TS's Test Ride of K6 GSX-R600

[Two Smoker]

Hey everyone,

Well I just had the pleasure of riding a K6 GSX-R600. When I turned up for the test ride, I was expecting the bike to be slightly better than my K5. Oh how I was wrong...

I sat down on the bike, the seat is much lower than the K5 and other 2004-2005 model 600's. Im 6 foot and I had a nice bend in my legs and flat footed. The dash set up is well designed, the K4-5 had one of the best designed dashes last generation and the new one has topped that. I pulled in the clutch and slipped it into 1st gear, mmmm so silky, but i expected that as its a supersport 600. Pop up a bit of revs and im away. GEEZZZ who stole all the torque below 6000rpm??? It felt like there was nothing there, my K5 has alot more torque down low. But as soon as im above that, i heard the wonderful noise of the induction. Onto the motorway onramp, I gave it some berries and first, and the induction and exhaust sound like an angry mob telling everyone in my way to f**k off. The front just came up due to a crest, but only slightly. Gearing is about the same as most 600's, 120 in first 165 in 2rd and 205 in 3rd and 230+ in 4th (Well thats what they told me anyway )

Sitting on the boring motorway i got to see how comfortable the bike is. And it is very comfortable. There is a huge amount of leg room, and because the seat is low, you not reaching down to the bars and getting a sore back and wrists. Sitting at 110kmh is quite pleasant and you dont have to shuffle around and move to keep your butt cheeks awake, and stopping your back spasming...

Right time to hit the twisties... The handling is mind blowing!!! I have NEVER ridden a bike that handles so well straight out of the box... It was so neutral and effortless, all you had to do is think about where you are going, and you dont even have to worry about mid corner bumps as it just soaks them up. You can knee down this thing with ease, and the bike will have you feeling like Rossi with in 3 corners... Looking at the tyres after, the rear end is abit to soft, but not by much. The brakes are phenominal!!! Best brakes I have ever used, and that includes my race bike!!! They don't feel like they are grabbing, then all of a sudden WHAMO!!! They are hauling you up like a fish in a trawlers net...

As for acceleration it is a little bit quicker than my K5, but not by much. Launching it with 8-10 grand on the tacho is quite easy once you are used to the clutch...

In summary, this bike is awesome!!! A perfect tool for the weekend rider, and trackday enthusiast. The handling is amazing and razor sharp, but very compliant with the bumps you find all over NZ.

The only down sides are that it has nothing below 6000rpm, so useless for commuting/riding around town, and that it isnt sitting in my garage this very moment...

Looking foward to comparing it to the K6 750 as a road bike...

Cheers

[emaN]

Looking foward to comparing it to the K6 750 as a road bike...

NOW we talkin'!! Look forward to that write up...

Sounds like a decent ride bro - how far'd they "let" you go with it?

[Fishy]

Nice write up Chris, so you gonna buy one?

I'll get in there and take it for a good thrash when I get a free weekend.

[Two Smoker]

NOW we talkin'!! Look forward to that write up...

Sounds like a decent ride bro - how far'd they "let" you go with it?

I didnt go far... only did about 100 kms of riding... So far I see the K6 750 as being a superior road bike... But time will tell...

[Two Smoker]

Nice write up Chris, so you gonna buy one?

I'll get in there and take it for a good thrash when I get a free weekend.

Definately do that mate... I dont think most people will understand how well this handles till they ride it...

If Chloe lets me, im going to look at either a 750 or a 600 as a road bike...

[emaN]

the 750 is structually identical to the 600.... assuming the handling/brakes are at the level of the 600, it'll be the perfect bike....for most of us!

[Cajun]

yeah i should have the 600/750 to take for a spin also, should really pop in to dealer on way home see if he got his demos ready yet

[Fishy]

Definately do that mate... I dont think most people will understand how well this handles till they ride it...

If Chloe lets me, im going to look at either a 750 or a 600 as a road bike...

Yeah good choice man, thats what I would buy too if I were single but problem is, is that my missus is always on the back and the 600's and 750's don't like it too much..well compared to the thou's they don't.

I really need to get her a bike of her own

[The_Dover]

If Chloe lets me, im going to look at either a 750 or a 600 as a road bike...

Don't you have your own purse or testicals?

Or were you looking to get one for sexual favours?

[bugjuice]

120 in first?!?! mine does 107 at a scream..

i've been keen to have a play on the 600 and 750 K6s tho, must admit..

