My first long ride on the Gladys.

**mattian** · 19th June 2010, 18:47

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** · 19th June 2010, 18:53

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** · 19th June 2010, 19:09

Originally Posted by 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?

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** · 19th June 2010, 19:14

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

**mattian** · 19th June 2010, 19:19

Originally Posted by theblackstig

windy, sore bum,

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

**miloking** · 19th June 2010, 21:18

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 19th June 2010, 21:29

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

**mattian** · 20th June 2010, 07:00

Originally Posted by miloking

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** · 20th June 2010, 07:03

Originally Posted by Little Miss Trouble

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** · 20th June 2010, 07:11

Originally Posted by mattian

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** · 20th June 2010, 08:44

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

(And no, I'm not single)

**Tink** · 20th June 2010, 08:51

Originally Posted by mattian

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!!!!!