By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike vs Supersport
Suzuki GSR600 (MY2006) vs Honda CBR 600 F (PC 41)
Suzuki GSR600 vs Honda CBR 600 F: different classes, one choice. Here's how to make it.
Tip the Suzuki GSR600 into a tight bend and it snaps straight onto its line, and it doesn't twitch once the curve opens up. The Honda CBR 600 F flicks in at any pace.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the GSR600 if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Gets the nod: GSR600
The GSR600 earns its keep in weekday traffic better than the other one. For a daily commuter, it's the clear choice.
The GSR600 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: GSR600
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the GSR600. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
The CBR 600 F has the edge if…
Traveling with luggage
Edges it: CBR 600 F
The CBR 600 F feels a little more at home with bags on. It's down to better wind protection. It's a fine margin, so test both loaded if you can.
What makes each one tick
GSR600
The GSR600's front wheel lifts on its own deep in the revs in first gear, and there's no drama to it. The lean Euro 3 fueling map leaves a small jerk at aggressive throttle openings. Its brake lever stops it. Yet the calipers trail a chassis that's tuned close to supersport. The rear calms its own unblipped downshift jolt before turn-in.
Nils rode the GSR600 in Greece, Hungary, and Styria in 2006, in Austria and Hungary in 2007, and in 2009 (NastyNils Testride).
CBR 600 F
Its throttle wakes a detuned inline-four. That engine spins up smoothly and doesn't bite back in everyday riding. Its engine and drivetrain shrug off high mileage.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The GSR600 has the lower seat: 30.9 in (785 mm) vs 31.5 in (800 mm).
- The CBR 600 F has the larger fuel tank: 4.9 US gal (18.4 L) vs 4.4 US gal (16.5 L).
- ABS: option on the CBR 600 F, not offered on the GSR600.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Look elsewhere
Big miles aren't where either one shines. You'll be watching for the next rest stop.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Neither one fits
If this is your first motorcycle, keep looking. Neither one makes learning easy.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
GSR600
Strengths
- Front lifts without asking
- Inline-four howl at the limiter
- Flicks in on the lightest input
- Chassis built without a bean counter
- Slim enough for real city work
Trade-offs
- Nothing between you and the air
- Ships lean from the factory
- Brakes didn't get the memo
- Pegs scrape early at pace
- Snatchy low‑rpm throttle response
CBR 600 F
What owners say
Strengths
- Legendary Honda reliability
- Nimble handling and confident chassis
What they share
- Displacement
- 599 cc
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| GSR600 | CBR 600 F | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 30.9 in (785 mm) | 31.5 in (800 mm) |
| GSR600 | CBR 600 F | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 98 hp (72 kW) | 102 hp (75 kW) |
| Torque | 48 lb-ft (65 Nm) | 47 lb-ft (64 Nm) |
| GSR600 | CBR 600 F | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.4 US gal (16.5 L) | 4.9 US gal (18.4 L) |
| GSR600 | CBR 600 F | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 310 mm | 296 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| GSR600 | CBR 600 F | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
