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Suzuki GSX600F (Katana) 1989 - Ed Smith returns to biking on Suzuki's venerable sports-tourer

Suzuki GSXF 600 - more than capable sports-tourer As a "Middle-aged Returning Biker", who had not been in the saddle for about six years and was recovering from a long illness, I was considering what would be suitable for a return to the road for a slightly overweight, unfit middle-aged bloke. A mate offered me a ride on his GSX-F, saying that he was looking to sell. After a test ride, it was quickly snapped up.

For a returning biker, 80bhp was quite enough, cruising at 60mph at 5,200 revs, but the way the GSX-F accelerated once the rev-counter passed 7,000 was addictive with no apparent drop-off as it approached the redline! Rather, I found I had to watch the tacho and be focussed on changing gear, so quickly did it exceed the 12,000rpm mark!

Geared for just shy of 140mph at 12,000rpm, the bike would race up to 120+ before the rate of acceleration began to slow. I saw over 130 on the speedo on one clear, straight, deserted stretch of road, (in company with a Suzuki Hayabusa which would have been just getting into it's stride at that speed!). I never did find out if it would actually hit the 140 mark, but I am confident that had I kept the throttle pinned, it would have got there as it was still gathering speed at a rate that indicated it would easily reach redline in top gear.

Power and acceleration never failed to give me a thrill and a wide grin. As I became more familiar with and confident in both the bike and my own returning skills, I began to explore the handling abilities of what was by now a fairly old sports bike. I really couldn't fault it for someone of my skill level. I was surprised and impressed how hard I could brake into a corner and just go around without drama! Just a slight movement from the rear if I overcooked it coming in too fast and having to brake while cranked over. Not once did I experience tank-slap or a slide though did give myself a couple of "moments" when underestimating the speed at which I approached a corner. The bike was generally rock solid and stable. Even riding in strong cross-winds and blustery conditions it never budged. I had thought a full fairing would tend to catch side winds, but only the fiercest gusts could budge it. The bike's weight of 200kg probably helped here, but I came to take the stability of the bike for granted.

The GSX -F proved a comfortable and capable sports-tourer. The ride position is more upright than modern sports bikes and I could move around and sit upright to relieve tired muscles. The seat proved comfy for long distances. Fuel consumption was also good, I could achieve 45mpg with steady cruising and with a 20 litre tank could ride far enough that I was ready for a break by the time the fuel gauge was down to the red. Though if I upped the pace and kept the revs up over that 7,000 mark, I could watch the fuel gauge drop at an alarming rate!

The GSX engines gained a deserved reputation as being "bulletproof" and when I sold it, it was running as well as the day I bought it! It was due for a new chain by this time, which the new owner was happy to do himself, buying the bike as it was. Apart from a few cracks in the left fairing caused by my lack of attention to fastenings and a few gravel road rides, cracks which were noticeable only if you knew about them, the bike was still in nice condition when I sold it.

In over three years (though only covering 12,000m in that time) the only maintenance required apart from a service, was one new rear tyre and a new battery. Oil use was negligible though one expects an air/oil cooled motor to use a little oil in normal operation.

So is there a downside to this wonderful machine? The old air-oil cooled GSX engines were noted for their high-frequency vibes through the bars, and even after three years I was still finding them annoying on longer rides, particularly through the right handlebar and the mirrors were only a vague guide as to what was behind me! Ride it like a sports bike and it wasn't an issue, but as a tourer, it could send the hands to sleep at times.

Verdict : If you're looking at returning to biking, or after a very capable, fast, economic-to-own sports bike and you're shying away from the "pure" sports like the GSX-R's, R6's and the like, I heartily recommend the Suzuki GSX-F. A pleasure to ride and own!

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