Rear-set foot-pegs, wide handlebars and the shapely tank of the 600i lend a sporty riding position without loading the arms since you sit almost upright. The seat is firm and vibrates every time you blip the throttle due to the exhaust pipes underneath but that doesn’t really induce any discomfort while riding the bike. The 600i is a well-sprung motorcycle and offers a pliant ride. It is certainly more manageable than the GT due to the 15-kg reduction in weight and feels sure-footed in corners. That doesn’t make it a sports bike, though, and neither is it ideal for high-speed cruising since the wind protection is minimal. The 600i is an urban motorcycle built for short bursts of acceleration to spice up your daily commute.
In terms of positioning, the 600i stays clear of the GT territory. The loud and busy sounding in-line four engine and its Italian lineage will be an attractive proposition for Indian buyers looking for a big bike with road presence to ride around town, but pricing will be crucial since it already has two worthy competitors available below Rs 5.5 lakh.
