Re: sv650, time for a fresh model suzuki
 

The frame is still butt ugly. I think the lack of character might be something to do with the heavier flywheel they've put in, soon sort that...

Re: sv650, time for a fresh model suzuki
 

I don't know, without the plastic cover near the foot rest you can see more of frame. And the trellis frame that is reviled looks better then say the Pointy. Reminds me of a TRX850.

As for the flywheel, I can see that being the reason. But I do wonder why they have added that?

Re: sv650, time for a fresh model suzuki
 

Probably to make it smoother I would guess. Otherwise known as ruining it to appeal to the bint market.

Re: sv650, time for a fresh model suzuki
 

Thanks for the feedback chaps!


I figured that it was an evolution on the SV with similar character...clearly not!

Re: sv650, time for a fresh model suzuki
 

It is still an evolution. Natural selection, adapt for the environment. Suzuki think that the Gladius is needed in the environment. The environment says otherwise.

Re: sv650, time for a fresh model suzuki
 

I always thought the Aprilia Shiva was a natural evolution of the SV. In fact I wondered if the Gladius was based on it(but messed up). Some interesting comments here. I've moved on after owning a curvy and pointy, I couldn't buy a Gladius and didn't want a bandit. Had Suzuki produced a 750 vtwin on the lines of a monster or Shiva, I might have gone for that.

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Re: sv650, time for a fresh model suzuki
 

The problem isn't that the gladius is a bad bike as such, but that the bike it took over from was such an excellently balanced all rounder with such wide appeal.

It's pretty, especially in naked form, It delivers 55mpg, so reasonably frugal, and being light, low is easy to handle and forgiving to ride for a newcomer and the shorter of leg, its not intimidating like a taller bike 1/3 heavier such as fasers/bandits. It handles well for an all rounder. You can within basic size limitations, tour, commute or trackday an SV. But it also had enough "difference" or "character" to appeal to those who don't want a full on sports bike in the faired version.

Could have been Suzuki's Monster, if only Suzuki weren't so incompetent. If they'd kept the original curvy, made a nice full fairing model, made higher spec versions available, and perhaps planned from the outset a model range of 2-3 engines from 600 to 1000, rather than make us wait for the pointy 1000, they would have taken the market even more forcefully. Even today, it's still a common bike, but when I think how much yen could have been earned if Suzuki actually asked what people want rather than forcing crap on the market.

I even think if they'd kept the original frame, and just spent a little time redetailing the gladius, that could have been a success.

Re: sv650, time for a fresh model suzuki
 

Personally, I don't think Suzuki will venture into the SV area again, seems like they gave a little effort into creating the sfv, a street bike with a damn good engine that never took off with the following they wanted.

Even if they did, the SV has always been the best budget bike, they wouldn't go for the suspension and brake upgrade that the SV deserved from the start as it would push it into the higher price range.

How many people would realistically buy an SV mk3 over a pointy or a curvy?????

Re: sv650, time for a fresh model suzuki
 

I dunno about that, they did sell a lot of them...

Re: sv650, time for a fresh model suzuki
 

But they never got the following the SV has got, even reading through this thread shows its got such mixed opinions.

Im a fan of the SFV, i like the looks, riding position, easy usability etc. The only thing stopping me from getting one is the lack of fairing and my shallow pockets :p