View Full Version : Gsxr 600 k8
Looks pretty definate now I'm getting a new bike so I'm looking for opinions as I'm fairly heavily leaning towards a new GSXR 600 K8 from George Whites (they have a kit deal going on).
It seems like a fair few people on here have on so what they like?? I know I'm going to have to ride it but before I do, opinions please. Other possibilities are Kwak ZX6 & Honda 600rr.
Jamiebridges123
20-05-09, 04:46 PM
Get an R6. GSXR's are pretty boys bikes, the 08 ZX6 is a little.. crap and the Honda is jus t too safe for it's own good. :D
Everything I've read has suggested the GSXR600 is the best road bike of all the 600 supersport class. That's what I'd be leaning towards but you're the only person to answer the question, go and ride them all.
I love mine, it's comfy (i'm 6ft), infact it's more comfortable than the SV, it handles great, plenty of power even low down, first real kick is at around 4000rpm and then about 8000rpm onwards things get abit blurry :-D...
Despite the GSXR being a popular bike i've only seen a handful of K8's on the road so they're not that common (at the moment)... One thing i will say though, try to avoid hearing another K8 with a full system, i did and it cost me alot of money :-D...
Fuel economy (if your bothered) is quiet good, i get on average 120miles to the light, I have managed to see 150miles before filling up but i didn't risk it anymore. It's rather easy to see under 100miles to the light though depending on what mood your in 8-) ...
I can't compare it to anything other than the SV but the only other 600 i would have gone for is the CBR600rr, they seem the best road going bikes out there. The R6 is lovely but very track focused, same with the Kwak and Daytona suppose to be great on track but not as easy on the road...
Overall i can't say theres anything that has disapointed me about the GSXR, i will one day change my bike again but i'm certainly in no rush. When i had me SV i'd look at other bikes and want to change but i haven't got that feeling with this one,,, yet!!!
Rich
Jackie_Black
20-05-09, 05:34 PM
I have the ZX6 and i'm toying with getting rid of it because its too focussed for me. Amazing pece of kit though, very strong **** ya pants engine and stupid brakes.
imaleon
20-05-09, 06:03 PM
The cbr600rr seems to win the majority of tests in magazines, although there isn't much in it at all. Everyone is going to be pretty biased about their opinion if they own one of your options. Ride them all, see what deals are around, and go for what you want....and obviously you want the CBR :D
Jackie_Black
20-05-09, 06:34 PM
CBR if i had the money but I saved £2k on the price of a cbr with the ninja.
BanditPat
20-05-09, 06:54 PM
get a gixxer, don't want to buy a h***a now do you, boring ;]
i'd try the daytona sposed to kick some serious 600 ass.
Jamiebridges123
20-05-09, 07:27 PM
I love mine, it's comfy (i'm 6ft), infact it's more comfortable than the SV, it handles great, plenty of power even low down, first real kick is at around 4000rpm and then about 8000rpm onwards things get abit blurry :-D...
Despite the GSXR being a popular bike i've only seen a handful of K8's on the road so they're not that common (at the moment)... One thing i will say though, try to avoid hearing another K8 with a full system, i did and it cost me alot of money :-D...
Fuel economy (if your bothered) is quiet good, i get on average 120miles to the light, I have managed to see 150miles before filling up but i didn't risk it anymore. It's rather easy to see under 100miles to the light though depending on what mood your in 8-) ...
I can't compare it to anything other than the SV but the only other 600 i would have gone for is the CBR600rr, they seem the best road going bikes out there. The R6 is lovely but very track focused, same with the Kwak and Daytona suppose to be great on track but not as easy on the road...
Overall i can't say theres anything that has disapointed me about the GSXR, i will one day change my bike again but i'm certainly in no rush. When i had me SV i'd look at other bikes and want to change but i haven't got that feeling with this one,,, yet!!!
Rich
MCN did a review of all the supersport 600's and the Daytona won on both the track (outright) and IIRC it was joint top on the road. The Honda was last on the track and the Suzuki was second to last.
