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/159279
VOL. 50 ISSUE 34 AUGUST 27, 2013 WHAT THEY SAID: P91 2013 Suzuki GSX-R600 Specs ADAM WAHEED, 33, Road Test Editor "I really like the GSX-R600-it's an excellent all-around Supersport. It's comfy, really easy to ride and I love its peppy little engine." MASSIMO BRUZZI, 34, Orange County Ducati Club secretary "For a Japanese 600 it certainly has some character. It's light and has a low seat height. It was one of the easier bikes for me to get up to speed on." JOSH POWERS, 37, R&D Engineer, Two Brothers Racing "I always feel comfortable on the 'Zook. It doesn't really stand out in any one category but it's not lacking anywhere either." NATHON VERDUGO, 34, Test Rider "This is one of the more comfortable sportbikes on a long ride. Yet it's got great racing heritage behind it too but it does look a little cartoonish." the easy-to-read analog tach. Suzuki GSX-R600 Appearance-wise, the Suzuki is three years removed from its facelift, so a touchup next year •One of best street ergonomics wouldn't hurt. It isn't as stylish as package, with relaxed rider the triples, but our testers rate triangle the Suzuki higher than the vanilla •Intake howl gives Inline Four a Honda and Kawasaki. little edge and still churns out This year the Suzuki remains good mid-range and bottom-end priced at $11,599 with the re•Solid easy-to-ride chassis vamped ZX-6R the most expentransmits planted feel sive of the "600" supersports, but only by $100 more than the Suzuki. Meanwhile, the tweaked •More expensive than Honda and Honda is a C-note less expensive all-new Kawasaki only $100 more and the budget Yamaha rings in •Brembo brakes not quite as for $700 less. The Suzuki 600's precise as rivals question of value also has to deal with the GSX-R750. While the middleweight Gixxer's price has horsepower and 10 lb-ft of torque. risen this year by $300, it's still The GSX-R600's most potent rival only $600 more expensive. And remains its big brother. that $600 delivers an extra 21 The Suzuki GSX-R600 is a HIGHS LOWS Engine: 599cc liquid-cooled Inline Four 16-valve Bore x Stroke: 67.0 x 42.5mm Compression Ratio: 12.9:1 Fueling: Fuel Injection w/ twin injectors per cylinder Transmission: Six-speed cassette-type Clutch: Wet, multi-disc w/ slipper functionality and cable actuation Final Drive: Chain; 16/43 gearing Frame: Twin spar aluminum Front Suspension: 43mm Showa BPF with spring preload, compression, and rebound damping adjustment; 4.7 in. travel Rear Suspension: Showa gas-charged shock with spring preload, high/ low-speed compression, and rebound damping adjustment; 4.9 in. travel Front Brakes: 300mm discs with radialmount four-piston Brembo monobloc calipers Rear Brake: 220mm disc with doublepiston Nissin caliper Tires: Bridgestone Battlax S20 120/70R17, 180/55R17 Curb Weight: 417 lbs. Wheelbase: 54.5 in. Rake: 23.0 deg. Trail: 3.81 in. Seat Height: 31.9 in. Fuel Tank: 4.5 gal. MSRP: $11,599 Colors: Metallic Triton Blue / Pearl Glacier White, Pearl Mira Red / Pearl Glacier White Warranty: One year, unlimited mileage perfect example of how a bike pays the price for not constantly evolving. This time around, the Suzuki gets knocked down a couple of positions by the three revised bikes for 2013. The GSXR does nothing wrong and sports a refined performance package for the street, but it comes up short nonetheless. No one said the Supersport class was fair…