I owned one here in Singapore from 1994 - 2003 before exporting it to Indonesia. The only mod I did was installing an advanced timing cam. A great bike indeed.
One on eBay right now with 46miles on the clocks...Suzuki gave it to a college in the 1990's, then it was stored for 15yrs,before being registered in 2019...£3595(UK).
I have had 28 bikes in 27 years of riding, and I must say, that the RF600, which i had for 3 years, was the most uncomfortable bike I've ever ridden, even though I've ridden lots of Suzukis. I loved the GSX600F and the 750F , they were really comfy, but the RF was just agonising to ride
I really like the design. Found one for just 1000 €. With good service history. But I heard it's not so great for touring. Now I drive the VFR 800 FI. Still the RF 900 is beautifull.
I thought I recognized the roads as I live in Weston Super Mare. I nearly bought one of these in 1999 as my first bike after passing direct access test. I am now thinking of buying one just to occasionally ride and see if it appreciates in value.
@@robjohnson7806 had one 2000 -2003. A 98 model. Loved it. Handled great through bends and turns, was peppy as hell, and had great clearance. More than anything, I loved the long back seat. Was great for girls riding with me.
Brilliant man love watching and learning thank u ♥️👀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks for video. I own Manta Ray number 4! I believe these were only sold in Australia to commemorate anniversary of Suzuki in Australia. The then importer (Mick Hone motorcycles) had them made in dark green (same as Bandit 1200) then added fairing stickers which were not clear coated. Please correct me if I am wrong. Not sure how many were made but have heard from 75 to 100. Cheers Brian.
now that you say it... the first thing i thought when i saw a picture of the RF for the first time (was a red one) was "looks like a mix between a ferrari testarossa and honda NR750"... yes somehow i saw the NR750 in it and i thought it was a honda because it was red xD but they nailed the testarossa look
@@lurker-mq4fp it has been about 17 years since I sold the bike. But it just seemed like the reach to the bars was unusually long. It put more strain on my lower back because my arms were so stretched out I could not use them effectively for suport. Only bike I have ever ridden that was less comfortable was a V-Rod muscle. The bars were also far forward, but also had forward controls for the brake and shifter. Was like you were folded in half riding it.
Brilliant video thank u ♥️👀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I'm still unsure about this bike, I guess it would be interesting to make a chopper out of it or something if it was a cheap enough abandoned rat bike in someone's back yard.
A very good review. I wonder what your thoughts are on the handling. I'm also thinking a 1200 bandit engine or the gsxr1100 engine would drop in without to much hassle.
Well maintained RF handles well(serviced suspension and fresh tires). Bandit engine or oil cooled Gixer 11 engine wont go in the RF frame unless you want to start cutting the frame and weld new engine mounts. Then you have a problem of downdraft carbs in RF and horizontal carbs in Bandit/GSXR. HUGE hassle. Easier and overall better deal is to chuck GSXR 1100W crank, rods barrels and pistons in RF engine. I did that, works a treat and ends with RF1100.
@@Adikxx thanks for the reply. You're definitely selling it to me. That sounds like the sort of thing I would revel in. I still have my engine stand in mum's garage.
@@samuelkearney880 i did a little video showing RF1100 couple of years ago and i did another video showing RF1146 recently. I will be making a little more detailed video of RF1146 soon.
Manta Ray and RS2 were limited edition versions. RF is easier to work on than VFR, VFR has a bit better build quality. RF will be cheaper to buy. Performance is very similar, lools and sound is a matter of taste so i won't comment on that. VFR800 has one huge advantage in the fact that is has fuel injection. RF runs on carbs which with today's petrol is a bit shit. Both good bikes, decission is yours
Depends on yourskills and your right wrist .If you dont push it to hard when you are a novice then you will be allright. My first real bike was a RF900R and had it for years, great bike. Tuned it later and the speedo meter did go over 300KM/H.
Hi buddy, it's very simple. You don't need to take the wheel or radiator off. The grill just clips on the front of the radiator. Put the bike on the side stand ,turn the bars and fit it on.
