2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 Photo Gallery

Photos of the 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600. 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 First Ride

2006 Suzuki GSX-R600

2006 GSXR-600

Throttling the new Gixxer around the corners at Phillip Island, Bayly couldn't imagine how anyone would be able to flog the bike any faster. That is until number 34, MotoGP legend Kevin Schwantz, roared past in a blur.

2006 GSXR-600

Slipper clutches are all the rage in the sportbike world, and the 2006 version of the GSX-R600 delivers. Also called a back-torque limiting clutch, it helps prevent wheel hop when downshifting through the gears.

2006 GSXR-600

Stripping down the new GSX-R600 you can see the internal changes, which include an engine that Suzuki claims improves horsepower output by 5 to 120 at the crankshaft.

Suzuki's Dual Throttle Valve system features two butterfly valves inside each throttle body, with the primary valve controlled by the rider and the secondary regulated by the Gixxer's Engine Control Unit(ECU).

2006 GSXR-600

The bike's geometry has changed slightly, with the frame's height shrinking by an inch. Though the frame is slightly shorter, the Gixxer's wheelbase remains the same due to a longer swingarm.

2006 GSXR-600

The Gixxer's brakes have beefed up a little, growing from 300mm rotors to 310mm. What hasn't changed are the radial-mount, four-piston Tokico calipers that latch down when you want to drop off from triple-digit mph readings.

2006 GSXR-600

Despite its smaller size, the riding position on this year's 600 does not suffer. Tucking it in down the straights, our man had no problems getting most of his body out of the wind.

The new GSX-R600 delivers a healthy dose of confidence to its rider via its quick transitions, powerful braking, and smooth high-speed downshifts from its slipper clutch.

2006 GSXR-600

Time flies when you spend life riding extremely fast bikes. It was only two years ago that Suzuki introduced an already steller GSX-R at the Misano circuit in Italy.

2006 GSXR-600

Suzuki claims that the new 600's styling is more "emotional." We're not quite sure what they mean, but we're sure there are some Gixxer aficionados out there drooling at the mouth.

Our trusty correspondent, Neale Bayly, was greeted by a fleet of new GSX-Rs when he ventured Down Under to the Phillip Island circuit to ride the new Gixxers.