Comparative test: six hundred Japanese

It is interesting how they are replaced every year by updated models by XNUMX Japanese. Last year there was a brand new Honda, and Kawasaki was upgraded. This year, the "rotation" brought a brand new Suzuki and an updated Yamaha. Definitely a strong enough argument that we were interested in how they work now that the cards are shuffled.

In fact, this comparison test has been going on for a long time, ever since we first got to know the new bikes in winter, when we got a feel for them in Jerez, Spain, on excellent Bridgestone tires. Finally, we tested them in Tomb and Pannonia. All these observations can be combined into a unanimous opinion that there are no bad motorcycles in this class today.

In fact, we are talking about personal qualities, personality traits and, in fact, the idea that each of the Japanese manufacturers wanted to implement. Seen from a slightly more mechanical point of view, these are variations on the aluminum frame theme with 599cc inline 155-cylinder engines. M, weighing from 167 to 1.375 kg and wheelbase from 1.405 to XNUMX mm. Brakes and suspension are of course the best any of the four brands have to offer as standard.

Since we firmly believe that the road is not a race track, the impression that motorcycles left on us is of secondary importance on our bad pavement. In short, the winner was determined by how well the competitors performed on the race track, where we safely hit the throttle and fully applied the brakes without any consequences. Namely, we notice that modern sports bikes are almost impossible to ride up to 80 km / h, low speeds even give them a headache.

In fact, they only come to life at speeds above 120 km / h, which is very close to this dangerous border on today's rural roads, when things follow each other too quickly, which can be fatal. Up to 200 km / h everything is fine, but on the road it looks more like a tape measure than a motorcycle, unfortunately with a lot of risk!

Therefore, we recommend all lovers of these beauties to visit the nearest hippodromes, where you can safely experience what your car is really capable of.

Hondawhich shocked last year with its compactness, decent engine and, above all, extremely low weight, is a good example of this off-roading. The CBR has become so small that it is difficult for anyone taller than 180 cm to squeeze into it.The ideal height is, say, about 170 cm.But even our taller drivers after a few laps felt at home, since there is still enough space and the lever -the leg-seat is sufficiently adapted for different heights.

Undoubtedly, it works as the lightest of the four, as the scales also show. 155 kilograms dry weight is much less than the competition. Is it true that he has the fewest "horses", although the number 120 is not less than 599 cm? working volume. It would seem that the Central Bank is also moving forward. It's a clear racing specialist, the lightest in the hands both during cornering and braking, it has great brakes that don't lose power even after 20 laps, and it offers a driver-friendly engine.

Namely, the power increases smoothly, smoothly, so that it can be distributed easily and without any unpleasant surprises on the asphalt over the entire speed range. Honda is undoubtedly a motorcycle for professionals who are willing to deduct around € 100 more for offering the CBR 600 RR (which is the most expensive).

Kawasaki on the other hand, quite the opposite. He is the heaviest, weighs up to 167 kilograms, he has the longest crotch, and he also has a very powerful engine with an enviable 125 "horses". Otherwise, the power or the liveliest stock is distributed in the upper rev range, which means that it needs to be pushed hard to squeeze everything out of itself. In corners, he needs to be a little more "convinced" than other rivals, but, on the other hand, he impresses with his stability.

It also boasts good aerodynamics and wind protection. We wanted something more from the gearbox and brakes, lacking that feeling of reliability and confidence when driving at the border in the first place, and everything was thought out to the smallest detail. On the road, this is definitely not the case, and for a dynamic ride, the Ninja fits the bill. Its strong asset is also the price, as it is the cheapest at 8.996 euros.

Suzuki in many ways is very similar to Kawasaki. It is large and comfortable (most of the four), the driving position is also suitable for the tallest riders, unless of course you consider that this is a purely sports bike, and not some kind of "naked" roadster or tourist enduro. The suspension could have been better, here we were a little disappointed, especially with the part of the team that has racing experience and for recreational or on-road use it has more than enough to offer.

Does GSX_R also have a feature that we took advantage of in bad weather on the road? namely, it is possible to choose between three different programs (A, B, C), which change the character of the electronic unit. This one is capable of 125 "horses". Sometimes you can choose aggressive strength gains, calmness, or somewhere in between. In the rain, this is a welcome insight. Suzuki also has easy-to-read gauges showing which gear you are currently driving in. The 163-pound beast slows down well.

While Suzuki has introduced a whole new perspective on refurbishment, it may Yamaha we say that it remains superficially very similar to the previous model. The heart has changed. Already the sports unit received additional knowledge from the development department and now has an output of 129 "horsepower", which is the highest in the category, and, moreover, it is even better distributed over a wider range of engines. speed.

From the bottom third of the revs to the top, the acceleration is strong and continuous and helps the driver in the fight against the stopwatch. At 166 pounds, this is a very athletic pursuit. Anyone who already has experience with sport bikes will be licking their fingers! The ride is amazing, the suspension works flawlessly, the brakes are best in class, and the riding position is virtually the same as on racing bikes.

