12 Wednesday 16 FeBRUaRy 2011
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News Hodgson tests for MCN
Suzuki shocks on speed test
►GSX-R600 has Ducati 999 beaten in a straight line!
We were all surprised by the results at
Bruntingthorpe. Naturally, we were
expecting it to be a close run thing but
we never imagined the 600 would do
as well as it did.
Even in a straight line it beat the
Ducati and just about held onto the
Fireblade too.
In 2003, the 999S was a cutting edge
sports bike, the best V-twin on the
market, costing £13,600, the dream
bike of many. And now... it’s slower
than a standard 600. At the end of
the two-mile straight the Suzuki is
3mph quicker than the 999, and even
quicker over a 1/4 mile, to 100mph and
to 150mph!
Even against the much more power-
ful Blade the GSX-R managed to hang
on in there, being just 8mph down
at the end of our two-mile straight,
which isn’t bad at all considering the
difference in power.
Meanwhile, from a standing start
to 100mph the 600 is actually quicker!
It was only when the 1000 started to
stretch its legs that it had the smaller
supersports bike beaten, and even
then only just. Over a ¼ mile the Blade
ian jubb
is only 0.3 seconds quicker than the
GSX-R – the equivalent of just a few
bike lengths.
However, in our top gear roll-on tests
the Honda finally showed its power even
if the little GSX-R still manages a surprise
by beating the Ducati. Who would have
thought a 600cc inline four would have
a quicker top gear roll on than a mighty
Ducati V-twin?
When it came to the braking tests
there was very little in it. All three bikes
have radial brakes, and both the Ducati
and Suzuki use Brembo stoppers, but
the GSX-R’s light weight was the key to
Who’d have thought
a 600 supersport
bike would produce
this result. It’s even
practical too
MCn’s adaM Child
Lighter Suzuki has
helping it to stop considerably quicker decent midrange and
than the other two. It seems the Suzuki’s stops quicker
combination of Showa Big Piston Forks
and radial Brembo brakes performs better
than the Ducati’s Ohlins front suspension
and Brembo radial stoppers.
Verdict
We were as surprised as Hodgson, the
GSX-R600 has really moved the game
on, and it’s head and shoulders above
the Honda and Ducati on track.
But don’t write off the old bikes too
early. They’re considerably cheaper
(around £5000) than the Suzuki and
won’t depreciate as quickly. The Blade has
lovely midrange; it’s comfier and better
two-up. The 999 is arguably more exotic,
sounds amazing and you’re buying into
that famous Bologna brand.
But if you own a four to eight-year-old
litre bike and are looking to trade in for a
new expensive 1000cc bike, why not opt
for a 600? Considerably cheaper than a
new litre bike, you’ll be pleasantly sur-
prised just like Hodgson was.
Tell us what you think
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