Suzuki GSXR 600 Problems: Reliable Bike? Or Just a Toy?

The GSXR 600 is a nimble bike that offers riders formidable power and incredible comfort. It offers sleek aesthetic, durable suspension, and excellent throttle response. Suzuki struck the perfect balance between power and ergonomics in this bike. It is much more than just a toy. Even though its owners have noticed several problems their GSXR 600's have in common, most of them swear by its reliability. 

If you wonder whether this bike is suitable for ripping up the tracks and navigating through traffic, this article will come in handy. Read on to learn more about the GSXR 600's reliability, common problems afflicting it, and their recommended solutions. 

Your GSXR 600 Has Trouble Starting

Several riders have undergone the frustrating experience of turning the key in their GSXR 600's ignition only for it to fail to start. The problem is likely to stress you more if not caused by the most common culprits of failure to start, a dead battery, low fuel, and ignition problems.

After confirming that your bike is not suffering from these common issues, you can look out for those known to plague the GSXR 600.

1) Kill Switch Malfunction

At times, the failure to start may be caused by your kill switch (also called emergency off-switch) accidentally flipping on as you start the bike. The kill switch is an intimidating red button on the handlebar's right side. It performs the crucial and, at times, lifesaving function of allowing you to stop your bike without taking your hand off the handle to reach for your key. Riders use their thumbs to flip their kill switch and immediately shut down all systems. 

A common sign that your kill switch is to blame for your starting issues is when your GSXR 600 keeps shutting on and off while you ride it. Similarly, if nothing else (battery, fuel, ignition) is to blame, your kill switch might be the innocuous suspect. 

When you experience starting problems, your first step should be ensuring your kill switch is off. After ensuring your kill switch is not on, inspect your GSXR 600 for loose wiring. Over time, your kill switch may develop a short that causes it to shut down and restart while riding. If neither the kill switch nor the wiring is to blame, you should look for a blown fuse. 

Solution

Where your kill switch accidentally flipped on when starting your GSXR 600, all you need to do is flick the switch back off. Where your trouble starting is not solved by switching off the kill switch, you are advised to check for loose wiring or a blown fuse. You will need to tighten the loose wires and replace the blown fuse to solve your starting challenges. 

If none of the recommended solutions works for you, yet you are sure the kill switch is to blame, you can remove its housing and clean it before reinstalling it. Riders who have tried all these solutions without success opt to replace the kill switch or wire out and cancel it. 

It is not advisable to wire out your kill switch because you will leave yourself vulnerable, especially if you often ride your GSXR 600 as fast as it can go. Owners who cannot troubleshoot their kill switch problem are advised to consult a certified Suzuki repair expert for an accurate diagnosis and solution. 

2) Kickstand Malfunction 

The kickstand (also known as the side stand) is another often overlooked cause of starting problems in the GSXR 600. The side stand sensor will automatically stop riders who try to take off while their kickstand is down from starting their bike. If your stand is not down and the bike is in neutral yet still will not start, you may be dealing with a damaged sensor. 

Solution

The easiest fix for kickstand starting issues is first confirming that none of the sensor wirings is loose. When you discover a loose wire, tightening it is a simple DIY task. Where the malfunction persists after ensuring all your wires are correctly fixed, you can try cleaning and lubing the components. Cleaning and lubing ensure that the kickstand is not mistakenly indicating to the sensor that it is down. 

If none of these solutions solves your kickstand-originated starting problem, you may have to purchase a new sensor. Before buying a replacement sensor for your GSXR 600, it is advisable to visit a seasoned auto repair technician for an expert diagnosis and fix. 

3) Clutch Switch

Your clutch switch ensures you cannot start the GSXR 600 without disengaging the clutch. The clutch switch is troubleshot by ensuring that there are no loose wires and the sensor is not faulty. In some instances, the clutch switch may have vibrated loose. 

Solution

Riders whose GSXR 600's are being troubled by a faulty clutch switch will need to tighten any loose wires. Next, you should clean the clutch switch connectors to eliminate corrosion that may cause your bike to catch fire. Where retightening the wires and cleaning the connectors does not solve the problem, you may have to replace the switch. Some riders bypass their clutch switch entirely, although this is not advisable. 

Your GSXR 600 Will Not Stay Running

Several owners have reported that the earlier models of the GSXR 600 fail to stay running. Other symptoms of this problem include:

• The bike has a rough idle
• The bike is not turning over
• Bike cutting out while riding

When your GSXR 600 exhibits this behavior, it is trying to warn you about an imbalanced fuel air mixture. The most likely cause is a vacuum blockage which prevents enough fuel from getting into your engine. If your bike is one of the old carburetor models, these signs indicate that your carburetor is begging for attention. If your GSXR 600 is fresh off the dealership floor, the most likely culprit is a clogged fuel injector. 

Solution

Owners are advised to entrust the diagnosis and repair of this problem to a licensed Suzuki auto repair expert.

Your GSXR 600 Does Not Start When Hot

Several GSXR 600 owners have complained that although their bikes start perfectly when cold, they won't start when hot. These unlucky owners are compelled to give their bikes a cool-down period before attempting to start them again. The starting failure is more frequent and happens after a shorter ride during the hot summer months. 

At times the failure to start will be accompanied by a cranking but failed to ignite. The overheating would cause the CKP sensors to send inaccurate information to the ECU, which in turn would prevent the bike from starting. 

Solution

Riders whose models face this challenge are best served by purchasing a replacement sensor. If your failure to start when hot is accompanied by the symptoms listed below, it is best to consult a professional auto repair expert for an accurate diagnosis. They include:

• Loss of acceleration power
• Reduced gas mileage
• Misfiring engine
• Rough idling
• Backfiring
• Stalling

Your GSXR 600 Instrument Gauge Cluster is Defective

You are more likely to face these challenges if your GSXR 600 is a pre-2011 model. At times, a few instruments may quit working, while the entire cluster fails to function in some instances. Usually, this problem was caused by a malfunctioning display as upon inspection; all the instruments were found to be operating optimally. 

A defective batch of instrument displays was installed on the bikes. These displays ended up entirely or partially giving up on the job. 

Solution

Owners of pre-2011 GSXR 600 should replace the entire display and never reencounter this challenge.

Your GSXR 600 Front Brakes are Spongy

Spongy front brakes are the most infamous problem affecting the GSXR 600. If your bike is a 2013-2014 model, it was affected by a manufacturing defect in the front brake master cylinder. Corrosion would develop between the front brake position and the return spring because of poor surface treatment during manufacturing. This corrosion was caused and accelerated by producing gas in the master brake cylinder. 

Enthusiasts of the GSXR 600 immediately noticed the defect, which manifested as a spongy front brake and a significant reduction in braking power. They also noticed that the problem was magnified when riders used expired or old brake fluid.

Suzuki recalled all the affected bikes to fix the problem at their authorized dealerships free of charge. In fact, the company offered a mea culpa in the form of $100 to cover expenses and inconveniences users would experience when taking their bikes back to the shop.

Solution

Owners of 2013-2014 GSXR 600's are advised to consult a licensed Suzuki mechanic as soon as they notice a reduction in braking power. This problem is highly urgent and cannot be ignored. Even riders who experience spongy brakes without a reduction of braking power should err on the side of caution and inspect or update their brake pistons. If your bike's cylinder is producing gas or is already worn out, it is advisable to replace it immediately.