SUZUKI GSX-R600 (2004 - 2005) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Annual servicing cost: £130
Power: 98 bhp
Seat height: Medium (32.5 in / 825 mm)
Weight: Low (355 lbs / 161 kg)

Prices

New N/A
Used £4,000

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

It was never the fastest or the most powerful in the supersports class of '04 and '05, but the Suzuki GSX-R600 was easily the most fun, especially on the track.

Boasting the lightest weight of all its contenders, the most track-focused chassis and the most evil sounding engine note, the Suzuki GSX-R600 is the 600 for dedicated hardcore riders.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
5 out of 5 (5/5)

Such is the impeccable set-up of the Suzuki GSX-R600's chassis straight from the crate it’s very simple to jump on and go fast straight away.

The fully adjustable suspension is compliant enough to glide over B-road bumps at speed with complete composure; bit still keeps things in control when you’re hooning around the track. An extreme riding position means long distances aren’t the Suzuki GSX-R600's forte.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Although it was the only supersports tool at the time that never quite broke the magic 100bhp mark at the rear wheel, none of that mattered in the real world where the Suzuki GSX-R600 was every bit as fast as the competition.

What it lost in ultimate top-end power (which is why it never really succeeded in race guise) the Suzuki GSX-R600 gained in usable mid-range grunt (for a 600), ably assisted by its low all-up weight. 

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Mechanically Suzuki GSX-R600s can take all the abuse you can through at them, so even if they’ve had a hard life, they’re still a good buy provided they’ve been serviced and looked after properly. The paint finish on the Suzuki GSX-R600's bodywork and engine isn’t the best though and can mark/chip a little too easily.  

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Even though there’s a new generation Suzuki GSX-R600 now, not to mention new a new Honda CBR600RR, Kawasaki ZX-6R, Yamaha R6 and a Triumph Daytona 675, the old K4/K5 Suzuki GSX-R600 would run them all very close on the road and track.

They’re so close it’s the rider that’s going to make the difference; and that makes the Suzuki GSX-R600 excellent value for money.

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Suzuki GSX-R600 is a thinly veiled race bike, so all you get for your money are the bare essentials to make it as fast and handle well as possible, oh and just about legal. Aside from the Suzuki GSX-R600'shuge beam frame and rev-hungry short-stroke engine you get radially-mounted four-piston front brakes, fully-adjustable suspension and somewhere to sit.

Specs

Engine size 599cc
Engine type 16v, in-line-four, fuel-injection, 6 gears
Frame type Aluminium twin spar
Fuel capacity 17 litres
Seat height 825mm
Bike weight 161kg
Front suspension Fully adjustable
Rear suspension Fully adjustable
Front brake Twin 300mm discs, four-piston radial calipers.
Rear brake 220mm disc, twin piston caliper
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 180/55 x 17

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 38 mpg
Annual road tax £84
Annual service cost £130
New price -
Used price £4,000
Insurance group 15 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 98 bhp
Max torque 44 ft-lb
Top speed 164 mph
1/4 mile acceleration 11.15 secs
Tank range 142 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2004: Suzuki GSX-R600 K4 launched.
2006: Suzuki GSX-R600 replaced.

Other versions

None.

Owners' reviews for the SUZUKI GSX-R600 (2004 - 2005)

8 owners have reviewed their SUZUKI GSX-R600 (2004 - 2005) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your SUZUKI GSX-R600 (2004 - 2005)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4.4 out of 5 (4.4/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.4 out of 5 (4.4/5)
Engine: 4.9 out of 5 (4.9/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.8 out of 5 (4.8/5)
Equipment: 4.1 out of 5 (4.1/5)
Annual servicing cost: £130
4 out of 5 Ludicrous Missile
24 November 2017 by TashMan

Version: Yellow Beauty

Year: 2004

Ludicrously fast for it's stated power output; a tad uncomfortable, but you don't ride one of these beasts for comfort - you ride it for sheer pleasure! I've owned two Kawasaki 636s (2006) in the past and they were mental - smoked a Murcielago in a 1/4 mile race. Yet, this GSXR 600 feels just as fast, and the torque is neck-snapping. You often read reviews where riders say their 636 is faster than a GSXR 600, but now I'm wondering whether they could be the same, and it's just down to the rider's aptitude. Your wrists shouldn't hurt because you're supposed to hold yourself using your legs and back, but the aggressive riding position is a pain in the back and shoulder (I'm 5'6"), but as I said you ride this type of missile for the thrill and not for practicality/comfort. I can barely get out of 2nd gear in London and I'm not even reaching 8000 RPMs and still hitting over 40mph - there are 4 more gears to be used! Mistakes / road errors can be forgiven by this machine (wet drain covers, cornering at high speeds) - a 1000cc would high-side, catapulting you to the moon; this 600cc sucks it up and keeps you upright as you burn tar-mac. Last but by no means least, the design is beautiful -last of the manly looking bikes before they all got curvier and smalled; and the headlight unit/design is gorgeous and unique to other GSXR years. You'll have a lot of fun.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

I've not tried the new S1000RRs and Panigales, but for this bike's age and spec it's far beyond my riding ability, and I've done track days, owned GSXR 1000, and Kawasaki 636s.

Engine 5 out of 5

Bulletproof

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

OEM parts and labour are as cheap/expensive as any OEM Japanese bike.

Equipment 5 out of 5

Who cares!

