View Full Version : Tried the new Gladius today.
ricky_t
01-05-09, 02:58 PM
Hi
I tried the gladius today and was actually quite impressed. I really showed how worn and bad me suspension is at the moment! Took the bike along a few dual carriageways and twisties and it handled well. The front is very very light. It feels like a pedal bike to handle and comfortable. Made my curvy feel cumbersome afterward!
Just my 2p.
Ricky_t
Apparently the new Kawasaki ER-6 is a viable alternative to the Gladius too, although I think I'd go for the V-Twin given the choice!
Didn't like the look of the Gladius tbh. Pick up my ER6f next Saturday!
davepreston
02-05-09, 06:45 PM
meet a boy who just bought a er6f (for 3 grand) who was heading home on the same boat as me very tidy looking and it did shift a bit
If it's as good as my sv650s I'll be a happy gal!
Think that's what initially put me off the Gladius aswell..... that it was aimed at women [Oh and the awful colours!]
Took a look at one and did not like it. Very plastic looking front. Seems narrower and the take profile looks smaller.
Overall, I'll think I'll keep my 2000 first gen. I never liked the 2nd gen on. I perfer the rounded frame.
mister c
03-05-09, 01:46 PM
If I had the money & reading the write ups on it, I would certainly have a Gladys in my shed, like the look of them & the press reckon it's a good all rounder.
Not bothered about the "Girly Bike" tag, the SV had the same.
I'd have one if they did some different colours.
As for the "Girly Bike" tag, I wouldn't give a monkeys', I am comfortable knowing that I am a hetrosexual.
Next year my curvy is 10 years old, mebbe the gubment scrappage scene will include bikes by then...
Alpinestarhero
03-05-09, 04:56 PM
RE girly bike thing
my bike is a girl. one of those girls who's quite hot-looking (on a j-lo way, you kno, cos i got that large rear end). but knows stuff about things and fights and likes a good scrap and dosnt watch her weight, eats what she wants, dosnt have to go in every single damn shop and then return to the first to buy the first pair of shoes on. she gets up in the morning and goes, even if she looks like crap, she dosnt care. She;s snatchy at low RPM, responsive at mid RPM's and arm-wrentching at high RPM's. My SV, my girlie bike, my gentile flower, is more of a bruiser than a modern GSXR
cos they fall apart at the mere whiff of rain
works best on expensive petrol though. bit like a girl who will only let you buy her the finest champange. boooo
My 'billy' the sv650s is handsome, tough, and goes like a train!
Apologies for the deRAIL! Oh!
mrs fud
11-05-09, 06:48 PM
The Gladius seems to be getting a very mixed bag of comments - some like it and other's don't
Anyway my hubby has just bought one and we like it!!
Jo.
appollo1
11-05-09, 08:07 PM
The Gladius seems to be getting a very mixed bag of comments - some like it and other's don't
Anyway my hubby has just bought one and we like it!!
Jo.
so which colour did Mr Fud go for?
yorkie_chris
11-05-09, 10:56 PM
is more of a bruiser than a modern GSXR
But not as much of a bruiser as a proper one :-P
mrs fud
12-05-09, 02:51 PM
so which colour did Mr Fud go for?
It's here hun green/black
http://elmerfud0-0.piczo.com/?g=54996263&cr=5
Jo.
appollo1
12-05-09, 09:07 PM
It's here hun green/black
http://elmerfud0-0.piczo.com/?g=54996263&cr=5
Jo.
I quite like the style of the Gladius but that green IMO is quite sickly.
The blue/white one looks ok with the blue frame.
mrs fud
13-05-09, 03:24 PM
To be honest we were torn between the blue/white or the green/black but decided to go for the green/black because it was different than the suzuki blue/white that they are known for
Something a bit different
Jo.
A quick question from a newbie. I'm a 5'2" girl and I was wondering how low we reckon the seat height can go? Going to have a look at it on Thurs but I am very impatient so thought I'd ask :D
I see for the Er6 you can get a 30mm lower seat and i imagine a bit more off the suspension? But I'd like an idea of figures from you pros :D Many thanks!
yorkie_chris
18-05-09, 07:07 PM
Welcome.
The gladius isn't nearly as well known to the folks on here as the first 2 versions. As with any bike there is the option of having the seat resculpted lower. I would be incredibly surprised if suzuki do not have one as an accessory. However this is likely to be pricey. I would not hesitate to send any seat work to tony archer (google him) you can guarantee he will be cheaper than suzuki. And you've also got the option with him of gel pads/other sorts of foam. Top bloke too.
