SUZUKI GSR600 (2006 - 2010) Review
Highlights
- Inline four middleweight naked
- Good enough but quite forgettable
- A cheap and reliable used buy for a winter hack
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £260 |
| Power: | 88 bhp |
| Seat height: | Medium (30.9 in / 785 mm) |
| Weight: | Medium (404 lbs / 183 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe Suzuki GSR600 is a middleweight inline four naked motorbike in the same mould as Yamaha’s FZ6 and Honda’s Hornet 600. It’s a perfectly acceptable ride, but to be honest the Suzuki GSR600 adds almost nothing to the biking world – especially when Suzuki’s own Bandit 600 (and 650 version) does exactly the same job for less money than the Suzuki GSR600.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe Suzuki GSR600's shock is seven-way adjustable for preload and rebound but it’s over-damped and harsh. The forks, conversely, are too under-damped and soft, diving and bouncing back like a pogo stick. The Suzuki GSR600's worse traits only bubble to the surface when you push on, otherwise you learn to live with it. The brakes are poor, with little bite.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Suzuki GSR600 uses a de-tuned version of the motor from the GSX-R600 K4 and clips along at a fair rate. The 16v, DOHC motor revs to a dizzying 14,000rpm, but fortunately it’s not as peaky as the FZ6. The Suzuki GSR600 has decent torque and overtakes don’t necessitate a dance on the gear lever to be quick and safe.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueTraditionally Suzuki’s finish is the least impressive of the Japanese manufacturers so keep your Suzuki GSR600 clean or keep it away from salty winter roads or the finish will suffer.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe Suzuki GSR600 is aimed at newer riders – and the competition for their custom, new or secondhand, is fierce, so don’t expect your Suzuki GSR600 to hold on to its value especially well.
Modern middleweight nakeds have almost all made the switch to a parallel-twin engine including the Yamaha MT-07 or new Honda Hornet. Either of these options are far more engaging to ride than the GSR.
It’s hard to recommend the Suzuki GSR600 over a secondhand Yamaha Fazer 600, since most people only hang on to these bikes for a couple of years maximum before buying something bigger. Find a Suzuki GSR600 for sale.
Equipment
With the Suzuki GSR600 you get an ignition-based immobiliser, the comprehensive digital clocks include a gear indicator, two trips and a fuel gauge and a clock. There are aftermarket race-style exhausts available and factory-option luggage for the Suzuki GSR600
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 599cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 16v in-line four, 6 gears |
| Frame type | Aluminium twin spar |
| Fuel capacity | 16.5 litres |
| Seat height | 785mm |
| Bike weight | 183kg |
| Front suspension | Preload |
| Rear suspension | Preload, rebound |
| Front brake | Twin 310mm discs |
| Rear brake | 240mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 180/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 44 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £84 |
| Annual service cost | £260 |
| New price | - |
| Used price | £2,500 |
| Insurance group |
13 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 88 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 44 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 138 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | 11.8 secs |
| Tank range | 160 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2006: Suzuki GSR600 introduced.
Other versions
None.
Owners' reviews for the SUZUKI GSR600 (2006 - 2010)
15 owners have reviewed their SUZUKI GSR600 (2006 - 2010) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your SUZUKI GSR600 (2006 - 2010)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £260 |
Year: 2006
Annual servicing cost: £150
Underrated by MCN. It's brilliant. Brakes, engine, suspension are suprisingly good if not to say excellent. The only thing weak point is the fork. It doe's not feel stiff enough. Maybe i will mount catriges or a Upside Down fork. The engine is a gem. Absoute reliabel and fun to drive. If you drive it beyond 7000 there are few that will get away from you.
It is stable in fast roads and very handy in the twisties. Brakes are excellent (i clean mine once / year).
A peach. Good power from 3000 to 7000. Screamin from 7000 to 14000.Enough to hunt ssp's with an experienced driver.
She like's gasoline if you rev it.
Mine lacks ABS. It has no TFT Display nore has it traction controll wheely control quickshifter. Do not miss those things. i guess they are overrated. Or maybe i'm a slow shifter by nature.
Buying experience: Bought it used
Version: 2006 (K6)
Year: 2006
Annual servicing cost: £150
Reliable, fun and still eye catching. Sets blistering pace when needed. Light to steer and excellent to handle. Great for beginners and advanced riders alike. Don't understand or agree with the MCN rating.
