RF OWNERS CLUB

A great write up and a lovely looking bike.
Have you convinced me to buy one? .... NO WAY? I go too fast on my RF600, let alone anything faster!

A neighbour of mine had a Ninja, though I don't know which specific model, he scratched it a little when he came round a bend and found a car heading towards him. He said it was hit the car or jump off He took the later option and escaped only with bruises. He has since packed in biking Mind you he did say he was doing over 120 on an A road!!!

I do like the look of the Ninja's but I think I wouldn't be safe on them, but that's my view. If you ride well enough for those speeds then enjoy it, and I bet you do!!

Luv em! So cool.

Yeah, the Ninja is the first real 'sportbike" I ever road as well. And, I could instantly tell that I was gonna get in a lot of trouble on it. So, I opted to wait a decade or so before getting my RF. Nice write up. Nice photos.

At least it isn't green. =:)

f**k that looks fast

I give it
a 7
out of 10.

the ugly american wrote:I give it
a 7ins
out of 10.

Cheers.... but what about the bike???? =)) )

paul65 wrote:nice write up i was thinking of these but then the tl made its self avaliable and the twin won my heart :-bd

Funny thing is I looked at a TLR before i finally bought this. Love the sound of the twin! :thumright:

Reving an old thread but seems the place to ask the question:

Would anyone consider a ZX9R C1 - E3 to be be an upgrade from an RF900 in terms of an evveryday bike.

On paper its newer, weighs 20Kg less has more power/torque and is still in the same bracket as a sporty sports tourer

antwan64 wrote:Reving an old thread but seems the place to ask the question:

Would anyone consider a ZX9R C1 - E3 to be be an upgrade from an RF900 in terms of an evveryday bike.

On paper its newer, weighs 20Kg less has more power/torque and is still in the same bracket as a sporty sports tourer

Personally no! I much prefer my late model RF900RW.

Granted the ZXR is lighter, easier to wheelie (got that out my system years ago) it's taunter on the steering and handling is a bit nimbler. But it lacks the manners and distinctive styling that the RF has.

Yes the RF is a bit heavier, but it's solid, handles well and is very dependable!

But to me it's head and shoulders above the so called competition... speed & power, it's got that, handling yeah it can be improved with a little tweak, looks that stand out, fuel economy that the others can only dream about .. but best of all, it's so bloody easy to work on! ^:)^

Add the fact that it's not run of the mill stuff, it creates comments... i.e. queries as to what it is, add to that it's cheaper to run, less likely to get stolen and above all, it works in all weathers.

If you want one... get one, I've ridden a few of the ZX9R's. I found them awkward around town, though not as much as a blade or r1, both of which knacked my wrists and neck.

My wife and daughter didn't like the high perch either, the RF is miles better for pillions. :good:

Get one by all means mate, or if you've got spare brass... then get the ZZR1200, great bike and fairly economical, easy to ride and great fun, either that or a really good low mileage ZZR1100D6 or D7. Failing that a Blackbird or FZ1. :-bd :ympeace:

Thanks for that summary

Those are all the bikes I've been contemplating, all except the blackbird it doesn't seem as DIY friendly.

The only other one that makes surprising sense is a ZX12r with a jack up kit and renthal bars with handle bar risers but this snow is dissuading me from that :-ss

I'm always abit surprised how genuinely good the RF is not only for a budget bike but in general, it does well at keeping the missus happy and stops me buying new toys!

antwan64 wrote:Thanks for that summary

Those are all the bikes I've been contemplating, all except the blackbird it doesn't seem as DIY friendly.

The only other one that makes surprising sense is a ZX12r with a jack up kit and renthal bars with handle bar risers but this snow is dissuading me from that :-ss

I'm always abit surprised how genuinely good the RF is not only for a budget bike but in general, it does well at keeping the missus happy and stops me buying new toys!

Ha, ha .. know the feeling, women don't usually understand us lads need our toys.

Though .. I'm lucky, I've got a great lass, who's also very understanding and she likes bikes ... best of both worlds.

As for the Blackbird, having ridden both versions, I was tempted to get one .. my brother in law (Mall) had one of the last carb models, in a lovely cherry red, full history and 24'301 on the clock. I can confirm, they are a sod to service .. the RF9 is years ahead in accessibillity, especially to the engine / carbs. That's what makes servicing cheaper, as it's quicker. :-bd

Yes the blackbird is a great bike, great build quality ... but it knacked my wrists and shoulders.
I could of purchased Mally's, as he'd offered me his, for the amazing price of £1'500.00 which would of been a steal at that price. In the end, to keep the peace, I offered to sell it for him and obtained £2'750.00, to be fair to him, I'd of only sold it on and made a profit, I even told him!

But being Mall, he offered me a nice little bonus for selling it for him .. £150.00 for ten mins work, as it sold within a few minutes of being on eBay. Add to that, I'd already made my mind up to purchase an RF9 and got one, which is the main reason for not getting the bird!

The ZX12R is another kettle of fish .. it'll rip your arms off, it's fast as f**k, doesn't like slow town riding, so commuting on it is a no, no! It likes watching the clouds go by as it hurtles it's self and the rider into oblivion. Where as the ZZR1200 is slightly toned down, more user friendly and passengers tend to like the seat position. :-bd

Your choice mate ... if I were to get another sports tourer that's a bit more up to date, then I'd go for the ZZR1200, great ride and pretty easy to service and prices are slowly coming down, making them more accessible to the likes of me and others, on a budget! :ympeace:

Couple of pics of the bird that I sold for Mall..