Used Bike Guide: Suzuki Gladius (2012)

Bob Pickett investigates…

2009: Suzuki decided to replace the popular SV650 to freshen up the range. It’s replacement, the Gladius. Marketed as a more friendly bike for a wider range of riders, the name (Suzuki had prior success with sword’s name after all) and bright colours (I loved them) saw the Gladius dismissed as a ‘girls bike’ (whatever that is). Over the next six years it lost the bright colours, rebranded as the SVF650 and had a couple of special editions in an attempt to make it more ‘blokey’. But in 2015 the plug was pulled and the Gladius was replaced by… the SV650 it had replaced (albeit redesigned to feature the best of previous models).

Give me some spec: A steel trellis tubular frame houses a 645cc/39 cubic-inch 90 degree V-twin putting out 71bhp/53kW @ 9,000rpm with maximum torque of 63.1Nm/6- 4kgf-m/46.5lb-ft @ 7,600rpm. Seat height is 785mm/30.9 inches, wet weight 209kg/446lb with ground clearance of 135mm/5.3 inches. Bringing the package to a stop are twin 290mm discs with 2-piston callipers up front with a single 240mm, 1 piston calliper rear.

So what is it like to ride? My old notes from 2009: ‘It’s like a puppy, lively and eager to please’. That hasn’t changed. It looks tall yet both feet were flat on the floor. Physically small it feels featherlight. On the road, I was comfortable in moments. The engine is a joy. Perky and brisk, it never runs out of puff and buzzing happily in the mid-range don’t worry about changing gear for overtakes; open the throttle and it’ll whizz past in any gear. Clutch is light, the box likewise and forgiving of ham-fistedness. With generous ground clearance, just lean (and lean) and it’ll get you round the corner and flick from one side to the other with light, easy handling. Not pinpoint accurate perhaps, but just look where you want to go and it’ll take you there. Suspension soaks up most stuff but big bumps (and harder riding) will see the rear skip a bit. It was also comfortable for a couple of hours in the saddle. For a light bike with two 290mm discs up front, it wants more pressure on the lever than you’d expect. Both clock and mirrors give good feedback. The Gladius is simplicity itself to ride. It’d make a great first big bike, or second bike/commuter that’ll take on fun rides, tail wagging, wanting to play.

What nick is it in? For a 10-year-old bike, it’s looking very good. A scratch on the exhaust (and a small one on the little leg protectors) hint at a clumsy drop, but otherwise it’s in nice shape.

What’s it worth? The dealer wants £2,995 for a 2012 bike with 11,075 (post test) miles logged. It’s a keen price; my dealer search revealed a smattering of them on offer, ranging from a 2009 bike with 9,015 miles on the clock for £2,589, to a 2015 model with 4,020 miles logged for £4,290.

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