[Bob Harley]

The bike seems mechanically fine. Since I put up this post I have been reflecting on my riding. I am putting a lot of my weight on the handlebars, with a death grip too! I believe the illusion of sliding is a good description, since I’ve never actually lost control. I think I’m too tense on the corners instead of trusting my instincts. I’m probably putting most of the weight on the front tire since I”m braking late and I’m not smooth on the throttle. I’m always afraid that I’ll enter the corner too fast or give it too much throttle in the corner.

Thanks for the ideas.

[Bob Harley]

What type of thread should I use for repairs to my textile gear? Do they make ballistic nylon thread or do I use something else? I was pondering adding velcro cuffs to the pant leg instead so I can close them when it gets cold at night.

[Bob Harley]

I had not thought of that. As for cracking it open, I don’t ride in rain much and the lip can be opened with a finger space or less when just cracked open. All good info, thanks everyone.

[Bob Harley]

This is my second season riding. I was just pondering this question in my mind.

I bought HJC helmet, SS gloves & Jacket (Fit great!), Tourmaster overpants (cheap) and a pair of steel toe boots (because I’m size 4E and motorcycle boots aren’t made for my feet unless I go up 2 full sizes!). All gear came from local dealers (except the boots, but I knew my size). Each piece had it’s own lesson.

1) HJC CL-15 Helmet has been great, but you get what you pay for. Since I don’t ride a lot, I haven’t noticed the helmet getting any looser, but those wind vents in the top reduce air flow, not increase it in my experience. On a hot day in California I close them to get circulation around my face. Can anyone confirm this experience? Also, a tinted visor costs a little extra and is a MUST HAVE.

2) Gloves and Jacket must fit well and I tried everyone in the store. I bought Speed and Strength on fit alone and toss pocketbook caution to the wind. That same jacket is now on clearance for $300+ less than what I paid on some websites. But having not tried the jacket on, I would not have bought from a website not knowing my size. Its a fair price for knowing it fits and not waiting whole season for a great deal. What was I gonna do, wear a T-shirt and shorts during my newbie phase? My other observation is that I have lost weight, roughly 1″ off my chest and waist. The Jacket still fits well, but I have now dropped a size and if I were to shop again I’d rather go to the store and test fit it before buying to see which size I’d rather have wrapped around my body. I am also more open to the idea of textile now that I have learned more. Even if leather can be used after a crash, would you want to ride around with a damaged jacket and wondering if the seams are still good for one more? I figure it’s all one use and replace under ideal circumstances.

3) I didn’t think I needed pants till I meet a one legged motorcyclist. I rather like my legs. Not sure what to get, as I did not have the money for matching leather pants for my wonderful jacket, i picked up a pair of inexpensive textile tourmaster pants. They fit fine, but lack any attachment for the jacket. I added a belt for confidence. They are waterproof, but don’t have a removable liner and don’t breath on hot days. My leather jacket is cool and refreshing compared to my pants on a hot day. They will be replaced, but my first trip out I melted the inside of the leg on the exhaust pipe. The benefit of my first pair being inexpensive is that I did not cry!

4) For boots, i’ve spent years wearing oversized shoes and hating them. I finally got sized as 4E wide and now can’t bring myself to go back to buying multiple sizes up. However, this leaves me with a limited choice of hiking and industial work shoes. I choose steel toe electrician boots, but while the soul and toe are sturdy and offer a 6″ top, ankle protection is modestly minimal with only leather between my joint and…. I don’t know what I’m gonna do yet, but I can tell you this. As a teenager I was in a dirt accident and my tennis shoes wear torn off my feet, so boots are a must have.

I think as far as doing things differently go, as I learned my lessons with each piece I buy, my only regret is that I still haven’t got myself a bike yet. I had visions of SV650’s or Ninja 650r’s when i started. But my wife’s S40 has been my loyal steed. I wonder if I look silly in a SS sport jacket riding her crusier? I’ll never know, since all I see is the open road!

[Bob Harley]

So suzuki’s website says gs500 seat is 31.1 and the sv’s seat is 31.5. Based on sitting on the bikes, 30 in. sounds more like it.

I completely understand that you don’t want to mislead anyone on the performance of the bikes. I am not planning on track racing my bike, I just wanted a real world perspective on daily riding.

Furthermore, your purchase price of the two bikes illustrates why I am so interested in the gs. The opportunity to have a good sporty bike for 1/2 the price of a 650 is very tempting. I’ve been seeing gs500E priced from 1600 to 1900, gs500F at 2300 to 3300, and sv650 priced at 3500 to 4800.

As for the valves, I was also thinking about posting that question to gstwins.com also, but yes basic buyer skills will save me a world to disappointments. So maybe it’s not really an issue anyways…

[Bob Harley]

I’d like to thanks the comments so far, especially gary856 who has ridden both. I’m surprised that handling and braking for the bikes are comparable. I honestly thought that the bigger tires and dual discs of the sv would be a significant advantage. I’m sure a professional reviewer would want to split hairs here (to play on these assumptions and encourge the bigger is better syndrome), so I’m assuming this is more of a “by the seat of my pants” feel. This make a good reason to consider the gs500, and relieves some of my concerns about overall performance of the smaller bike.

As for the valves, the 3000 mile adj. intervals don’t bother me as this is going to be a weekend toy. But since I’m gonna be looking at used bikes, what are the tell tale signs of a gs500 that hasn’t had the valve adjustments done in a timely manner (if ever)???

