R6 vs GSXR 600?

Hi,

I've had both, a 1999 R6 and a 2002 GSXR600

To be honest both machines were reliable for me, as I fastidiously looked after them.

But my favourite of the two would have to be the GSXR. I am 5'7" and found the riding position on the gsxr far better. The handling on the R6 was possibly more responsive. The power on both are comparable for the kind of riding I do.

The styling of the R6 attracted me to it, and the overall package of the GSXR was blinding.

Both machines are very good bikes, as for reliability there would be nothing in it, all Japanese sports bike are built well. It really is down to preference and what you want to use it for, is it just for the road or is it for the track?

I would say the Gsxr is a better all round bike especially on the road but only just, where as the R6 is a little better on the track because of the long first gear. I think the seat height on the Gsxr is slightly lower than the R6 and the body position is a little more relaxed. I have ridden both of these bikes back to back and i would go for the Gsxr every time, again that is my preference especially when the air box starts howling!!!

Cost is another issue, the Gsxr will come in cheaper than the R6 to buy, insurances should be about the same for both bikes of the same year, but you should shop around first and get the best priced package if money is tight.

Keep it shiney side up!!

The finish on Suzuki's isn't brilliant, they tend to get tatty if used and abused over winter. And the brakes on older ones can suffer if not cleaned often. Other than that they have no stand out reliability issues.

The only reliability issue with the R6 is a lot of the older ones have trouble with 2nd gear, it's a very common problem. Yamaha sorted it in '03 with a modified part so the newer ones are fine.

There isn't much to seperate modern 600's so ride both and see which you click with. The insurance on the R6 does seem to be much cheaper for most people for some unknown reason.

I've driven all of them. The r6 is easily my favorite. I had a gixxer600 for a while and it was pretty heavy. If you drop it, you definitely aren't picking it up at 110lbs. The r6 and the CBR 600 should be about one to two hundred pounds lighter. The r6 and the cbr 600 look better in my opinion. The lighter the bike, the easier it is to make a fatal mistake, though. Heavier bikes tend to be a LITTLE more forgiving. 5'2 and 110lbs is pretty light for a motorcycler :) I vote the r6 if you have experience, if not, go with a ninja 500.

I would go with GSXR they last longer and they are better put together. They are also faster then yamaha's if that matters to you or not. I am a girl and my bike can keep up with a 900rr cbr and its only a 600 gsxr.

The GSXR vs R6 … they are about the same.

Which color do you like?

If you plan to race, I would select the Kawasaki….do you know why?

It is not power, how it feels or the color. The parts are cheaper to replace…period.

It you are a street guy pick the one that looks cool because reliability is not an issue based on brand it is based on your maintenance.

I don't think you will find reliability an issue on either of these. Any modern Japanese bike is likely to be VERY reliable.

Which is the "best" to ride is totally subjective. I prefer the R6 but would be happy with either of them.

I tend to find there is little to choose between Japanese sports bikes these days, they all seem to have evolved to the point where they are so similar it's hard to tell them apart. Go for the one which gives you the best deal on finance, insurance or accessories, you won't regret buying either one. (or do what most people do & buy the one thats their favourite colour!)

Links below to some owner reviews for both machines.

It makes no difference. None.

Any of the 600 class sportbikes are wonderful, well designed machines. Which one you pick won't matter a bit. They're all reliable, none of them is likely to break.

Nobody can tell you which one "is the best machine to ride" because that's going to depend on how YOU feel on each of these bikes. Go to dealerships and sit on them. Check out how you feel about the placement of the controls, where the footpegs are, how the seat feels. And then keep in mind that all of these things can be adjusted or swapped out altogether.

What really matters? How do YOU feel about these bikes? Which one looks the best to YOU? Which colors do you like? The looks of the headlights, the tail lights, the bodywork?

Because you're the one that's going to have to pay for this thing. Not us.

I would encourage you to ask around where you live and see what dealers have the best reputation for service. Make sure you buy a bike that you can trust to a dealers service department. Or learn to do maintenance on the thing yourself.

Good luck. And remember to enjoy the heck out of whatever bike you pick.

I would say r6 would be most reliable because yamaha has been around putting out good products for a long time. The r6 has been known for wheely riding because its so light

I'd go with the GSXR, but I'm a Suzuki man.