RF600 - what to look for?

[tigersaw]

I'm being dragged down to Eastbourne tomorrow to look at a RF600 for a mate, just passed his direct entry test.
It looks immaculate from the pictures I have been sent,
Its a 96, 28k miles with history, and he wants about £1100.

Here's his blurb:

1996 SUZUKI RF RF600 RV 600 R
RF600R. Totally unique colourscheme. Great looking bike with loads of extras, including d/b screen, rear hugger, braided hoses, race & standard cans. Great runner. Over 10 months tax & MOT. Cheap insurance group. Excellent all round bike. Reluctant sale. First to see will buy. £1,195

Anything I ought to know and look for on one of these?

'Totally unique colour scheme' sounds a bit suspect, and could indicate a re-sprayed write off.

[tigersaw]

Originally Posted by sdusk

'Totally unique colour scheme' sounds a bit suspect, and could indicate a re-sprayed write off.

Indeed, though my interpretation of that was ' I've bunged a few rizla stickers on it ', but good call, I need to ask a few questions about that then.

From UMGweb....

SUZUKI RF600
1993 on, 599cc w/c DOHC four
99hp, 145mph, 45mpg, 430lb
Interesting alternative to the CBR and ZZR600 that lacks their ultimate edge but makes up for it with greater practicality and lower cost. Plastic cracks badly in minor spills, rear caliper gums up in winter and quite heavy on the consumables. The looks tend to grow on you with time but older CBR600’s for the same money

Also it is a steel frame so check for rust.

MT

[northwind]

I always say don't walk away from a crashed bike- as long as it's either been fixed, or the price takes it into account. Mine was crashed big-style before I got it, it must have been very close to a write off, but since it was repaired that didn't concern me in the least- in fact it was great, loads of new parts

Likewise resprays. They don't add value, but they don't have to be a problem as long as it's well done and you like it. Yes, it's probably as a result of crash damage, so check the bike out, but most bikes get crashed at some point after all. And it shows the owner's cared enough to fix it, good paint costs. Check for repairs behind the plastics, I'd think an RF would show it most around the vent things and brackets.

Is the RF a GSXR750 oilboiler derived engine? Think it is... If so, I think it's check for leaks, smoke, rattles and smooth running, otherwise it's probably good, very strong engines.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by northwind

Is the RF a GSXR750 oilboiler derived engine? Think it is... If so, I think it's check for leaks, smoke, rattles and smooth running, otherwise it's probably good, very strong engines.

Yes it should be the same motor as the early Bandit 600s IIRC. Good tough motor that. Mainly just check for corrosion. If the exhaust system s anything like the Bandit 600's unit, check for rust / corrosion / holes at the collector box. Other than that just see what state it's in generally, Rust on the frame and other points can be bad. Other than that I'd have thought it'd be fine.

Originally Posted by northwind

Is the RF a GSXR750 oilboiler derived engine? Think it is... If so, I think it's check for leaks, smoke, rattles and smooth running, otherwise it's probably good, very strong engines.

Nope it's a water cooled engine, downdraft carbs more like a ... Well, small RF900 really. Probably sleeved down water cooled GSXR, but different head. Mebbe.
The forks and the brakes are about SV spec, so expect corrosion on the fork lowers.
Price and mileage doesn't sound too bad, check for frame damage if it's been repaired. Solid rear suspension linkages were common on bikes used year round.

Apart from that check all the usual stuff and make sure it doesn't need all the consumables replaced.
Friend of mine just bought a "cheap" 600 bandit but had to replace chain, sprockets, tyres and give it a good servie, suddenly the shabby bandit wasn't such a bargain after all.

[Biker Biggles]

Never pay the asking price.The RF was a budget 600 and was built down to a price so an old one will probably have a few quality issues.However,if it's cheap enough why not?

friend of mine just sold a rf900 great bike with no problems.