Living in a day and age where a 600 is good for 110 hp and mid ten-second timeslips it seems stupid to think that a 90 hp 600 was unheard of some ten years ago--that was, until the GSX-R600 cleaned house in 1997.
When Suzuki slapped the SRAD (Suzuki Ram Air Direct) technology onto the Gixxer 600's (re)introduction model in 1997 (it existed from 1992-93, but was discontinued) it wasn't the only four-letter word the competition was muttering. Laying waste to the rest of the field, the then feathery 384-pound middleweight pumped out nearly 96 hp at the wheel and was knocking out 11-second flat ETs. The little Gixxer ran free as the baddest of the bad, and when it was time for an update in 2001 it received a complete makeover that granted it sleeker looks and SDTV fuel injection (Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve System). Power rose to a class-high of just over 100 hp at the wheel, quarter mile times fell into the 10s and dry weight dropped to a scant 359 pounds. The 150+ mph rocket was a force to be reckoned with and was the 600 to have.
As time passed, the SRAD bikes have gone from being considered big and ugly to down-right cool these days--if you can find a clean SRAD, you'd better swoop on it. A few other noteworthy models found within this timeline are the limited edition Telefonica Movistar replica that was only produced for the 2002 model year and the equally rare 2003 Alstare edition. Like the SRAD examples, if you nab a pristine Telefonica or Alstare consider yourself lucky, to say the least.
Over the years the edges have slowly dulled on the older Gixxers as newer models have gotten lighter and faster. Owners still rave about the older models' strong motor, fade-free brakes and stable chassis.
Whether it be commuting, cruising, touring or track days it seems owners of the older GSX-R600s have no intention of selling them, and with many examples showing over 30,000 trouble-free miles it seems their longevity is as legendary as their performance.
1997-2000
Suzuki's stripped down and pumped-up 600 received a complete update over the short-lived '92 version. Along with the sleeker bodywork, the Gixxer got the revolutionary SRAD (Suzuki Ram Air Direct) from the 750. The baby GSX-R weighed just 384 pounds dry, ran the quarter in 11-seconds flat and was good for 96 hp at the wheel.