Gladius - opinions

[Littlepeahead]

So for everyone who made it to the NEC - what do you think of the Gladius? Definitely designed to be a girls bike with those colour schemes. Despite being a girl I'm not that keen, much preferred sitting on the black GSXR750 - which felt like the big brother of my black SV650s K8.

Any shorties out there visit the BMW stand? I'm now thinking about saving up for the factory lowered F650 GS - to have as well as the SV of course! The lads from BMW said they love the new range of lowered bikes - not for any technical reasons, just because it meant this year they had lots of women visit the stand instead of it being 99% blokes.

I thought it was actually pretty nice, although the fairing lowers were really really awful. gf liked it a lot + i thought it was a lot classier design wise than it seems on paper.

I still wouldn't have bought one for my first big bike but it looks to be an excellent beginners bike. I'm not sure what it means for the sv, they are going to be produced alongside each other I thought but for how long? The SV really needs a facelift, new paintjobs are ok (liked the stripe) but it is looking a bit long in the tooth now..

The BMWs were really nice, although I'd be a lot more tempted if the 800 series would be a bit quicker on top end, the bmw guy said top speed of 125?

And how often are you going to be doing 125mph on public roads? If you're seriously into trackdays then, sure, the top speed matters but choosing a road bike based on top speed? Personally I rate things like acceleration more.

[Littlepeahead]

Sadly they don't do the 800 in a lowered version yet. But sure that will come. Nice to see bike companies finally realising that if you don't do a low version you are excluding 50% of your possible customers before they even get in the show room.

What I did notice on all the lowered versions though was that there isn't an option for shorter gear shift and back brake. All very well being able to have your feet on the floor when you stop, but if you have size 3 feet like me then you can waggle your foot up and down without your toes reaching the gear peg or brake if you have your foot resting on the peg.

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by Littlepeahead

Sadly they don't do the 800 in a lowered version yet. But sure that will come. Nice to see bike companies finally realising that if you don't do a low version you are excluding 50% of your possible customers before they even get in the show room.

What I did notice on all the lowered versions though was that there isn't an option for shorter gear shift and back brake. All very well being able to have your feet on the floor when you stop, but if you have size 3 feet like me then you can waggle your foot up and down without your toes reaching the gear peg or brake if you have your foot resting on the peg.

The F800ST I sat on was lowered.... the salesman told me so!

[Littlepeahead]

You are correct, they did have an ST - it was the GS I was looking at. Also sat on the 1200 Adventurer. Great bike, but sadly far too big for me, clearly the designers were not thinking - "now what can we build for the 5'"2" seven and a half stone size 8 woman to get about on?"

If I'm going to go off road it'll have to be on the kids teeny KTM that I sat on! Designed for 8 year olds and me.

Originally Posted by ranathari

And how often are you going to be doing 125mph on public roads? .