another bike in the family

[the Ferret]

Not mine, although I wouldn't mind having it. My nephew Mike sold his somewhat problematic KTM 690 Duke and scooped up a great deal on a brand new left over Suzuki SFV 650 Gladius. Had to go to Indiana to pick it up. His brother rides the Honda NC 700X my wife and I borrowed when we went to Nevada last fall, and rode Ebbetts and Monitor passes in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These 2 bikes are on my radar for when the ST 1300 gets too heavy for me and I decide to go to a lighter bike. Both seem like very nice bikes. Can't wait to test ride this one.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/Mikes%20%202013%20Gladius%20033_zpscwf6dcoc.jpg.html]

[redbirds_imp]

I'm sure you'll love it. That Suzuki 650 V is a superb motor that does everything well.

[the Ferret]

Mike had an 03? SV 650 before he went European on us. It was a great bike and what convinced him to get this Gladius over another KTM.

[Lord Popgun]

Mike has a wild man look on his face! Hope that bike has a rev limiter

[the Ferret]

LOL Mike is a very good rider, very good. I can keep up with him for the first 2 turns and then he just disappears. I call him the Wind Bender. The guy approaches turns at speeds I say "Uh oh, oh no way is he going to make this one" and woosh he bends his body and he's through it and out the other side. Quite amazing to watch, especially given his size. He was a top notch youth moto crosser.

If it has a rev limiter, he will find it lol

[rboe]

One of our regulars at The Grotto on Sunday rides that bike. Naturally he loves it.

We admire it too. I like the motor.

[the_undecider_imp]

That little 650 twin is a darling of an engine. The SV650 and first gen V-strom 650 shared the same engine (revised cams and such thing as that reduced peak hp and boosted torque on the Strom). The 2012+ V-strom shares the same basic engine as the Gladius which was revised from the SV650 to offer more low and mid range power.

My 2013 V-strom is noticeably smoother than was my 2006. It's happy to rev or just plunk along. The lighter weight of the SFV650 should make a fun little bike.

[Cormanus]

A friend of my son's has a Gladius, tuned down a bit to meet Australian Learner rider requirements. She likes it. I've ridden with her a couple of times and it gets along really well.

[hondahoarder_imp]

SV's are great bikes!

[pekingduck]

Gladius. What a great bike! What a terrible name! What were they thinking?

btw, the bike looks great with the plastic covers over the frame tubes removed.[/align]