My Triumph's new stable mate, the Gladius

[nevinfs327]

Thanks for that link - it's what I had in mind for chain lubing.  However, I'm thinking I should get a stand anway because I don't think I could safely remove the wheel with that quick stand.

I've had one for a few years - great for chain maintenance on the road.  

For anything else I'd compare it to the jack that comes in your car - ok in a pinch, but for a project in a garage a real jack and jack stands are way better.  In this case a wheel stand would be the better jack for projects in the garage like wheel removal.  

[Roadscum]

The bikes are getting along together swimmingly.  My wife loves the bike.  I finally got her some LED lights installed yesterday, and her MRA flyscreen is due in tomorrow.  After a cold, half-day ride she asked for some wind break.  Next up I hope to get some luggage squared away, as well as some sort of rear wheel lift like a race-stand or other device for lubing the chain.  I'm spoiled having a center stand and I wish this bike had that option.

Wow, that's beautiful........ the bike is nice to!      

Regards, Paul

[Tpoppa]

I picked up a leftover 09 Gladius at the end of last season.  I got it for a song.  I've owned lots of bikes, some with twice the hp.  There is something about that 650 twin that makes it one of the funnest street motors ever made.

An '07 GSXR600 shock is a direct bolt on and makes a night & day difference in handling.

[Rincewind]

Yes, it's a great engine, I agree - soulful and fun.  I particularly like the part where she is getting 48mpg without trying.  In touring I bet it will get 50-60mpg easily.  It's 10-15mpg more efficient than my Triumph 675.

To update, the bike now has a MRA Roadster screen, blue levers blue bar ends, and some LED accent lights that she wanted badly.  I am watching her rear tire which I'll replace in the next 1000-2000 miles if not sooner.  That will necessitate buying that rear stand, or something.

[Tpoppa]

I have a full set of Hepco Becker hard cases on mine.  I found a great deal on an Arrow Exahust, which I highly recommend.  

[Rincewind]

Any pics?  I have been looking at the hard case options for it, but my wife is not anxious to mount any cases yet.  I may get her a Kriega US20 tail pack which has optional tank bag strap set-up.  For now she is happy with using a backpack or messenger bag.

Do you have a tank bag that works with the combination plastic/metal tank?  My magnetic ones don't work so well.

[Tpoppa]

It was used as a Hepco Becker demo bike.  All the HB stuff came with it when I bought it  

I can switch between naked and touring in about 20 minutes.

[Rincewind]

Lucky guy to get that as part of the deal!  That set-up is probably around $1000.

[Kootenanny]

Any pics?  I have been looking at the hard case options for it, but my wife is not anxious to mount any cases yet.  I may get her a Kriega US20 tail pack which has optional tank bag strap set-up.  For now she is happy with using a backpack or messenger bag.

Do you have a tank bag that works with the combination plastic/metal tank?  My magnetic ones don't work so well.

I don't have a Gladius, but my Buell has a plastic "tank."  I do have a strap-mount tank bag, but I don't use it much...too much stuff in front of me.  A tail bag is IMO a much better option--I leave mine on all the time, and for just getting around it's great (much  nicer IMO than a backpack...although I sometimes carry a backpack in the tailbag in case I pick up groceries or something).

[kewwig]

Try a Givi TPH02.  Mounts to the Suzuki gas cap, not too big and is so useful!

http://kewwibike.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/givi-tph02-tanklock-bag-on-gsf1250.html

[Rincewind]

Try a Givi TPH02.  Mounts to the Suzuki gas cap, not too big and is so useful!

http://kewwibike.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/givi-tph02-tanklock-bag-on-gsf1250.html

Thanks for the link.  You're right, 4-liters is not very much, but it's a nice bag.  And it's a lot less costly than the Bags Connection version of that system.  The positive is that it wouldn't get in the way like a large tank bag.  I will show her this option.

For now she is happy with a backpack or messenger bag.  I just put a RAM cradle on for her HTC phone, and re-equipped her helmet with bluetooth.  I should probably get her a means to charge her HTC next.