Suzuki Gladius – 650cc – Ride Review.

Motorcycles, I love them to the point that I can actual feel connected to them in one small ride. To know the good depth inside and outside you need to know what you are all about. I have been given a loan bike for a little while and I felt I had to share this because there is a small wonder in this world made for those who actually feel there is not enough for them. I feel this is one motorcycle which is made just for the right people and right crowd who love to have something under them and make them feel confident. It is particularly not my kind of bike as I am tall and love to have something more powerful than what this 650 offers.

Suzuki Gladius, 645cc fuel-injected DOHC 90-degree V-Twin engine that has the grunt feel but much smooth. V-twin power plant has smooth delivery but sudden drop of power when changing gears, if you ride long enough you would either love it or hate it. It is what v-twins does to you – make them love or hate. Well, that said – the world still is mad about the DUCATI’s twins but here is what makes this competition smooth. Gladius is smooth but equally well balanced, low and perfect for all those who wants to explore the power of v-twins. The bike seating could have done with bit more cushioning as I feel this is really too much on cost cutting. My bum is totally angry because the seat absolutely has not enough cushioning in it and I wonder how it wants to cope with the bigger riders. Other thing, I really felt annoyed is, I could touch my riding boots on corners – leaning the bike even at the slightest angles – it really is meant for small people. I guess this is the best bike for beginners, female riders looking to get started with and those looking for city riding only.

Pros :
Excellent mileage bike – The Best in its class or 600’s
Light – good for beginners
Control – feels good and rider feels well on top.

Cons:
Low seating – bad cushioning
No front wind deflector
Not for tall riders
Brakes feel very soft

As my dear friend Adi Moto Foto said “This bike should only come in one color – PINK”

some of my dear friends gave this bike a princess status

DUCATI Multistrada 1200 S – 2013 – Ride Review

20.04.13 – North London : DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1200S – As the name DUCATI is good enough to know what this post is going to be all about. Yes, DUCATI – the ITALIAN ingenious has struck us again with their upgraded but much advanced, lighter and more powerful all in one kind of motorcycle. I suppose everyone who is into motorcycle knows what DUCATI stands for – their fast – super-fast – ultra fast racing Superbikes.

Multistrada also known as MTS1200 – is one of its own kinds  motorcycle. No wonder that Italians have broken the barrier of its limitations and went on crazy with providing us something that never feels same in all rounder two wheels. I got an opportunity do the photos for the dealer and their own in-house catalogue – so there I was. Just on the job and this was not just going to end there. I know I wanted to open the throttle on this “STILL THRILL” motorcycle.  Within a couple of hours, once the job was done – I knew where I was headed to now satisfy my real lust of this beautiful beast.

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It left me with not enough room to ask for more for what it is made to do. This is one motorcycle which is made for those who want to live life on the extreme and also be able to feel the torque through the gears. For a moment, it did take me first few minutes getting used to the height and the well balanced high seating. The CG of the bike is at very sweet spot which allows you to take it for a real open thrill on the cornering too. Daring to get one with the bike only took me about first five minutes and we were just going to gel together for the rest of the ride. First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth – Oh YESS… this was turning on to be crazy “Mentally” satisfying experience.

I opened the throttle to a pretty good 8k RPM in the sixth and it just marked its top notch just about what you would love to see from a bike like this. It is very very stable at high speeds, the wind screen adjusted to give you a full clear view of the open roads also letting the wind not strike you on the face but aerodynamically overflowing your seating comfort – you are just concentrated to feel this flow and fly with it. Braking is superb with inch inch perfection at all the speeds – you know you begin to feel the trust once you step on it. It took me literally first five minutes to mould myself to the bike and bike to my likings.

One wheel through the First, Second and Third – you can turn it to be even a wheelie monster if you are capably able to control the torque under you. This becomes an instant love after you could feel the beats of the pumping power. To test it out of the smooth roads, I ventured to the little small B roads leading to one of the off road path – it just goes smooth through the gravel and make you feel you are totally safe in its capabilities. Turning this into a monster on the gravel would need you to stand on the pegs and open it full but I did not manage to get it to that far status as I didn’t own the bike yet. It makes you feel that power and asks you to enjoy it.

By the end of this ride, I was ready to do the ride review for it. Out of breath and full on adrenalin – this is a super bike for anyone with a budget of £13,000 Base model (OTR) and £15,500 Fully loaded (OTR) models. On the downside, it does gulps the fuel like a full guzzler ready to drink you all empty at the fastest pace. So other than two items – MPG/£££££’s – this is a bike for one who wants to rise above the rest and sit at the top to enjoy the riding world.

Ride Review (Out of 5)
Handling  : 5/5
Braking     : 5/5
Cornering : 4.5/5
Off-road    : 4.5/5
Touring     : 5/5
Pricing      :  4/5 (It is not every day commuter bike)

My adrenalin charged – after the ride – quick round of review. I had to do this – it was just the moment of adrenalin charged ride.