Upright position, great visibility. Suspension adjustable and no where near as harsh as some reviews suggest. Forks are responsive and not too soft, just need some looking after. Older models suffer without the windshield, I've opted not to place an aftermarket. My decision so therefore was it right to drop a star for that?Brakes have always been OK but really tactile difference with decent rotors and HH pads
Outstanding, literally outstanding. Loads of grunt for town and the outskirts. Not a track bike, if that's what you want go and buy one. Purrs along even at 14 years, never seems to run out of power, certainly not in my hands.
14 years from new and never any issues. Some light pitting appearing on the frame but everywhere else has weathered well. Kick stand suffers a little from surface rust. To keep it in good nick though probably needs attention and time. If neglected probably wouldn't be anywhere near as good.
Undertake own repairs/servicing and have never spent a fortune. Just completed a refit from new (not a complete list, some parts only approx prices below for info):New S21 Bridgestone F and R - £220 EBC upgraded rotors and HH pads all round - £370 Hel braided brake lines F and R - £80 Tsubaki X chain and Renthal sprockets - £135 OEM oil filter - £8 High capacity battery - £39 Spark plugs - £29 Air filter - £12 Fuel pump and filter - £80Can be a little difficult to get parts on the second hand market if needed. Suzuki genuine parts can be extremely expensive (eg fuel pump assembly >£1000, so make sure tank has been well looked after or sealed previously)
Great little LCD screen, one of the first, very visible with all the info you need. May begin to look a little dated with the new TFT screens coming into play. Analogue rev counter harks back to earlier bikes. 2006 model shipped without a screen but is a must if you need to undertake longer high speed journeys
Buying experience: Bought from new from dealer, absolutely no issues.Second hand suggestions:Look for evidence of drops Ensure equipment has been either serviced or replaced Look in the tank for rust and debris (could cost a small fortune to replace) Radiator can suffer at the front, think about an aftermarket cover Think about a wind screen if none in place Service manual freely available on the internet if you are technically minded and will save you an absolute fortune Regular servicing is an absolute breeze
Year: 2007
Annual servicing cost: £300
Breaks - Useless. Tank range - Useless. Front forks - Useless. Only owned nine days, dread to think what else I'll find - useless! Superb engine though. I worry about rectifier placement 'engine', can't see that lasting with the heat.
As above. A lot useless. Will try upgrades to improve.
Superb engine. Very smooth.
Pockets of rust around forks. Pitting to footrest assembly. Oh and you'll need to earn a few bob to replace exhaust system! Starts on the button though.
Everything is difficult to access. Simple plug change requires tank removal.
Version: GSR600S
Year: 2007
Annual servicing cost: £600
50,000 Miles (38,000 of them mine). The GSR is a capable 600. Comfortable commuter with enough sportiness for the weekends too. In the time I have had the GSR it has needed two new R/R, the second replacement I upgraded the loom with larger diameter wires for the charging system (No issues since). The other issue I have had is the output shaft bearing had failed, however I have been assured by my local dealership that this was in fact a freak failure. And one caliper rebuild on the front end.
Ride quality is great as long as the suspension is correctly adjusted. Breaks could do with some development, upgrading to EBC sintered pad provides far more initial bite.
Solid lump with a strong pull very user friendly.
This is based on 16k miles PA with the servicing being done by the owner (ie for materials alone)
For its age the equipment is good. 2 trip meters Temperature gauge that reads in degrees Clock Gear indicator
Version: K9 gsr 600
Year: 2009
Annual servicing cost: £150
Ignore the poor reviews, what a fantastic 599 cc bike. It's light a lot lighter than say a z800, it's engine is superbly forgiving, it pulls from 6 th gear at 30 mph without any fuss, in fact, my riding twin owns a 16 plate Kawasaki z800 and a 20 mph standing start the gsr was quicker, and quicker at the top end too, we weigh the same, but z800 is almost 70 kg heavier. Swapped bikes and same result gsr is quicker, we not talking loads but it pips it nicely. Handling is great very forgiving, so easily chuck able and super easy to get it down around the twisted, well built for the price, no vibrations rattles.... Would recommend a screen to cut the buffering down if your in motorway a lot. Only down marks on this particular bike is brakes could offer a little more bite, little vague, they stop you no issues but the feel isn't strong enough for my personal liking. Averaging 55 mpg, £60 a year to tax. Great bike.
