GSXR-600, CBR-600 or YZF-R6 - Comparisons and Differences

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strictlye said:
I have a '06 GSXR 600 and I absolutely love it. I recently test rode a '09 R6 at the Yamaha Demo Day at Brampton PowerSports.

I can honestly say that my stock GSXR was more powerfull and pulled a lot harder than the R6, I can only assume that the R6 has most of its power being delivered at a higher range than the GSXR so thats why it felt so docile compared to my bike.

The CBR has tons of upgraded parts and technology in the bike that is reflective in the price.

But in my opinion, the cheaper (older) technology on my GSXR is more than sufficient for street or even track day riding. Even being 5 years old my gsxr feels like it's going to buck my off if I WOT whereas the R6 just accellerated faster.

The suzuki's are the cheapest 600cc ss bikes out with some older technology i.e. manual steering dampner vs. Digital dampner Spring/shock suspension vs. whatever honda did now with the removal of the spring under the set.

Unless you are a professional racer, you do not need to pay for the latest and greatest technology because it is doesn't mean much on the street. The gsxr is definately the best bang for the buck, still outperforms........just ugly as hell now. lol
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lol no
 
Why lol no? The R6 is always the peakiest most lethargic 600 on the market... the power delivery is pitiful and it has no midrange whatsoever. I wouldn't necessarily care too much about that for a track/race bike, but if you're buying a peaky little 600 thats already high strung to begin with for street use, getting the R6 is just an extra kick in the face.
 
Also keep in mind that you will instantly become part of the gixxer squid club!
 
i sat on all 3 a couple days ago, and im a fairly average height guy, maybe a little shorter than average (tiny bit) and i can tell you real quick the gixxer is the shortest (lowest) the CBR is mid height, and the R6 is the tallest, i know they all have pretty much the same power, the differences there would be i guarantee are unnoticeable. so start with which one works best for your height, and then take it out on a demo day to see if its comfortable for you, if not, try the next one that COULD work but isnt preferable, demo that, if you like that one better, you got a tough choice to make
 
Now in all fairness I am comparing different years and I can't speak for the new GSXRs as I've never ridden one, but sitting on an '09 felt the same as the '03 I used to have.

I am a bit taller so I don't notice which bike is higher with my feet on the ground, but after riding on a '03 GSXR 750 for a bit, the '09 CBR feels so cramped. The handle bars are lower and the tank seems smaller so I am sitting closer to the handlebars. My wrists get tired much faster then they used to on the GSXR. I never actually rode an R6 or ZX6R, but from sitting on the R6 it felt just like CBR. Much more aggressive seating position and closer to the handlebars (might not be true, but that's how I interpret the feeling of being cramped on it). GSXR had an almost identical seating position to the SV650, much more relaxed and comfortable for me.
 
Thanks for all the comments and insight on brands and bikes. I knew there would be a handful of people who would like to share their experiences with these popular models. Keep em coming! So far the CBR 600 is in the lead for most popular model in comparison!
 
IMO the zx6 is the best 600, but since it's not on your list I won't include it. The R6 has very weak midrange......an aftermarket pipe and powercommander/Bazzaz really help that bike. Looks the best too.
The CBR600 had a suspension that really worked well for a person my size.......actually the spring rates were almost spot on. The only complaints I had was the brakes, and lack of slipper clutch. The front brakes sponginess was fixed with braided brake lines. The lack of slipper clutch meant it would upset the chassis quite a bit down shifting into first from 2nd on those spirited rides. Those aftermarket slipperclutches are quite expensive. The steering damper works great. Great engine, could use a few hp up top, an aftermarket exhaust helps alot. I do like the quality......even the bolts don't strip as easily as on the GSXR's. Hopefully an updated model with a slipper clutch comes out soon.
The GSXR has a suspension that's a bit soft for me, great bike for the price.
 
mmmnaked said:
Why lol no? The R6 is always the peakiest most lethargic 600 on the market... the power delivery is pitiful and it has no midrange whatsoever. I wouldn't necessarily care too much about that for a track/race bike, but if you're buying a peaky little 600 thats already high strung to begin with for street use, getting the R6 is just an extra kick in the face.
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This can be solved with a full exhaust and powercommander. My first bike was and is currently a 08r6 with a full yoshi race exhaust and powercommander. The bike is a bit sluggish below 8k but i tend to keep my revs around 8k anyways. The cbr looks too much like the 125 and just doesnt look very aggresive. the gixxer im not a fan of the single headlight and overall look of the bike i dont know if i hate it or love it.
 
