2011 Middleweight Sportbike Comparison | Return Engagement

Eric Nugent
What a tough shootout…I think I need a Pepsi. It’s like asking a guy “Would you rather go out with Beyoncé or Rihanna?” Could you really go wrong with either? Umm…no. But you’re made to choose, and while it’s a tough choice—I chose the Suzuki GSX-R600. She wasn’t my top pick of the track, but her street savvy made the choice easier. The Yamaha, Kawasaki and Triumph scored a few more points at the track, but not enough to offset the great ride the Suzuki was on the street. With the loss of weight and the addition of the Brembos, the GSX-R’s legendary chassis makes for a great combination of a confidence-inspiring and all around fabulous ride. If the majority of your riding is on the street with stints to your local track for the day, the GSX-R is calling your name! Boy, I hope that Beyoncé likes Taco Bell…

Kevin Smith
Sometimes the best impression a motorcycle can make is no impression. When it’s working with you on a winding road, doing exactly what you expect and never interrupting your focus, a really great bike can practically disappear beneath you. You are just riding the road. Two bikes here could disappear beneath me: the Suzuki and the Triumph. I found them completely intuitive, natural and user friendly. The others were fun, but something always intruded. The Kawasaki’s throttle take-up got my attention, the Honda (though the comfort king) felt a trifle vague, and the Yamaha lacked the compliance (in tires, suspension or both) to feel stuck down on unsmooth pavement. Between the GSX-R and the 675R, I give the nod, by a hair, to the British triple’s lusty, thrusty engine and impossibly narrow packaging. So okay, it was leaving an impression. But one that never came between me and the road.

Bradley Adams
If the 2011 Triumph 675R and Suzuki GSX-R600 proved anything this year, it’s that it’s time for the other manufacturers to get to work. Not to say that the Honda, Kawasaki or Yamaha are bad motorcycles, but in the company of the Triumph and Suzuki, they feel a bit outdated and less refined. Especially compared to the polished Daytona 675R, which admittedly does take some time to get used to, but is undeniably quick on the track. On the street it’s surprisingly enjoyable too, especially when the roads turn tighter and you can employ its nimble steering and quick-shifter unit. Of the group though, the Suzuki seems like the best mix of track performance and street comfort, and there are almost too many good things to list about the bike; the GSX-R steers the lightest, has great midrange, a crisp throttle response, strong brakes and suspension that provides great confidence and feedback. And it has the most comfortable ergonomics of the group to boot. That is why, despite being slightly down on top-end power, the Suzuki is my choice as 600cc king for 2011.

Kent Kunitsugu
The addition of the latest Öhlins NIX fork and TTX36 shock to the Triumph has aided its racetrack handling considerably, even though the Showa components on the standard model aren’t that bad. But while the Brembo monoblocs also add another dimension to the Daytona 675R’s performance envelope, I still found the Triumph’s handling to be a little sketchy when pushed. The R6 railed at the Streets by virtue of its sudden unexplained five-horsepower gain, but its lack of midrange still puts me off on public pavement. The Kawasaki’s superb engine and stable chassis still rank high in my book, and I’d have to take a serious look at the ZX-6R if I wanted a canyon and track day bike. But the new GSX-R600’s lithe handling, quick-revving midrange-strong engine and wonderfully communicative chassis won me over this year. And I’m sure the top-end deficit can be easily solved with some supersport-style modifications.