Suzuki GSX R600

You don't need to hang around track days for all that long to hear the opinion that the 600 class is where the real action is, if you want a serious sports bike. Well at least for us mere mortals.

Fact is they are generally more nimble than their bigger brethren, still run an alarming power-to-weight ratio, and aren't as intimidating to launch out of a turn. Some of the big stuff that's out there these days can toss you over the nearest fence before you can complete saying, "What the f...?!"

Oh and they pack a lot more value in my opinion. Like Suzi's GSX-R600, which retails at $14,390 - about four kay under what the big chaps cost. You could get a pretty good dirt bike with the change.

Okay, so much for the sermon, let's move into what the toy's about.

Mini Gixxer
You wouldn't be too far off the plot if you assumed that what we have here is a mini version of the 750 and 1000 GSX-R series. Though long gone are the days when a maker could simply put smaller holes in the same engine and chassis, and flog it as a middleweight.

The 600 is very much its own bike, and a significant remake over the model phased out in 2000. Though it does share a lot of common GSX-R thinking and technology, like the double-butterfly fuel injection system that feeds the 599cc powerplant.

Overall architecture is pretty much what you might expect. A 16-valve, four-pot engine matched to a six-speed gearbox via a wet clutch, bolted into an alloy beam frame. There are no big surprises.

What it adds up to is a package claiming 115 horses - more than ample in anyone's book - matched to an obscenely low weight claim of 163 kilos dry. Suzi reckons it's the best ratio in the class, though there's not a lot in it when you view the nearest competition.

On board
First up, it's a sports bike, so don't come looking here for anything that resembles comfort. It's okay as sports models go, but the riding position is fairly extreme.

The GSX-R definitely has a feel and sound all its own. There's a raw growling from the moment you stab the starter, which winds up to a screaming crescendo once you get serious on the right grip.

Response and performance is excellent - simple as that. The powerplant is about as flexible as you could hope for. Not great down low, but a healthy midrange and plenty of top end. It adds up to something that can be ridden in a civil manner through traffic. Gearshift and clutch are both slick.

Steering is very responsive, and quick. It takes a little getting used to, but can't be faulted for accuracy or, surprisingly enough, high-speed stability. Much of the latter is down to the suspension (conventional fork up front and monoshock rear), which is well sorted.

Worth it?
This price range - mid-14s - has some interesting choices. For example there are several big-bore road bikes on offer for the same dollar. Many would be more relaxed on the road, but would be trounced by the GSX-R on the track.

As a pure sports bike, and competitor to the other 600s, it comes across as value.