@@cbahazro You can get it on Ebay. Link below: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-RF600-RF900-BEOWULF-RADIATOR-GUARD-PROTECTOR-COVER-GRILL-S043/372635278565?hash=item56c2cb1ce5:g:RckAAOSwxCxT2mSS&frcectupt=true
Co to za praca w majówkę 😂 gdzie gril i browar ? A zapomniałem za wilelką wodą nie ma wolnego. Co do tego sport turing to trochę przesada mnie na mojej rfce po 100 km nogi cierpną za bardzo podkurczone to nawet w gixie 750 mie ma tak nóg podkórczonych. No i spalanie mi wzrosło pewnie gaźniki do regeneracji a poza tym moto rewelacja 👍👍👍
@@retroracer6660 Hi buddy. I'm hugely overwhelmed by work and other stuff so would struggle with it at the moment. It's a great bike and i nearly bought one in the past so who knows i might figure something out for it but can't promise at the moment. All the best buddy ans thanks for ur comments.
@@Adikxx Well, then I'll try to answer my own question by guessing. In Germany there are also RFs with a reduced effect (98HP), they have a 24mm diameter aspiration port and 115mm jets. I heard of 2 ways to open up the power, 36mm aspiration port (around 125HP) only, and 36mm aspiration port + 112,5mm jets (135HP). Could be the solution..
@@Jamie0707 if world was full of people like me it would be a wonderful place. Sadly world is full of different type of people. My response was virtually a copy of yours so i'f you're depressed by it i should feel the same way right? No point of getting depressed about things like that, there are bigger tragedies around us. What i meant by that response is that god knows really why the brochures show different figures. Your theory about 125/135 HP is interesting but I doubt it's the reason(i could be wrong though) UK bikes weren't actually restricted at all. Some German, Swiss , French and California models were indeed. 135 HP at the crank is a wishful thinking for that engine. I had my bike on the dyno 3 times(different engines and setups) plus i have a file full of dyno runs of RF900 from many other owners. This was given to me by them on FB forum. Usually those engines make between 114-118 whp stock. If you wanted to apply 5-6% of correction factor for drivetrain loss you'd get about 125 HP and for that reason i'd assume that figure is closer to reality. Similar thing was happening with GSXR 1100W. SUZUKI rated it at 155HP at the crank but stock bikes used to barely touch 125 whp which after correction factor is nowhere near what Suzuki claimed. You see it today too with that overhyped supercharged Kawasaki H2 SX. They sell people all that 200HP nonsense in showrooms and in reality bikes push 170whp..this is about 180HP at the crank. It's a 20 grand bike with milliins spent for research and development with results worse than Busa fromn 20 years ago... Interestingly though Suzuki made a bike that ALWAYS makes more power than advertised. BANDIT 1200 is rated at 98HP and it actually makes that at the wheel! With simple cheap mods it exeeds that! So really i don't have a great answer for you but that's what i would assume.
@@Adikxx Thank you, I'm sorry I misunderstood your initial answer by overlooking the obvious irony of it, you're a nice chap!😉👍 Very Interesting what you told me, that's the real answer. I just fulfilled an old dream of mine at age 52, as I bought my dream bike, (unfortunately a reduced effect 98HP) RF900R (1996 model) but therefore almost like new, here in Germany and I'm just in the process of ordering all the parts necessary to open it up to full power - that whole process is a real pain in the ass in Germany, you need an expert report and so on,, plus parts, papers changed, will cost me a lot.. But I purchased a really nice 1 owner bike with only REAL 6000 miles (9600km) on it, I polished it all up and it looks great, closest to new! I love really it 😁
@@Adikxx I'd trye to change language or subtitles but I can't. My sun trye too... I think I go watching your video on his phone 😂 Thank you and happy new year
You have no idea what you are talking about and by saying this you made yourself look like a fool. This bike has huge coolant radiator, water jackets in cylinders and takes a few litres of coolant in the system.Water pump is located by the gear lever near to front sprocket. I can't believe you posted this... it's the most stupid remark this year !!!
I owned one here in Singapore from 1994 - 2003 before exporting it to Indonesia. The only mod I did was installing an advanced timing cam. A great bike indeed.
Favorite bike I've ever owned. Miss it. But, I love my honda. I just cruise nowadays. My speedy days are done.. had a 98' model.. cherry red..
I own a almost showroom red 1995 ! A really nice bike. Bringing good money from collectors now!
One on eBay right now with 46miles on the clocks...Suzuki gave it to a college in the 1990's, then it was stored for 15yrs,before being registered in 2019...£3595(UK).
