2006 Suzuki GSX-R600: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 38 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (21% of complaints); the 2008 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2013
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Riding home after work on back highway and lost all power to bike. Rear tire locked up a bit, so had to pull clutch and cut across the highway to park on the shoulder. Power loss was instant and if cars were behind me, it likely would have been an accident. Power loss was complete, so I had no brake lights or blinkers. The master fuse blew due to a problem with the regulator rectifier. The shop I took it to thought there was a recall for the issue, but it sounds like possibly 2007 may have a recall for this issue, which uses the same regulator. $382 to fix something that sounds fairly common and just as dangerous as most the recalls I've seen lately for gm, etc. This should be recalled. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2014
“Started up the bike and it felt kind of sluggish. Rode about 10 miles and the bike cut off on me and all I could smell was burning electronics and there was a lot of smoke coming from the rectifier that was on fire. I quickly disconnected the battery from the bike and waited for a tow truck to come. I know there is recalls on later model suzukis with the rectifier, but why not the 06 to 07s? I'm assuming that suzuki uses the same voltage regulator regardless of the years. My motorcycle could have gone up in flames. This needs to be addressed immediately. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2013
“Was driving on roadway. A car pulled out and I was unable to stop as brakes did not respond. I sustained serious injuries. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“I had install two batteries in a week I notice other rider has this issue too. A premature starter failure leaving you stall at highway speeds *kb”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2006 suzuki gsx-r600 motorcycle. While driving in traffic the motorcycle battery overheated causing the motorcycle to stall. The motorcycle was towed to the contacts residence. The manufacturer would not assist with the repair because the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 11v108000 electrical system alternator generator regulator. The motorcycle was not repaired. The failure and the current miles were 8,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2011
“I wish I would have known about this sooner than now. I almost lost my husband due to a crash caused from the brakes malfunctioning. We were fortunate that someone we knew was also present and called me. If not my husband probably would not be here today. He obtained multiple fractures, road rash from head to toe, chunks of his skin were missing and cracked his head open. The motorcycle itself was totalled and in a number of pieces. My husband spent days in the hospital and many more at home recovering. But it ended up causing him his job and today still has some issues mentally and physically.”Owner report · Wheels · Apr 2010
“My problem consists of a jerkish feeling from de-accelerate to acceleration. I was riding home from late dinner with some friends around midnight, was coming to a corner where I noticed water from near sprinklers, I then let off my gas to slow down to come into the turn, as I started to give it gas again, it sharply sped up causing me to low side from the corner. I was going no more then 15-20mph, as I was coming out from the corner approx. 30mph. I've had a few other suzuki bikes, older years, never had this sort of problem. I've been riding for over 5-9years. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2010
“Throttle response on my 2006 grxr 600 has been terrible since the day I bought the bike. It is near impossible to have throttle control at slow cornering speeds. Suzuki has offered no assistance with this bike since the day I bought it. This condition will cause an accident it is only a matter or time. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2009
“Broken frame-2006 suzuki gxsr 600-drove off roadway onto to soft dirt. Caused serious injuries to my son and death. Recall january 2009 on 2006-2007 suzuki motorcycle frames due to welds failing. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2009
“2006 suzuki gsx-r600 frame broke behind the handle bars which caused fatal injuries. *nj (lawyer on behalf of deceased)”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2004-2013 GSX-R600 and GSX-R750, and model year 2005-2013 GSX-R1000 motorcycles. In combination with older brake fluid, corrosion of the brake piston inside of the front brake master cylinder generates gas that may result in a reduction of fluid pressure transmission to the front brake.
Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2013. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-572-1490. Suzuki's campaign numbers for this recall are: 2A (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36).
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact GSX-R600 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 reliable?
NHTSA has 38 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 7,750 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning service brakes. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.