Every manufacturer is looking to offer the ideal entry-level and second-purchase bike, to attract new riders and keep them in the sport, preferably on one of their machines.

Suzuki’s entry into this market, a rider-friendly middleweight that can be almost all things to all riders, is the SFV650 Gladius, a completely new bike built around the all-purpose 650cc V-Twin, albeit duly updated and improved to best handle its new chores.

Suzuki’s entry into this market, a rider-friendly middleweight that can be almost all things to all riders.

Glam and Ergos
Given its mission, the Gladius offers ergonomics that fit younger as well as more experienced riders, with special attention to shorter newbies, with a low seat set at only 785mm. I had riders from 1.60 to 1.80m ride the bike, and all returned a favourable verdict regarding seat comfort, pedal and lever placement, as well as general feel of the machine. At 115kg and 1.80m, I found myself at the upper limit of real comfort, as taller riders will find themselves too close to the bar and sitting on a forward sloping part of the seat, which pushes you forward as well as placing some annoying loads on your lower back.

Looks are all-important to younger riders and the Gladius scores there too, with a squat appearance without looking burly or menacing, flowing lines that combine with soft, two-tone paint jobs – white, with blue or pink trim. The fashionable and cheap to build trellis frame shows just enough tube to evoke Italian bikes, with plastic covers that look OK from afar to hide the nasty fortified points where all tube meet at the back of the engine.

The humped camel-back fuel tank combines with the low, almost slotted seat to further evoke Italian machines, whereas I would have preferred a slightly higher, less forward sloping seat.

The humped camel-back fuel tank combines with the low, almost slotted seat to further evoke Italian machines.