I can find it and pull up the results if anyone's interested. :)
Edit : Got a couple of videos for you
Track test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9difKTogRo&feature=channel)
Road test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdfnuhWB_RA&feature=channel)
Tim in Belgium
20-05-09, 07:28 PM
Get an R6. GSXR's are pretty boys bikes, the 08 ZX6 is a little.. crap and the Honda is jus t too safe for it's own good. :D
Get a GSXR 750, the thinking man's SS600 :D
fizzwheel
20-05-09, 07:50 PM
Get a GSXR 750, the thinking man's SS600 :D
He's right you know. If you can stretch to the extra on purchase and insurance then that'd be what I'd go for.. oh look I did :D
MCN did a review of all the supersport 600's and the Daytona won on both the track (outright) and IIRC it was joint top on the road. The Honda was last on the track and the Suzuki was second to last.
I can find it and pull up the results if anyone's interested. :)
Edit : Got a couple of videos for you
Track test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9difKTogRo&feature=channel)
Road test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdfnuhWB_RA&feature=channel)
I've read a few reviews too mate and did do my research aswell. How many relatively new 600's have you tried on the road and what did you think? (not a dig just wondering) The guys that do these reviews have ridden every bike going so have alot to compare it too, where as when i chose my bike i sat on a few to see what the seating position was like ect, i couldn't do a test ride as i'm too young but i read alot of reviews and found that it was between the GSXR and CBR for best road going bike,, including comfort and ease of use.. Fortunatly for Andy he can do test rides and find out for himself what he wants, he was asking for peoples opinions on the GSXR600 K8 of which i own so i gave my review, my quotes from magazines might not be 100% but it's only my view on things it's not gospel!!!!!
Jamiebridges123
20-05-09, 08:12 PM
I haven't ridden any of these 600's :( Yet... when my "restricted" period is done I'll be trying a street triple or a 675... need a job though. :D
Tim in Belgium
20-05-09, 08:16 PM
Wrt the 750 I rode no other bikes, I just bought one after a quick burn up in the wet. I knew they were quick round the Ring (~5s slower IIRC than the R version of the Mille as tested by Bren, I mean the Baron round the Ring), quicker than a D675, are easier to live with than a 600 on the road, and can do all that touring stuff, and have that Suzuki mechanical reliabilty that means you can use it for 1000s of kms. I was looking at Duke 999s, Daytona 675s, Aprillia Milles but in the end a do it all bike for the next 4 years the GSXR came out tops, plus it's efffing fast :D
Edit,
Picture added, apologies if it's a little too "pretty" :
http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/43279/2409484720084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2409484720084392296BAmPHW)
Jamiebridges123
20-05-09, 08:18 PM
Yeah I'd vote 1 for a 750. Hear nothing but praise about them. Look quite nice as well, saw one a while back with some nice bits and a fancy Yoshi can..
I haven't ridden any of these 600's :( Yet... when my "restricted" period is done I'll be trying a street triple or a 675... need a job though. :D
Ahh so no experiance on the 600's and no real input on the bikes he was asking about, thats helpful!!!! Sorry to have a dig, but you were quick enough to pick fault at my review relevent to the original question, if he's interested in the 675 i'm sure he'll be along later to thank you for your help!!!
Jamiebridges123
20-05-09, 08:28 PM
Nah i've only ridden the rs125, some crappy commuter thing, cg, ybr, z750 and the sv. I just posted up the MCN stuff and and based my views from reading from the paper itself. :)
Sorry it seemed to pick fault with your review cause it wasn't :(
I don't know, I leave you lot alone for 5 minutes and a dispute breaks out! ;)
Seriously though, thanks for all the input guys. I would like a 750 but it's coming in at around £8800 which added with extra insurance is probably a bit too much especially as I've never been wanting more power than I have with my current ZX6R.