All these years later, still a crackin' looking bike.
This is a great bike. It is also highly customizable (if yours had less than stellar bodywork such as mines). Always puts a smile on my face.
I learned how to ride a street bike on a rf900r. My uncle had a mint 1995 model. I will always love that bike.
I have had 28 bikes in 27 years of riding, and I must say, that the RF600, which i had for 3 years, was the most uncomfortable bike I've ever ridden, even though I've ridden lots of Suzukis. I loved the GSX600F and the 750F , they were really comfy, but the RF was just agonising to ride
Wow nice heavy metal music and so interesting to listen to your description of the bike.
Just bought a 1996 model. Thank you for the useful info on your site. Subscribed. Cheers Stu
I really like the design. Found one for just 1000 €. With good service history. But I heard it's not so great for touring.
Now I drive the VFR 800 FI. Still the RF 900 is beautifull.
I thought I recognized the roads as I live in Weston Super Mare. I nearly bought one of these in 1999 as my first bike after passing direct access test. I am now thinking of buying one just to occasionally ride and see if it appreciates in value.
This bike was my first real motorcycle. I miss it all the time
😔. Great video Adikxx83!
Thanks!
Yes it was underrated, though competition , i just to have one in red 900 , was a good bike
Bidding on one at the moment in black. Looks a real beastie!
Missed out. Not happy now.
Get a VFR.
@@robjohnson7806 had one 2000 -2003. A 98 model. Loved it. Handled great through bends and turns, was peppy as hell, and had great clearance. More than anything, I loved the long back seat. Was great for girls riding with me.
Фанат RF ки!!!😍😜😎😎
today I went to my office with rf 600 .. I love it
Good bike , didn't need the shitty "music" over the talking though .
It goes with the bike
I would add that the underslung rear brake caliper is prone to sticking, otherwise fantastic.
Brilliant man love watching and learning thank u ♥️👀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks for video. I own Manta Ray number 4! I believe these were only sold in Australia to commemorate anniversary of Suzuki in Australia. The then importer (Mick Hone motorcycles) had them made in dark green (same as Bandit 1200) then added fairing stickers which were not clear coated. Please correct me if I am wrong. Not sure how many were made but have heard from 75 to 100. Cheers Brian.
Most underared bike ever
now that you say it... the first thing i thought when i saw a picture of the RF for the first time (was a red one) was "looks like a mix between a ferrari testarossa and honda NR750"... yes somehow i saw the NR750 in it and i thought it was a honda because it was red xD but they nailed the testarossa look
I had one of these back in the day. Fast, but not comfortable in any sense of the word.
They look like a standard sports bike lean-forward position...?
@@lurker-mq4fp it has been about 17 years since I sold the bike. But it just seemed like the reach to the bars was unusually long. It put more strain on my lower back because my arms were so stretched out I could not use them effectively for suport.
Only bike I have ever ridden that was less comfortable was a V-Rod muscle. The bars were also far forward, but also had forward controls for the brake and shifter. Was like you were folded in half riding it.
You must be a good size guy. I am 6 foot 2, and never really felt it unless I road an hour or more..
The better the engine, the less gears are needed
That's why I can understand why the smaller bikes had 6 gears but the RF900 has only 5.
I have a 1994 with 26000 miles bought for 1800 it's clean any suggestions on what I should do? I love sports tourers my first bike was a katana
Good review!
Brilliant video thank u ♥️👀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I'm still unsure about this bike, I guess it would be interesting to make a chopper out of it or something if it was a cheap enough abandoned rat bike in someone's back yard.
Do you still have the bike, it would be interesting to see how it accelerates agsinst my 2019 BMW S1000XR.
No it wouldn't be interesting 🤷🏽♂️
Imádom az enyém is kiráj egy josimura
I love the looks but I am 6'3" (1.93 M) Do you think the bike would fit me?
You can buy peg lowering kit and install handlebar kit, it would be better then. In stock form you might find it little uncomfy
@@Adikxx Good to know, thanks.!
Well, eventually I have bought a fully restored GSX600F from 1991 and it fits me well.🙂
@@woodyamsterdam well done, it's a good bike.
A very good review. I wonder what your thoughts are on the handling. I'm also thinking a 1200 bandit engine or the gsxr1100 engine would drop in without to much hassle.
