Suzuki RF900 opinions?

[ruddlad]

Seems i have done a deal on my sv.

Thoughts on rf900 please.

Comfort, reliability, suitability, riding position.

I just ride to work and back and go out for a weekend ride as and when.

No idea what i really want just a change.

Would love a vmax!! (is that swearing on here??)

[instigator]

I believe the engine originates from a bandit lump, by no means a bad thing when it comes to reliability.
However, I suspect it will be heavy and cumbersome, large in size but that means comfortable and good weather protection. I doubt you'll have any issues with it as an A-B bike but for excitement, you should look elsewhere.

[ruddlad]

Not after excitement really. Just a decent ride.

An example would be a fireblade would be completely wasted on me!!!

[Sid Squid]

Fast, comfy, biggest brake light ever. The engine is closely related to the GSXRs of the day, finish is not great. Suspension always needs fiddling with.

RF9s are a rather forgotten, (even when current), motorcycle, but it's a very useful and deceptively fast real world bike. You'll enjoy it.

[ruddlad]

Think i''ll enquire. Have read reviews and like sid says, a forgotten bike.

General opinion is that it didnt really fall into a category and didnt stay in production long.

This has 21k on clock. Owt to worry about??

I kinda like the styling, some dont.

[Sid Squid]

Styling? Hmmm... Can't decide, from some angles I think it's fine, from others perhaps not so fine - but there is no more subjective area of motorcycle appreciation, so it kinda doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, certainly I think no-one could reasonably call it ugly.
21,000 miles - nicely run in sir. Or possibly utterly knackered. A number alone is meaningless, the way it's been treated is everything. However there is no doubt whatsoever that an RF900 motor that's been treated anything like right, will shrug off 21,000 miles.

[rictus01]

Darth vaders personal transport....:D

engines a peach old oil/air cooled, frame and suspension... not so much

Heavy by todays standard, but not bad when moving.

above all this bike is about the look, panels are like hens teeth, so make sure they are in good nick, bouncy bit, engine bits and rolly bit; you shouldn't have any problem finding though, cheap power/stand out from the crowd.

Cheers Mark

[ruddlad]

Would a certain number of owners put anyone off??

ie my sv has had just 2 since 2000

In general how long do you guys change your bikes??

Bikes a late 99 model

[Sid Squid]

It's a difficult thing to thing to gauge, that a bike has been owned for a long time certainly can only say good things, if it says anything at all that is, but short term owners doesn't necessarily mean bad things, unless they've sold it on 'cos it's a dud.
Which I don't think can be estimated simply by the number of owners it's had, the present condition and the present owner are the only things that can truly be gauged by any prospective owner.
And I really mean the last one - the owner needs as close scrutiny as the bike does. Do they do their own servicing for instance? If yes, has their garage got three assorted sizes of Mole Grip and a big hammer, and the bike's fasteners are all rounded and gouged, or do they have a suitable selection of tools? Ask questions about the work they've done, if they really have done it themselves competently they'll be able to answer.

[fatget]

i really liked mine, it was fast, reliable and very comfortable with the renthal conversion. Its a real easy conversion if you like the idea....bandit 12 yoke fits straight on :cool:

[ruddlad]

Self serviced 2k ago. Will check books on viewing.

All mot certificate history, all documentation and owners handbook present.

To me that indicates that previous owners filed their bits correctly.

Considering i am selling my sv after 14 months, a potential buyer could ask the same questions on mine i suppose.

Irony is i spent a year looking and several "dogs" passed on before i got my sv.

Would be nice to sell mine and instantly find another but i will pass if it isnt a good un, even if i am bikeless for a while.

[NTECUK]

Had mine (S2)1999, from new .
5 speeds touquey motor .fat seat .
The only gripe was the rubber mounted bars .
Oh and the Mrs kept slipping down the seat lol
It never felt that heavy to me
Loved the Testorosa side panels and back light.
Fast enough to keep up on the roads .

[Sir Trev]

Has a bit of a cult following because it had a good balance of power and torque - miles better to most people than the GSX750F that overlapped and eventually replaced it (if memory serves on dates). Suzuki have been criticised by riders for years since they dropped the model for not having an upper middleweight sports tourer - my 650F is the closest they have and some people are put off by the apparent size of the 1250F.

As noted abpve the panels will be difficult to get if you need replacements.

[Spanner Man]

Good morning all.


Tough old Beggars, with iffy suspension. The engine is similar to the water cooled GSXR's of the day, & can last ages if maintained correctly.

If I remember rightly, one was road tested at over 170mph, so they're not slow by any means.


Cheers.

[ruddlad]

Called to view and it had gone. Oh well.

Sv deal done and going this coming weekend to a org member.

Thanx for the advice and hope i'll still be welcome whatever i get next