Advantages: Sexy Looks with Race Bred performance, at low cost!
Disadvantages: Petrol Guzzler!

...I have been riding motorbikes since I was old enough and ugly enough to consider it. I have now managed to gather enough money together to buy a Suzuki GSX-R600. Some may say that it is too much for an 18 year old to handle, but I would have to disagree, and say that I have never had so much fun with my clothes on! It has sexy looks combined with top quality performance. It is lightweight, easy to flick into corners, and easy to lift the front wheel whilst being chunky and overall a fat bike! I have owned the bike for five weeks and can't keep my butt off the seat! Not to mention the front wheel on the floor, this beast (with a road permitting) can power its way into fourth gear from low down in first on the back wheel! ;o) However, the only problem is that of the Cam chain, most if not all slightly earlier models need to undergo a cam... Read review

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Advantages: handling, performance, and comfort
Disadvantages: parts expensive, dropping in value fast

...If you want a motorcycle that can be comfortable to tour on, yet can also be ridden like a racer, then look no further. My CBR600 out handles any other machine that I’ve ridden, from the ZX6-r's to the GSX-r's in the same class. Nothing wants to corner like the CBR, and A superb engine delivers plenty of low down torque that is consistant all the way to its 13500 rpm redline. The handlebars are not as low as on out and out racers, so there is less wrist strain at low speeds, and the seat is more of a luxury item than your standard plank of wood with a slight covering of cloth! Bridgestone BT56 Tyres on the front and a BT57 on the rear - or even the new OWO1's would defiantly be the combination to go for.... Read review

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Advantages: Reliability, Riding Position, Longevity, Good Pillion Seat
Disadvantages: Slightly down on power

...the CBR600 is a little down on power compared to the Yamaha R6 or Suzuki GSXR600, it more than makes up for this in terms of a rider-friendly "attitude", i.e.it never bites back!... Read review

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Advantages: good handling, comfortable, a lot of boot space,
Disadvantages: It is considerably larger looking than the competitors

...The Licence First of all, I would like to start off by explaining the licence laws and regulations, just so everyone understands how and why I am riding a GSX-R 600 at 18. When taking your test, there are a few options available to you. If you are 21 or over, you may take the Direct Access test and ride any bike you like once you pass. If you are 17 or over, you may take the "A" class 125 (restricted licence) test, which allows you to ride a 125cc motorcycle without L plates, or any other motorcycle providing it is restricted to 33BHP. The restricted licence lasts for 2 years, then becomes a full motorcycle licence and the person can ride any bike, with any power they can afford to insure. Lastly, there is the ‘Accelerated Access’ test, for over 21 year olds who took the 125 test and want to upgrade to the full licence. Having been... Read review

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Advantages: POWER, pick up, alot cheaper than a car
Disadvantages: takes concentration to ride, doesn't ride itself like the Honda's

...I am 26 years old and I have never owned a car. I’m quite proud of that. Instead. I am a motorbike man through and through. And one of those bikes was a GSXR 600 I bought the GSXR 600 second hand for only $1500 (NZ, about $700 US) – which was a very good price. Even though the bike was 10 years old when I got it and had done a few kilometers (or miles, for American readers) already, it still rates as the fastest bike I have ever owned (0-100 in under 5 seconds!). Originally I got the bike because I was moving to Gisborne to study sport and I was looking for something a little bigger than what I currently had, in order to make return trips a little faster. Well, it certainly did that. It’s 16 valve double overhead cam added up to monster pick up (great for riding the Gisborne gorge), while it’s big 600cc engine... Read review

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Advantages: well built, reliable, practical and comfortable.
Disadvantages: A bit bland

...for a nine year old bike. Honda quality also shows up with little touches like all the levers still working smoothly with very little wobbling, all the panels come off and go back on easily – and fit back on accurately. I am now considering replacing my bike, and I can’t think of any other choice other than a newer model CBR600, an FX or FY. Deep down I think I want an R6 or GSXR600 (or, if I forget about running costs - an R1 or GSXR1000), but I don’t think either will still shine after a couple of winters use and how strong will the engine feel after 40,000 miles? CBRs hold their value well and when looking for one the condition and history is more important that low mileage, and as there are so many about you should be able to find a good one.... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, easy to ride, insurance friendly, great first bike
Disadvantages: Build quality, when you park it next to a 900 or 1000cc, you'll want rid

...around roundabouts and take tight junctions on too - handy when you are used to the big handlebars of a CB500! Once i got used to the bike, i found it a real pleasure to ride, soon came an Akrapovic full race system and a full fairing to boot. The bike sounded amazing and turned alot of heads too. One thing still bugged me though, everytime i parked next to a GSXR or a blade or even ZX6R's i turned into the green eyed monster! Yes, it looked good - it just didnt look as big and sporty as the others, the big gap behind the front wheel and the small fairing made it look so small next to the others. In fairness, i had showed up alot of bigger bikes around the twisties, and some even on the straights once i was used to riding it. I just wanted something that looked a little nicer. So i sold the SV and bought an 05 reg GSXR600. To be honest, 2... Read review

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Advantages: Very quick, looks good in black and silver, handles beautifully
Disadvantages: Licence taker

...Well what can I say the GSXR 600 K5, probabaly one of the best of the series. I got mine for £5000, second hand 3 months old 400 miles on the clock, the bloke I got it from was scared of it, wanted a quick sale to buy a bandit 600 again. WHY???? A beautifully well balanced machine pushing out about 110 to 115 bhp and a top speed of about 155-160mph. (I have had 153mph out of mine, tested and tagged in a speed trap). This machine will take your licence from you you have been warned. You can change the exhaust without worring about setting up the carbs, I love electronic ingition and injection valves. The bike does the work for you. Petrol tank holds about 17 litres, waring light comes on when your getting low, I was 20 miles away from a petrol station and got there ok so plenty of time when the light does come on. The clock... Read review

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Advantages: excellent torque and performance and excellent chassis
Disadvantages: riding position can be a strain after a fir bit of miles on a trip

.... In fact my dad rides a Suzuki GSXR-1000 K2 and he went out and bought an Akrapovic straight after he heard the difference between the stock exhaust on mine and then the aftermarket Akrapovic exhaust... Since I have bought my Kawasaki I have added a steering dampener, braided front back brake lines, Akrapovic Exhaust, smaller number plate and smaller indicators. I am EXTREMELY HAPPY with this bike and feel I definatly made the right choice over all the other 600 on the market. The close second choice for me was the 2003 to present version, Honda CBR 600RR...... Read review

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Advantages: Fast, Fun, Economical Silly plaything!
Disadvantages: It hurts if you get knocked off!

...Not feeling poetic so a simple list for you!... BUY IT BECAUSE: -it's perfectly quick -not too much pokey power, just smooth torque up to about 130MPH and 0-60 in just over 4secs! -it wheelies superbly (because of the nice smooth low down power) -Handles superbly -superb knee down fun. -Economical -50MPG!(honest) (Unnlike the GSXR's which are nearer 30! still very nice but you do need an open road and a big wallet!) -Cheap to buy -George Whites in Swindon sells them for about £600 less than the RRP at £4100! Why pay more? Second hand you can get a very reasonble one for £3000 (try loot.com) -It comes in yellow! (and a really nice blue (later models)) WHY NOT?: -Top speed is a bit slow compared to its 4 cylinder counterparts (but at 130MPH the worlds going quite fast enough for my head!) -If some clever driver decides to turn right... Read review

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