Well maintained RF handles well(serviced suspension and fresh tires). Bandit engine or oil cooled Gixer 11 engine wont go in the RF frame unless you want to start cutting the frame and weld new engine mounts. Then you have a problem of downdraft carbs in RF and horizontal carbs in Bandit/GSXR. HUGE hassle. Easier and overall better deal is to chuck GSXR 1100W crank, rods barrels and pistons in RF engine. I did that, works a treat and ends with RF1100.
@@Adikxx thanks for the reply. You're definitely selling it to me. That sounds like the sort of thing I would revel in. I still have my engine stand in mum's garage.
@@AdikxxI'll have a look in your videos posted but if you haven't done so a video of the rf1100rw would be fantastic.
@@samuelkearney880 i did a little video showing RF1100 couple of years ago and i did another video showing RF1146 recently. I will be making a little more detailed video of RF1146 soon.
Thanks!!! What do you mean with the RS2 version or mantare? And would you advise this over a Honda VFR800Fi from 98?
Manta Ray and RS2 were limited edition versions. RF is easier to work on than VFR, VFR has a bit better build quality. RF will be cheaper to buy. Performance is very similar, lools and sound is a matter of taste so i won't comment on that. VFR800 has one huge advantage in the fact that is has fuel injection. RF runs on carbs which with today's petrol is a bit shit. Both good bikes, decission is yours
Suspension a bit soft and you need to find one that wasn't ridden too hard cause of 2nd gear and top end long term problems.
Great vid!
Do you think the rf900r would be a good beginners bike?
Somewhat big & heavy for 1st bike but can be done by a sensible person with right mindset.
Depends on yourskills and your right wrist .If you dont push it to hard when you are a novice then you will be allright. My first real bike was a RF900R and had it for years, great bike. Tuned it later and the speedo meter did go over 300KM/H.
Get a 250 and ride the shit out of it then buy an rf900,
nope
@adikxx83 Can you please do a review on the Kawasaki Zx9R B model 1995-1997 it woud be appreciated thanks.
dear adikxx make an video about radiator grill. i want to install in my rf900rr
Hi buddy, it's very simple. You don't need to take the wheel or radiator off. The grill just clips on the front of the radiator. Put the bike on the side stand ,turn the bars and fit it on.
@@Adikxx from where i can get the radiator grill. give me website link
@@cbahazro You can get it on Ebay. Link below:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-RF600-RF900-BEOWULF-RADIATOR-GUARD-PROTECTOR-COVER-GRILL-S043/372635278565?hash=item56c2cb1ce5:g:RckAAOSwxCxT2mSS&frcectupt=true
@@Adikxx the link is no longer active. Any chance you have a lead on those radiator grills still??
@@diversaurous www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-RF600-RF900-94-99-Beowulf-Polished-Radiator-Guard-Made-in-UK-S043-/313943110495?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0
Co to za praca w majówkę 😂 gdzie gril i browar ? A zapomniałem za wilelką wodą nie ma wolnego. Co do tego sport turing to trochę przesada mnie na mojej rfce po 100 km nogi cierpną za bardzo podkurczone to nawet w gixie 750 mie ma tak nóg podkórczonych. No i spalanie mi wzrosło pewnie gaźniki do regeneracji a poza tym moto rewelacja 👍👍👍
Podnozki trzeba obnizyc i bedzie git:) ja Chinskie z ebaya kupilem i robia robote :)
Też się do tego przymierzam ale jak na nią patrzę to szkoda psuć oryginał. Ale też zmienię bo czeka.mnie trasa w góry Polskie oczywiście 😂
@@Adikxx Can you please do a review on the Kawasaki ZX9R B models from 1995-1997 it will be appericeited thanks.
@@retroracer6660 Hi buddy. I'm hugely overwhelmed by work and other stuff so would struggle with it at the moment. It's a great bike and i nearly bought one in the past so who knows i might figure something out for it but can't promise at the moment. All the best buddy ans thanks for ur comments.
@@Adikxx I understand just try and do it in your spere time thanks like your videos
Perfect.
nice vid
Adik, co to za muzyka od 5:02? Aktualnie zajmuję się stylistyką swojego RF: zamòwiłem frotki, tankpad, brelok kluczyków :)
Miodzio, rob sprzeta na 100%. Muza to: Chrysalide - Bertysolo
How are you liking the effect of that wind deflector?
don't expect miracles from it but for that money i don't regret buying it.