Rich: Whats it like for comfort/long distance rides & can you remember the service interval on it as I'll be using it for year round commuting :)
Tim in Belgium
20-05-09, 08:36 PM
I don't know, I leave you lot alone for 5 minutes and a dispute breaks out! ;)
Seriously though, thanks for all the input guys. I would like a 750 but it's coming in at around £8800 which added with extra insurance is probably a bit too much especially as I've never been wanting more power than I have with my current ZX6R.
Rich: Whats it like for comfort/long distance rides & can you remember the service interval on it as I'll be using it for year round commuting :)
Buy a K7 750 with 1000 miles off some weekend warrior fool then, win/win, before engine management systems kills bikes, bigger discs and less depreciation!
Tim in Belgium
20-05-09, 08:38 PM
PS I've ridden 370 kms to the Ring one afternoon, done 12 laps the next day and ridden 370 kms home on the GSXR (ergonomics are the same as the 600 I believe) and my main issue was being cold on the way back, not something I could blame on the bike, haaaahhaaaaa :)
Jackie_Black
20-05-09, 08:41 PM
Even though Luke thinks the ZX6 is ****e you know its gonna have the best (banshee) motor (triumph excepted).
Plus the 2008 one will only cost about 5.5k new.
The new one is meant to be amazing though. I reckon though they are all the same unless you know what the hell you're on about so just buy the cheapest or the one you like the look of!!
I don't know, I leave you lot alone for 5 minutes and a dispute breaks out! ;)
Seriously though, thanks for all the input guys. I would like a 750 but it's coming in at around £8800 which added with extra insurance is probably a bit too much especially as I've never been wanting more power than I have with my current ZX6R.
Rich: Whats it like for comfort/long distance rides & can you remember the service interval on it as I'll be using it for year round commuting :)
I'm going up to Nottingham next week on it and have covered the distance on the gsxr a few times. It's more comfy than the sv was for long distance I can regularly ride 200miles without stopping for nothing more than petrol. I find I can easily rest my arms on my knees with my head tucked behind the screen it's such a natural possition. Another good thing is the rearsets are adjustable too I have gilles on mine now but the position of the standard ones on the lowest setting felt great. I used to cramp up on the sv every ride but rarely do on the gsxr.
Service intervals are 600,4000,7500,11000,14500 and so on, so not too bad. The bridgestone rear wears out at around 4000 miles so in your position I'd look at sport touring tyres.
fizzwheel
20-05-09, 08:54 PM
IIRC the 14500 service is the biggie with the valve clearance check.
I'm going up to Nottingham next week on it and have covered the distance on the gsxr a few times. It's more comfy than the sv was for long distance I can regularly ride 200miles without stopping for nothing more than petrol. I find I can easily rest my arms on my knees with my head tucked behind the screen it's such a natural possition. Another good thing is the rearsets are adjustable too I have gilles on mine now but the position of the standard ones on the lowest setting felt great. I used to cramp up on the sv every ride but rarely do on the gsxr.
Service intervals are 600,4000,7500,11000,14500 and so on, so not too bad. The bridgestone rear wears out at around 4000 miles so in your position I'd look at sport touring tyres.
Pretty similar to what I have now then (service/tyre wise). Will have a test ride on a few at the weekend if I can and let you all know the outcome.
Sorry Jamie it won't be the R6 though as my next door neighbour has one and I don't like it, it's too revvy for the road, you have to race it everywhere.
Tim in Belgium
20-05-09, 09:01 PM
More pic wh0r1ng 750 pretty bike shots:
http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/8153/2720107040084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2720107040084392296OPlonw)
http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/43597/2790817700084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2790817700084392296kIzviQ)
IIRC the 14500 service is the biggie with the valve clearance check.
I think it's similar to my Zx6 which is getting rapidly closer and partially the reason for my change now along with wanting more comfort and just a newer bike :)
Tim in Belgium
20-05-09, 09:03 PM
Is that a B1H ZX6 you've got? Iconic machines...
Jamiebridges123
20-05-09, 09:06 PM
Sorry Jamie it won't be the R6 though as my next door neighbour has one and I don't like it, it's too revvy for the road, you have to race it everywhere.
