2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 Shootout Photo Gallery

The Suzuki's engine gives up a little to the CBR in the midrange but makes it back up top - where it really counts at the track.

The blue wheels on the 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 really set the bike apart from the competition when you're searching the horizon for it while its on track.

Becklin didn't seem to have any trouble adapting to the 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 on either Pirelli or Dunlop rubber.

Roberti and the 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 had a love-hate relationship during their 2-day fling in Nevada.

Hutch said he had a lot of fun riding the GSX-R600.

The 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 ranked third in racetrack ergos scoring.

BC looks right at home on the GSX-R600.

Bombing into turns on the GSX-R600 is fun as hell. Too bad a couple other bikes were just a wee-bit more fun when the scores were tallied up.

Roberti judged its handling as twitchy with the day-one setup on the Diablos, but a revised setup and the addition of the Dunlop Qualifiers made both ends of the bike more trustworthy.

In a track test, determining which mount is the most race ready is a significant factor. Straight out of the box, the Suzuki and Yamaha tied for the top position. Not a surprising result when you look at the AMA Supersport championship standing.

Ergonomically, the GSX-R is very accommodating, with relatively tall bars and a comfortable peg placement that nonetheless wasn't hindered by clearance issues.

Braking performance from the Nissin radial-pump master cylinder and Tokico radial-mount calipers is strong and they received predominantly high marks.

Suzuki has a strong contingency program, the aftermarket is full of go-fast components for it, its instruments are easily read, and it's one of only three bikes to have a back-torque-limiting slipper clutch fitted as standard.

On the relatively tight Spring Mountain circuit, the Gixxer's tallest gear ratios in the bottom two gears among the multis saps some of the snap out of its motor, even though its top three gears are the shortest.

There was one category in which the Gixxer took top honors: Race Readiness.

The GSX-R has a small, short feeling that Duke said was similar to the R6. He liked the Gixxer's balance and rated it third in his personal rankings.

The Gixxer came out on top in the Race Readiness category. For race classes with a 599cc limit, the Suzuki might be the best prepared for track battles.

The 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 is a good-looking machine. It is the only Japanese bike in the test with adjustable footpegs too.

The mighty Gixxer did nothing wrong to earn its fifth-place finish, but compared to its rivals, it just didn't distinguish itself in the ultra-competitve class.