SUZUKI GSR600

599cc 88bhp 785mm seat height

Launched to great hype as ‘the Baby B-King’, the GSR600 ended up as just another new model, hatched, like many other Suzukis, by taking an existing engine (GSX-R600 K4, in this case), retuning it for more mid-range, putting it in a new set of clothes, and cutting the price by fitting cheap equipment. Nobody saw the point, as Suzuki’s 650 Bandit was already around and arguably doing a better job. But there’s not too much wrong with it really and that means it can make a good used buy.

Buyer beware

Mechanicals are fine, but front suspension is too soft and the rear too hard. Reg/rec failure not unknown. A Power Commander improves the snatchy fuelling. The standard underseat exhaust gets peppered with muck from rear the wheel and corrodes easily.