The Suzuki GSX-R600 Is Surprisingly Still In Production

Inline-four motorcycles once ruled the road in every displacement class imaginable — 250cc, 400cc, 600cc, you name it. Today, that dominance has quietly eroded. Parallel-twins, V-twins, and inline-triples have taken over across virtually every segment, and increasingly stringent emissions regulations have made the four-cylinder formula harder and more expensive to justify. The result? A handful of genuinely great inline-four bikes that have been left to gather dust on dealer floors, still technically on sale but rarely talked about. One supersport stands out above all the rest as the definitive forgotten four-cylinder motorcycle that never left production.

The Suzuki GSX-R600 Is The Forgotten Inline-Four Motorcycle Still In Production

Starting Price: $12,199

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In a sea of outdated inline-four machines available here, the GSX-R600 takes top spot for us. It hasn’t been updated in ages, there are basic elements everywhere (by today’s standards), and even Suzuki doesn’t publicize its existence anymore. All the brand has done in recent times is announce new colors and call it a day in its press release.

But there were other considerations. The first was its fellow inline-four compatriot: the Honda CBR600RR. Its case is really similar to the GSX-R600: no updates for over a decade, just color changes for the past few years, and barely any mention anywhere. However, we didn’t pick it because there is a new version of it overseas, which has given it something of a second wind. Not to mention, there is hope — a faint one — of it eventually coming to the U.S. market.

Next was the GSX-R600’s elder sibling: the GSX-R750. Again, a case of no updates, just color changes, and little mention. However, the 750 remains quite popular thanks to its impeccable price-to-power ratio. For just over $13,000, you get a proper sports bike with 150 horsepower. It’s also worth remembering that this machine is an icon in its own right — the sports bike of today owes its philosophy to this very motorcycle.

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Finally, we also considered the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R. After all, it’s also super old and has remained on sale without any meaningful changes in almost 15 years. Yet, this is certainly not “forgotten”, thanks to its earth-shattering performance and the world’s largest inline-four production motorcycle engine. Lest we forget, this is the bike that can leave the venerable Suzuki Hayabusa in its wake — not just on the drag strip, but also in terms of top speed, peak power, and peak torque.

The Suzuki GSX-R600 Has A Top Speed Of Over 170 MPH

And, No Electronics To Spoil The Fun

Suzuki

Even though the GSX-R600 is forgotten, there are plenty of things to write home about. Chief among these is that inline-four engine. In a sea of parallel-twins and inline-triples, the 599cc, four-cylinder engine promises serious performance rarely seen in today’s middleweights. It revs to the moon, and if you ride it the way it likes to be ridden, you’re in for a treat. Some riders have clocked speeds of up to 176 miles per hour on the semi-digital dash.

Yes, GPS speed will differ, but even if you subtract 20 mph, no other modern middleweight can touch it — including the ZX-6R, which tops out at a speedo-indicated 250 km/h. All that performance is also unfiltered. You only have Suzuki’s Drive Mode Selector in the name of electronics, which lets you toggle between two engine maps: one for the road and one for the track. As mentioned, there’s no ABS here, let alone modern features like traction control, a quickshifter, or wheelie control.

Suzuki GSX-R600 Engine Specs

A High-Spec Chassis Makes The Suzuki GSX-R600 A Weapon On Track

Suzuki

What you do have is a chassis to match the high-performance engine. The aluminum perimeter frame, Showa upside-down forks, and Showa monoshock are all tuned to set the racetrack ablaze. This is further enhanced by Brembo monobloc brakes and track-ready ergonomics — courtesy of low clip-on bars, high-set footpegs, a flat tank, and a seat height of 31.9 inches. Knee down or elbow down, the Gixxer 600 will oblige with ease.

2025 Suzuki GSX-R600 Dimensions

• Weight: 412 pounds
• Seat height: 31.9 inches
• Wheelbase: 54.5 inches

How The Suzuki GSX-R600 Competes With Its Rivals

While its age and lack of updates are surely contributing factors, the GSX-R600 is mainly forgotten because of its puzzling market position. For a bike this old to make sense today, it needs a compelling USP. In most cases, a long product cycle at least translates to a competitive MSRP — but the supersport Gixxer stumbles here. At a base price of $11,999, it sits in a fiercely competitive segment filled with significantly more capable machines.

The Yamaha YZF-R9 and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R are prime examples. The R9 starts at $12,499. For that extra $500 over the Gixxer, it delivers a liter-class electronics package, high-spec KYB suspension, Brembo Stylema brakes, and contemporary styling. There’s also strong low-end grunt, thanks to the near-900cc triple-cylinder engine.

As for the ZX-6R, it does everything the GSX-R600 does but better. At a base price of $11,399 — $600 less — the 6R brings more power, better electronics, and a more modern TFT instrument cluster. You can add dual-channel ABS for just $400 more than the base GSX-R price — an option Suzuki doesn’t even offer on its supersport. And while design is subjective, the current 6R will turn more heads than the aging GSX-R. All this while still delivering a pure Japanese 600cc experience.

2026 Suzuki GSX-R600 Vs Rivals

Sources: Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha