Staff bikes: Suzuki GSX-R600 - setting it up to suit

The GSX-R600 is great fun on the open road, but at slow speed the riding position can be torture – supersport 600s aren’t known for their comfort and in fairness that’s not what they’re about.

But that said I’ve managed to drastically reduce muscle ache in two simple steps – and without spending a penny. 

The bars are low of course, but that’s not really a problem. The issue is the pegs – even for a relative shortass like me they’re too high as standard. But thankfully Suzuki have thoughtfully made them adjustable. There are 3 settings and from the factory they’re set to the middle position. I’ve moved them down to the lower setting, but there’s also an even higher and further back setting for the proper sadists out there.

Moving the pegs down was as simple as loosening some allen bolts and then adjusting the brake pedal and gear lever to suit. As it happens I found the gear lever too low in relation to the peg before, so with the peg lower it’s just right and I didn’t have to touch it.

The difference this tiny change has made is huge. The pegs are about an inch lower at most, but an inch can make a big difference (ask the ladies). The only tiny niggle I have is that the right footpeg hanger touches the bellypan and the brake pedal fouls it ever so slightly when fully depressed, despite adjustment. It won’t cause a problem, but it’ll bother me.

I’ll be interested to see if ground clearance is an issue at my next track day, but I very much doubt it.

The other thing I’ve done is adjust the brake and clutch levers at the bars. As stock they’re level with the grips, but I was told by a fellow MCN staffer that ideally the levers should be set lower, in line with your arm and hand so that you’re not bending your wrist to grip them. The bike is transformed, the levers fall so nicely to hand and it’s so much more comfortable. 

All in all, for the sake of about 20 minutes work I’ve completely changed the way the bike feels and effectively set it up to fit me. Mint.

Further reading:
Staff bike blogs | Suzuki GSX-R600 blog

gsxr60010 blog10