Suzuki RF 600 RR

I recently passed my test, after a lot of deliberation I went looking for a Bike. I wanted something a little sporty, that both looked good and didn't hurt the Bank account with regards to the insurance.
I originally saw an RF after a friend and Work purchased one, I loved the Styling and the Performance from a Pillions point of View.
I was generally browsing on Ebay for a bike in my Price Range £1000 - £2000 this would allow me to ...
...everything CASH. I saw a Red RF and I had to have a look, the dealer had it up at £1100 and the bidding had not finished I eventually ended up paying £1500 which in the condition it is in was a fair price.
I like riding the bike if fast enough for me and still handles well for a first timer, it's just had a full Service, New Front tyre and Chain and Sprocket set, since then things are a lot smoother and the turn in is great.
The only ... more

I recently passed my test, after a lot of deliberation I went looking for a Bike. I wanted something a little sporty, that both looked good and didn't hurt the Bank account with regards to the insurance.
I originally saw an RF after a friend and Work purchased one, I loved the Styling and the Performance from a Pillions point of View.
I was generally browsing on Ebay for a bike in my Price Range £1000 - £2000 this would allow me to do any work required to the bike and pay for everything CASH. I saw a Red RF and I had to have a look, the dealer had it up at £1100 and the bidding had not finished I eventually ended up paying £1500 which in the condition it is in was a fair price.
I like riding the bike if fast enough for me and still handles well for a first timer, it's just had a full Service, New Front tyre and Chain and Sprocket set, since then things are a lot smoother and the turn in is great.
The only Down side is I find the palms of my hands get a little tired after a long ride but I am putting that down to being a newbie to biking. I am a 6ft Mr Average and the comfort factor is quite good and I do generally like riding the Machine.
Insurance for a 35 Year old with no clams discount and just passed test, on third part was £278 for a year and that's doing 15000 miles a year.
The decision to buy an older bike and somewhat different bike I believe has been a good one, CRB's are said to be reliable and bullet proof, but everyone has one…..

Technical Bits….

The RF 600 has a water cooled DOHC 16 Valve engine.
BHP is believed to be 101hp at the Crank and approximately 80bhp at the back wheel.
Fuel Consumption is about 37 - 40 MPG that again is personal riding preferences but around town with some quick riding and Motorway work I have been getting about 37 Mpg.
The instruments are functional, with all the usual and an amber Fuel light to alert the Ride that its about time to Stop and refill.
The tires that are on the bike at the moment are Bridgestone BT020s and the bike is very responsive and flick able.
Its got a full Stainless exhausts system that to me Sounds great after about 8-9 thousand RPM this is the point that the Bike changes from being a town cruiser to a monster and all hell breaks loose.

For all the Train Spotters out there……

Front Tyre is a 120x70x17
Rear Tyre is a 160x60x17

**Update 2005**
I have recently Sent the Bike down the road twice, this caused some major damage, I broke the bottom Yoke, bent the forks and destroyed the right hand faring.
Its now back on the road, Replacement yoke, Forks and faring, but I did not stop there, the following is a list of personal additions and embellishments......

Micron Delta Pipe work and Can
Pair of Continental Road Attack Tyres
K&N
Dynojet kit
and a few other shiny anodised bits.

The bike had all the above fitted by myself and a friend, I took a day of recently to fit the last and final pieces to the jigsaw… The K&N panel filter and the Dynojet Kit. The bike had been suffering with a little bit of a flat spot since the accidents and the replacement Exhaust. Once the Dynojet kit had been fitted I took it to a local Rolling Road. She was all ready running better after fitting the above, I was advised to drop the needle by one notch and put a larger 116 Main jet in. immediately after doing this I was howling with laughter, the whole set up now with this bike is amazing, yes she is only putting out 86BHP at the rear wheel and displaying a maximum of 145MPH on the Dyno but its changed the bike dramatically. I again love this bike, yes it's a little large by current standards but a 6ft 14 stone guy can move around on it without upsetting the handling too much. Since all the changes have been made I can now power wheelie away from the lights, it pulls like a train in what ever gear you ask it. Travelling at 70mph is no longer a chore as you can cruse happily and when needed crack the throttle and she takes off……
She is a great first time bike, plenty of power and loves the twisty bits, she will not bite you in the ass and she is forgiving. trust me i have found out a few times.

Parts are available but check around before you purchase, I was almost ripped off by a local breakers for the Yokes. Take care there are a few nasty people out there who love nothing more than a desperate unsuspecting DIYer to step across their door step.

Thanks for reading my review and hope it helps.

 

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