Suzuki GSXR 600 2008
Suzuki Australia is set to unveil the hotly-anticipated all new 2008 model GSX-R 600 K8.
Bigger version of 2008 GSXR 600 image
Suzuki Australia is set to unveil a show-stopper at this weekend’s Sydney Motorcycle Expo with a sneak preview of the hotly-anticipated all-new 2008-model GSX-R600 K8. Displaying the latest in advanced, race-bred technology and aerodynamically refined looks, the GSX-R600 makes its Australian debut in Sydney to whet the appetite of motorcycling enthusiasts ahead of an expected autumn release date.
"Suzuki is delighted to show off the latest generation GSX-R600 which, yet again, extends the possibilities of sports motorcycle design, incorporating a range of race-proven features," Perry Morison, General Manager, Motorcycles, Suzuki Australia said. "The all-new GSX-R600 is the ultimate middleweight race replica, engineered for a total package of sharp styling, responsive handling and exhilarating performance for the road or the racetrack."
Team Yoshimura Suzuki Team Manager, Phil Tainton also eagerly awaits the arrival of the new model to begin a race development program ahead of next year’s Australian Supersport Championship assault. "We’re really looking forward to getting our hands on the 2008 GSX-R600 to start testing and developing the bike with Josh Waters for Yoshimura Suzuki’s ’08 Supersport title hunt," Phil Tainton said. "The Suzuki factory somehow manages to make each new model better than the last and this new model will surely be a Supersport title contender."
GSXR 600 Motor
At the heart of the new GSXR 600, the compact, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, featuring a big 67.0mm bore and 42.5mm short stroke and a 16,000 rpm redline, is the most powerful and efficient 600cc four-stroke production motorcycle ever built by Suzuki. Equipped with three performance settings, the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS) offers advanced digital engine management for instantaneous switching between engine maps to suit rider preference or riding conditions. The advanced fuel injection system features two new downdraft Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) double-barrel throttle bodies, each carrying two injectors and two butterfly valves, to deliver the GSX-R 600 more linear throttle response and increased torque.
Cylinder head refinements, including more efficient intake ports further improve cylinder charging, while castings with thinner walls reduce engine weight. Further boosting performance, the Suzuki Ram Air Direct (SRAD) induction with an efficient louvre system inside the ram-air intakes offers a straighter, smoother airflow to the engine. Automatically improving cold starting and stabilising engine idle, the GSX-R600 features Suzuki’s Idle Speed Control (ISC) system, and is also fitted with iridium-electrode spark plugs to enhance combustion and offer long service life.
Under deceleration, Suzuki’s race-proven back-torque-limiting clutch reduces pressure on the clutch plates, contributing to smoother downshifting and corner entry for street or on-track performance. Looking like works racebike equipment, the trapezoidal, curved radiator provides large cooling capacity without increasing overall width or sacrificing aerodynamics. The exhaust system carries an oxygen sensor which assists the engine management system to fine-tune the amount of fuel injected into the cylinders, and the large triangular-cross-section silencer helps maximise cornering clearance while providing ample internal volume to meet latest emission regulations.
GSXR 600 Chassis
The all-new GSX-R600 chassis design with race-proven geometry features a cast aluminium-alloy frame tuned for superb handling feel at racetrack speeds. The new GSX-R600 has racebike-inspired, three-position-adjustable footpegs which can be moved to suit rider preference. The brake pedal and master cylinder move with the right footpeg assembly, and the shift lever linkage can be adjusted to accommodate changes in the left footpeg position. A relatively low 810mm seat height and a comparatively short reach between the handlebars and the hips of the rider create a seating position carefully designed to work well both for racetrack and street riding.
An electronically-controlled steering damper produces less damping force for lighter steering at slower speeds, and delivers more damping force at highway and racetrack speeds. Showa inverted cartridge forks with 41mm inner tubes feature 120mm of wheel travel and externally adjustable spring preload, rebound and compression damping. Providing 130mm of wheel travel, the Showa rear shock absorber has externally adjustable spring preload, rebound damping and both high and low speed compression damping. Delivering advanced stopping power, the Suzuki braking system uses dual radial-mount, opposed-four-piston Tokico front calipers and 310mm dual floating discs, and a single-piston rear brake caliper with a 220mm disc.
Riding on lighter, stronger and more rigid, cast aluminium-alloy wheels that feature a new curved, offset, three-spoke design, Suzuki’s mid-size powerhouse carries front 120/70ZR17M/C and rear 180/55ZR17M/C radial tyres designed specifically for the GSXR 600. Increased by 0.5 litres from the previous model, the new GSX-R600 now bears a larger, 17-litre fuel tank. Extensive wind-tunnel development has produced an edgy, evolutionary new look for the latest GSX-R600, including powerful new headlights and even more effective aerodynamics.
The new fairing carries three headlights with a central 55W halogen projector low beam flanked by 60W halogen multi-reflector high beams on each side. Integrated into the rearview mirrors and tail section, the aerodynamic front and rear turn signals now include red lenses and red LED’s for both visibility and style. Completing the package, the GSX-R600 instrument cluster features an analogue tachometer, digital LCD speedometer, and LCD and LED indicators including a shift light and gear position indicator.
The eagerly-awaited 2008 Suzuki GSXR 600 sportsbike is expected to be available in Australia in March / April next year with pricing and colours to be announced closer to the arrival date.
SUZUKI GSXR 600 K8 Specifications
ENGINE TYPE 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, in-line 4-cylinder
BORE X STROKE 67.0 x 42.5mm
DISPLACEMENT 599cc
COMPRESSION RATIO 12.8:1
CARBURETION SDTV Fuel injection
OIL CAPACITY 2.9 litres IGNITION Fully transistorised
STARTER SYSTEM Electric
LUBRICATION SYSTEM Wet sump
TRANSMISSION 6-speed constant mesh
PRIMARY DRIVE RATIO 1.974 (77/39)
FINAL DRIVE RATIO 2.687 (43/16)
FRAME TYPE Twin-spar diamond (aluminium alloy)
RAKE/TRAIL 23.8 degree / 98mm
SUSPENSION
FRONT Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped, spring preload fully adjustable, rebound and compression damping force fully adjustable
REAR Link type, oil damped, coil spring, spring preload fully adjustable, compression damping 2-way fully adjustable, rebound damping fully adjustable
WHEELS
FRONT 17M/C x MT3.50, cast aluminium alloy
REAR 17M/C x MT5.50, cast aluminium alloy
BRAKES
FRONT Radial mount 4-piston calipers, 310mm dual disc brake
REAR Single-piston caliper, 220mm disc brake
TYRES
FRONT 120/70 ZR17M/C
REAR 180/55 ZR17M/C
FUEL TANK 17.0 litres
OVERALL LENGTH 2,040mm
OVERALL WIDTH 715mm
OVERALL HEIGHT 1,125mm
WHEELBASE 1,400mm
SEAT HEIGHT 810mm
DRY WEIGHT 163kg
WARRANTY Two-year unlimited km
COLOURS TBA
PRICE of the GSXR 600 TBA
