Hello Again, anyone in here with info on RF900 or RF900R?

[kais3rboy]

Hello again good people, I was here a few years back when I was starting out with a 125cc, I'm proud to say that I listened and followed everyone's advice here as far as learning to be a better rider. So far I have sold the 125, I resurrected an 82 Virago 750, owned a 89 600R ninja, I just sold both bikes. I was never comfy with the ninja a bit too "flimsy" and the Virago was solid, but way too slow. I now own a 1995 RF900R (RS maybe?) It is dark green, almost a hunter green. I have been doing some digging but I'm at a loss, I cannot find info on these as far as lineage, history or the years it was made. I'm starting to think this bike is a bit of an odd-ball. It has fins up front and a really, really fat tail. It almost looks like a Busa.

Anyone in here with RF's?

[Tab B.]

I can't give you much, as I didn't own one, but I'll give you what I have from fuzzy memory. Unfortunately, it was a bit of an oddball. Not so much in execution, but where it fell in the market place. I think they made them 2, maybe 3 years. They made a 600 version too. Suzuki didn't intend it to go head to head with the supersports of the day. It was kinda sorta supposed to be a for a more "mature" supersport rider. A little less intense, with a little more comfort. The thing is, that was the market the Katanas sat in. The engine was an orphan also. While the Kats had the older GSXR based oil cooled engine, and the GSXRs had their own water cooled updates, the RF mill was different from both. Mostly in the head. The GSXR mills, up to that point {water or oil}, were "side draft" heads{intake orientation}. The RF had the more modern "down draft" head. The GSXR didn't get a down draft head until the 96 model. I remember looking at the sales brochure for the 96 GSXR, wondering if the 750 engine was RF based, because of the down draft. No, the gixxer was its' own. The first and easiest way to tell, was the cam chain location. The RF's chain was in the center, where as the gixxer was on the side. There are a host of other differences too, but I don't have them handy. I think the bike didn't sell well enough for Suzuki to justify keeping it in production. It had to compete against all of the wonderful supersports, and its' own relatives, the Katanas. Not quite enough to go against the hot rods, and probably just a little more costly than the Katanas. Too bad. There were a couple of dudes who took the 900 mill, hot rodded them, and stuffed them into the 96 generation gixxer chassis for some Formula USA stuff. I read that they went pretty well.
To find aftermarket stuff for that bike will be trying at times. If you are creative, ask lots of questions and use the search features on different sites you may be able to cross reference a good handful of common Suzuki parts.
I hope you enjoy it.

[RF_Ole]

Hi.
You own a "special edition" called Manta Rey. This colour was only available in -95. I have the same bike, and I couldn't be happier... The bike is a sporty sportstourer, and will do 0-100 km/h in just 2,5 seconds. Try beating that. Very comfortable and fast tourer. Will do just fine at trackdays as well. I beleive you've made a good choice.

Some links for you:

Suzuki RF900R Review / Test - MCNEWS.COM.AU - 1999
Suzuki RF900R Review--Dec '96/Jan '97
Suzuki RF900R - CycleChaos
1995 Suzuki RF 900 RS specifications and pictures

There are plenty more available. Try Google...

[kais3rboy]

Thank you for the response, very informative. So it is rare, woohooo, means parts are hard to come by. I'm looking to get her back into showroom condition and keep it strictly as stock as possible. The bike had 28K miles, no problems with the engine. It was left outside though (should be a crime) so the paint is faded and the decals are worn. There are quite a few scratches on the fairings, but no cracks which is great. I picked it up last night, I took it around the block a few times, I CANNOT WAIT FOR WARM WEATHER! The rear sets are in a weird place I think, a bit high and forward. I' 5'6" so it's awkward but I can definitely get used to it since my legs are short. Interesting tidbit on the engine TAB, thanks. Oh and as far as accesories go, like tank bras and seats are we limited to just the RF's or can we fit other models. Again, thanks guys, nice to know I'm not alone.

[kais3rboy]

Thanks for the links RF.

[RF_Ole]

There should be no problems with parts. Your local Suzuki dealer can get you whatever you need. Aftermarket parts on the other hand... And why not go for a "Bagster" instead of a tank bra? Looks better, made specially for your bike, and you can fit a tankbag to it. BTW Corbin has a seat for the bike as well.

RF 900 R - SUZUKI - 1995 - carmine

[kais3rboy]

Oh wow, that carmine looks nice. I like that a lot.

I looked at the corbin seats, they wanted more for the seat than what I paid for the bike =(

[kais3rboy]

Here's a few pics of the bike. I'm trying to get a hold of decals to bring it back to stock.

[karlfitt]

I own a '94 RF, it can be seen on the first page of my web site
Karl's Home Page
Yes Suzuki still has MOST parts for them, but you will have to order.

As to the fading and stickers.
Mine had been crashed before I got it. Suzuki is very proud of those stickers ($$$$$) and all the plastic parts.
I was able to get the really messed up parts off E-bay. I got plastic bumper mender for the rest. Filled sanded painted.
I wish I had taken before pictures, because the afters are nice.
I am still planning on taking the tank off and painting it as well, to match all the fixed plastic. Besides, the paint I bought (had color matched) looks better than what Suzuki put on it in the first place.

Paint, find an auto paint store near you.
Ask them about a base coat clear coat you can use.
I had then colo match what was there, they put it into spray cans for me (cost $6 per can on top of the cost of the paint).
I have never painted anything before. But man it came out great.
As with any paint job, the secret is in the prep. If you have a nice clean scracth free surface to paint, it will look good.


After market parts. As said before it was not very popular or made for long, so there is really nothing out there.


Edit: oh yea, mine has 52,000 miles on it and is still running strong.

[bvt202]

Hi there

I have a 97 Rf900 with 22K miles on it. This bike is rock solid and gives me no trouble at all. Look for parts on ebay (I just got new sprocket/chain set for about $100. I have added a used corbin seat and helibars ( still cost alot you cant see them in the pictures yet) but really worth it. I have anohter friend here in boston that owns one and I have seen one in Europe . I ts a rare bike but really gives you no problems...
I have decals that i purchased a year ago ( mine is a custom paint) but decided I don;t really want them - it is a mystery bike and people ask me about it all the time. It looks really cool I think.

[moosuki]

i have a 95 RF and I love it. I like being the odd ball. I have painted my bike a flat matte black and added a amp and speakers and can hook my i-pod to it. Odd ball = sports bike with sound