Sheene inspired livery for Suzuki Gladius

Limited edition Gladius gets retro 1970s Suzuki GP colours

Posted: 10 August 2012
by Visordown News

SUZUKI GB has revealed a limited edition SFV650 Gladius that has been given a retro Barry Sheene inspired paint scheme.

With a similar colourway to the RG500 ridden by the two-time GP champion and motorcycling legend, Sheene, the special Gladius will be priced at £300 more than it's standard £6,399, and includes a belly-pan alongside the paint.

Suzuki GB general manager, Paul de Lusignan said: "For the very first time we included our own Facebook community in the decision to bring this special edition to market. With its flowing lines the SFV lends itself perfectly to a retro scheme, and proved to be a popular choice."

The limited edition Gladius is also available on Suzuki's current offer. Until September 30th customers get £500 off the recommended retail price of a standard machine along with three years warranty and AA cover.

What do you think; should Suzuki make this design a standard option on all models?


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Cabernet
Inspiring title LOL

Posted: 10/08/2012 at 12:04


rgvyan
Shameless scraping of the barrel. I've nothing against nostalgia and ride an 80s race rep myself, but the Gladius carries no link to Sheene or racing in any way other than being a Suzuki.

The graphics don't even fit the shape of the bike very well despite the claims that "its flowing lines the SFV lends itself perfectly to a retro scheme". It's "flowing lines" bear no resemblance to an RG500 or anything of the era.

Bad idea badly executed.

And relax... Can you tell this pisses me off?

Posted: 10/08/2012 at 12:57


the speedfreak
Has anyone seen the new gladius? It's somewhere behind that mooosive exhaust!

I agree with rgvyan, the new rider demographic that this bike is supposed to appeal to won't be old enough to even know who Sheene is. Seems more likely to appeal to the Dad who's taking his Son / Daughter round the shop to help them choose their first bike.

Posted: 10/08/2012 at 14:36


Cabernet
It reminds me of the GPz400F that Kawasaki did in Black and Red, circa 1985.

Posted: 10/08/2012 at 14:47


thoppa
It's the best looking Gaydeus I've seen. Too blummin expensive though.

Posted: 10/08/2012 at 15:13


Lawrence Somma 2
I love the paint job .. but not on a basic commuter bike.

How about an upmarket "R" version of the Gladius with better suspension and brakes and lighter weight wheels. All could easily be taken from the GSXR parts bin. It would immediately transform this bike into an affordable but effective, track day bike, club racer and better all-around street bike.

If Suzuki would make such a bike, then it might have the right to wear this paint job.

PS .. please sell it in the USA if you do.

Posted: 10/08/2012 at 16:13


Leon Trotsky
Surely more Suzuki make more appropriate bikes to put this style of paint job on? Could look fantastic on a a GSXR.

Posted: 10/08/2012 at 19:00


minirollsrule
are you all blind! this is a disgusting paint job! why use straight lines and solid colours on the gayest most curvy girly bike ever!

Posted: 11/08/2012 at 09:01


bob the builder 8
Suzuki should be hung for blasphemy!! that livery should only go on a race rep (GSXR). Not that abortion of a bike!

Posted: 11/08/2012 at 18:15


Szmolo
rgvyan - hear hear!

Posted: 11/08/2012 at 20:16


Slarti
Last year I went to the Sheene Memorial Racing at Olivers Mount in Scarborough and none fo the bikes look like that... Why have the stuck it on the Gladius??? If they are going to do this maybe would look good on a GSXR750 or the 1000 but the Gladius why ?

Posted: 13/08/2012 at 10:49


scrubz
What the hell were you thinking Suzuki?! you really are losing touch with bikers,you just want their cash!!

Posted: 13/08/2012 at 12:13


moko
Wrong bike and as others have said only 50+ year-olds like me remember the Sheene era clearly anyway.
By contrast I saw a limited edition Yamaha FZ800 on a trade stand last week in traditional White with Red Speed Blocks paing with an Akrppovich exhaust and a few carbon bits,worked as well on that bike as the R6 and R1 parked next to it in the same colours.

Posted: 14/08/2012 at 19:03

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