2009 Suzuki Gladius – A Glorious Return of The 90’s Much Beloved Suzuki SV650
Let’s travel back in time a little bit somewhere near the 1990’s when the SV 650 emerged from the shadows and became a huge success in the USA within a very short period of time. Actually it became a cult bike without a doubt which was the perfect choice for the average people because it fulfilled their needs either for a good commuter bike or a Sunday afternoon toy. Today it’s time to meet with the totally new 2009 Suzuki Gladius which is expected to do the magic trick again. First of all the Gladius just like its predecessor is a naked bike so the first thing that catches the eyes is the 645cc V-Twin engine hanging uncovered from the main frame. The shape of the bike is ruled by rounded and smooth edges with soft-bending lines. The ergonomic design looks very user friendly and they promise nice and comfortable long rides. Basically it is clearly visible what Suzuki’s intentions are. The company would like to conquer more woman rider’s heart to achieve the biggest market share in the USA. Looking at the bike we might say the Suzuki Motor Company has a great chance to accomplish this target. In 2003 there were major improvements on the SV for example it had got fuel injection, new frame design and there were an overall power gain both in torque and horsepower so the Gladius is even more advanced and comes equipped with the latest technologies. The ABS became a selectable option on the SV 650 in 2007 to make the already well selling bike more desirable for the novice and this improvement of course available on the Suzuki Gladius as well. Let’s see those notable engine improvements to make your decision easier if you are thinking about to buy the new glorious Gladius. First of all the engine cylinders were blessed with the SCEM (Suzuki Composite Electrochemical Material) to extend its life beyond your lifecycle and also to help heat dissipation. The usual weight loss program took place through single spring valves, a smaller but more effective radiator was fitted and the oil cooling now also liquid based. This is the first naked bike in the Suzuki range to get the useful ISC (Idle Speed Control) system which radically improves cold starting and it doesn’t need additional wires therefore freeing up some space and weight as well. The new iridium spark plugs with stronger sparks are responsible for more effective combustion and the compact exhaust system helps raise overall torque. The riding position was designed with the smaller and shorter people in mind and just another proof that women are in the middle of attention. The Showa fork makes its contribution with its 5mm shorter size toward the smaller seat height which is down at 30.9 inches therefore all the handlebars can be reached without stretching. First impressions are a bit mixed regarding the Suzuki Gladius behaviour on the road. It simply loves turning from one bend to another and it is so agile and well balanced that it can keep up with bigger bikes easily. However it doesn’t like to be pushed very hard because of its soft suspension pre-load. In order to ride it aggressively you need to stiffen the suspension which will become uncomfortable during long rides. Literally there is no wind protection on this bike so don’t dream about speeding on a motorway without thinking about the neck pain first on the next morning. The tank capacity is 3.8 US gallons and it can support your riding enjoyment for quite a long time but obviously it is dependent on the riding style. Basically the whole concept of the bike is so simple even the instrument cluster and probably you won’t have hard time with maintenance at all. The only thing that can be a bit disappointing is the braking power. In most cases it is much better to use one 4-piston brake caliper with a single brake disc rather than two brake discs with two 2-piston brake calipers. Other than that the bike handles awesome even in inexperienced hands but it will be your good friend when you gained a bit confidence and started pushing it more to discover your limits. I think it is not hard to predict that Suzuki can expect well going sales and probably we can meet more lady riders out there in the very near future.