Very comfortable bike, good seat, suspension can be a little soft if pressing on hard, but 99% of the time it's spot on. Little or no vibrations, throttle can be a little off/on at low revs. Brakes lack some feel but they perform well enough.
Retuned gsxr 600 motor, lots of flexible torque low down, steady pull up to 10000rpm then it's still got that gsxr Madness from 10000 all the way to 14500 rpm reminds me of a Honda vtec, it pulls pulls pulls then it really pulls all the way to 14500 rpm! It's a shove, hold on, and very addictive. On the flip side it cruises all day at 30 mph in 6th without any fuss at all
One warranty recall for the Charing resistor pack, but well known I believe 75000 bikes were recalled.
55mpg, £60 tax per annum, £150 yearly service, low insurance group
Twin trip computers, gear indicator, hazards, twin exhausts, 180-55-17 rear tyre, nice padded comfortable twin seat optional abs. Don't really need much else do you.
Buying experience: Private
Version: GSR500S
Year: 2008
Annual servicing cost: £200
Great value, great fun bike. Very easy to ride, great high revving engine. Safe handling. Looks good.
Decent all rounder. Great round town and as mine has the fly screen I can ride at speed all day on motorways in relative comfort. Nice seat height for smaller people like me ! Never had a pillion so can't comment on that. Brakes seem fine ... but haven't taken it on a track so don't know how they would manage with repeated heavy use.
Adequate power and high revving capacity, slight snatchiness below 3k but nothing serious.
Seven years old - never gone wrong, no corrosion. No better or worse than the Yamahas and Hondas I have owned in the past... not sure where the Suzuki = poor quality reputation comes from.
I use fully synthetic engine oil and change all fluids once a year so more expensive that it could be. Parts aren't cheap but not too bad.
Its naked so not packed with equipment, you do get a good display thought with fuel gauge and gear selector display, trip odometer and immobiliser
Buying experience: Bought from dealer. £3200 - good value for a bile with 3000 miles.
After many years without a bike and after many months of looking I purchased a suzuki GSR 600 in March of this year. It was in grey and red with red wheels. It has the following extras, scott oiler, crash bungs, rad cover and brake fluid cover, belly pan. I love this bike. It sounds lovely on the stock under seat pipes and I think it looks great as a street fighter. I have been amazed at the mount of people who come up for a chat when Im out on the bike. It handles well, it stops well and seems to be quite good on fuel. For me this has been an ideal bike to return back to biking on.
I find this mcn review for the suzi gsr 600 well and truly of the ball. I have been fortunate enough to ride quite a few super-sports and pretty much every modern 600 naked middle weight and the gsr 600 is by far and away the best of the bunch when it comes to naked 600s. Ok it would have benefited massively from usd forks to rival the stunners on the hornet and the styling is take it or leave it, but non of that makes much of a difference when your actually riding the bike. reports of snatchy throttle are over egged, the problem certainly exists on some machines (not mine thankfully) but it is not as bad as made out! the bikes that do suffer from it are still very ride-able and it is something you can adapt to or try to iron out with various fixes. I have mine fitted with yoshi tri oval cans and the sound from the bike is just outstanding. Its a quick little beasty as well! Suzuki have removed the blurred vision, kill me quick top end off the gixxer 600 that this bike shares its engine with and replaced it with some real mid range grunt and very usable power. It still gives a great tug from 10000rpm to 14000rpm and will pretty much show any four wheeled vehicle on our roads a clean pair of heals with ease. Its not silly quick but still has enough to leave a big grin on your face if you like to push on a bit on bikes. The gsr600 was never designed as a novice friendly first (Big bike)according to suzuki engineers but i say it should probably be your fist choice. Its rare,different and quick enough to keep you interested well above and beyond your skill level. Its such a easy bike to ride and also very very easy to ride fast, point and shoot and the gsr 600 obeys like a loyal dog. A bike hat has no where the recognition it deserves, worth every penny and will be appreciated by the novice and experienced rider alike
We've had our GSR600 for 6 years and both me and my wife ride it and think its great, I think it is unfair to compare it to the Bandit as in my opinion they are 2 very different bikes having used both. The GSR always makes me giggle when riding it and in my opinion one of the best 600's out and has a great look. I have used the bike against others such as the GSXR750, Fireblades and I also ride a TL1000s, the GSR is more than capable of keeping up round the twists and bends of the British A roads and up to 100mph I managed to keep side by side with a GSXR750 in a drag race. Its a cool bike and I would recommend them to anyone especially those who have just past their test and want a cool looking bike which is loads of fun to ride
An usd fork, radial callipers and oil radiator would make this bike the perfect street racer.
