Okay, so let me tell you about this thing I got into with the RF 900. I’d been eyeing this Suzuki for a while, you know? It’s got this rep for being a solid sport-touring bike. I’m not really a newbie rider, but I wanted something that wouldn’t be a pain on longer rides, but also would not be too dull in my daily use.
So, I started digging around. I heard some good stuff about the Shoei RF-900 helmet. People were saying it’s light, comfy, and not too noisy in the wind, and this made me start to think, maybe this Suzuki bike is something like it, not too noisy, comfy and light.
I finally got my hands on a used RF 900. First impression? It’s definitely got some weight to it. I mean, it’s not a small bike, and I immediately felt the dated steel frame and swingarm.
First Ride
- Took it out on the highway. Got it up to speed, and it was not bad. I mean, the thing can hit 162mph, which is way more than I’d ever need.
- The seat height was just about right for me, I think it’s around 805 mm. I’m not super tall, so that was a plus.
- Wind noise was there, for sure. I guess that’s to be expected with a bike that can go that fast.
Then I started thinking about how it stacks up against other bikes. I read some reviews, and yeah, they were right. The engine is kinda old-school. It gets the job done, but it’s not exactly cutting-edge. I mean, you can compare it to a VFR750 and you can see the difference in engine tech.
What I Learned
After a few weeks of riding, here’s the deal: It’s a decent bike. The RF 900 is not the worst, but it is not the best either. It’s okay for cruising around, and it can handle some speed if you want it to. But if you’re looking for the latest and greatest, this ain’t it. It is just a not bad starter.
I wouldn’t say I regret getting it. It’s been a good experience, but it confirmed what I’d read. It’s a bit of a dinosaur, technology-wise. But hey, it’s got character, right? You don’t see a ton of these on the road anymore, so it’s kind of unique in that way.
But when people ask me if a Suzuki RF 900 is a good starter bike, I would say it depends. If you want to start with a bike that can be used for a long time and save some money, maybe it is a choice. But if you want a bike that is easier to control, I would not recommend it. Maybe I will consider a Kawasaki next time.
So, that’s my story with the RF 900. It’s been a learning experience, and I figured I’d share it in case anyone else is thinking about picking one up. It is not bad to try, right?