I never thought I would find a bike I liked more than the R6
Written: Jan 29 '01 (Updated Jan 29 '01)
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Pros: Awesome power and handling
Cons: I already have a bike so can't buy this one
The Bottom Line: If you are looking for a 600 class bike, the choice should be between this bike and the R6 - MAYBE the CBR F4...but don't look any further...
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| jeffs320's Full Review: 2000 Suzuki GSX-R600 |
Where to begin, where to begin. I am the proud owner of a 2000 Yamaha YZFR6, and have loved every minute of riding my bike. Due to the fact that it was THE hottest bike on the market last year (Bike of the Year for 2000), I have had the opportunity to ride a multitude of different bikes due to the fact that everyone always wanted to check mine out and see what the big stink was about.
Yesterday morning I met my little "clique" of about 30 or 40 crotch rockets for our Sunday Morning ride. As we were standing around talking and acting stupid while waiting for more people to show up, I saw a group huddled around one of the bikes. Knowing that this meant there was either a new person and everyone was being friendly or someone bought a new bike, I decided it was time to go see what was going on.
What I found was that one of my friends who was hit by a van while riding his Gixxer 750 had finally received the insurance money and had bought the only Gixxer 600 in the area from the local bike shop...the one that we had all been in to see and drool over on several occasions. And since I had let him ride the R6 when I was the only one out that had it, naturally he had to let me check out the Gixxer.
The best way for me to explain this is to relate it to the R6, since that is what I am the MOST familiar with, even though I have ridden quite a few different styles of bikes in the 600 class.
When you first sit on the Gixxer, it is about the same height as the R6, give or take about an inch. I am 5'8" and about 155 or 160 lbs, and I can honestly say I was comfortable sitting on it. Some of the bigger guys complained about the way it was designed not being comfortable for riding, but I think it is just about right. The tank is a little wider than the tank on the R6, which is one reason why I originally chose the R6, but it is not as wide as the Honda CBR F4 or the Yamaha YZF600R. I like the tank cut in tight because it makes me feel more in control when I have to tuck down at high speeds and the ferrings on the bike aren't really all that wide to block the wind.
The power of the Gixxer is right there with the R6, which completely blows away any other 600 series bike so far (stock). If I had to guess, I would say that the Gixxer might even be a little faster than the R6, although I didn't hit the top speed on it since it was not my bike. (BTW, I was rather impressed that he had put the first 1000 miles to break it in within the first week - it took me almost a month to break mine in)
We naturally had to take it back to this area by my house that is off of Omni road (so we just call it Omni) where there is a side road that loops around and ends up back on Omni road where no cars ever go. There are enough twists and turns to make it a pretty good race track, so this is where everyone goes to practice cornering. So I got to ride the Gixxer there, too.
I must say that this is the only bike so far that i have ridden that handles like the R6. My bike is about a year old now, and I think I am about to need new tires, so that might be part of it, but I personally thought the Gixxer out-performed the R6 in this area, although I didn't think it possible.
All around, I would have to say that if I had to choose between the R6 and the Gixxer 600, it would be a tough decision. I am rather partial to Yamaha due to the fact that I have been riding Yamaha Dirt Bikes most of my life and the only street bike I have ever owned is the R6, but the Gixxer 600 is one bike that might possibly cause me to break my loyalty.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): not mine
Condition: New
Model Year: 2001
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Epinions.com ID:
jeffs320
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Jeff
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Reviews written: 266
Trusted by: 38 members
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