:smt048 It'a an acquired taste for sure!
Gixer 750 seems good.. or just go balls up and buy a Speed Triple. :D
Is that a B1H ZX6 you've got? Iconic machines...
Yep got a B1H, bloody lovely bike but as hard as hell & tough on the wrists. If you've ridden one I'd appreciate a comparison between the two so I know whether I'm waisting my time thinking the Gixer maybe more comfy?!
fizzwheel
20-05-09, 09:11 PM
Andyb - Have you considered a K6 or K7 low milleage 750 ? Might work out cheaper, reason I ask is that TBH I find the 750 where its lazier is a bit less frantic than a 600 so if you are commuting on it, you might find it more civilised.
I got given a K6 600 a while ago for a courtesy bike and it was nice to compare it against mine back to back.
Tim in Belgium
20-05-09, 09:17 PM
Yep got a B1H, bloody lovely bike but as hard as hell & tough on the wrists. If you've ridden one I'd appreciate a comparison between the two so I know whether I'm waisting my time thinking the Gixer maybe more comfy?!
Never ridden any of the Kwaks I'm afraidbut the GSXR is comfier than the old curvy SV for me! And not a wristy bike I think, although I stand happy to be corrected.
lukemillar
20-05-09, 09:23 PM
Everything I've read...........
Stop there and say no more!
Jackie_Black
20-05-09, 09:23 PM
Why not try something completely different? I reckon a naked would be great for commuting.
My Kwak kills me like, lol. Mainly in the neck area. More comfy than the SV everywhere else though. No cramps, wrists arent bad unless your in town then they just plain hurt.
kwak zzr
20-05-09, 09:25 PM
you know what i think :) my pillion says the gsxr is a better pillion bike than the sv.
Jackie_Black
20-05-09, 09:30 PM
Yeah my pillions prefer the kwak to the SV (comfort wise), which is odd, but there you go.
mike_avfc
21-05-09, 08:12 AM
Pretty similar to what I have now then (service/tyre wise). Will have a test ride on a few at the weekend if I can and let you all know the outcome.
i'd certainly recommend a test ride, agree with rich, the K8 is a great bike and is seriously quick. I went from the SV to a GSX-R600 k8 and haven't looked back. I didn't get mine from GW as i didn't need the kit and i thought the prices were too high. They may be open to a little more haggling though than they were last year. As for long distances, done the Welsh TT with no problems with the org and taking it to Assen next month for the Moto GP.
i checked with Artdeans yesterday on the servicing and the 4k service is £130 so was happy there, finally bought a new rear tyre last week (Biketreadz by GW) and that was £132 fitted.
in other words, recommended ! :smt035
Stop there and say no more!
Yeah very good, I assume therefore that you have to have ridden every single bike out there in order to pass judgment on one of them. You don't know what I have ridden and what I haven't ridden. I was simply offering a response to the above post which suggested the GSXR600 was a bad idea and that he should test ride them all himself if he can't pick from the 4. No I haven't ridden all of the 08 bikes, who here has? Have the GSXR owners all extensively tested the CBR, ZX and R6 too? Guess we'd all better shut up then huh.
i'd certainly recommend a test ride, agree with rich, the K8 is a great bike and is seriously quick. I went from the SV to a GSX-R600 k8 and haven't looked back. I didn't get mine from GW as i didn't need the kit and i thought the prices were too high. They may be open to a little more haggling though than they were last year. As for long distances, done the Welsh TT with no problems with the org and taking it to Assen next month for the Moto GP.
i checked with Artdeans yesterday on the servicing and the 4k service is £130 so was happy there, finally bought a new rear tyre last week (Biketreadz by GW) and that was £132 fitted.
in other words, recommended ! :smt035
Cheers for that. They aren't up for haggling over the price on the kit deal even though I asked a guy who works there through another forum...supposidely they can't even get them cheaper as staff. Where did you get yours from?
Ok BACK ON TOPIC GUYS!!
