2004 GSX-R750 K4-K5 review

Responsibility to a 2004 GSX-R750 K4-K5 rider is about remembering to fill up with petrol. It was and is everything a GSXR 750 should be; a brilliant track bike, back road scratcher, commuter and a bike that simply begs to be thrashed.



The GSX-R750 is virtually identical to its partner-in-crime 600cc brother and the casual onlooker will struggle to tell the two apart. Pop the key in and the view from the bridge is identical to the 600’s. Hit the starter and it’s instant, snarling smiles. Looking for trouble? You’ve come to the right place. The 750 motor sounds raw, rough, ready for action. Blip the throttle and the needle leaps around the large analogue rev counter while the exhaust growls harshly and the air-box barks. It’s pure, undiluted essence of GSX-R.



Get going and the GSXR 750 encourages misbehaviour. There’s a wonderful, two-stroke-like kick in power around 7000rpm, at which point all hell breaks loose. Air-box and exhaust compete to see which can make the most noise, while the motor buzzes even more and the rev counter spins wildly round towards the needle stop. It’s one of the most addictive things in biking, and forces a manic smile onto your face. The GSX-R smile.



“I bloody love this bike,” said Tester at Small Daryll Young, “I’ve ridden all of the new bikes this year and I’d have the 750 over all of them hands down, it’s just so much fun.” Mackenzie was similarly full of praise; “It just gets better every time you ride it,” reckoned Niall, “the handling, engine, brakes, everything about it is brilliant.”



The new chassis, basically identical to the GSX-R600’s, gives the 750 the sharp but neutral handling of a 600, while the motor gives it the near kick of a 1000, but without the looming intimidation.



Get on a tight twisty track and the 750’s throttle can be cracked open with confidence where the 1000’s needs feathering. While the 600 needs to be in the right gear for each corner, the 750 has enough mid-range to carry a gear higher if you feel like it – or simply get it wrong.



Not that there is much excuse for getting it wrong. The gearbox is spot on, the radial brakes are about the best on any bike, and the chassis is stunning. Suzuki has narrowed, shortened, lightened and honed the GSX-R750’s frame to near perfection.



And then added a motor that is plenty fast enough and gives the rider a thrill every ride. The only thing to really complain about is the vibration from the motor – but even that is a familiar GSX-R family trait. It may be in quite a high insurance category. Apart from that it’s cheaper than a 1000, and only a few quid more than a 600.

Responsibility to a GSX-R750 rider is about remembering to fill up with petrol. It was and is everything a GSXR 750 should be; a brilliant track bike, back road scratcher, commuter and a bike that simply begs to be thrashed.



The GSX-R750 is virtually identical to its partner-in-crime 600cc brother and the casual onlooker will struggle to tell the two apart. Pop the key in and the view from the bridge is identical to the 600’s. Hit the starter and it’s instant, snarling smiles. Looking for trouble? You’ve come to the right place. The 750 motor sounds raw, rough, ready for action. Blip the throttle and the needle leaps around the large analogue rev counter while the exhaust growls harshly and the air-box barks. It’s pure, undiluted essence of GSX-R.



Get going and the GSXR 750 encourages misbehaviour. There’s a wonderful, two-stroke-like kick in power around 7000rpm, at which point all hell breaks loose. Air-box and exhaust compete to see which can make the most noise, while the motor buzzes even more and the rev counter spins wildly round towards the needle stop. It’s one of the most addictive things in biking, and forces a manic smile onto your face. The GSX-R smile.



“I bloody love this bike,” said Tester at Small Daryll Young, “I’ve ridden all of the new bikes this year and I’d have the 750 over all of them hands down, it’s just so much fun.” Mackenzie was similarly full of praise; “It just gets better every time you ride it,” reckoned Niall, “the handling, engine, brakes, everything about it is brilliant.”



The new chassis, basically identical to the GSX-R600’s, gives the 750 the sharp but neutral handling of a 600, while the motor gives it the near kick of a 1000, but without the looming intimidation.



Get on a tight twisty track and the 750’s throttle can be cracked open with confidence where the 1000’s needs feathering. While the 600 needs to be in the right gear for each corner, the 750 has enough mid-range to carry a gear higher if you feel like it – or simply get it wrong.



Not that there is much excuse for getting it wrong. The gearbox is spot on, the radial brakes are about the best on any bike, and the chassis is stunning. Suzuki has narrowed, shortened, lightened and honed the GSX-R750’s frame to near perfection.



And then added a motor that is plenty fast enough and gives the rider a thrill every ride. The only thing to really complain about is the vibration from the motor – but even that is a familiar GSX-R family trait. It may be in quite a high insurance category. Apart from that it’s cheaper than a 1000, and only a few quid more than a 600.

2004 GSX-R750 K4-K5 specs