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2009 Suzuki Gladius
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:22 am
by Trobairitz
Just got the new issue of Rider magazine in the mail today. Anyone have any thoughts on the new 2009 Suzuki Gladius? (loosely based on the older Katana)
I like the thoughts of a naked SV 650 type of bike with the seating position a little more upright. I don't like the weight on my wrists.
Any other opinions out there? Nice to see bikes being added to the line-ups for under $7k.
Re: 2009 Suzuki Gladius
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 2:48 pm
by High_Side
Trobairitz wrote:Just got the new issue of Rider magazine in the mail today. Anyone have any thoughts on the new 2009 Suzuki Gladius? (loosely based on the older Katana)
I like the thoughts of a naked SV 650 type of bike with the seating position a little more upright. I don't like the weight on my wrists.
Any other opinions out there? Nice to see bikes being added to the line-ups for under $7k.
Cool bike, but based on the SV, not the Bandit. Should be strong competition for the Ducati Monster for a lot less $$$$
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 3:02 pm
by wrecks
I think its a cool looking bike. Im sure if you got one of those things you could customize the heck out of it. A lot of people are hating it but the gladius has won me over. Not to mention its based on the SV650 engine and those things are bulletproof and will last forever.
Check this one out
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 4:29 pm
by HYPERR
Wow it's even more mfuglier than the new Monster!
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 4:49 pm
by Wrider
I like it but to make it cheaper for the masses and attract more of a commuter audience they went cheaper on the suspension than the stock SV, and gave it more relaxed cams, so less power/torque out of it.
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:01 pm
by HYPERR
Wrider wrote:and gave it more relaxed cams, so less power/torque out of it.
Is this the infamous "tuned for better midrange" grind?
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:31 pm
by RhadamYgg
I like it - seems a little small though. I tell, you that kind of MPG would be great to have in something more powerful than my old 250.
I hate the fact that the web sites rarely show the control cluster. I love the control cluster on my b-king.
RhadamYgg
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:54 am
by High_Side
HYPERR wrote:Wow it's even more mfuglier than the new Monster!
When the MTS owners chime in about how bad it looks, we can take that one of two ways..........
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:31 am
by HYPERR
High_Side wrote:HYPERR wrote:Wow it's even more mfuglier than the new Monster!
When the MTS owners chime in about how bad it looks, we can take that one of two ways..........
What's a MTS?
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:01 am
by gsJack
I spent a lot of time sitting on the Gladius back in Jan at the big bike show and felt right at home on it since I've ridden a couple GS500s for the past ten years and 160k+ miles. A SV650 with a bit of Duc styling it's a lot easier to get on and off of than the standard SV is with my arthritic hips.
Kind of of a small gas tank I think at 3.8 gal compared to the 5.3 gal of the similar size/weight GS500 but Suzuki rates it at 58 mpg compared to the GS's 59 mpg. The GSX650F Kat replacement with the Bandit 650cc engine is rated at 43 mpg and is 80# heavier. The SFV650 Gladius is like a GS500 with a motor I think.
Here's some pics of it including a pic of the instruments, it's one of those bikes that looks better in person than in pics:
http://www.mcnews.com.au/2009_Bikes/Suz ... /index.htm