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black06r6 said:
This can be solved with a full exhaust and powercommander. My first bike was and is currently a 08r6 with a full yoshi race exhaust and powercommander. The bike is a bit sluggish below 8k but i tend to keep my revs around 8k anyways. The cbr looks too much like the 125 and just doesnt look very aggresive. the gixxer im not a fan of the single headlight and overall look of the bike i dont know if i hate it or love it.
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I agree aftermarket parts can be added wake the bike up but I was very surprised how the bike reacted compared to my stock gixxer. I did like that the bike was much smoother while accellerating/braking. The gixxer is very jerky when not at full throttle in first gear.
 
of the new 600ss bikes the CBR has the fattest mid range but also looks the worst and not meant for a taller rider, the first street mod you should do to any 600 is the -1/+2 after that you wont be missing any mid range just good luck keeping the front wheel on the ground in 1st and 2nd.
 
Based on my personal experience with the Suzuki. They don't stand behind their products. Back in April when I had the herky jerky issue on my gsxr600 and still 6 months left before warranty expires, the guy took down my info and said I will hear from him in a week, I didn't hear from him at all. So I gave him another week still no news. I call up the guy, he says he is working on it and should be another week. I gave him a month and half still no progress. I visited the shop another guy checks the register and goes oh yeah he has your info in the book give him some time. We are in June now, still no updates. I was like F it. When I can afford a 10K bike I can definitely afford couple hundred dollars to fix it at my own cost. Im kinda guy if I don't the service expected/promised I just stop buying.
Yamaha and Kawasaki: I know kawi is not on the list but they have excellent customer service. Two of my friends own each brand. They both a had a problem with their bikes, call up the shop and guy tells them to drop off the bikes the next day after doing so service guy calls them back the next day letting them know they have figured the problem and told them when to pick it up. a week later the same guy calls them again to see if they are happy with their bikes.
 
I have a 2008 R6 and I find it's pretty compromising in seating position. The seat tilts upwards towards the back where other 600's tend to have a flatter seat.

I've ridden a 2009 ZX-6R and it did have more of a mid-range punch. It also was a bit more relaxed in seating position - it felt like you sat more behind the tank and bars, rather than up and over it like on the R6. The Owner of the Kawasaki rode my bike and he said it felt lighter and had the same or more power.

My bike has a full Leo Vince system and when I put that on I noticed right away more of a snappy feel to the bike...more response and more punch when you gave it a lot of gas. That feeling is probably aided by the sweet sound, too.

Either way I think that any of the 600's are going to be a blast to ride and go more than fast enough to get dangerous on. Just get the one that you like most and go with it...you can always trade for something else later on.
 
gixxe_r said:
Suzuki. They don't stand behind their products. Back in April when I had the herky jerky issue on my gsxr600.....
Yamaha and Kawasaki: Two of my friends own each brand. They both a had a problem with their bikes.....
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I see Honda isn't on the list :D
 
Youre never gonna exploit the bikes to the point that you will see a difference. Go for comfort and looks..
 
gixxe_r said:
Based on my personal experience with the Suzuki. They don't stand behind their products. Back in April when I had the herky jerky issue on my gsxr600 and still 6 months left before warranty expires, the guy took down my info and said I will hear from him in a week, I didn't hear from him at all. So I gave him another week still no news. I call up the guy, he says he is working on it and should be another week. I gave him a month and half still no progress. I visited the shop another guy checks the register and goes oh yeah he has your info in the book give him some time. We are in June now, still no updates. I was like F it. When I can afford a 10K bike I can definitely afford couple hundred dollars to fix it at my own cost. Im kinda guy if I don't the service expected/promised I just stop buying.
Yamaha and Kawasaki: I know kawi is not on the list but they have excellent customer service. Two of my friends own each brand. They both a had a problem with their bikes, call up the shop and guy tells them to drop off the bikes the next day after doing so service guy calls them back the next day letting them know they have figured the problem and told them when to pick it up. a week later the same guy calls them again to see if they are happy with their bikes.
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The herky jerky throttle has nothing to do with a warranty issue. It's just the way the bike is mapped. I installed a x-tre and it made a HUGE difference! Now my first 3 gears use my 4 gear fuel map. It increased my fuel economy and made the bike smoother.
 
AmaRu said:
I'm curious as to why the Kawi zx6r isn't on your list.
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Ah just because I was trying to keep it related to the brands carried at Brampton PowerSports and was interested in finding out peoples personal opinions about them. But! Feel free to add your comparisons if you like of course!
 
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