Suzuki Gladius Vs. I-405

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gladiusVs405.jpg

Housing a re-tuned SV650 v-twin in a new, steel trellis frame, the Suzuki Gladius raises questions about its identity. Is it a replacement for the naked SV650 or something new entirely? We take it to one of the most congested freeways in the country to find out.

Click below for the feature:
Suzuki Gladius vs. I-405

  • Doug

    Great writing.

  • http://www.fertilecreative.com Sasha

    i’m so calm and glad now. aaaaahhhhhhhhhh. Glaaaadius.

  • Cynic

    Sounds like a bike made for a new rider to me.
    I’m sold on pushing one on my friend for her first bike.
    I read somewhere that the bike has optional ABS. Did this bike have it, and is Suzuki’s ABS good?

  • Eric

    Nice piece. It seems like the upshot of this feature is that maybe “cruising” isn’t so bad (or would it be that “commuting” on the Gladius in particular isn’t so bad)?

    A line like “You see, my mind’s been stuck in a decades-old marketing model that says all good bikes must be faster, lighter and sharper than last year’s offering” sounds like a slight shift closer to the traditional Harley-Davidson mantra that a bike doesn’t necessarily need to be fast, light and “cutting-edge” to be enjoyable.

    Perhaps more of a focus on simply enjoying the ride as opposed to seeing how quickly one can get from point A to point B?

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Grant Ray

      I don’t think I would agree that less speed equates to more enjoyment of “the ride” Eric. Visa versa as well in the sense that “the ride” has no real definable boundaries outside of some personal, intangible and idealized notion of an enlightened moment of awareness at any given time between rider, machine and landscape.

  • Rich

    You really didn’t mean it has a 1225mm wheelbase – that’s tiny. It has a 1445mm wheelbase; otherwise, it is well written. I enjoyed your description of “burrito boy” in the Mustang. Lol

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Grant Ray

      Thanks for mentioning that, Rich. It’s fixed now.

  • http://spinynorman.tumblr.com Spiny Norman

    So you’re saying it’s not a Monster?

  • http://bolty.net Stacy

    Disappointing, but ultimately not surprising.

    LULZ: “…gives the Gladius a kind of UJM-ness that’s just not present in its martial aid-influenced styling.”

    Still, a little ingenuity might go a long way with such a nice powerplant.

  • http://www.sideburnmagazine.com Ben Part

    Great chain-link phot Grant, great story.
    HIDEOUS ‘marital aid-influenced styling’!

  • thomashenny

    I’ll trade the Manhattan streets for sun and congestion any day. Grant, you aren’t there for Coachella, are you?

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Grant Ray

      I’m back in rainy Brooklyn already. No rock festivals for poor me.

  • Le Gomez

    I don’t have a bike, never even thought of riding them. But saw this and i want it!!! For sure I’m their target market, but it looks super cool.

  • Christie

    i bought this as my second bike and i love it!! i had a honda shadow as my first but it was too stinking big for me. I have had this for a week now and am absolutely in love