SFV650 returns for 2013 - The Motorcyle Formally Known as the Gladius

[Rincewind]

A brief blurb on MD today indicated that Suzuki is bringing back the SFV650 for 2013.  They will sell for $7999.  This bike was formerly imported for only 1-year, 2009, as the Gladius.  Combining the dubious name with metrosexual marketing made that bike a laughing-stock, despite the fact that it is essentially a very capable, durable, and economical bike.  My wife gets 58mpg on her model.

This change helps fill in an emptiness in the Suzuki line-up from the recent years when the SV and SVF650 standards were not available.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/09/hyosung-and-svf650-to-make-2013-year-of-the-650-v-twin/

Confirmed on Suzuki's website - http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/Gladius/2013/SFV650.aspx

Too bad they are only bringing them over in black.  

[ConPilot1]

If Suzuki was smart they'd offer that with some simple amenities like a decent half-fairing and windshield for some protection, hardbags and a quick easy way to mount a tailbox.

They'd open the market up for that particular motorcycle to others besides those who like a naked bike. The SV650 platform has a very good reputation, but
I wouldn't consider one because it does not have any of those options. If they made a little ST-package type of deal out of it it'd be on my list.

Bike manufacturers are way too narrow in their presentation scope of a particular model IMO.

[Carbonero]

Suzuki might have just guaranteed that Honda never sells a single NC700X.

[Cablebandit]

If Suzuki was smart they'd offer that with some simple amenities like a decent half-fairing and windshield for some protection, hardbags and a quick easy way to mount a tailbox.

They'd open the market up for that particular motorcycle to others besides those who like a naked bike. The SV650 platform has a very good reputation, but
I wouldn't consider one because it does not have any of those options. If they made a little ST-package type of deal out of it it'd be on my list.

Bike manufacturers are way too narrow in their presentation scope of a particular model IMO.

I thought that was the Vstrom.

[phoenix]

I hope they keep it alive, but I just don't think the American market will buy enough to turn a profit.

Kawasaki...have they ditched the ER-6N yet? And while we talk about Versys and 650 Ninja's, I see them show up for low dollars on craigslist as soon as someone thinks they are "beyond its capabilities".  
Yamaha...is the FZ6 still alive? Heck, I don't think the R6S did worth a crap. What about the FZ8? I never saw one of those on the road.

I think that black and grey paint job will be another nail in the coffin. Guys, put some fricken' flames on it!!

[Carbonero]

I thought that was the Vstrom.

I think he's thinking more along the lines of, say, the Deauville done by Suzuki on this platform.

[Carbonero]

I hope they keep it alive, but I just don't think the American market will buy enough to turn a profit.

Kawasaki...have they ditched the ER-6N yet? And while we talk about Versys and 650 Ninja's, I see them show up for low dollars on craigslist as soon as someone thinks they are "beyond its capabilities".  
Yamaha...is the FZ6 still alive? Heck, I don't think the R6S did worth a crap. What about the FZ8? I never saw one of those on the road.

I think that black and grey paint job will be another nail in the coffin. Guys, put some fricken' flames on it!!

The FZ6 was replaced by the lower-spec FZ6R. The FZ8, great as it is, is likely to sit around collecting dust. Sadly. The R6S was always meant to be a short-duration seller in the line-up. It was basically just an opportunity to move old stock and empty out some legacy parts bins.

[919]

Suzuki might have just guaranteed that Honda never sells a single NC700X.

The NC700X appeals to more of the "adventure style" enthusiasts I think, plus the added benefit of the available DCT to capture the "stepping up in size from a scooter" and the "I would buy a motorcycle if it had an AT" market.  

It has the beak, and the storage options, and the "adventurey" options as well for people that are into that.  

I love the SV650 for it's motor and styling, that SFV650 Gladius, IMHO, is not a good looking bike.  Based 100 percent on the photos in that article, I would buy the Hyosung over the Suzuki and I prefer naked bikes.......

[Carbonero]

The NC700X appeals to more of the "adventure style" enthusiasts I think, plus the added benefit of the available DCT to capture the "stepping up in size from a scooter" and the "I would buy a motorcycle if it had an AT" market.  

It has the beak, and the storage options, and the "adventurey" options as well for people that are into that.  

