2009 Suzuki SFV650 Gladius

**carver** · 4th October 2008, 16:02

Originally Posted by Bonez

Can't be that good. It hasn't got USD forks

neither does the ER and that was a great bike!

**Daffyd** · 4th October 2008, 16:50

Unfortunate choice of name... Gladius - Gladys kinda reminds me of a little old blue rinse lady.

**Bonez** · 4th October 2008, 16:53

Originally Posted by carver

neither does the ER and that was a great bike!

Still are.

**Pixie** · 5th October 2008, 11:15

Originally Posted by Daffyd

Unfortunate choice of name... Gladius - Gladys kinda reminds me of a little old blue rinse lady.

Gladius is latin for sword ignoramus

**Daffyd** · 5th October 2008, 11:22

Originally Posted by Pixie

Gladius is latin for sword ignoramus

Hey, who you calling higgoramus?

I've heard of, broadsword, sabre, rapier, but not 'sword ignoramus'...must be a new model.

So I guess a gladiator is one who carries/uses a sword. Clever, eh?

**Morcs** · 5th October 2008, 11:31

someone tell me what the point of such a bike is?

**avgas** · 5th October 2008, 11:56

what a piece of shit.
Its like the opposite of the streetfighter - take 1 sv650.....add 50lb of lard.
looks fat and really ugly.
Looks like the michelin mans favourite bike.
i hate it.
Why don't they make a Flat-tracker etc or something - they need to take a page out of Mr Bezzi's design book

**Daffyd** · 5th October 2008, 18:19

Originally Posted by avgas

what a piece of shit.
Its like the opposite of the streetfighter - take 1 sv650.....add 50lb of lard.
looks fat and really ugly.
Looks like the michelin mans favourite bike.
i hate it.
Why don't they make a Flat-tracker etc or something - they need to take a page out of Mr Bezzi's design book

I take it then you don't like it.

**carver** · 5th October 2008, 18:30

Originally Posted by Morcs

someone tell me what the point of such a bike is?

im my view, a cheap thrash bike

**nallac** · 5th October 2008, 18:59

why is it so heavy???

seems to be a step backwards from the SV's ER's.

looks a lot more modernish/streetfighterish but its so heavy.

**erik** · 5th October 2008, 22:23

Originally Posted by nallac

why is it so heavy???

seems to be a step backwards from the SV's ER's.

looks a lot more modernish/streetfighterish but its so heavy.

That might be the wet weight?

On the suzukicycles website

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products...s/Default.aspx

it lists the "Curb weight" as 202kg for the Gladius. The new faired SV650SF also has a curb weight listed (200kg):

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products...s/Default.aspx

The 2008 SV650N has the dry weight listed:168kg.

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products...s/Default.aspx

So maybe it isn't so horrendously overweight, if "curb weight" = "wet weight".

**NZsarge** · 5th October 2008, 23:39

Originally Posted by erik

That might be the wet weight?

So maybe it isn't so horrendously overweight, if "curb weight" = "wet weight".

Hmm, possibly so eh...
I'm pretty sure there is one Japanese manufacturer has begun to quote the wet weights of their new bikes and I have a inkling it may be Yamaha, I think they are quoting their new R1 on the US website with fuel, oil and water on board.
Perhaps Suzuki have done the same, mind you the newish GSX 650 is a heavy bugger.

**bikeless bastard** · 9th October 2008, 06:03

1: Gladius was the short stabbing sword the Roman miles (soldier) poked between his and his neighbour's shield - often into the groin of his opponent, or down into his neck.

2: Suzuki has changes specs to WET weight for the 2009 year.

3: The change to a steel frame increases weight by around 10 kg max, but makes the Gladys cheaper to make (in theory). With a mass market bike like this, it might help Suzy stay in business longer. Although US prices are $US500 higher than the SV650N.

4: There is an oil cooler incorporated into the oil filter, same as Honda CBR600.

5: The fuel tanker is smaller and lower, meaning more stops, but less pressure on the nads under hard breaking...

6: The seat is lower and finally has a good shape for carrying pillions (or gay companions according to the website...)

7: I really like the style, except for the paint job. It reminds me of the Laverda Lynx, which was really beautiful, but never made it into production. The headlight area looks a bit cheap and nasty.

That's my thruppence.

**TOTO** · 20th October 2008, 20:12

I asked today at the Suzuki dealer...this new bike will be on display on the Big Boys Toys Show in November.

No indication about a price from Suzukli NZ yet.

Will be interetsing to see it in person...