Hey All-
Of course I know this is a GS site but anyone happen to know anything about the Suzuki RF600? Looks like they were only made from 93 to 99 but was wondering if anyone knew if they were decent bikes, or stay away from them or what? PS Reason I ask is 'cause I see some out there in my price range and I like the looks, but am wondering- why did they make this AND the GSX-R600 and the Katana? Seems like they overdid it? Maybe that's why they stopped making them?
Thanks!
Cam
The RF had downdraft heads... but was not as aggressive as the 96+ GSXR's ... sorta inbetween Katana and GSXR. The 600 is heavy, heck the 900 was heavy. They made them to 99, but prolly sold very very small numbers.
Cool.
Srinath.
I had an RF900R which is basicaly the same bike with a bigger motor. Its a good bike, kinda like an aggressive VFR. It didnt sell very well becuase everything wanted cruisers, and sportbikes at the time. Its basically a sport touring bike.
Its a bit heavier then most sportbikes, but nice and stable in the corners. Nice usable motor that is turned more for torque then peak horsepower.
That being said, I sold mine and bought the gs500. Since your looking at a 600 it might be diffrent but, the 900 wasnt very fun for me. It had too much power. 1st gear would see 70mpg at redline, and it had slow but steady steering. It isnt what I would call a flickable bike. Oh sure you can get it to hustle, but I think the gs500 is a much better backroads twisty bike then the RF.
The RF really shines on the freeway with ample passing power. Again... diffrent stroke for diffrent folks.
Car analogy:
If the gs500 is a is a mazda Rx-7/8, then the RF600/900 is a Toyota twin turbo supra... fast, kinda comfy, but heavier.
Gotcha! Thanks guys!
Pretty cool bikes IMO. As someone just said, the reason Suzuki didn't sell a lot of them was because they fell in between Touring Bikes and Sport Bikes, and there's not a huge American market there. All the magazine reviews I ever read about them were favorable from what I can remember. I know you're looking at the 600, but I know a guy who builds drag bikes who specializes in building RF900's because they're big, powerful, and cheap to get parts for. Just like everything else Suzuki makes, you can fit a lot of gixxer parts on the RF.
I also dig the scooped side fairing - it's a nice little flair that differentiates it from the sea of plastic bikes out there.
The cheese graters?
:oops:
They are basiclly a Katana with the 90's downdraft, watercooled GSXR engine.
Its better than a Kan-o-tuna, but not as good as the same era CBR F2/3, ZX6, and WWWAAaay less than a YZF600R.
:nana:
Pass unless you just have to have the bike for its looks.
will a rear shock from a 92 RF600 fit a GS???...is it a good upgrade?
I think it depends on what you're looking for JamesG. The RF wasn't really meant to be a sportbike, but they're still reasonably powerful and comfy. Anyhoo...
What was the verdict on those leathers you were thinking about selling? Good fit, close fit, need a gut patch added... :mrgreen:
Quote from: Frostwill a rear shock from a 92 RF600 fit a GS???...is it a good upgrade?
Yes and yes... Had one and sold to someone on the list... even before I got it. They are good but hard to find. That Zdeno's place in Kitchener ON had some, but like everything else their $$$ were ridiculous.
Cool.
Srinath.
wow...you know Zdeno??...
well...i found someone parting out a RF...so might give it a try...
what should i look for when buying a used rear shock??
I lived in Toronto for a year. Anyway look for a shock that doesn't leak. The best test is to fit it and ride it and make sure its not pogoing over bumps, and to check the hardest spring setting and the softest and the lowest and highest rebound settings and make sure you can actually tell the difference in the ride.
Cool.
Srinath.