Alternative Lifestyle Gladiators?
Dec 9th, 2008 by Leo
I remember reading that Suzuki was surprised that the SV650 was as popular as it was with bikers. It wasn’t the fastest, biggest, sportiest… and they didn’t put a lot into marketing or R&D…but the SV did everything it did well. Just a plain ole naked with a sporty edge. So what can they do to top that?
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the Suzuki Gladius… Make sure your computer’s speakers are on so that you get the full effect (actually, don’t). You probably already know, the Gladius is replacing the naked SV650 (the fairing-ed SV650 will still be available). I think with a little work it can be an okay bike (after all it has the SV’s motor); but the design team needs to be punished by having their Will and Grace dvd’s taken away from them for a month…at least.
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I don’t think it will be a successful replacement to the naked SV650 in terms of capturing the same audience, but perhaps could be a success by carving out a new audience. To think of it as a replacement is probably comparable to saying VW’s New Beetle in 1998 was a replacement to the Golf. Overall, I applaud the effort, but could have done with half of the swoopy plastic cladding. Either way, it ain’t the bike for me.
I like the all black one. Fender eliminator kit and bar end mirrors and you got something.
The website is a little much. I was convinced I was on a Suzuki clothing site so I went to other sites to find other pictures. It seems like they are marketing it a bit as a scooter, and less as a motorcycle. The site they have for it is annoying and poorly executed with bad music.
If anyone wants a real SV I have a 2002 for sale.
Ahem…
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2007/10/01/pink-shotgun-from-re.html
I like it, but it badly needs a round headlight and some bar-end mirrors.
Zac,
I was at a gun show a couple of years ago and the big thing was pink .45s. They were a little much. Here is one of them http://transadvocate.com/nexy/2008/02/07/the-pink-lady/ there were more. Scary, I think.
S0Meguy,
Sounds like you are talking about a Street Triple or a Speed 4.