Top 10 600cc Supersport bikes

Visordown presents the Top 10 secondhand supersport bikes

Posted: 6 May 2010
by Visordown

 1 of 11 

The revvy little 600's are known for their no frills fun and with good reason, they're proper quick at an affordable price. We look at some of the big secondhand sellers.

Sports 600 buying advice.

  • These bikes are big sellers so there’s a colossal amount of choice when buying used.  Don’t buy the first bike you see, no matter how tempting. There’ll be plenty more if you miss that one and probably cleaner machines or better deals.
  • Do your homework. Sporty 600s tend to get updated every two years and these can make substantial differences. Be wary of older bikes registered on later plates.
  • Rough ‘uns. Plenty of these will have seen track or even race use, have been crashed, stolen, neglected or covered big miles. It’s almost always worth paying a bit more for a really nice example and as they’re so common finding one shouldn’t be difficult.
  • Do a data check. www.mycarcheck.com do a comprehensive check for a bargain £3.95 which lets you know if a bike’s been written off, stolen, has outstanding finance and more.
  • Use the lingo. Words like ‘clean’, ‘honest’ and ‘straight’ will make salesmen think you’re more clued up than ‘shiny’, ‘not bodged’ or ‘not crashed’. You CAN bullshit a bullshitter!

Tuning tips

  • Lower gearing. Fit two different sprockets – one tooth larger at the rear, one smaller at the front and gain acceleration / wheelie ability at the loss of a little top end. Most will need a gizmo to correct the speedo. 
  • Suspension re-work. Forks should have new oil every two years and fork springs every four. Most original shocks are well past their best by 20,000 miles. £500 or so should get you a new shock plus the front end overhauled by a pro. It’s not cheap but it’ll transform the bike.  
  • The right tyres. Old or worn tyres ruin handling. Get a new set of sporty road or even sports touring rubber and your bike will feel great. Only go for the stickier options if you’re going to do a lot of track days.
  • Full exhaust? A complete system is not cheap (reckon £600++) and you’ll probably need a Power Commander and possibly a custom map too so don’t reckon on much change from a grand. It’s a lot of dosh for not much more go and barely worth it unless you’re a perfectionist. Fit and end can for a quarter the price if you want more noise.

Owned a 600? Disagree with our top 10? Then leave a comment below.

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Discuss this story


Jason McCauley
I've owned and ridden many bikes in the course of my life. Sometimes you get one eyed and don't give any other make of bike a go.
I'm in the market for a strong, fast reliable bike. I applaud the creator of this site for their accuracy,fair judgement call, and unbiased representation of these top 10 600 cc bikes... Very refreshing.

Posted: 20/08/2011 at 07:29


Stefaan De Bal
if you include the duc 749, you should also include the gixxer 750, wich is superior to all. I agree with the bikes, not so with your picking order. still, nice to read.

Posted: 06/09/2011 at 10:03


Bipash das
its a deram and my dream is to buy a 600cc byke.

Posted: 06/01/2012 at 09:38


jack edzwan
For me triumph daytona 675r is the best sportbike in the market now

Posted: 24/01/2012 at 17:26


Mr Ian Jackson
Kawasaki zx636a1p one the best bikes 65k on the clock and still going stronge no major proplems, just a major service once a year and a oil and filter every 6 months shell v-power and castrol oils, happy days.

Posted: 30/01/2012 at 15:35


Jamal Jacob
I have a 600cc Yamaha YZF-R6 year 2010... It is very fast bike and moreover it can reach so quick above 280km/h resulting from after I changed the standard exhaust with yoshimura full system. I plan to upgrade with PC5 very soon.

In year 2006, I used to have 600cc Honda CBR600RR, but if compare the way we ride both of these, I would vote that YZF-R6 is pretty easy in handling and faster at top end. But, too fast will be too easy to lose control for beginner. I don't recommend new rider to ride this R6 unless we are familiar with fast riding.

Posted: 13/03/2012 at 13:52


Gavin Price
For me the kawasaki zx6r c1h was the bike i dicided on as the extra 36cc make all the difference that and all the little extras you get like the slipper clutch and the petal discs perfect for going hard into corners and it sounds awsome with the ram air, and considering the price of most of the the others in the list its allot of bike for little money not to be overlooked.

Posted: 24/05/2012 at 20:20


Jez NZ
Oh right, so somehow Supertest's King of Supersports was forgetfully omitted from the Visor-down top 10 supersports list? The Triumph Daytona 675 is part of the FIM World Super Sports class too, along side all the japanese 600cc CBR's, R6's, Gixxer 6's and ZX6's and the last two MCN reviews on youtube state that the 675R is superior to the MV Agusta F3 and the Ducati 848 evo corse.
Booyah!

Posted: 12/07/2012 at 10:35


Jay Tee 2
Yes, but most seem to forget that the 675 overheats, has Chinese parts all over it most notably the crap regulator rectifier, don't like the wet... Japanese every day of the week. Yes the 675 is a great bike,but would I opt for one over a jap?? Not in a month of Sundays.

Posted: 01/09/2012 at 10:19


bikerboy1
No TT600?

Posted: 01/04/2013 at 01:24


moko
Mate of mine has a 675 Daytona.Bought new just over 3 years ago.Second motor,original seized and try as they might Triumph had to admit it was their fault not his but it took long enough.Incidentally it could also have killed him as it locked up and threw oil all over the rear wheel,skidmarks all round.Wiring loom fell apart and it failed it's first mot as it had a European mainland spec headlight which dipped the wrong way....so he'd been dazzling other road users for 3 years apart from the safety issue.Yes he should have realised but he's a summer rider and has zero mechanical knowledge.triumph conceded that they knew some bikes had got out of the factory with the wrong lights but no there hadn't been a recall,naughty,naughty.
I've heard of 2 Street Triples with the same motor self-destructing.
Triumph's after sales appears to be to try to blame the rider every time and only grudgingly sort out problems after arguing the toss.

Posted: 16/04/2013 at 18:31

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