In the frantic world of 600cc race reps the Suzuki is still top screamer. Although the 600 used to be indistinguishable from a GSX-R750, and shares the 750's bottom end, the smaller four must be whipped like a Grand National winner its final furlong to perform.
So the GSX-R is a track-day dream and a road nightmare if what you discover you needed all along was a tractable CBR600. Serious maniac? Step this way. Vertically challenged loony? Even better: a Gixer's rather cramped. The 155mph Suzuki's major advantages are stunning looks, a short twin-spar alloy frame, widely tunable suspension and a well sorted engine that won't stop revving.
Alongside Twin Swirl Combustion Chambers and SRAD ram-air, there's fully digital ignition. Best of all, the 600 was so good that it was virtually unchanged in its first four years, but still able to keep up with lighter Yamaha R6s and Kawasaki ZX-6Rs. Unlike Honda's CBR, the Suzuki won't play tourer. This is a toy, not transport.
Every used Gixer has been thrashed, which makes servicing at 4000 and 15,000 mile intervals even more important. Check which model you're looking at, because it may be a grey import. Look carefully for evidence of race use, a legal exhaust and crash damage. Camchain tensioners can be trouble.
Evidence of servicing is vital, so ask to see it. Don't be shy about asking why the bike's for sale. Often, it's mayhem in someone's personal life, which is useful information in negotiating a price.
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