Bike comparison opinions

I currently have a second gen VFR700F which may or may not be sold( up in the air yet). Any way one of the replacement bikes that has presented itself is a 96' Suzuki RF900RT, this is the bike zuki introduced to compete w/ the VFR which did not sell well for them. I'm curious to know if any one has ridden one & what their thoughts on the bike are. Other than the obvious horse power difference( the RF is 130+ HP) what would be the pro & cons. Most reviews have picked the VFR over the RF that have compared the two. But being my VFR is ten years older than the RF is it going to be a better bike for me. I'm also considering a mid eighties Wing & late 80's/early 90's BMW K bikes @ the moment. I would get another VFR but I'm looking for something more suited for two up( longer wheel base sport ride or a full tour bike ) + I can buy the RF for song(my main decideing factor @ the moment, best bike for the money thing) it has 13K on it newer tires, chain & sprockets, body work is in fair to good condition minor cracks here & there never been dropped/wrecked though.

 

considered

I looked at a RF before I bought the VFR. I ended up with the 97 VFR after just sitting on it. My deciding factor was the RF was just a little more of a sporty position and the pressure on my wrists told me to run. This article also helped me make up my mind: http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/gtbikes.html.
The VFR is more refined based on my reading and sitting comparison. I know, I'm already bias, but I'm being honest.

If you truely want to ride two up, I doubt the RF will make you happy. Hit one of the Wings, Pacific Coast, the BMW K, Tiger, ST or something like that. My wife loves the VFR, but she doesn't mind the sporty ride.

Good luck and keep us informed on your decision with pics. It's always nice to learn about other bikes.

BTW - you had to know posting here where you would be directed.

 

I sold several RF900's and have ridden them extensively when our shop had them. It's a decent bike, not the fit and finish of the Honda by any stretch. If you are looking at a comfortable sport tourer I would also look at the CBR1000F line. I had a 93' it was a wonderful bike and better suited 2 up IMO, also better looking in BLK/GRY. The zook isn't junk, I just think the CBR bests it. You also may want to look at an older FJ1200 or 1100, harder to find but great bikes as well. Good luck bones! Shout out to Mondovi!

 

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/gtbikes.html

 

Damn i love these bikes !

 

I think Suzuki brought out the RF900 to replace the Katana 1100, which in my opinion was not as good as the 1100. I had a '90 big Kat for quite a few years and was very pleased with its 136 horsepower and tremendous mid-range torque. It was the top-gear roll-on king (from 50 to 80mph) for quite a long time, until the latest V-Max edged it out).For two up riding it's great. The electric windscreen is a pleasant bonus. If you can find a clean one grab it. If not, I might be able to line you up with my former super-clean, black one. I also had a Yamaha FJ1100 and a 1000 Hurricane that were great bikes, but IMHO, the big Kat handles better than both. It has the same engine as the 1100 GSXR but with cams that give a tremendous punch in the mid-range instead of at the top rpm range. It will beat the GSXR from 0 to 60mph. After that the GSXR will pull ahead. Email me if you are interested in my old one. Click on my "Photo Gallery" and take a look.

 

Yep, I've considered the Katana as well, found a nice one a few weeks back in Chicago. My problem, the "punk" kids @ work that keep telling they want to buy my VFR never seem to have any money . My much more attractive better half isn't easily convinced I need two road going cycles @ the same time. Therefore I am in between the perverbial rock & a hard place; if I actually list my VFR for sale I'd want to fix the cosmetic issues I've been living w/ but have parts to fix. It would be worth more to the masses if she was pretty again; I just can't seem to park it long enough to do it. It's been the "winter project" for the last two years that never quite gets done or started for that matter. To damn cold in the garage, suppose completing the fall project of the last 7 years of getting the furnace in the garage going would fix that though

 

The Katana 1100 was a sweet piece, but the smaller 600's getting labeled Can of Tuna 1st ride of squids is hard to outlive! You may also want to consider the Yamaha FZ1000, similar to Kat11 different looks, maybe a tad more sport bias but still not a torture rack.

 

Look at the Honda ST1100 or 1300. I recently saw an 1100 with 166,000 miles. It belonged to a 60+ year old man who said he had ridden it to the southern tip of South America and as far as he could go in Alaska. The paint on the tank had been worn down to the metal! The ST is a great touring bike with a V-4 and much sportier than a Wing.

 

That would be the logical transition, except for the fact that resale even on a older ST w/ median mileage is more than I have to spend or will have to spend if I purchase something yet this year. If I hold off til' spring that would be a real possibility; I'm not big on loans. I've reached the point in life I can talk myself out of things that I only want & wait til' cash is in hand. Spent far to many early years in the instant gratification phase & I'm still paying for it. I still have toys, just not as many, not as nice or rotated as often. My "5 yr plan" looks pretty promising if current trends continue & incomes don't change to the negative drastically. The wife & I will be in a position to live like I used to again if we chose; but I feel I've been financially bitch slapped hard enough to keep some of the lessons learned fresh in my memory for sometime to come. Of course,If I win one of those insane lottery prizes all this is just bullshit & I'll do my share to keep the retail economy strong:biggrin: