Tech Spec
Price: $9499
Engine type: l-c inline-four
Valve train: DOHC, 16v
Displacement: 599cc
Bore x stroke: 67.0mm x 42.5mm
Compression: 12.2:1
Fuel system: EFI
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Transmission: 6-speed
Frame: Aluminum twin-spar
Front suspension: 41mm Showa inverted fork, adjustable for spring preload, rebound and compression damping
Rear suspension: Single Showa shock, adjustable for spring preload, rebound and compression damping
Front brake: Dual Tokico four-piston radial calipers, 310mm discs
Rear brake: Single Tokico two-piston caliper, 220mm disc
Front tire: 120/70 ZR17 Dunlop Qualifier
Rear tire: 180/55 ZR17 Dunlop Qualifier
Rake/trail: 23.7o/3.8 in.
Seat height: 32.3 in.
Wheelbase: 53.8 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.8 gal.
Weight (wet/dry): 412/383 lbs.
Measured horsepower: 105.2 bhp @ 13,750 rpm
Measured torque: 44.1 lb.-ft. @ 11,250 rpm
Corrected 1/4 mile: 10.94 sec. @ 126.49 mph
Top gear roll-on 60-80 mph: 3.97 sec.
Fuel mileage (high/low/avg.) 48/35/41 mpg
Colors: Black, red/black, white/silver, ultra blue metallic/silver
Warranty: 1 year, unlimited mi.
Contact: www.honda.com
Dyno
The CBR's power delivery is model-citizen mellow, with nearly peak- and valley-free horsepower and torque traces throughout its rev range. It makes only a pony or two more than the ZX-6R at lower revs, but a whopping 4.4 more at peak. That's a lot for a 600.
Ergos
Honda CBR600RRs haven't always been kind to the editorial bum, but this one-with more seat stroke and 10mm higher clip-ons than before-is a revelation, offering the most comfortable highway manners of this quintet. More wind protection would be nice.
Tech Spec
Price: $8999
Engine type: l-c inline-four
Valve train: DOHC, 16v
Displacement: 599cc
Bore x stroke: 67.0mm x 42.5mm
Compression: 13.9:1
Fuel system: EFI
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate slipper
Transmission: 6-speed
Frame: Aluminum twin-spar
Front suspension: 41mm Showa inverted fork, adjustable for spring preload, rebound and compression damping
Rear suspension: Single Showa shock, adjustable for spring preload, rebound, high/low-speed compression damping
Front brake: Dual Nissin four-piston radial calipers, 300mm discs
Rear brake: Single Nissin one-piston caliper, 210mm disc
Front tire: 120/65 ZR17 Bridgestone Battlax BT002
Rear tire: 180/55 ZR17 Bridgestone Battlax BT002
Rake/trail: 25o/4.3 in.
Seat height: 32.3 in.
Wheelbase: 55.3 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Weight (wet/dry): 445/418 lbs.
Measured horsepower: 100.8 bhp @ 12,750 rpm
Measured torque: 43.0 lb.-ft. @ 11,750 rpm
Corrected 1/4 mile: 11.13 sec. @ 123.21 mph
Top gear roll-on 60-80 mph: 4.04 sec.
Fuel mileage (high/low/avg.) 45/35/39 mpg
Colors: Lime green, atomic silver, ebony, passion red
Warranty: 1 year, unlimited mi.
Contact: www.kawasaki.com
Dyno
The big difference in perceived midrange between the CBR600RR and ZX-6R isn't down to power, as the 6R's output is close in the middle revs. The difference has more to do with the ZX-6R's weight-a whopping 33 pounds more than the suddenly lithe CBR!
Ergos
The ZX-6R is roomier seat-to-peg (0.4 in.) and tighter seat-to-bar (0.5 in.) than the CBR. So why was it rated so far behind the Honda in terms of overall comfort? Simple: Its clip-ons are mounted nearly 2 inches lower.
Tech Spec
Price: $11,399
Engine type: l-c inline-four
Valve train: DOHC, 16v
Displacement: 999cc
Bore x stroke: 73.4mm x 59.0mm
Compression: 12.5:1
Fuel system: EFI
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate slipper
Transmission: 6-speed
Frame: Aluminum twin-spar
Front suspension: 43mm Kayaba inverted fork, adjustable for spring preload, rebound, high/low-speed compression
Rear suspension: Single Kayaba shock, adjustable for spring preload, rebound, high/low-speed compression damping
Front brake: Dual Tokico four-piston radial calipers, 310mm discs
Rear brake: Single Tokico one-piston caliper, 220mm disc
Front tire: 120/70 ZR17 Bridgestone Battlax BT015
Rear tire: 190/50 ZR17 Bridgestone Battlax BT015
Rake/trail: 25.5o/3.9 in.
Seat height: 31.9 in.
Wheelbase: 55.7 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.8 gal.
Weight (wet/dry): 471/442 lb.
Measured horsepower: 158.2 bhp @ 12,250 rpm
Measured torque: 75.0 lb.-ft. @ 10,250 rpm
Corrected 1/4 mile: 10.00 sec. @ 146.93 mph
Top gear roll-on 60-80 mph: 2.74 sec.
Fuel mileage (high/low/avg.) 42/36/39 mpg
Colors: Blue/white, black/orange, yellow/silver
Warranty: 1 year, unlimited mi.
Contact: www.suzuki.com
Dyno
Making the most horsepower and torque of this "fivesome," and doing so seamlessly and controllably, the GSX-R1000 packs an absolutely thrilling engine. Orange and light-blue traces reflect output with the three-position mapping switch set in the C (full-wet) mode.
Ergos
The only hit the GSX-R took from our test crew during street testing was limited seat-to-peg room, which at just 17.2 inches is the shortest of the bunch. Of course, that was with the three-position-adjustable pegs in their highest position; they can be lowered by 14mm.