Id go for the gsxr hunm, i own a 675 and its not that comfy for road use, is more built towards track use, sat on the gsxr etc but couldnt get a test ride on one hence why i went for the 675, but the gsxr is deffo more comfy :cool:
Ok BACK ON TOPIC GUYS!!
Id go for the gsxr hunm, i own a 675 and its not that comfy for road use, is more built towards track use, sat on the gsxr etc but couldnt get a test ride on one hence why i went for the 675, but the gsxr is deffo more comfy :cool:
^^^You know the Ladies right!!^^^ :p
On topic, i've just picked my bike up from a 4000mile service and a new rear tyre. Cost £130 for the service and £130 for the tyre and fitting which saved me some pennies, i was quiet happy to pay that. I was looking at buying the tyre myself and taking it in for loose fitting but the cheapest i could find the tyre was £110 and fitting for £20, so glad i didn't bother,, :D It wasn't worth the hassle!!!
Overall, very happy!!! :riding:
I've recently gone from a pointy to a GSXR 600 K6 and absolutely love it.
A mate bought a K8 600 for £6300 from a local dealer. What's the George Whites deal?
As for riding, the K6 and K8 seem virtually the same, the K8 seems to have a bit more midrange, but that might be something to so with mine being 3 years and 5000 miles older, or that mine has an aftermarket air filter.
I did a little write up a few weeks ago, do a search you might find it interesting. They are certainly very comfortable bikes to ride, and I commute on mine.
nik_nunez
21-05-09, 07:20 PM
i am in the same boat looking at a gsxr600, would prefer a 750 but the extra money to buy and its alot more to insure, read loads online and the gsxr seems to get good write up for road use and more is comfortable that any other super sport 600
I've recently gone from a pointy to a GSXR 600 K6 and absolutely love it.
A mate bought a K8 600 for £6300 from a local dealer. What's the George Whites deal?
As for riding, the K6 and K8 seem virtually the same, the K8 seems to have a bit more midrange, but that might be something to so with mine being 3 years and 5000 miles older, or that mine has an aftermarket air filter.
I did a little write up a few weeks ago, do a search you might find it interesting. They are certainly very comfortable bikes to ride, and I commute on mine.
Cheers will go and have a look at the write up. See here for GW deal:
http://www.georgewhite.co.uk/?category=suzuki&subcategory=supersport&mode=overview&product_id=000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000057763
Was your mates bike new or used? If used that's a very good price...where did he get it from?
Cheers will go and have a look at the write up. See here for GW deal:
http://www.georgewhite.co.uk/?category=suzuki&subcategory=supersport&mode=overview&product_id=000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000057763
Was your mates bike new or used? If used that's a very good price...where did he get it from?
Don't like that exhaust, looks abit snakey!!! :confused:
isnt there any other decent 600's out there.
Don't like that exhaust, looks abit snakey!!! :confused:
Yeah me neither. There was a different picture there yesterday, I WONT be putting that one on.
look's like a bended peice of scaffolding that can not keen tbh.
lukemillar
21-05-09, 08:28 PM
Yeah very good, I assume therefore that you have to have ridden every single bike out there in order to pass judgment on one of them. You don't know what I have ridden and what I haven't ridden. I was simply offering a response to the above post which suggested the GSXR600 was a bad idea and that he should test ride them all himself if he can't pick from the 4. No I haven't ridden all of the 08 bikes, who here has? Have the GSXR owners all extensively tested the CBR, ZX and R6 too? Guess we'd all better shut up then huh.
Why don't you get off your high horse? That's exactly my point - I haven't ridden every single bike out there or the bike in question hence why I didn't post an opinion. Better than posting an opinion based on other peoples opinions.:rolleyes:
Cheers will go and have a look at the write up. See here for GW deal:
http://www.georgewhite.co.uk/?category=suzuki&subcategory=supersport&mode=overview&product_id=000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000057763
Was your mates bike new or used? If used that's a very good price...where did he get it from?
It was new from GT motorcycles in Plymouth about 2 months ago. They only had one 600 on offer. On 0% as well.
