Suzuki GSX-R750 or GSX-R600 (or maybe CBR -RR600)?

Apart from the odd hired bike I'm getting back into bikes after about
20 years.
I always went for sports bikes and also i've always had a soft spot
for Suzuki (from the Barry Sheene days)

There doesn't seem a great deal between the 750 & 600 (they both come
out really well on all the tests i've seen) - apart from the power
difference - the handling seems fairly similar on both. There is about
£1500 between them - is the extra worth it for the 750? the
reliability of the Honda is enticing but the heart is ruling the head
at the moment unless anyone can give me good reasons otherwise

i'll be using it for a 40 mile round trip to work & up and down the M3
from london to southampton at weekends. (will the 600 be ok for my 14
1/2 stones???)

really appreciate some advice
thanks
Frank

 

If you're talking about the 2004 models, they should as they're exactly the
same, except for the engine.

Yes, though I'm not sure it's the best suited bike to motorway plodding...

Why don't get you get a test ride ? Be warned though, 20 years of
development has turned 600's into quite nippy machines (despite what you
read here) and the 750 in particular could well bite if you're not careful.
OBviously nothing like a 1000 version but still.

 

The 750 is likely to hold its value better.

 

Is that because of less sold, or different appeal? Bloody hard to tell
apart, but so far I've seen more 750 K4's then 600's - scientific sample of
one

Definitely a bike I want a go on...

 

Yeah, but 20 years ago a Bandit 6 would have been a cutting edge sports
bike.... Just.

Having had a Y model 750, I'd say go for that as it was bloody lovely. But
again, it's *nothing* like a sports bike of 20 years ago. the riding
position will be extreme, to say the least. The engine performance will be
about 30-odd% higher in *real* terms than was *claimed* for a sports 750 in
1984 (so about 80% higher at the wheel).

The handling may "seem fairly similar", but what do you have to match it
against in your own experience? My own experience was that the GSXR was way
better than I ever will be. And the newer ones are supposed to handle
better....

This really isn't GSXR territory... Or CBR-RR territory. That said, if its
*really* what you want and (like most of us) you cant have a garage full of
bikes that can be used for all occasiona, buy the one you like the look of
most. Again, that's what I did with the GSXR. But I did end up having to
sell it after 10 months at a large loss as, although it was the best sports
bike I have ever ridden, it just was too much 90% of the time when I was
commuting or out for a 'leisurely' ride or something similar as I just
couldn't justify such a committed machine for that type of riding. Oh, and
it hurt my wrists like hell too...

Not wishing to sway your judgement, but if you *really* want a 'sports' bike
then try a 955i. I know I'm biased (I have one now). And they seem to have
a reputation for having shite head bearings (mine's done 14k and the head
bearings are shot). But they're plenty fast enough and sound *gorgeous* and
they're just a bit less 'bok'....

The Daytona is still a 'modern' sports bike. just not a 'supersports' bike.
If you can live with a mere 112bhp and 75ft/lbf at the wheel and a competent
chassis, 160mph+, reasonable comfort, cheaper insurance *and* a ready made
excuse if you're slower than your mates [1] then its a top choice

No problem

Dave

[1] "Well I would've kept up, but the extra 30kg meant the front pushed and
that 190 section rear slows the steering and, anyway, I'm 25bhp down on your
R1, so *actually* I'm faster, given I kept up most of the way with those to
hinder me..."... etc etc etc

 

There are lots of used 600s around, and for many, it comes down to the
colour you prefer or what comes up first.

But the 750 is a diffrent kettle of fish - same dimensions, more power.

And the soprts 750 has been a neglected class for years. Kawasaki's ZX7R
was a cracker, but is very dated now. A few years down the line, a
really clean used sports 750 is going to be money in the bank.

 

Hmm another reason not to sell mine . Although 'really clean' might be
stretching it a wee bit!