Rd 07 vs Rd 04

[robelst]

Forget both, get an RD03
The AT's become more mainstream through its life-time. That's not always a bad thing, but I think the later RD07s must have been developed by Honda's financial dept who gradually lowered the quality while keeping prices on the same (far too?) high level. Having said that, on a well used '88 model you may have difficulties noticing that compared to one that is 10 or almost 15 years younger, it's all relative of course

Nevertheless, I have owned an RD03 and RD07 myself, and spend a weekend on a friend's RD04 and it's got to be said all ATs are interesting enough to go for. If you know the weaker points, keep the wheels clean and keep an eye on the paintwork they will serve you well for a long time.

Being quite long in the (upper)legs myself I should add the RD07's tank shape is more comfortable than the more sculpted RD04 and (even more) RD03.

[KTiM]

I've done over 10,000 miles on my RD-07 and now have a RD-04.

I would agree with everything that Africajim has said.

The RD-04 is better built than the RD-07. Take, for example, the front mounts for the bash plate. On the RD-07 they are thin little tabs welded to the frame along one edge which are prone to snapping off especially if they have crash bars mounted to them. On the 04 they are far more substantial mounts with at least twice as much welding holding them to the frame.

This is just one example but when I look around the 04 I see lots of little things that seem to make it more "special", in a similar way to when I looked around my first KTM 620 Adventure, comparing it with my old KLR. I just see stuff that makes me think, "that's a nice weld" or "I like that mounting"........I know, I'm a bit sad like that!

Having said all that, the 07 is abviously a newer bike so you are more likely to find one in better condition. I was lucky to find my 1990 RD-04 with a fully stamped up Honda service history for its 38,000 miles.

You can still get parts and most accessories for the RD-04, the only thing that I have had trouble getting were pannier mounts but I found some on E-Bay in Germany in the end.