@@Adikxx thank! You bought it via ali express?
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👌🏼
If only that tail wasn’t so W I D E
Had one. Loved the seat. Was great for the ladies..👍
That's the most beautifull part of it :)
The most attractive feature is her rear 😉 Futuristic and unique. No one had anything like it. The ladies all loved the comfortable seat and grab bar
Ничего не понял, но смотреть интересно :)
Хахаха брат. Поздрав из Србије.
Why do you in Britain claim the RF900R to have 125 HP (91KW), whereas here in Germany it's 135 HP (99 KW), I don't understand.
Why do you in Germany claim the RF900R to have 135 HP (99KW), whereas here in Britain it's 125 HP (91 KW), I don't understand.
@@Adikxx Want an answer as an expert! Thank you for your Expertise
@@Adikxx Well, then I'll try to answer my own question by guessing. In Germany there are also RFs with a reduced effect (98HP), they have a 24mm diameter aspiration port and 115mm jets. I heard of 2 ways to open up the power, 36mm aspiration port (around 125HP) only, and 36mm aspiration port + 112,5mm jets (135HP). Could be the solution..
@@Jamie0707 if world was full of people like me it would be a wonderful place. Sadly world is full of different type of people. My response was virtually a copy of yours so i'f you're depressed by it i should feel the same way right? No point of getting depressed about things like that, there are bigger tragedies around us. What i meant by that response is that god knows really why the brochures show different figures. Your theory about 125/135 HP is interesting but I doubt it's the reason(i could be wrong though)
UK bikes weren't actually restricted at all. Some German, Swiss , French and California models were indeed.
135 HP at the crank is a wishful thinking for that engine. I had my bike on the dyno 3 times(different engines and setups) plus i have a file full of dyno runs of RF900 from many other owners. This was given to me by them on FB forum. Usually those engines make between 114-118 whp stock. If you wanted to apply 5-6% of correction factor for drivetrain loss you'd get about 125 HP and for that reason i'd assume that figure is closer to reality. Similar thing was happening with GSXR 1100W. SUZUKI rated it at 155HP at the crank but stock bikes used to barely touch 125 whp which after correction factor is nowhere near what Suzuki claimed. You see it today too with that overhyped supercharged Kawasaki H2 SX. They sell people all that 200HP nonsense in showrooms and in reality bikes push 170whp..this is about 180HP at the crank. It's a 20 grand bike with milliins spent for research and development with results worse than Busa fromn 20 years ago...
Interestingly though Suzuki made a bike that ALWAYS makes more power than advertised. BANDIT 1200 is rated at 98HP and it actually makes that at the wheel! With simple cheap mods it exeeds that!
So really i don't have a great answer for you but that's what i would assume.
@@Adikxx Thank you, I'm sorry I misunderstood your initial answer by overlooking the obvious irony of it, you're a nice chap!😉👍
Very Interesting what you told me, that's the real answer. I just fulfilled an old dream of mine at age 52, as I bought my dream bike, (unfortunately a reduced effect 98HP) RF900R (1996 model) but therefore almost like new, here in Germany and I'm just in the process of ordering all the parts necessary to open it up to full power - that whole process is a real pain in the ass in Germany, you need an expert report and so on,, plus parts, papers changed, will cost me a lot..
But I purchased a really nice 1 owner bike with only REAL 6000 miles (9600km) on it, I polished it all up and it looks great, closest to new! I love really it 😁
What a shame. I've this suzuki but my English is very bad.
Nick tun on the subtitles in your language
@@Adikxx I'd trye to change language or subtitles but I can't.
My sun trye too...
I think I go watching your video on his phone 😂
Thank you and happy new year
Air and oil cooled, not liquid cooled.
You have no idea what you are talking about and by saying this you made yourself look like a fool. This bike has huge coolant radiator, water jackets in cylinders and takes a few litres of coolant in the system.Water pump is located by the gear lever near to front sprocket. I can't believe you posted this... it's the most stupid remark this year !!!
@@Adikxx Air cooled v twin dickhead.
Triple cylinder 2 stroke that runs on ok kerosine.
this is such a mediocre bike i dont know why anyone would want to invest money into it.
For the time, it was different and fresh. And affordable. Obsolete jow, but I loved my 98'.
You've obviously never ridden one!