My first long ride on the Gladys.

[mattian]

Had to go down to Hamilton from Aucklands North Shore for a job interview last Tuesday. My first ever long-(ish) ride on the Gladius. Thats the very masculine looking Suzuki Gladius SFV 650.

My Gladys is the perfect inner city commuter, small enough to slip through the tiniest gaps and stop on a dime (at low speeds) and dodge any kind of 4 wheeled obstacle that gets in your way. I was much more cautious out on the open road, my first ever long distance ride and I really didn't know what to expect and how differently she would handle on the more uneven surfaces at 100+ It did get very bumpy in places. Being a naked machine you do feel the wind when it gets up. Found a stiff headwind and cross winds can blow you about in your lane a bit, but nothing major. Just grip the tank with your thighs and power through it. Wow those bigger trucks coming in the opposite direction certainly do create quite a bow wave of air at open road speeds!!. I have heard people talk about it but, never knew it could jolt you around so violently. After one or two times you soon get used to it and its much easier to deal with when you can anticipate it.

Power wise its a dream to ride. More than enough grunt to leave even the most determined tail-gator behind. Had to give it a squirt to get past a particularly smelly cattle truck and from a 100 to a 150 in what seemed like a second! with a subtle twist ,and I never even found 6th gear on the whole ride down!! got to wonder why there is a 6th gear.

Comfort wise, not so flash. Had a very numb arse after about an hour and half, had to stop and go for a little stroll to prevent rigor mortis from setting in. That would probably be my only complaint about the Gladius. That seat is rock hard and certainly isn't designed for the long ride.

[YellowDog]

Good write up.

There's a Gel seat option if you want less of a numb bum.

Well done on the ride. How was the interview?

[mattian]

Good write up.

There's a Gel seat option if you want less of a numb bum.

Well done on the ride. How was the interview?

Oh cool, will have to look into that gel-seat. Would make such a difference I reckon. either that or duct tape a pillow to it.

interview went well I think, will find out next week if I have the job or not. Whatever the outcome, it was worth the trip. I thoroughly recomend it. Not too far, you can do it and be back in Auckland all in one day.

[blackdog]

windy, sore bum, never found top gear??!! you need a big cup of HTFU :Punk:

[mattian]

windy, sore bum,

That was the result of the curry I had last night. Thats another story.

[miloking]

Had to go down to Hamilton from Aucklands North Shore for a job interview last Tuesday. My first ever long-(ish) ride on the Gladius. Thats the very masculine looking Suzuki Gladius SFV 650.

My Gladys is the perfect inner city commuter, small enough to slip through the tiniest gaps and stop on a dime (at low speeds) and dodge any kind of 4 wheeled obstacle that gets in your way. I was much more cautious out on the open road, my first ever long distance ride and I really didn't know what to expect and how differently she would handle on the more uneven surfaces at 100+ It did get very bumpy in places. Being a naked machine you do feel the wind when it gets up. Found a stiff headwind and cross winds can blow you about in your lane a bit, but nothing major. Just grip the tank with your thighs and power through it. Wow those bigger trucks coming in the opposite direction certainly do create quite a bow wave of air at open road speeds!!. I have heard people talk about it but, never knew it could jolt you around so violently. After one or two times you soon get used to it and its much easier to deal with when you can anticipate it.

Power wise its a dream to ride. More than enough grunt to leave even the most determined tail-gator behind. Had to give it a squirt to get past a particularly smelly cattle truck and from a 100 to a 150 in what seemed like a second! with a subtle twist ,and I never even found 6th gear on the whole ride down!! got to wonder why there is a 6th gear.

Comfort wise, not so flash. Had a very numb arse after about an hour and half, had to stop and go for a little stroll to prevent rigor mortis from setting in. That would probably be my only complaint about the Gladius. That seat is rock hard and certainly isn't designed for the long ride.

I like the look of those things, very futuristic...wasnt sure about suzuki twin but i guess its proven engine platform from SV...just one question tho,you said job interview... how can you ride in suit and tie from shore to tron? Werent you covered in mud and bugs by the time you got there?

[Little Miss Trouble]

How long have you been riding? Hamilton from the Shore is hardly a long ride.

[mattian]

I like the look of those things, very futuristic...wasnt sure about suzuki twin but i guess its proven engine platform from SV...just one question tho,you said job interview... how can you ride in suit and tie from shore to tron? Werent you covered in mud and bugs by the time you got there?

It wasnt the suit and tie type of interview.......lol DX mail, delivery rider.

[mattian]

How long have you been riding? Hamilton from the Shore is hardly a long ride.

true, for alot of more experienced riders thats probably a walk in the park. I've been riding road bikes for about 2 years. Never really had the time or inclination to leave Auckland. Was my first "long.....ish" ride. Hopefully more to come. You're welcome to join me if you're single :-)

[hellokitty]

true, for alot of more experienced riders thats probably a walk in the park. I've been riding road bikes for about 2 years. Never really had the time or inclination to leave Auckland. Was my first "long.....ish" ride. Hopefully more to come. You're welcome to join me if you're single :-)

I have been riding for over a year, and I have only started doing longer rides - no one would go with me when I had a 250, but now on the 750 everyone is my friend!

Nice looking bike (just Googled it)

[Little Miss Trouble]

Two years and never left Auckland? Wow. But you have done SH16, been to Puhoi etc right?!