Buying experience: Private - £2500

3 out of 5
23 October 2015 by Max Mazurov

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £130

Use it and abuse it - I have gone through pretty much every 600 of the same "era" and this one is the most pleasant, but unspectacular one of them. As always with Suzuki - you will love the engine and gearbox, however handling is way behind the Ninjas and CBRs. For some reason Suzuki decided to give the gixxer a huge seat height, which makes it awkward in the corners. Overall, the gixxer is good but not spectacular and whatever you are after ( track, city riding, comfort, etc.) you should be able to find a better equivalent 600, but if you want a bike that will do it all reasonably well - go for gixxer.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

Brakes have always been Suzuki's weak point

Engine 5 out of 5

I found the stock fuelling very top-heavy. Injection management gizmo sorted it out very well...

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Awesome, never had any issues with Suzuki

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Depends if you service yourself or outsource

Equipment 3 out of 5

for the age, the bike had a fair bit of gadgets on it - it even had a rev warning light.

Buying experience: Go privately and look to pay around £2600 for a good [stock] one

4 out of 5 had it for 4 months
12 October 2013 by geoffart

Lovely bike for short distance... if you are not in a busy inner city trying to move and park around parked vehicles in bad weather and poor visibility. The aggressive riding position can mean shoulder checks are restricted and obviously long distance riding can be painful especially due to cramped leg position..... but, its a sports bike. Lovely sounding engine, nice precise handling, not bad on fuel for what it is. Fun to ride most of the time. If you want a sports bike this is great. If you think you might want a sports bike as your main bike then be prepared to sacrifice some real world practicality for the joys of having a real sports bike. Im not looking to sell it soon. My last bike was the gsxf650, which I was forced to let go when it was written off by a white van.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 3 out of 5
4 out of 5 spot on
27 July 2010 by andycone1985

had one for two years, brill bike can not fault it. top speed needs to be changed on here though will do 182. max ha ha

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 New Rider
12 June 2008 by silentsleeper1977

My first bike after Direct Access I was warned off this bike as a first, The bike is fast yes but only if you want it to be. I was suprised how easy it was to drive easy to drive slowly and smooth at a much faster speed on a bumpy country lane aswell. Handles well alot easier to do manovers than the GS500 i did my test on.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 The Best 600
22 February 2008 by ruff_ryderyzf

Owned since Feb 2006 Problems Only that has let me down was the alarm, kept immobilising the bike and giving lots of false alarms. Have had this replaced and has been fine since. Wont be using Acumen alarms in the future, will stick to Meta systems. Review Moved on to this from a SRAD600, in my opinion the 2 bikes couldn't be more different even though they're from the same stable. Where as the SRAD is a short lardy ar*e bike the K4 is quite supermodel like in comparision. It's slightly taller so shortar*e's may struggle to get a leg over but it's lighter and thinner so once you're on its a lot easier to throw around. Saying that though it is still a comfy bike, the seat is nicely padded, the pegs at the right height (for me anyway, 5' 11") and a decent reach to the bars, racy but not extreme. The original screen had to go in exchange for a DB, on my first ride home my head was getting ripped off with the wind blast!!!! As with any bike get some crash bungs as well. Suspension wise - it's there and fully adjustable, mine is on the factory settings which you may find too soft for hard riding. I don't understand all this compression and rebound malarky but I know it's too soft for the track so will get it adjusted on my next trackday. Brakes - You pull the lever, the bike stops. You pull it too hard, you'll go over the bars!!! Do radial brakes really make a difference to the everyday rider??? Not to me but they look good!! Engine - It's always started first time and never let me down, pulls strongly from 3-4k rpm right to the redline. Good for a indicated 160mph (on a private test track of course). Decent amount of midrange as well allowing you to be lazy with the 'box. Gearbox - It's a Gixxer, best gearboxes on the planet!!! Final Word I love my bike!!! Plan to keep it for another year but only because I'll want more power, even then I plan to stay in the GSXR family with poss a K6 750. Its done whatever I've asked of it, whether thrapping round a track, bimbling round country roads or got me home in torrential rain. It's never let me down apart from the alarm which is an aftermarket thing, it's got the power when you need it, the brakes are fantastic, it doesn't cripple you each time you get on it. It's built my confidence up a lot and when it goes it will be missed!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 feels good
19 August 2007 by bwbilly

Just bought a gixer 6 k4, i've had a few bikes but this is by far the best, handles well and has a good wrist to mph reaction. gets a wee tad sore on the wrists after about 20-30 miles but apart from that there is nowt wrong with it. just changed my TL1000R for this GSXR 600.........great move

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
5 out of 5 Get one!
06 April 2006 by fazeryam

I owned a Gixer K4 last year and did 3000 miles on it. I loved the bike (apart from the comfort) and foolishly traded it in for a new Yamaha Fazer FZ6 because I thought my wife would prefer it for riding pillion. Well she came out on the Fazer twice and decided it wasn't for her. So I've regretted selling the GSXR ever since. The Fazer may have more comfort but in terms of looks and excitement it's like comparing a Ford Mondeo with a Porche 911. Get a GSXR. Period. Strengths: Looks, engine, sound, wind protection, lightness, agility, brilliant acceleration. And it's a GSXR. The best 600 in my opinion. Weaknesses: A bit heavy on the wrists, and no hugger as standard - thats about it. But I'm going to get another one. A K4 or K5. So that says a lot for it !

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
Back to top