Well I put down a deposit on a GSXR K8 in black - mmmmm :cool:. Test rode the GSXR & a ZX6R yesterday, Gixer was like a sofa to sit on compared with the ZX6, I thought the standard seat was a gel one it was that comfy.
As I'm a gadget man I like he gear indicator & selectable mode switches even though I've never needed them before and I'll probably never use the mode switch apart form having a play!
Pick it up next Sat with a bit of luck :D. Fingers crossed for sunshine please.
Why don't you get off your high horse? That's exactly my point - I haven't ridden every single bike out there or the bike in question hence why I didn't post an opinion. Better than posting an opinion based on other peoples opinions.:rolleyes:
If you read carefully I don't even offer my opinion of the bikes, only that (in response to the post above mine mainly) the GSXR would be the one I (like the OP) would be most interested in testing properly because of things which I have read. I could have offered a personal opinion of a couple of the bikes in question based on experience, but I thought it would irrelevant after writing that he should ride them himself.
Criminal I know.
If defending yourself when attacked for no sane reason means I'm on a high horse then I guess I am. You seem to be on one all by yourself though. "He's read something and then posting that he's read it!" Alert the opinion police!
yorkie_chris
24-05-09, 07:21 PM
Buy a K7 750 with 1000 miles off some weekend warrior fool then, win/win, before engine management systems kills bikes, bigger discs and less depreciation!
If you want one from before engine management killed it, then you want a pre 1998 SRAD. No EFI there, just carbs big enough to lose a small child down...
kwak zzr
24-05-09, 07:22 PM
Well I put down a deposit on a GSXR K8 in black - mmmmm :cool:. Test rode the GSXR & a ZX6R yesterday, Gixer was like a sofa to sit on compared with the ZX6, I thought the standard seat was a gel one it was that comfy.
As I'm a gadget man I like he gear indicator & selectable mode switches even though I've never needed them before and I'll probably never use the mode switch apart form having a play!
Pick it up next Sat with a bit of luck :D. Fingers crossed for sunshine please.
supurb andy, i dont think you'll regret it :) piccys please when you baby arrives :)
Top choice mate, was wondering if it would be that different to a kawa but just shows it must be. I never use the mode switch now, did have a play though and it's supprising how it chops it b0llocks off :-D, Your gona love it.
Tim in Belgium
24-05-09, 08:53 PM
Enjoy the bike next Saturday Andy, I'm sure you will!
ThEGr33k
24-05-09, 09:03 PM
Hope you enjoy it! :D
mike_avfc
26-05-09, 11:25 AM
Great choice, you will love it, after it's run in, I hated the first 600 / 1000 miles. Would recommend the yoshi exhaust on it, sounds ace, saves weight (better than a diet !) and looks soo cool.
Out of curiousity, where did you get it from ???
I was at GW at the weekend and spotted some people taking a lot of interest in mine and the exhaust..... was just wondering !
muffles
26-05-09, 12:31 PM
One thing i will say though, try to avoid hearing another K8 with a full system, i did and it cost me alot of money :-D...
Nah, you're stuffed, I didn't even have to hear it with a full system and I still had to buy one - it's so strangled with the cat still on there :D
taking it to Assen next month for the Moto GP.
Have you been before? Make sure you sample the twisty bit of road next to the circuit (if you go down towards the 2 campsites and just keep going past the second one (on the right, Asser Boys I think it is) you'll be on it. Loved it when I was over there (WSBK earlier this year), managed to get blue tyres from it :shock:
II would like a 750 but it's coming in at around £8800
Is that the price for the 750 from George Whites with the 'kit deal' included or is that just for the bike? I think the 'kit deals' they usually do with a cheapo helmet and leathers are rubbish but that deal actually looks really good cos they're mods that are worth making anyway :)
So did you manage to negotiate down from the £7399 rrp for the 600 or is that the price you paid? And how long is the 0% over?
You'll love the bike mate, nice choice :sunny:
Cheers,
Matt
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