(And no, I'm not single)

[Tink]

It did get very bumpy in places. Being a naked machine you do feel the wind when it gets up. Found a stiff headwind and cross winds can blow you about in your lane a bit, but nothing major. Just grip the tank with your thighs and power through it. Wow those bigger trucks coming in the opposite direction certainly do create quite a bow wave of air at open road speeds!!. I have heard people talk about it but, never knew it could jolt you around so violently. After one or two times you soon get used to it and its much easier to deal with when you can anticipate it.

Power wise its a dream to ride. More than enough grunt to leave even the most determined tail-gator behind. Had to give it a squirt to get past a particularly smelly cattle truck and from a 100 to a 150 in what seemed like a second! with a subtle twist ,and I never even found 6th gear on the whole ride down!! got to wonder why there is a 6th gear.

Comfort wise, not so flash. Had a very numb arse after about an hour and half, had to stop and go for a little stroll to prevent rigor mortis from setting in. That would probably be my only complaint about the Gladius. That seat is rock hard and certainly isn't designed for the long ride.

Sounds like a cruiser with the wind etc, I know the truck feeling... if I could I may look at this one for my move up, just to try something a llittle different.... so thanks for the write up, very interesting... on my full in October I hope, and been riding longish rides with the blokes since two months into my learners... get out and have some fun, the open road is great!!!!!:yes:

[Okey Dokey]

Thanks for the neat write-up. It is nice to hear what people think of their rides. Good luck with the job :)

[Maha]

For a girls bike, how do you rate the look/style?

[Mully]

Did you get the pink one?

[marty]

Oh cool, will have to look into that gel-seat. Would make such a difference I reckon. either that or duct tape a pillow to it.

interview went well I think, will find out next week if I have the job or not. Whatever the outcome, it was worth the trip. I thoroughly recomend it. Not too far, you can do it and be back in Auckland all in one day.

Akl-Hn return in a day? No way!

[blossomsowner]

Why don't you get some big boy pants and try a long ride again........
ignore the scoffers that suggest you have a pink bike or a girls bike.
do the coro loop next time. you can do the whole loop and still be back in auckland in one day........ i kid you not.

[Smifffy]

Akl-Hn return in a day? No way!

You have to do the occasional 150 stint to manage it in daylight.

[Gubb]

I rode to the dairy on the corner this morning.

Must have taken all of 46 seconds. Longest ride in months! Give me praise!

[miloking]

Two years and never left Auckland? Wow. But you have done SH16, been to Puhoi etc right?!

(And no, I'm not single)

..he said he has no inclination to leave auck so not everybody likes to ride on open road some people prefer race track for example...so not sure why the 3rd degree when he just wanted to tell us about his zuki and thats what iam actualy interested in hearing about not why he fucking doesnt travel more...jeezus!

[miloking]

Akl-Hn return in a day? No way!

And you too...wtf is your problem people? Guy just wants to tell us about his bike and you all giving him shit for not doing Wellington to Cape Reinga every day...

[Little Miss Trouble]

Haha dude, its called humour, I'm sure Mattian can handle a little good natured teasing

[mattian]

Haha dude, its called humour, I'm sure Mattian can handle a little good natured teasing

True. I am taking it all in my stride..... apart from that "pink" jibe..... its fucking Magenta goddamn it!! lol

[PirateJafa]

..he said he has no inclination to leave auck so not everybody likes to ride on open road some people prefer race track for example...so not sure why the 3rd degree when he just wanted to tell us about his zuki and thats what iam actualy interested in hearing about not why he fucking doesnt travel more...jeezus!

Probably because then he'd risk meeting KBers.

And with this thread, I'm not surprised.

[mattian]

For a girls bike, how do you rate the look/style?

look and style of a bike has always been low on my list of factors. I'm not a fashionista. I wanted the tried and true, brand new SV 650 engine.

[miloking]

look and style of a bike has always been low on my list of factors. I'm not a fashionista. I wanted the tried and true, brand new SV 650 engine.


It does look way cooler than SVs anyway....i wonder if they will make Gladius 1000.. i wouldnt mind that..

[mattian]

It does look way cooler than SVs anyway....i wonder if they will make Gladius 1000.. i wouldnt mind that..

yeah man..... the 1000 version would be magnificent I reckon. In black of course..... not magenta

[miloking]

yeah man..... the 1000 version would be magnificent I reckon. In black of course..... not magenta

Mmmmmmm..that would be nice ideed, i also saw motarded gladius, sounds strange but looked awesome :)

Just a question since you are not that keen on the magenta, didnt you like the blue/black/white paint scheme?

[mattian]

Mmmmmmm..that would be nice ideed, i also saw motarded gladius, sounds strange but looked awesome :)

Just a question since you are not that keen on the magenta, didnt you like the blue/black/white paint scheme?

yup, I got the blue and white coz, I'm a fan of the traditional Suzuki colours. The black ones look mint though.

[miloking]

yup, I got the blue and white coz, I'm a fan of the traditional Suzuki colours. The black ones link mint though.

Cool, i just thought you got the pin... ehm magenta paint scheme since you were mentioning it :D

[marty]

Auckland New plymouth return is comfortably possible in daylight. Today even, on the shortest day. I'm doing Hamilton-Palmy return tomorrow.