No major reported problems but the Suzuki RF600R's finish isn’t all it could be and, as one of the more budget bikes in the class, they tend to get used hard all year round so look out for worse than average winter corrosion. Mechanically, however, a Suzuki RF600R is a pretty solid choice.
If you can abide the looks and are after a fairly worthy all-rounder sports 600, a Suzuki RF600R today represents excellent value. They’ve never been in as much demand as CBRs and ZZ-Rs, were cheaper when new and the styling is for some off-putting. All of which adds up to cheap used prices
The Suzuki RF600R is a typical mid-90s supersport. So most of what you want is there (decent mirrors, fairing, pretty thorough instrumentation etc. Being RF flavoured it also means it’s a tad built down to a price (so lacks the class of the CBR and ZZ-R) yet the Suzuki RF600R is admirably roomy and practical for two.
The Suzuki RF600R's steel, rather than alloy, twin spar frame holds reasonable suspension front and rear and delivers sweet enough steering. But compared to then rivals the CBR and Yamaha FZR the Suzuki RF600R is a big old bus. Decent comfort and weather protection though, although not quite the classy two-up tool that is the Kawasaki ZZ-R.
On paper it should have been enough, but to eke out those 100 horses out of the Suzuki RF600R requires wrist-straining revs and leaves it a little gutless in the midrange. In isolation, it’s a decent, versatile, adequate unit. But the Suzuki RF600R simply wasn’t as flexible as the CBR or as fast as Kawasaki’s ZZ-R.
Out on the open highway, a windscreen provides ample coverage to hide behind, and there is an integrated push-to-open glovebox in the left fairing that's within easy reach. The box is big enough to hold a couple packs of smokes, or a garage-door opener. Thankfully the gas tank, which hold 4.7 gallons of juice, is quite tall, meaning that it's a short dip to lean on and rest aching wrists and arms (which will ache, no matter how jaded a sport-bike enthusiast you are!) while cruising.
There is an amber low-fuel indicator light on the dash-panel that alerts the rider when there is about 80 miles left on tap. Expect to see this light often. On average, we went 34 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and when sport-touring, and about 42 mp g when droning at constant speeds. The light is simply a reminder, as there is also a fuel petcock with reserve switch.
