2013 CBR500R

[Rogue]

The Gladius was the last of the SV650 here in the US.  

Don't know why they couldn't sell enough of them.

[bluepoof]

 The price is also a hefty $1200 over the new Ninja 300 (which, incidentally weighs 46lbs less).

However, the Ninja 300 is at least $1200 uglier.  

[Nodaclu]

The Gladius was the last of the SV650 here in the US.  

Don't know why they couldn't sell enough of them.

It's back for 2013...
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/SFV650/2013/SFV650.aspx

I think it was equal parts...

(1) Introducing it right at the start of the economic crash here (Fall 2008):



(2) That God-awful white and powder blue color combination:



And (3) the weird ad campaign:



One of those was out of Suzuki's control, but the other two were some sort of weird marketing push to try and sell the bike to, um....."Metro" types. I'll never understand why they totally abandoned the demographic that made the previous two generations a such a runaway success.  

[DogBoy]

All these years and so many think bikes are just spec sheet numbers.

There are many bikes that don't look great on a spec sheet but work great on the road. Peak hp is almost meaningless without seeing hp and torque curves. The Brit magazines often show torque curves at various throttle openings so you can get a better impression of what the bike is like to ride. The first generation V-Strom 650 only produced about 64hp but had 90% of peak torque over a 5,000rpm range making for a nice street engine. The Ninja 650 and Versus have similar powerbands to the V-Strom 650. This new Honda may or may not have similar characteristics. Best to make judgements when we know more. Then it will be OK to rip it apart and call names.  

[Nodaclu]

There are many bikes that don't look great on a spec sheet but work great on the road.

 

[rollnhot]

Had a 1975 Honda CB500T 42 HP at 425 lbs, some things never change.

[highside]

Why don't they make them anymore?

The current SFV650 is $8K.

You asked a question and got an answer.  

To give you a more thorough answer: 90% of used bikes on the market offer better performance AND value than this bike. Laying out 5 grand on a bike like this just because it smells like a new bike isn't going to make it a wise choice when you can buy a used SV (or any of a couple dozen other bikes made in the last 20 years) with under 5,000 miles for less money and a whole lot of performance advantages.

They stopped making the SV because after 10 years everyone who wanted one already had one. We will see how long that takes with this model.

[Royal Tiger]

Kind of like Kawasaki and the "Ninja" name?  

Which if you quoted the whole post you would have seen that very thought expressed.  

[bluepoof]

 90% of used bikes on the market offer better performance AND value than this bike.

But most of those bikes don't have a 30.9" seat height and weigh 420 lbs.  This bike is an excellent option for riders who are short, relatively new, or plan on mostly in-town or commuting.

I'm 10,000% in favor of more bikes in the <600cc range.  

[gritsngravy]

But most of those bikes don't have a 30.9" seat height and weigh 420 lbs.  This bike is an excellent option for riders who are short, relatively new, or plan on mostly in-town or commuting.

I'm 10,000% in favor of more bikes in the <600cc range.  

Variety is a good thing.   It's good to see new affordable rational choices on the market.   These 500's will likely be more affordable to insure, maintain and operate on a day to day basis than the typical 600cc SS.   More new and returning riders that buy new bikes will give manufacturers a reason to develop more advanced machinery.   I see it as a good thing.  

[sodapop6620]

Agreed there.  

I did like the CBR500R, though; way more than I'd expected to.  I would probably have bought one immediately if it weren't taller and heavier than my Ninjette.

No Blue hair ????  At least BlueBerry is wearing Blue jeans

[bluepoof]

No Blue hair ????  

It hasn't been blue for about five years!  

[Mr.Black]

It hasn't been blue for about five years!  

Being an adult does not mean you have to grow up all the way.

[birdrunner]

It hasn't been blue for about five years!  

Sigh.


I miss the good ol days.

[Royal Tiger]

Variety is a good thing.   It's good to see new affordable rational choices on the market.   These 500's will likely be more affordable to insure, maintain and operate on a day to day basis than the typical 600cc SS.   More new and returning riders that buy new bikes will give manufacturers a reason to develop more advanced machinery.   I see it as a good thing.  

Exactly.  Getting new riders off 600 SS bikes benefits us all.

[Bruce Bogtrotter]

You asked a question and got an answer.  

The answer to 2 + 2 isn't 5. When the question is "what bike compares to newly released x", the answer isn't "a used, discontinued y".

Part of the criticism seems to be Honda's alleged marketing ineptness, so it's relevant to point out that Suzuki no longer makes the $6K CBR500R-killer, and instead the closest thing in the showroom is $8K.

[Rogue]

But most of those bikes don't have a 30.9" seat height and weigh 420 lbs.  This bike is an excellent option for riders who are short, relatively new, or plan on mostly in-town or commuting.

I was just going to mention this.

Also, it's so much easier to get a loan for a new bike (& trade in an older bike).  For younger buyers or all those with a more limited buget, this is a big plus.

The Ninja 250 and CBR250R are big sellers.  This is where the market is at right now.  Thus, Honda and Kawasaki are taking full advantage of it.  

[highside]

I was just going to mention this.

Also, it's so much easier to get a loan for a new bike (& trade in an older bike).  For younger buyers or all those with a more limited buget, this is a big plus.

The Ninja 250 and CBR250R are big sellers.  This is where the market is at right now.  Thus, Honda and Kawasaki are taking full advantage of it.  

I think that younger buyers and people with a limited budget are the last people who should be financing brand new toys. I realize that they do exactly that, but it shouldn't be encouraged.  

There is just something wrong with a system where it is easier to buy a $6000 bike than a $3000 bike.

[Rogue]

You have a point and I do agree somewhat.  But then again, it's better to have younger/new buyers on a 500cc than a used 600 Supersport putting out 100 rwhp.

[gritsngravy]

I think that younger buyers and people with a limited budget are the last people who should be financing brand new toys. I realize that they do exactly that, but it shouldn't be encouraged.  

There is just something wrong with a system where it is easier to buy a $6000 bike than a $3000 bike.

That capitalism is a real mo-fo.