Yamaha she said very clearly where she sees herself in the 600cc class, and it is definitely not somewhere in the middle between the road and the race track. Driving on the road is not fun at all if you follow the restrictions a little, and we were speechless on the race track and became addicted. At 9.190 Euros, Yamaha is also the second cheapest motorcycle as they celebrate the tenth anniversary of the R Series this year.

And how did we finally decide on the order? To be honest, the decision at this year's summit was the most difficult. The honorary place of the winner went to Yamaha. Are there two reasons? superiority on the track and extremely affordable price. Honda finished second. Yamaha has made so much progress since last year that it lags behind Honda in a straight fight for hair. However, it is a favorite of all those who want to be very fast on the race track but don't have a lot of experience. In determining the winner, the high price also had its fingers in the middle.

Third place went to Suzuki. This is by no means a disappointment, it is just obvious that they need a bike that is good both on the track and on the road. With the growing divergence between these two trends, it is clear that it is difficult to win where racetrack bikes are in the lead.

It can be said that the Kawasaki is facing the same dilemma as the Suzuki, with a little-known age (although this model is only two years old). A new one will appear in the fall, and then it will be known where they will be positioned with the new Ninja ZX-6R.

And one more order, if we evaluate just driving on the road: the first Suzuki, the second Kawasaki, the third Honda and the fourth Yamaha.

1. sad: Yamaha YZF-R6

Test car price:

9.190 EUR

engine: 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, 599 cc? , liquid cooling, 16 valves, electronic fuel injection.

Maximum power: 94 kW (9 HP) at 129 14.500 rpm, while driving 99 kW (6 HP) at 135 14.500 rpm.

Maximum torque: 65 Nm @ 8 rpm, driving 11.000 Nm @ 69 rpm.

Energy transfer: Transmission 6-speed, chain.

Frame: aluminum.

Suspension: front adjustable inverted telescopic fork? 43mm, 115mm travel, rear adjustable single shock, 120mm travel.

brakes: two coils ahead? 310 mm, radially mounted 4-piston brake calipers, rear single disc 220 mm.

Tires: 120/70-17, 180/55-17.

Wheelbase: 1.380 mm.

Seat height from ground: 850 mm.

Fuel: 17, 3 l.

Dry weight: 166 kg.

Contact person: Delta Team, doo, 135a Cesta Krška szrebi, Krško, 07/4921444, www.delta-team.com.

We praise and reproach

+ powerful engine

+ suspension

+ brakes

+ lightness

+ conductivity

– price

– The engine is too demanding for beginners

- traveling together is the most inconvenient

2nd place: Honda CBR 600 RR

Test car price: 9.790 EUR

engine: 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, 599 cc? , liquid cooling, 16 valves, electronic fuel injection? 40 mm.

Maximum power: 88 kW (120 KM) at 13.500/min.

Maximum torque: 66 Nm @ 11.250 rpm

Energy transfer: Transmission 6-speed, chain.

Frame: aluminum.

Suspension: front adjustable inverted telescopic fork? 41mm, 120mm travel, rear adjustable single shock, 130mm travel.

brakes: two coils ahead? 310 mm, radially mounted 4-piston brake calipers, rear single disc 220 mm.

Tires: 120/70-17, 180/55-17

Wheelbase: 1.375 mm.

Seat height from ground: 820 mm.

Fuel: 18 l.

Dry weight: 155 kg.

Contact person: AS Domžale, Motocentr, doo, Blatnica 3a, Trzin, 01/5623333, www.honda-as.com.

We praise and reproach

+ lightness

+ conductivity

+ flexible and powerful motor

+ extremely undemanding to drive

+ brakes

– too soft suspension as standard

– price

3rd place: Suzuki GSX-R 600

Test car price: 9.750 EUR

engine: 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, 599 cc? , liquid cooling, 16 valves, electronic fuel injection? 38 mm.

Maximum power: 91 kW (9 hp) @ 125 rpm, with Ram Airom 14.000, 96 kW (4 hp) @ 131 rpm.

Maximum torque: 66 Nm @ 11.700 rpm

Energy transfer: Transmission 6-speed, chain.

Frame: aluminum.

Suspension: front adjustable inverted telescopic fork? 41mm, 120mm travel, rear adjustable single shock, 132mm travel.

brakes: two coils ahead? 300 mm, radially mounted 220 bar brake calipers, rear single disc XNUMX mm.

Tires: 120/65-17, 180/55-17

Wheelbase: 1.405 mm.

Seat height from ground: 820 mm.

Fuel: 17 l.

Dry weight: 163 kg.

Contact person: Moto Panigaz, doo, Jezerska cesta 48, Kranj, 04/2342101, www.motoland.si.

