Supersport Wars Heat Up
SUPERSPORT WARS HEAT UP
WILL IT EVER END? JUST when you thought it was safe to go back in the 600cc supersport waters, a pair of toothy new sharks break the surface, headed for the beach.
Capitalizing on the success of its new-for-’96 GSX-R750, Suzuki has returned to the 600cc supersport class with a downscaled version. Bore and stroke of the GSX-R’s 749cc inline four-cylinder engine were decreased from 72.0 x 46.0mm to 65.5 x 44.5mm for a displacement of 600cc, while compression was increased from 11.8:1 to 12.0:1.
The last time Suzuki transformed a GSX-R750 into a GSX-R600, in 1991, the result was an overweight, underpowered failure. Thankfully, that’s no longer a concern. Already lighter than every 600 on the market, the GSX-R750 lost an additional 10 pounds in the downsizing process, with the new bike tipping the scales at a claimed 384 pounds dry-75 pounds less than the old GSXR600. The new bike’s price was similarly trimmed—it will sell
for just $7699, compared to 750’s ’97 sticker of $9199.
Much of this weight and cost savings stems from componentry changes. The new 600 substitutes a set of 36.5mm Mikuni downdraft CV carburetors for the 750’s electronically controlled 39mm mixers; conventional 45mm cartridge forks with spring-preload and rebound-damping adjustments lieu of the 750’s inverted, fully adjustable 43mm legs; four-piston (as opposed to six) Tokico front brake calipers; a bridgeless aluminum swingarm that helps shorten the wheelbase .4-inch; and a .5-inch-narrower (5.5-inch) rear wheel. Color choices include blue/white and purple/black.
The other new 600 is from Honda, and really isn’t that new.
Confounding the rumor-mongers who insist there’s an F4 or Double-R in the pipeline, Honda instead gave the existing CBR600F3
a facelift, much as it did with the CBR600F in 1990, the year prior to the F2’s debut.
Modifications focused primarily on improving engine power and suspension performance. A deeper oil pan and single (rather than paired) valve springs reduce resistance and frictional losses, and combined with a freer-flowing muffler and revised ignition boost output to a claimed 105 horsepower. Throttle response and shifting action are also said to be improved.
As on the CBR900RR, the 600’s suspension was upgraded using a new fork and shock equipped with Honda’s MultiAction System (HMAS) cartridge-style dampers. A new shock linkage helps increase rear-wheel travel by 10mm.
Finally, while the F3’s front fender and tailsection have been reshaped, only the fender is said to improve aerodynamics; the swoopy new rear-end treatment is just for looks.
The ’97 CBR is expected to sell for $7799 in red/white/black, yellow/purple/white or all-red.
Looks like 1997 is going to be a good year for sports fans.
-Brian Catterson
