What gives? I have the engine all apart. I've fixed the bad sprag unit. What a silly design! It seems Triumph cheaped out on the spring that holds the innards together. A minuscule savings ends up in so many issues on so many bikes. But I suppose it keeps the accountants happy.
I'd like to digress for a moment. I would very much like to own a Suzuki RF900R. They encompass the 90s all at once with "in your face" color options (a bright red, and a color scheme with purple) and some even had painted frames to match, comfortable ride and Ferrari Testarossa like side intake scoops. Just plain cool looking bikes.
As far as mechanicals go, the power plant is based on the legendary GSX-R1100 motor albeit with modern liquid cooling. It's simple, robust and powerful (125hp) with a red line at a screaming 12,000RPM. The transmission is a 5 speed unit, which is taken part by part from the GSX-R1100 The engine was titled forward in the frame (much like an FZR) so as to create a low center of gravity.
Suzuki teamed up with Metzler Tire to create an RF900R that pumped out a spanking 146HP to break the 24 hour World Speed Record in the under 1000cc class. They succeeded and their amazing feat remains unbeaten to this day.
So 90s!
In conclusion, Suzuki nailed it and missed it at the same time. It was a far more capable motorcycle than the tea-pot Katana (Or the Kan-O-Tuna as they were called) by being lighter than a Katana 600. The RF had a steel frame which if it had been made out of aluminum would have actually been heavier - ironically, this gained nothing but ridicule from the magazine reviewers of the time who claimed a steel frame was "outdated." Again, this is ironic given that the Katana was built the same way since 1988.
The problem is Suzuki failed to really market the bike toward any specific audience and that left them with no real marketing plan. They stopped importing it after just 4 or so years which is really a shame - it offered race replica looks (arguably better than a Katana) with comfortable ergonomics. Had they put a little effort forth, they may have broken the sport-tourer market which is dominated by BMW and the Kawasaki Concourses.
Until next time.
See you on the road!
