[koalaKid]

*shrug*

it's something the significant other might like. i agree that it's nowhere near the bike (for ME) that the sv650naked is. so, the thought that the sv650n is being replaced is kind of a bummer.

but i still think that on it's own, the gladius is a good bike (without seeing it in person, or riding it)...take that for what it is worth.

 

[avc8130]

How does no one see the Monster 696 in this bike? I think it will sell just fine. It certainly won't flop any harder than another year of the naked SV would.
ac

 

[SpeedisaVirus]

The ducati looks good. This looks like ****. It's a major failed imitation

 

[branski]

It's a major failed imitation

like the bulls "milk" in kingpin

 

[noonegreen]

I think I'll just stick with my sv, wonder why the steel frame instead of aluminum?

 

[vatechtigger]

I want to see some dyno runs....

 

[avc8130]

You guys are nuts. This bike is the future. It is what all the naked bikes look like. The monster 696, the new Kawi, MV Brutale. These are the new design cues. Better learn to like them if you ever want a new naked bike.
ac

 

[SpeedisaVirus]

No, they don't look like this. This bike looks ****. Those bikes look significantly better.

 

[intel_killer]

No, they don't look like this. This bike looks ****. Those bikes look significantly better.

Only because those bikes say Ducati on the side.

It's an 8/10th monster just like the 1st gen SV was.

 

[gadzooks]

well, comparing weights between models years is a little tricky now, but here goes. No, I'm really not this obsessed with specs - just curious.

(all stats from suzukicycles.com)

08 SV650SF dry weight - 379 pounds
07 SVN dry weight - 363 pounds

weight difference - 16 pounds.

09 gladius wet weight - 446 pounds
09 SV650SF wet weight - 438 pounds

weight difference - 8 pounds.

The gladius weighs 8 pounds more than the sv650sf, which already weighs 16 pounds more than the SVN

That's a 32 pound weight increase over the SVN. I doubt that muffler weighs 32 pounds more than the already heavy cannon on the SV. The exhaust probably does weigh a bit more (though maybe not), but I'm guessing those goofy rearsets and the steel frame have more to do with it.

16+8=32???
what school did you go to?
the 08 SV naked has a dry weight of 370, so comparing apples to apples here(i.e. same years) we get

08 SV Naked 370lbs
08 SV SF 379lbs
difference = 9lbs

09 Gladius curb weight = 446lbs
09 SV650SF curb eight = 438lbs
difference = 8lbs

9lbs + 8lbs = 17lbs heavier than an 08 SV650 Naked

class dismissed

 

[MotoFusion]

For all of you guys saying flop...

Take look at the cycle buying demographics - women are one of the fasted growing riding groups. I spoke with a Yamaha rep today and asked what the reasoning behind the FZ6R was. I asked, "Why not bring the naked FZ6 from Europe over, price it in the mid $6k range, and throw a full fairing on the FZ6 and price in the mid $7k range?" His response - "The seat on the FZ6R is much narrower, as well as lower. Toss in the adjustable handlebars and you have a bike that's pretty much aimed at women."

Our first FZ6R sale? To a woman (not that this is a bad thing...).

The Gladius has a lower seat height than the SV, and I'd be willing to bet that the seat is narrower. I think it's pretty clear that this bike is aimed largely at the entry level market, and more towards women riders. Whether they'll like the styling is the deal-breaker.

Take a look at naked bike sales too. The faired SV650 far outsells the naked version. Most of the guys on here complaining about the naked SV650 are also the ones complaining about the budget suspension and craving more performance. It's not easy to do this without raising cost and pricing the bike out of the entry-level market. In this respect, the Gladius makes sense.

However, none of this explains why the GSX650F is still around, or why Suzuki, Yamaha, and Honda still have no 250-400 cc entry level sport bike/standard.

By the way, anyone take a look at Honda's unveilings? $14,599 for the DN-01? This further supports my opinion that Honda is the suck.

 

[andy438]

16+8=32???
what school did you go to?
the 08 SV naked has a dry weight of 370, so comparing apples to apples here(i.e. same years) we get

08 SV Naked 370lbs
08 SV SF 379lbs
difference = 9lbs

09 Gladius curb weight = 446lbs
09 SV650SF curb eight = 438lbs
difference = 8lbs

9lbs + 8lbs = 17lbs heavier than an 08 SV650 Naked

class dismissed

lol, 24 pounds. I have no idea where I got the 32... brain fart i guess, my bad ;D.