[SpankMe]

I took this bike out for a hoon through Coatsville-Riverhead yesterday and have to totally agree with TS's review. This bike instills such a huge sense of total confidence in it's ability to handle any corner at speed. Even riding it for the first time I was taking the twistys as fast, if not faster, than I do on my SV. But you have to remember to keep the revs up if you want to do any quick passing.

The real test is when you jump back on your old bike straight after the test ride. I got a bit of a shock when I took off on my SV. Some bastard had swapped it for a TRUCK?!?! Compared to the '06 GSXR600, it felt so heavy and unwieldy.

Would be really interested to see if the 750 has better torque below 6000rpm.

I took the Buell XB12R through Coatsville-Riverhead today, but thats another story.

[slob]

I got a bit of a shock when I took off on my SV. Some bastard had swapped it for a TRUCK?!?! Compared to the '06 GSXR600, it felt so heavy and unwieldy.

They may be dinosaurs in comparison, but I had a similar impression going from my old TL1000S to my current GSX-R750 SRAD. The lower crank inertia and lighter weight makes all the difference! I do miss the V-twin rumble and low-down torque though (except on wet roads)..

I took the Buell XB12R through Coatsville-Riverhead today, but thats another story.

Maybe that's the answer for me? Hmm..

[motobob]

As for acceleration it is a little bit quicker than my K5, but not by much. Launching it with 8-10 grand on the tacho is quite easy once you are used to the clutch...

In summary, this bike is awesome!!! A perfect tool for the weekend rider, and trackday enthusiast. The handling is amazing and razor sharp, but very compliant with the bumps you find all over NZ.

The only down sides are that it has nothing below 6000rpm, so useless for commuting/riding around town, and that it isnt sitting in my garage this very moment...

Cheers

TS, saw you out in Albany on the K6 in those ghey leathers of yours. So I was interested in your write up. Oh and I overheard some gay guys remarking that they would like to meet the rider in the pretty leathers.

Anyway I was told that Craig Shirrifs new unmodified K6 Dyno'ed a little higher than his K5 race bike. On your ride you said its only a little quicker than your K5 but with the loss of the under 6000 rpm grunt. Appears to be a difference in opinion, or does the bike provide a different feel. Usually a peakier bike feels faster.

Can you give me some more insight.

[Two Smoker]

TS, saw you out in Albany on the K6 in those ghey leathers of yours. So I was interested in your write up. Oh and I overheard some gay guys remarking that they would like to meet the rider in the pretty leathers.

Anyway I was told that Craig Shirrifs new unmodified K6 Dyno'ed a little higher than his K5 race bike. On your ride you said its only a little quicker than your K5 but with the loss of the under 6000 rpm grunt. Appears to be a difference in opinion, or does the bike provide a different feel. Usually a peakier bike feels faster.

Can you give me some more insight.

Just coz my leathers look cool hehehe

The bike definately felt faster in the 7000-16000 rpm rev range... It probably is quite alot faster, it just didnt have that feel due to the lack of down low grunt... Ive seen dyno's of 107hp for the stock K6, versus 101hp for the K5... So i would see my K4 race bike having a similar dyno sheet as a stock K6...

[MD]

1.GEEZZZ who stole all the torque below 6000rpm??? It felt like there was nothing there
2.As for acceleration it is a little bit quicker than my K5, but not by much. Launching it with 8-10 grand on the tacho is quite easy once you are used to the clutch...

Good write TS. having ridden one myself I was impressed as well.
You thought it was weak below 6000. Strewth, you haven't tried the new yam 600 then! Weak as a Nun's piss below 10,000! Everything is a torque monster next to the R6. Try a 636 if you get a chance. I really enjoy the low, mid and upper rev range drive- sure it's a cheater 600 but who cares when you're smiling...Then see how easy it lifts without any need for the clutch.
Hey but back to the gixxer. I liked the gear indicator and can't see why the other Jappos can't sort this- The Triumph has it on the 675, I think.
They look smart from behind with that cute little stubby muffler. I saw the 600 next to the 750 so wonder how cool the 750 must be for a road bike.
I got the AMCN mag today with the Masterbike supersport test. The 675 won (no surprises there, well done), followed by the Yam. Obviously the R6 works in the right hands on a track. Fat lot of good that is to most of us in real life. Gix 3rd then kawa-sack-me. Oh how a year changes the podium.