Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128372
MOTOR KEY FEATURES: • Forged aluminum pistons • Chrome-moly steel connecting rods • 32-bitECU • One-piece cylinder block/upper crenkcase There isn't a thing that is new on the GSX-R this year, but that isn't a bad thing. Even a year ago when we did this shootout, the then-new GSX-R600 had more torque than any of the bikes other than the big Ducati's L-twin. As it turns out, this is a big advantage on the point-and-shoot Streets of Willow track. The GSX-R is more than capable of getting out of a corner in a hurry, but it definitely lacks the top-end oJ the other bikes. The tables could be turned on a different racetrack, but on this track and out in the canyons, the Suzuki's motor is excellent. That lack of top-end performance is what is rumored to be holding back the GSX-R in AMA Supersport competition. Many of the testers commented on the bike's excellent fuel-injection response and smooth consistent power delivery. Many commented that the motor felt electric. It's also hard to dislike the intake roar coming from underneath you when tucked in over the tank with the throttle wide open. On the street, the Suzuki's motor is excellent because the power is very accessible. The fuel-injection response is also very good both on the street and on the track. The biggest problem with the Suzuki's motor isn't its fault; the competition just got better. One area that didn't seem to bother us last year (mainly because the other bikes weren't as good as they are now) is that the suspension feels too soft in comparison to the others. The front end still feels really planted and conveys a lot of information, but the spring rates could be a little heavier for the track. On that same note, a couple of testers complained about the front-end pogo-ing a bit too much, so we played with the settings to get it successfully sorted out. The GSX-R600 has a nice CHASSIS/HANDLING KEY FEATURES: • Breced aluminum swingenn • Fully adjustable 43nun inverted Showa fork • Fully adjustable Showa piggyback shock • Radial-mount front-breke calipers Last year, the Suzuki won this shootout based on the fact that it had better suspension than the Yamaha R6 and the Kawasaki ZX-6R, and the fact that It turned almost as good as the R6 did. This year the goalposts have been moved, because the Suzuki is the only bike in this class that hasn't gone through a redesign. "Last year's Suzuki GSX-R600 came out of the box swinging, but the lack of any upgrades has set it back once again," Montano said. Some of the others - namely the Honda and the Yamaha - didn't change dramatically, but they did improve in the areas that set them back a year ago. The fact of the matter is that the Suzuki turned the third-fastest lap time at the track (a 1:26.79), which shows it still can get around in a hurry. The GSX-R feels very nimble - still not on par with the R6, but right there with the Honda. 22 APRil 6, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS combination of handling and stability, and it gives the rider a lot of confidence on the street. The brakes are very good but require more effort than some of the others, though they do prOVide good feel.