I used the weight of the naked SV as 363 pounds because the '07s and '06s were that weight. The '08 was the anomaly. I didn't see why the '08 would have any reason to weigh another 7 pounds, so I used the weight I saw twice (in the '06 and '07). Another wierd thing about suzuki's site is that they say the 08SF only weighs 7 pounds more than the 07S. Is that all the lower fairing weighs?

By another comparison, cycle world claims the SV's dry weight (I'm pretty sure they define "dry" as everything but gas) as 412 lbs. suzukicycles.com claims the gladius at 446 curb weight (which I think includes gas). If gas is 6.3 pounds per gallon, and the gladius holds 3.8 gallons, the gladius has almost 24 pounds of gas in the curb weight. 446 - 24 = 422. 422 - 412 = 10. So by that logic, it weighs a mere 10 pounds over the SVN.

I think I'm gonna give up this until someone rolls one bike on a scale, followed directly by the other.

hope my math was right this time .

 

[Poe]

Take a look at naked bike sales too. The faired SV650 far outsells the naked version. Most of the guys on here complaining about the naked SV650 are also the ones complaining about the budget suspension and craving more performance. It's not easy to do this without raising cost and pricing the bike out of the entry-level market. In this respect, the Gladius makes sense.

It's not just the naked SV guys complaining about the budget suspension. The SVS (and now the SVSF) has the exact same crappy suspension.

As for the Gladius... I'm not a fan - but then, my next bike was never going to be another SV-derivative - not that I have any intention of ditching my SV anytime soon. GREAT bike!

 

[koalaKid]

+1 to MotoFusion

I hope the gladius takes off.

For the record, I LOVE my naked '07. I wish the 1000 came in a naked version (I don't even see the 1000 in Canada).

Like it or not, the SV650 is an entry level bike. The way I see it anyways. It's perfect because it's the "do just about everyting right without doing one thing extravagantly." To me, that's the marvel of the SV.

You buy a baseline, and make it your own. I want to tour on the SV for a long time. A few more mods, and I think I may have the perfect tourer for me. And best of all, I will be touring on a standard bike, and won't have to worry about losing my license while enjoying myself.

If you want to tour, you have plenty of options
If you want to race, you have plenty of mods
Want to customize into a cafe, retro, or bobber? well, look at ths SV's of the Month!

It's a shame the SV doesn't seem to be coming back, but who really makes a true naked bike anymore? Especially from the Japanese. The 599 is gone. The yammie offerings are all mini-fairing or full, as far as I know. Kawasaki seems to be leading the pack with the ER6-n and the Versys.

I think the Gladius is an EXCELLENT bike. I really want to see it in person. I think the front headlight might make me puke. Further, I have yet to see a bike with a catalytic converter that looks good.

For the record, I did two decent road trips on my naked SV650 in two months, and I loved every minute of it.

I don't think the gladius will flop. I have too many friends who are looking at Buell Blasts because everything else too tall. It's about time the ladies had bikes targetted to them. It'll make the thursday night hang outs so much better!

I think you nay-sayers are more upset about losing the naked sv (which, as far as I know has yet to be confirmed) than anything. Look at the gladius for what it is. It may be a flop for the majority of the members on this forum, but we're not the target audience for this bike! I know i'm not the target for the gladius, as first, i have a bike, and second, i have a pen!s....

I dunno, why do I feel like just about everyone in this thread has the opposite, and negative opinion? am I missing something?

 

[SpeedisaVirus]

It's just ugly simple as that. I'd also be curious how they tuned it as it sounds like they neutered it in the description. I could care less whether the SV comes back. I won't ever own another anyway

 

[DarkMatter]

Yeah that.

It may be the future.

It may weigh 463 lbs less than an F1 car and make eleventybillion HP.

Maybe it even makes grilled cheeses with bacon.

That bike is farkin UGLY!!(feel the powah of the kapsloq).

 

[prelude1218]

I don't know, the bike has some quirks, but a few minor changes and I think it would look pretty badass.

 

[svtime]

Suzuki's new entry level standard...TU250.

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/TU250XK9

 

[svtime]

And motorcycle.com has a pic of an '09 SV650 shown at the Suzuki dealer show in Vegas...

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/suzuki/2009-suzuki-dealer-show-report-86942.html

 

[prelude1218]

I would love to see the bike with the lowers with a different color scheme