We praise and reproach

+ price

+ great all-round motorcycle

+ powerful engine

+ high torque

+ good brakes

+ more engine space, less fatigue, wind protection

– Slightly soft suspension

– heavier than for example R6

4.place: Kawasaki ZX-6R

Test car price: 8.996 EUR

engine: 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, 599 cc? , liquid cooling, 16 valves, electronic fuel injection? 38 mm.

Maximum power: 91 kW (9 km) at 125 / min, 14.000 kW (96 km) at 4 / min (Ram-Air).

Maximum torque: 66 Nm @ 11.700 rpm

Energy transfer: Transmission 6-speed, chain.

Frame: aluminum.

Suspension: front adjustable inverted telescopic fork? 41mm, 120mm travel, rear adjustable single shock, 132mm travel.

brakes: two coils ahead? 300 mm, radially mounted 4-piston brake calipers, rear single disc 220 mm.

Tires: 120/65-17, 180/55-17

Wheelbase: 1.405 mm.

Seat height from ground: 820 mm.

Fuel: 17 l.

Dry weight: 167 kg.

Contact person: Moto Panigaz, doo, Jezerska cesta 48, Kranj, 04/2342101, www.motoland.si.

We praise and reproach

+ price

+ good on the road

+ powerful engine with increased torque

+ capacity

– brakes

– feel on the brake lever

– ergonomics for the driver

- boring graphics

Face to face. ...

Matevj Hribar: It's getting harder and harder to figure out how you can buy a supercar and then drive it down the road. Well, I got it already, because the motors are good to go crazy, they are strong, light, the pinnacle of technology. ... But I see no real sense in driving on our (bad) roads at speeds above 200 kilometers per hour, in a closed position, with all the weight on my hands. These toys are for the racetrack!

The Suzuki GSX-R retains even more comfort on the road in which it sits most relaxed. It has the lowest seat and not too low steering wheel, and even the passenger on it will be comfortable compared to others. However, he is known for his extra pounds, which can be felt on the race track and when he needs to be pushed out of the garage. Especially when compared with Hondas. This one is very lightweight and above all very walkable as seen in all areas.

So if you are buying your first motorcycle of this type, the CBR 600RR might be the right choice. It is calm when braking, stable in fast and slow turns, so it instills confidence in the driver and quickly becomes comfortable in the hands. At first glance, Kawasaki seems a little calm due to its soft lines and lack of graphics, but in reality it is not. The driver's position is very racing and on the race track he keeps up with the others. The detachment must be turned towards the red field for a sharp acceleration, and then it flies with a roar like a torn off ax.

And what about the sound? The Yamaha growl doesn't go out or out of your ears. The R6 is the loudest and noticeably the strongest. Outwardly, the change compared to last year is barely noticeable, and the unit is better in the middle range, as well as at maximum engine speeds. It works lightly (almost) like a 125cc motorcycle. See, and the driving position is also easy. Don't expect comfort in both Yamaha seats as they are by no means designed to rotate on the road.

If he had a van and had enough time and money to travel to Grobnik, then a Yamaha, maybe even a Honda, would probably land in the garage. Suzuki is best suited for road riding for "comfort" while Kawasaki is. ... We're expecting a new one in 2009, and if the engineers turn out to be like the big ten, it's worth the wait.

Petr Kavcic, Matevz Gribar, photo :? Zeljko Puscenik (Moto Puls)

• Basic data

  Test model cost: € 8.996 XNUMX €

• Technical information

  engine: 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, 599 cm³, liquid-cooled, 16 valves, electronic fuel injection Ø 38 mm.

  Torque: 66 Nm @ 11.700 rpm

  Energy transfer: Transmission 6-speed, chain.

  Frame: aluminum.

  brakes: two discs Ø 300 mm at the front, 4-piston brake callipers radially mounted, one disc 220 mm at the rear.

  Suspension: front adjustable inverted telescopic fork Ø 43 mm, 115 mm travel, rear adjustable single damper, 120 mm travel. / front adjustable inverted telescopic fork Ø 41 mm, travel 120 mm, rear adjustable single damper, travel 130 mm. / front adjustable inverted telescopic fork Ø 41 mm, 120 mm travel, rear adjustable single damper, 132 mm travel. / front adjustable inverted telescopic fork Ø 41 mm, 120 mm travel, rear adjustable single damper, 132 mm travel.

  Wheelbase: 1.405 mm.

  Weight: 167 kg.

We praise and reproach

capacity

powerful motor with increased torque

good on the road

more space on the engine, less tiring position, wind protection

good brakes

high torque

great all-round motorcycle

price

extremely undemanding to driving

flexible and powerful motor

conductivity

ease

brakes

podcast

powerful engine

boring graphics

ergonomics for the driver

feel on the brake lever

brakes

heavier than e.g. R6

slightly soft suspension

too soft suspension as standard

traveling for two is the most inconvenient

price

the engine is too demanding for beginners