Suzuki GSX-R 600 (2001+)

Introduction
A potent middleweight bike with more than a thing or two left to prove in its class, the Gixxer 600 is a beast backed up by the same fuel-injected 599cc, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine that is perfectly valued through a six-speed transmission, both units working closely together to power smoothly the light and nimble chassis out of those tight corners of the track.

Most to do with that will have the innovative Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve system featuring dual fuel injectors instead of one. Also, the rider will be choosing from three engine settings allowed by the S-DMS engine management system.

Without a doubt, the GSX-R will stand out from any angle, but more important is what keeps it on the scene, goodies such as the light aluminum frame, Showa suspensions and Tokico brakes. But what about this bike’s past?

Competition
Suzuki may claim to have reached the highest level of development yet, but that is only when comparing to the different stages it has gone through over the years. In relation to the rest of the Japanese middleweight crowd, the GSX-R 600 is just a strong competitor.

For example the 2010 Honda CBR 600 RR ABS is an awful threat for the Suzuki, especially now that it has significantly evolved. Engineers have developed a new, electronically controlled Combined ABS system which will be standard on the bike and will gently intervene in the very last moment before the rider will practically lose the bike during a high speed corner. This gives confidence and support, resulting in better lap times. It also ads 10kg to this bike’s mass, but the fuel-injected 599cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine is there to keep performance numbers at the same level as last year (118hp at 13,500rpm and 66Nm at 11,250rpm).

Like Suzuki, Yamaha didn’t thoroughly revise its 2010 middleweight sport model, the YZF-R6, but simply lengthened the muffler, revised the ECU and added new color schemes to the high-performance bike: Raven, Team Yamaha Blue/White and Pearl White. So the R6 remains the same awesome performer behind which sits the also fuel-injected 599cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke, forward-inclined parallel four-cylinder engine. This develops 129hp at 14,500rpm and 65.8Nm at 11,000rpm, so everybody should watch out for it.

Brand new for 2009, the Kaeasaki Ninja ZX-6R now carries on with little changes brought to the 599cc, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline-four engine and aluminum perimeter frame as well as high-performance suspension and brakes. The Kawi weighs overall 421.2 lbs and with an MSRP of $10,499 it stands great chances to be the cheapest in its class.

Exterior
In what concerns this Gixxer’s design, it remains pretty much unchanged for 2010. In fact, ever since the 2006 redesign, they haven’t done much to it apart from modifying the headlight’s shape and creating that stylish looking exhaust. Still, Suzuki seems to have ridden the winds of change pretty good with this model, resulting into an aggressively styled piece of machinery with little in common with the one that first came out the factory gates back in 1992.

The front end is cockpit-aerodynamic with the headlight being perfectly integrated into the fairing and the signal lights into the mirrors supports. In fact, if you remove the mirrors and cover the headlight you’re in for a mean machine with pretty much nothing to distinguish it from a racing bike.

On the sides, the fairing has significantly slimmed-down compared to previous model years, contributing at cooling down the engine and making the bike lighter overall. On the right side, the lower part of the fairing blends perfectly in with the exhaust’s covering plate, creating the look of these two units being actually one.

The gas tank is very narrow while the seat isn’t as inclined as you would expect from a bike in its category and that can only mean enhanced comfort. What I like about the GSX-R series is that they don’t feature the sharp rear end, leaving room for a passenger to decently find its place on it.

Depending on the color scheme, you get a black or blue powdercoated frame, matching perfectly with 2010’s Blue/White, Blue/Silver schemes.

Conclusion
If we turn back and look at Suzuki’s strategy for the GSX-R 600 we can clearly notice that the next major revision awaiting is in 2011. But the question is: what more can be done to the most advanced middleweight model of this Nippon maker?




Engine and Transmission
Engine: 599 cc (36.5 cu. In), 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC
Bore Stroke: 67.0 mm (2.638 in) x 42.5 mm (1.673 in)
Compression Ratio: 12.8 : 1
Fuel System: Fuel injection
Lubrication: Wet sump
Ignition: Electronic ignition (Transistorized)
Transmission: 6-speed constant mesh
Final Drive: RK525SMOZ8, 114 links

Chassis and Dimensions
Suspension Front: Inverted, telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Suspension Rear: Link type, coil spring, oil damped
Brakes Front: Disc brake, twin
Brakes Rear: Disc brake
Tires Front: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W), tubeless
Tires Rear: 180/55ZR17M/C (73W), tubeless
Overall Length: 2040 mm (80.3 in)
Overall Width: 715 mm (28.1 in)
Overall Height: 1125 mm (44.3 in)
Seat Height: 810 mm (31.9 in)
Ground Clearance: 130 mm (5.1 in)
Wheelbase: 1400 mm (55.1 in)
Curb Weight: 196 kg (432 lbs)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.0 L (4.5/3.7 US/Imp gal)