I love the SV650 for it's motor and styling, that SFV650 Gladius, IMHO, is not a good looking bike.  Based 100 percent on the photos in that article, I would buy the Hyosung over the Suzuki and I prefer naked bikes.......

The black, IMO, looks fantastic. The candy-blue and white in '09 looked... I'm gonna get smacked for this, I'm sure... completely like a "chick bike". But the black, I loved. I think it's a decent enough update to the SV.

Also, check out CF Moto's take on the midsized naked...

[motormike]

It's nice to see they brought the SV back and that it's not a freaking adventure bike.

Once this thread gets moved to the Suzuki forum, it will die.

[ConPilot1]

I think he's thinking more along the lines of, say, the Deauville done by Suzuki on this platform.

No, I was thinking more along the lines of a poor man's Ducati ST2-3-4.

Deauville, although a nice little package "for what it is" and nothing more, is a bit "SilverWingy" to me.

[sammyseaman]

If Suzuki was smart they'd offer that with some simple amenities like a decent half-fairing and windshield for some protection, hardbags and a quick easy way to mount a tailbox.

They'd open the market up for that particular motorcycle to others besides those who like a naked bike. The SV650 platform has a very good reputation, but
I wouldn't consider one because it does not have any of those options. If they made a little ST-package type of deal out of it it'd be on my list.

Bike manufacturers are way too narrow in their presentation scope of a particular model IMO.

And what, make it all gay n stuff?  

[ConPilot1]

And what, make it all gay n stuff?  

You mean like racing striped, chromed out Thruxtons with little useless mirrors on the grip ends and such?

Who would've ever known a true Irishman would ride a British bike anyway.

If I was Irish and had any pride I'd ride a BMW or something, anything but British.

[919]

The black, IMO, looks fantastic. The candy-blue and white in '09 looked... I'm gonna get smacked for this, I'm sure... completely like a "chick bike". But the black, I loved. I think it's a decent enough update to the SV.

Also, check out CF Moto's take on the midsized naked...

It's not the color of the new SV, it's the plastic body panels, tank cover, and fugly headlight and gauge assembly that try to look too futuristic and alien.  It fits in a cheesy sci-fi movie, not my garage.  The blue and white paint scheme made me throw up in my mouth when I saw one in person.  Edit: Photo posted for proof of ugly.




OTOH: The CF Moto naked is a good looking bike, fantastic price, but I am too wary of being the first guy on the block to buy a chinese motorcycle of this size and supposed performance.  In my line of work I have seen a good amount of chinese engineering and manufacturing, I will not be the guinea pig for that experiment.  

[Carbonero]

No, I was thinking more along the lines of a poor man's Ducati ST2-3-4.

Deauville, although a nice little package "for what it is" and nothing more, is a bit "SilverWingy" to me.

We're talking intent, not execution. They have the same intent. IMO.

[JReazor]

I thought that was the Vstrom.

Nah, that was the SV650f. Unfortunately it only lasted 2 years. I think.

[Carbonero]

Thank goodness these designations aren't confusing or anything.

Anyone remember when bikes had names?  

[sammyseaman]

You mean like racing striped, chromed out Thruxtons with little useless mirrors on the grip ends and such?

Who would've ever known a true Irishman would ride a British bike anyway.

If I was Irish and had any pride I'd ride a BMW or something, anything but British.

The mirrors are actually quite effective, thank you very much  

[ConPilot1]

The mirrors are actually quite effective, thank you very much  

You're welcome monkey.  

BTW I like the Irish. I think the Brits should GTFO of their country.  

[ridingfar]

Who would've ever known a true Irishman would ride a British bike anyway.

If I was Irish and had any pride I'd ride a BMW or something, anything but British.

My name is Courtney Sullivan, and I am both quite Irish and have no love for the British. That being said I recognize neither the Scottish distillers nor the British motorcycle industry were responsible for 800 years of oppression. I ride a Triumph Tiger because I like the bike, I don't slather it with Union Jack emblems and there are no Irish motorcycles to be had as alternatives - none of which I consider defaming to my ancestry.

Besides, they say you should keep your friends close, and your enemies closer...  

Oh, and I ride a Kawasaki too, even though the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor...