, even when compared to the blue-spot Sumitomos (R1 brakes) that were on my Thunderace.
Stick a set of Vesrah JLs or EBC HHs in a pair of cleaned and serviced calipers and the brakes will easily be up to the job.
My father had two RF 900's and never had a moments trouble with either of them. As already said, they are still very quick bikes and good examples will get a lot of attention in the bike parks on sunny Sundays (and let's face it we all love that). Love the styling, I always think 80's TV series Batlestar Galatica when I see one. It's like most things look after it and it will look after you.
caz650s
03-06-08, 07:50 PM
From what I remember Rictus just about sums it up ..
I remember reading an article in a bike mag at the time where they did a twelve hour ( I think ) edurance test on one and it averaged an incredible speed with no problems ...sorry can't remember the average speed but i think it was in the 120s !
kwak zzr
03-06-08, 08:14 PM
my mate had a RF900 apart from the love or hate looks their a great tool for cheap money! and its already been said "they are quick for an oldish bike", my friends bike in question kept its finish and never caused any bother at all.
A friend of mine had one and on the number plate is said "Does my ars* look big on this?"
I seriously doubt anyones would.
The Basket
06-06-08, 05:44 AM
Did he buy the bike then?
The brakes are going to be 14 years old on a 170mph bike...
ohhhhhhhh....safe!
Hey, haven't had access to the internet since Thursday, but yesterday I bought the bike, been out for a good ride on it today and I must say I'm very impressed with it, I can't see a problem wih the brakes so far, although I haven't been pushing the bike at all, it's a lot faster than my SV!
It's got just over 19,000 miles and it's a 1995 (M-reg) bike, thought it looked good for the money and had a more knowledgable friend test ride it first. Here's a picture off my phone, (will post proper ones soon) courtesy of my aging phone's camera and my appauling photographic skills
http://w3.bikepics.com/pics/2008/06/07/bikepics-1313145-full.jpg
Thanks to people who gave me advice :)
kwak zzr
07-06-08, 04:50 PM
looks a nice tidy example. enjoy!
Ceri JC
09-06-08, 08:49 AM
Lad I know had one, got rid of it as he reckoned it was too fast (I imagine he meant "too fast for the suspension/brakes") and wanted something comfier.
Lad I know had one, got rid of it as he reckoned it was too fast (I imagine he meant "too fast for the suspension/brakes") and wanted something comfier.
Actually after my first long-ish ride on it, I noticed that the seating position is a bit hard on the wrists because of the long reach to the bars. Never thought I'd hear myself turning into my dad but it is a bit achey!
SoulKiss
09-06-08, 11:52 AM
A friend of mine had one and on the number plate is said "Does my ars* look big on this?"
I seriously doubt anyones would.
You still do have a friend with a plate that reads something along those lines :)
I spent quite a lot of time yesterday looking at those words :)
You still do have a friend with a plate that reads something along those lines :)
I spent quite a lot of time yesterday looking at those words :)
This is very true. I forgot that. :lol:
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.