Is it like a car with loud valve clatter at start up or does it hide until you take the bike out and open it up? I am assuming this is a mechanical lifter design (as opposed to hydralic lifters that require less freqent maint.).

As for the power difference, I think I can really understand that analogy. I can see how the gs500 would feel much safer, especially as a beginner to this type of bike, in negotiating multiple turns back to back. I figure that I could easily get used to the throttle of the bigger bike, but this makes a nice frame of reference that I can relate too.

I’ve got another question, how about saddle comfort? Having sat on both bikes, the gs feels like it has a broader lower seat, even though by measurements the seat height of both bikes should be the same. Does the gs have a softer rear shock that sinks down under weight or is the body geometry reaching for the handlebars create this feeling?

Thanks, keeps the info coming.

[Bob Harley]

After reading the above article, I looked up the suzuki website for USA which only shows 07 to 09 models, while the Canadian website has 09 and 10 models.

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles.aspx

http://moto.suzuki.ca/Product%20Lines/Cycles.aspx

If this is true, they must be trying to control inventory by limiting supply. I wonder how this will affect Suzuki’s image long term and demand for their products? I guess they could wait till Summer and surprise everyone with “early” 2011 models? As a global company, they should be able to weather this, but what does that say for the USA if major motorcycle company writes our market off as a lost cause?

Maybe if we wait a few more weeks they will change their minds…

[Bob Harley]

When I don’t know I start doing my homework.

http://www.suzukicycles.org/Intruder/VS750-Intruder.shtml

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Shadow

I find that if it isn’t in wikipedia, it must not really exist. I’m not familiar with either bike, but a search in google can reveal much.

Maybe some one who is familiar with these bikes will chime in.

[Bob Harley]

Wear All the Gear All the Time. Assuming that things that might go wrong will fit neatly into 3 scenarios is bargaining with yourself. Accept two things. 1) Motorcycles are inherently less safe than a car. 2) Only you can make responsible decisions for how you ride and what you wear. Denium offers little protection beyond 5 to 10 feet, I bought a pair of tourmaster quest with knee armor for $75. Shoes will be torn of your feet on impact leaving your toes exposed to asphalt (Yes, this happened to me many years ago while dirt biking). Wear boots! That jacket my not prevent you from having broken bones, but I’d rather have it on than off any day. An extra 1.3 mils of leather and should/elbow armor sound awfully nice even in the event of impact of any kind.

But lets look at this from another point of view.

Used road bicycle, touring style. $300 for a good one, plus $50 for a helmet and some gloves with the cut off fingers. Before you feel offended, think of the cardiovascular benefits.

Too far to bicycle? OK, when I was 20 and on a very tight budget I bought a used drivers ed car for $400. A trip to the mechanic to fix an oil leak cost me another $50 and that car lasted me another 2.5 years till I got a real job. You can find a used beater car for the same price you are planning for the rebel and you don’t need any gear at all.

There are always options. If you ask a question about safety or gear on a web site, folks are going to chime in and they do so because no one wants to see a rider down and hurt or worse.

[Bob Harley]

Google maps says it’s 2500 miles or 39 hours by highway. But thankyou. Besides, I’m sure you don’t want to trust your bikes in the hands of newb.

Although Texas is about halfway…

[Bob Harley]

When I first wrote this post I thought I had made this Eureka discovery and I overreacted to it as if it was scandalous. But as I contemplate it, it seems obvious they would mimic a popular and unattainable bike for most entry level riders. Imitation is more than just flattery, its a good way to market a successful product. For less than the price of one MV agusta, you could have two Gladius’s (I’m thinking His and Her’s) with the same great style (assuming you like this look). I failed to compare apples to apples.

As for ABS, I don’t think it’s mandatory, but I also don’t believe that it prevents a rider from being able to hone their braking skill. For a dedicated racer or experienced rider, it’s not really an issue and I can see why they want 100% control. I’m sure there is a whole thread dedicated to ABS vs. non abs that was recently posted on the sv650.

[Bob Harley]

Price was a lesser factor for me. If I went used, I wanted to keep it under $3500, as I figure that’s about the most I could save up before going stir crazy. But if I went new, I would commit to financing it, which gives me a higher ceiling spread out over a few years of payments. I found comfort of sitting on the bikes in the show rooms was the most influential, followed up by general reviews. In either case higher priorities have pushed me back to late spring or summer of next year. But that is fine, since it will give me more time to practice on the S40, which I’m really beginning to like. I was referring to it as the wife’s bike, but it is quickly becoming mine.

I hope she doesn’t read this post.. It’s ours.

[Bob Harley]

I really like the gladius. Just amazed at the lack of orignality. No, its a great value. That’s why I’m so interested in it.

[Bob Harley]

http://www.suzuki-gladius.net/

They went back to the Paint department and did much better. I don’t see any silly fashion models either… whew!

And for the other bikes…

http://www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/index.html

Now we must wait a few more weeks before Suzuki USA announces what WE get to have…

“Oh lord who rides a mighty bike of flamithing wheels and thunderous exhaust! I am a man of meager and honest means, saving for his first bike. I will work hard and savith each penny if you send me, and my American brothers, a Gladius in Red (or silver) Paint and the option of ABS brakes! Thankyou.”

[Bob Harley]

http://www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/index.html

http://www.suzuki-gladius.net/

Looks like Suzuki got the hint. Next year’s gladius is a much better looking bike. The big question I have is:

1) Will the USA get all four color schemes?

2) Will the USA get ABS brakes?

Red, Red, Red, Red and a hint of ABS please!

[Author]

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