Suzuki GSXR 600

[Steve H]

Bike #2 in the Sports 600 test rides and I was really looking forward to it. As some of you maybe aware I've test ridden the Daytona ( www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=262500&highlight=#262500 ) and was really impressed with it - although I do have an obvious 'Triumph Buy British' bias.

I'd booked the test ride a few weeks ago and early Saturday morning saw me travelling the 10 miles to Cheltenham where my nearest Suzuki dealership is based. As I arrived at the bike shop balloons, bunting, burgers and MCN birds were milling about and for one moment I thought that they'd really given me the red carpet treatment, alas no, it was their annual open day and as I parked my bike up I was given the obligatory plastic bag containing 3 tonnes of advertising literature, a rubber key ring and an 'Ogri' sticker (am I the only 'biker dude' that doesn't find his comic strip funny?), where the hell I was supposed to put the cumbersome bag on the ride home was anybody’s guess!

Anyway, I walked into the dealership and was shown the bike...

https://www.motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/suzuki%20pics/GSXR600B_W%20SMALL.jpg

and as is the norm on test rides given the 'tour of the controls'. The bloke gave me the key and then introduced me to 'Pete' who was 'accompanying you on your test ride'. At this point I thought 'What's he gonna do ride pillion?' The answer was a resounding 'No' as Pete put his helmet on and grunted 'Follow Me' as he sat astride one of these

https://www.motobykz.co.uk/Suzuki/gsx1400.jpg

I got on the bike and he rode in front on a predetermined route of approximately 15 miles that, whilst OK was no the ideal way to ascertain whether the bike was 'for me' or not.

When we returned (after approximately 20 minutes) I was asked what I thought of the bike and I gave my verdict 'I don't know', explaining that 15 miles and 20 minutes wasn't long enough for me to make an informed opinion. 'Read the Magazines, they’ll tell you which is the best' (For those that don't know the GSXR is widely considered to be the better 'all rounder' out of the Sports 600 group) i was told. I pointed out that if I did that then there would be no need for a test ride and I'd just give them six grand and ride off into the sunset on the basis of what Neil 'Knee Slider' Journalist thought. The reviews aren't the point I explained, I want to test ride all the 600's in this particular class and then make an informed opinion.

It was explained to me that due to Insurance problems (i.e. people continually crashing bikes on test rides) the dealer has had to give the insurance company 2 predetermined routes and then guarantee that ALL rides be accompanied. This is apparently going to become the norm with the majority of dealers over the coming months I was informed. How they are going to actually sell bikes on this basis is beyond me as I certainly wasn't going to be tempted to part with 6 grand (negotiable ) on the basis of the time that was allotted to me.

Was there anyway that I could have the bike for longer 'No chance our insurer won't allow it' was the answer.

So the GSXR 600 in summation - It feels quick (although I didn’t get the chance to see if it was - I'm sure it is though!!), the clutch is as smooth as silk, gear changes are easy (clutchless gear changes are a doddle), brakes weren't used in anger although they felt fantastic and it filters well - Unless I can get a decent test ride on one however I'm afraid it's in the alternate pile
____________________
Mellow Yellow
The BCF Top TEN - 2010, 2009, 2008, The Original.

[iCraig]

I hate the way some dealers don't let you test ride at all these days.

They say I'm too young, I'm 20 and have been riding fully for 3 years, but yet they allow 40 somethings that haven't ridden in 20 years out on R1 .

Its wrong just wrong I tell thee!

Maybe some sort of deposit system kind of thing should be used like £100, if you bin it we keep the deposit kind of thing.

Good luck on getting the GSXR too .

[Shaun]

[Bendy]

Perhaps the dealers should start allowing people to test bikes under their own insurance, after all most of us have TPO on other bikes and if it's the tester thats are going to be the one with the claim then they're less likely to stack it.

Doesn't help the 'kids' but then they're not usually allowed to test ride anything anyway, certainly not from big dealers.

[VTR SP1]

Try Fraisers in Gloucester. They are a Suzuki dealer as well as Yamaha and Kawasaki. Bransons Honda and Triumph dealer is just around the corner and I know for a fact they let you take the bike where you want for 1 hour.
Bransons have a very good reputation but Fraisers ain't so good.
Dave Parrys yamaha in Cheltenham are also very good.

Why not try George White superbikes in Swindon. Just a quick blast down the A417.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Finding any dealer to give you a test ride is an achievement, and to be honest not that surprising. Would you give £6000 to someone walking in from the street and trust them to bring it back?

Think I would be tempted to ask whether I could do another run on their other route.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[hustler]

[Steve H]

In response to a couple of points raised...

On every test ride bar one that I've undertaken I've had to sign a liability form that gives the rider responsibility for a portion of the repairs should any damage be incurred to the machine whilst in his/her possession - Basically it's an excess, yesterday it was £1000.00.

[Bendy]

[Andy99]

I got a test ride on a GSXR1000 a while ago and could go/do what i liked while someone followed.
____________________
Nothing gets the point across quite like a raised middle digit.

Just call me General Crazypaws.

[california_rookie]

In my obviously biased opinion, the Gixxer's the perfect supersport 600. I've not got a single complaint about it, aside from the smell of the exhaust.

You could do far worse than nab one for 'round 6 grand.
____________________
https://www.bikepics.com/members/californiarookie/04gsxr600/
https://www.myspace.com/spapadillion
https://steamcommunity.com/id/spapadillion