So, I’ve been messing around with my GSXR 600, trying to shed some weight off this beast. You know, every pound counts when you’re trying to get that edge on the track or even just making your ride feel a bit more nimble on the streets.
First thing I did was weigh the darn thing. I found that the GSXR 600 is listed at something like 354 lbs dry, but that’s probably way off. From what I saw on some forums, guys were saying theirs came in at 438 pounds wet and 411 dry after they went and added stuff like fluids and a battery.
Here’s the breakdown of what I did to take off weight:
- Exhaust: Swapped out the stock exhaust for a lighter aftermarket one. Those stock pipes are heavy! I went with a full system, which took off a decent chunk of weight. I don’t have exact numbers, but trust me, it’s noticeable.
- Battery: Replaced the stock lead-acid battery with a lithium-ion one. These things are way lighter, like, several pounds lighter. Plus, they crank better, especially in the cold.
- Wheels: Now, this one’s a bit pricier, but if you’re serious, you might want to look into lighter wheels. I haven’t done this yet, but I’ve heard it makes a big difference in handling because it reduces un-sprung weight.
- Fairings: I’ve seen some guys replace their stock fairings with carbon fiber ones. This is also a bit on the expensive side, and I’m not sure how much weight it really saves, but it definitely looks cool!
- Other bits and bobs: There are a bunch of other small things you can do, like replacing heavy bolts with titanium ones, removing passenger pegs if you never ride two-up, and ditching any unnecessary brackets or parts. It all adds up.
The Result
After doing the exhaust and battery, I weighed it again. I managed to shave off a good amount of weight. I didn’t go crazy with it, but just these two changes made a difference. The bike feels lighter on its feet, and it’s a bit more responsive when I’m flicking it through corners. I heard about the pros getting it down to like, 108.4 hp with a curb weight of 432 pounds! That’s crazy. Mine puts out about 111 hp. I might have to look into that.
Honestly, it’s a fun project. You get to tinker with your bike, learn more about it, and make it truly your own. Plus, who doesn’t like going faster? I also found out that the GSX-R750 is only 425 pounds but has 127 hp. What’s up with that? If you’re thinking about trying to drop some weight on your GSXR 600, or any bike for that matter, just do your research, take it step by step, and have fun with it! It’s all part of the joy of riding.