THIS BIKE ROCKS Im very hard to please but this bike pleases and does it well. for the price your getting a bike that looks the part, can be customised, goes like a rocket when you open the throttle (for 600 standards) but very easy to ride around town as well, sport bike handling, comfortable and a 180 rear tyre. What more could you want from a bike you can pick up new for less then £5,000? (if you shop around) The only draw back is the lack of wind protection but that is easily sorted with an after market screen and there are many to choose from, because the bike is able and very willing to do the wrong side of losing your licence speed (130+) you often find yourself taking a wind battering on open roads. This bike should be loved by new and old riders and those in the street fighter scene. Any bad review on this bike is just wrong, No other 600 street bike does or offers what this little dude does.
Bought this bike after 2 years riding a CBR600F. Was looking for a change and looked at the naked 600 market. Tested all of the models available and I instantly fell in love with the Suzuki for both its handling and looks. Performance wise, I can't fault it. Compared to the heavy handling of my previous bike, I found this bike instilled confidence and my riding has improved as a result. Throttle can be jerky at low speeds and when cold, but you get used to it, and as it is a Suzuki I am braced for the poor finish to show, but so far - fingers crossed, 1 year and 3000+ miles down it looks great. Sounds lovely over 7000rpm and I manage to keep up with (most) of the boys. Overall a great bike for both beginners and experienced riders alike, I'd recommend it!
Superb engine always has more to come combined with extremely agile handling makes this an excellent prospect in the naked 600cc market. Better than the fazer, better than the new hornet and better than the versys. Snatchy throttle noticeable only when the engine is cold and disappear above third. Fit the rizoma rearsets which are stunning.
After a few years tooling around on a gsxr 600 K4 I fancied a change... something less likely to get me banned. So I bought a brand new gsr 600 (in blue). Running it in was a depressing afair to be honest and on the ride home from the dealers I thought about heading back and begging for my old GSXR. But I stuck with and I'm glad I did. Riding at under 7000rpm allowed me to try out the bike's handling and I was very surprised to find it's pretty much flawless straight out of the box. It's nimble and smooth and comfortable and the tyres are absolutely fantastic. After the first service I was able to explore the power. The engine's a retuned gsxr lump, but to be honest, it feels the same as my old gsxr - pretty gutless until 6k and then surges of thrust. I run out of strength to hold on (wind blast) before the gsr runs out of revs in top. Which should help me avoid an instant ban for doubling the speed limit on the motorway. On the whole it's a good bike. Strengths: Handling, engine, looks. Weaknesses: Stand is poo. Forks look like they've been looted from the Bandit parts bin, but they work just fine.
They say it is suitable for the vertically challenged with its low seat height?? but park it next to a Hornet & it looks a far bigger & wider beastie, it is in fact roughly the same seat height as the Hornet, when trying to mount it you will almost certainly kick the grab handle - unless you do ballet or 6ft tall. But it'll turn heads & make you grin-twist that throttle listen to the induction grunt & hang on this could be fun!! Strengths: Pulls better than a standard hornet 600, riding position the wind isn't trying to rip your head off, the suspension has adjustments back rebound/preload & front preload only, instrument panel is clear with 2 trip meters, clock,fuel gauge,gear indicator as most Suzukis do, fuel economy is good (haven't worked it out yet) but told by previous owner that it should do 160 miles between topups (watch this space). Weaknesses: Build quality could be better, bits held on with velcro & push clips: ie side panels, seat very weak/flimsy construction, no protection for radiator mesh, sidestand not very good -recommend you fit crash bungs/mushrooms before it falls over like mine did!!
Suzuki GSR600 motorcycle review - Riding
Suzuki GSR600 motorcycle review - Side view
Suzuki GSR600 motorcycle review
Suzuki GSR600 motorcycle review - Side view
Suzuki GSR600 motorcycle review - Riding
Suzuki GSR600 motorcycle review - Riding
Suzuki GSR600 motorcycle review - Riding
Suzuki GSR600 motorcycle review - Riding
Suzuki GSR600 motorcycle review - Side view
Suzuki GSR600 motorcycle review - Rear view
Suzuki GSR600 motorcycle review - Brakes
Suzuki GSR600 motorcycle review
