SUZUKI GSX-R600 (2004 - 2005) Review

Version: Yellow Beauty

Year: 2004

Ludicrously fast for it's stated power output; a tad uncomfortable, but you don't ride one of these beasts for comfort - you ride it for sheer pleasure! I've owned two Kawasaki 636s (2006) in the past and they were mental - smoked a Murcielago in a 1/4 mile race. Yet, this GSXR 600 feels just as fast, and the torque is neck-snapping. You often read reviews where riders say their 636 is faster than a GSXR 600, but now I'm wondering whether they could be the same, and it's just down to the rider's aptitude. Your wrists shouldn't hurt because you're supposed to hold yourself using your legs and back, but the aggressive riding position is a pain in the back and shoulder (I'm 5'6"), but as I said you ride this type of missile for the thrill and not for practicality/comfort. I can barely get out of 2nd gear in London and I'm not even reaching 8000 RPMs and still hitting over 40mph - there are 4 more gears to be used! Mistakes / road errors can be forgiven by this machine (wet drain covers, cornering at high speeds) - a 1000cc would high-side, catapulting you to the moon; this 600cc sucks it up and keeps you upright as you burn tar-mac. Last but by no means least, the design is beautiful -last of the manly looking bikes before they all got curvier and smalled; and the headlight unit/design is gorgeous and unique to other GSXR years. You'll have a lot of fun.

Buying experience: Private - £2500

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £130

Use it and abuse it - I have gone through pretty much every 600 of the same "era" and this one is the most pleasant, but unspectacular one of them. As always with Suzuki - you will love the engine and gearbox, however handling is way behind the Ninjas and CBRs. For some reason Suzuki decided to give the gixxer a huge seat height, which makes it awkward in the corners. Overall, the gixxer is good but not spectacular and whatever you are after ( track, city riding, comfort, etc.) you should be able to find a better equivalent 600, but if you want a bike that will do it all reasonably well - go for gixxer.

Buying experience: Go privately and look to pay around £2600 for a good [stock] one

Lovely bike for short distance... if you are not in a busy inner city trying to move and park around parked vehicles in bad weather and poor visibility. The aggressive riding position can mean shoulder checks are restricted and obviously long distance riding can be painful especially due to cramped leg position..... but, its a sports bike. Lovely sounding engine, nice precise handling, not bad on fuel for what it is. Fun to ride most of the time. If you want a sports bike this is great. If you think you might want a sports bike as your main bike then be prepared to sacrifice some real world practicality for the joys of having a real sports bike. Im not looking to sell it soon. My last bike was the gsxf650, which I was forced to let go when it was written off by a white van.

had one for two years, brill bike can not fault it. top speed needs to be changed on here though will do 182. max ha ha

My first bike after Direct Access I was warned off this bike as a first, The bike is fast yes but only if you want it to be. I was suprised how easy it was to drive easy to drive slowly and smooth at a much faster speed on a bumpy country lane aswell. Handles well alot easier to do manovers than the GS500 i did my test on.

Owned since Feb 2006 Problems Only that has let me down was the alarm, kept immobilising the bike and giving lots of false alarms. Have had this replaced and has been fine since. Wont be using Acumen alarms in the future, will stick to Meta systems. Review Moved on to this from a SRAD600, in my opinion the 2 bikes couldn't be more different even though they're from the same stable. Where as the SRAD is a short lardy ar*e bike the K4 is quite supermodel like in comparision. It's slightly taller so shortar*e's may struggle to get a leg over but it's lighter and thinner so once you're on its a lot easier to throw around. Saying that though it is still a comfy bike, the seat is nicely padded, the pegs at the right height (for me anyway, 5' 11") and a decent reach to the bars, racy but not extreme. The original screen had to go in exchange for a DB, on my first ride home my head was getting ripped off with the wind blast!!!! As with any bike get some crash bungs as well. Suspension wise - it's there and fully adjustable, mine is on the factory settings which you may find too soft for hard riding. I don't understand all this compression and rebound malarky but I know it's too soft for the track so will get it adjusted on my next trackday. Brakes - You pull the lever, the bike stops. You pull it too hard, you'll go over the bars!!! Do radial brakes really make a difference to the everyday rider??? Not to me but they look good!! Engine - It's always started first time and never let me down, pulls strongly from 3-4k rpm right to the redline. Good for a indicated 160mph (on a private test track of course). Decent amount of midrange as well allowing you to be lazy with the 'box. Gearbox - It's a Gixxer, best gearboxes on the planet!!! Final Word I love my bike!!! Plan to keep it for another year but only because I'll want more power, even then I plan to stay in the GSXR family with poss a K6 750. Its done whatever I've asked of it, whether thrapping round a track, bimbling round country roads or got me home in torrential rain. It's never let me down apart from the alarm which is an aftermarket thing, it's got the power when you need it, the brakes are fantastic, it doesn't cripple you each time you get on it. It's built my confidence up a lot and when it goes it will be missed!

Just bought a gixer 6 k4, i've had a few bikes but this is by far the best, handles well and has a good wrist to mph reaction. gets a wee tad sore on the wrists after about 20-30 miles but apart from that there is nowt wrong with it. just changed my TL1000R for this GSXR 600.........great move

I owned a Gixer K4 last year and did 3000 miles on it. I loved the bike (apart from the comfort) and foolishly traded it in for a new Yamaha Fazer FZ6 because I thought my wife would prefer it for riding pillion. Well she came out on the Fazer twice and decided it wasn't for her. So I've regretted selling the GSXR ever since. The Fazer may have more comfort but in terms of looks and excitement it's like comparing a Ford Mondeo with a Porche 911. Get a GSXR. Period. Strengths: Looks, engine, sound, wind protection, lightness, agility, brilliant acceleration. And it's a GSXR. The best 600 in my opinion. Weaknesses: A bit heavy on the wrists, and no hugger as standard - thats about it. But I'm going to get another one. A K4 or K5. So that says a lot for it !