"Soupys performance" also make the adjustable dogbones to lower the suspension, personally I'm not sure I trust those, but again I would be surprised if there is not an OEM lowering kit.
But, better if you could cope with just the seat lowering, the stock naked SV is short on ground clearance, and all the SV series have lazy geometry, so lowering the back end is NOT pleasant for making a bike corner properly.
Bought Gladius 2 weeks ago cracker wee bike change from riding my gsxr no more sore back still have gixer and some classic bikes T500 Cl250 A100m Rides like a 250
mrs fud
18-05-09, 07:49 PM
Talya as I said above hubby has just bought one and we had it out for a good run on Saturday and it is a cracking little bike
myself and hubby both have a whopping 29in inside leg :smt046 and it is great and hubby say's it is the first bike he has had that he can get his feet flat on the floor on both side's when I was on the pillion seat :smt046
When we bought it the guy in the shop did actually say that they had one in the back that had been sold to a girlie and they were waiting for "dogbone's" to come to lower it before she picked it up!!
See if you can get a test ride on one before you buy it if you can! Like I said " a cracking bike"
Jo.
Unfortunately we can't test ride anything as we are still restricted until September. But my mother has moved to leicester and we live in Southampton. The 250 won't do that distance with 2 of us on so necessity has forced us to get something bigger before we aren't restricted :(
Just measured inside leg and I am 28" so lost an inch on you guys. Were you Ok with no lowering? If so, looks promising for us! :D
mrs fud
18-05-09, 08:14 PM
We are both fine honestly!!
I actually had a naked sv pointy with an original suzuki lowered seat and the gladius actually feels better than that did! :D You actually feel like you are sat in it and not on it - if that make's sense.
Jo.
We are both fine honestly!!
I actually had a naked sv pointy with an original suzuki lowered seat and the gladius actually feels better than that did! :D You actually feel like you are sat in it and not on it - if that make's sense.
Jo.
Woop woop. I can't wait to at least sit on/in (lol) it on Thurs! I might even take some pics :D
mrs fud
19-05-09, 07:09 AM
Let us know how you get on :)
Jo.
Oops, I may have bought it....
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g15/Kavanne/IMG_2285.jpg
Just to add, it's everything I hoped for and more, I am so happy! Though the dealers aren't sure how long it will take my restrictor kit to arrive as they've never ordered one for a gladius before!!
Not sure whether to get a sat nav fitted or not. What do you guys think? It's a minimum of £370 for the garmin 550 i think? but they will fit it for free.
Luckypants
21-05-09, 05:28 PM
Not a fan of satnav on bike myself, but it depends on what works for you. If you think it will be a good investment go for it. I can't say if the price is a good deal or not.
How is the seat height with your 28" leg? Feet flat on floor?
Ohhh and congrats on the new bike!
mister c
21-05-09, 05:31 PM
You lucky thing. Enjoy it. The best part about going out on the bike is not knowing where you are going.
A friend of mine used to say that you dont get lost, you discover new places :)
How is the seat height with your 28" leg? Feet flat on floor?
Ohhh and congrats on the new bike!
You can't quite see in the pic but my other foot is flat. But with both feet down it's the balls of my feet, not quite tip toe. I am happy to take it without any lowering.
I get very nervous about driving if I don't know where I am going so I think for me a sat nav could boost my confidence but for £370 maybe I can suck it up and go without lol
mrs fud
21-05-09, 05:48 PM
See hun I told you that you would be fine, us shortasse's have to stick together ;)
Jo.
maviczap
21-05-09, 05:50 PM
It's growing on me, the first thing I would get rid of is that exhaust, the rest I could live with.
mrs fud
25-05-09, 10:54 AM
So when do you pick it up Talya???
Jo.
So when do you pick it up Talya???
Jo.
Sometime in the week starting the 1st, I hope! it's been restricted but they are waiting for my top box and sat nav atm :( I want now!1
ranathari
25-05-09, 12:22 PM
Sometime in the week starting the 1st, I hope! it's been restricted but they are waiting for my top box and sat nav atm :( I want now!1
Why not just pick it up now then go back later for the top box and satnav?
timwilky
25-05-09, 12:54 PM
Sorry, but the more I see of them the fuglier they get.
Probably a decent bike, it just don't float my boat.
I'm hoping I get one as a courtesy bike when my SV goes in for service next week!!!
I even don't mind if I get a pink one!!
Bluewolf
25-05-09, 04:26 PM
Sorry, but the more I see of them the fuglier they get.
Probably a decent bike, it just don't float my boat.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/Bluewolf666/Smilies/whs.gif
Hope you have many safe, happy miles together though ;)
Samurai Penguin
25-05-09, 06:26 PM
Just to add, it's everything I hoped for and more, I am so happy! Though the dealers aren't sure how long it will take my restrictor kit to arrive as they've never ordered one for a gladius before!!
I think I saw your new Gladius out the back of Crescent (formally Rob Willsher) when I popped in on saturday. It had the rack fitted on the back, not sure if they had done the restrictor kit, and didn't see any GPS on it. All the colour choices on the Gladius look good, but in the end it has to be the Blue/White version for me....so I asked them to put one aside :D
I think I saw your new Gladius out the back of Crescent (formally Rob Willsher) when I popped in on saturday. It had the rack fitted on the back, not sure if they had done the restrictor kit, and didn't see any GPS on it. All the colour choices on the Gladius look good, but in the end it has to be the Blue/White version for me....so I asked them to put one aside :D
So you bought the Blue and White!! lol. They are only ordering the gps today for me as I ummed and ahhed about it for a few days as it's £380! but I can think of loads of times I'm going to use it, the soonest being going to visit my family and scaring the ____ out of them when I turn up on it! ;)
But yeah if it was the pink/white with a rack on, it's mine!
Dave20046
26-05-09, 08:29 AM
Hi
I tried the gladius today and was actually quite impressed. I really showed how worn and bad me suspension is at the moment! Took the bike along a few dual carriageways and twisties and it handled well. The front is very very light. It feels like a pedal bike to handle and comfortable. Made my curvy feel cumbersome afterward!
Just my 2p.
Ricky_t
Is your sv a naked though? My front end's extremely light on my naked, couldn't imagine it getting any lighter and feeling safe! Gladys isn't bad but I'd rather have an SV over one. (be it faired or naked)
It was ready last thing yesterday but they called me so late I couldn't get there in time. Wah! I will be picking it up Monday evening...
Samurai Penguin
31-05-09, 08:56 AM
I picked mine up on Saturday morning. Not been on a bike for about 4 or 5 years so I was a bit nervous. As soon as I pulled out onto the road it all just clicked into place :)
The Gladius is brutal (in a nice way). 120 miles later and i've still got a smile on my face :D
I picked mine up on Saturday morning. Not been on a bike for about 4 or 5 years so I was a bit nervous. As soon as I pulled out onto the road it all just clicked into place :)
The Gladius is brutal (in a nice way). 120 miles later and i've still got a smile on my face :D
Cool it should be a nice ride to the AR09 then ;)
ok so.... a massive difference from a ybr125 (lol)
I love it. I want to ride it everywhere ALL THE TIME.
In fact, I should take it out right now. Aaaaaaargh!
yorkie_chris
01-06-09, 10:24 PM
In fact, I should take it out right now. Aaaaaaargh!
That's the spirit! :salut:
ricky_t
02-06-09, 04:27 PM
Is your sv a naked though? My front end's extremely light on my naked, couldn't imagine it getting any lighter and feeling safe! Gladys isn't bad but I'd rather have an SV over one. (be it faired or naked)
No, my SV is a faired model. I have just had my front forks serviced last week with new seals, oil and springs and feels just as light as the gladius now.
TBH, the big difference was that my SV had 9 year old fork oil. :eek:
mrs fud
03-06-09, 10:50 AM
Everyone that has got a Gladius seems to be pretty pleased with it, I must admit me and Dave were of work on hols last week and his new bike was out every day. The bike will be due it's first service within the next week or so!!
Enjoy the Gladius' people because we love our's
Jo.
Miss Alpinestarhero
03-06-09, 01:21 PM
I saw an actual real galdius (ive never seen it in the flesh before, only pictures!) :p near me the other day and i must say, it looks rather nice..! Looks much better and less ugly in the flesh :D
MCN_LiamM
03-06-09, 01:23 PM
Aye, the Gladius is a cracking little bike. Enjoy. I was sad to see the one I had for a while leave. Even if it was the pink one.
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