Conclusion
The big question originally was whether or not a £4500 naked street bike is better value than a £5400 naked street bike. Fiercely contested by the manufacturers, and with the Europeans all crazy for small street bikes, there’s undoubtedly demand in this somewhat crowded sector.
You’ve no doubt heard the saying: "you get what you pay for", and having ridden the bikes over two days and well over 500 miles, I’d have to concede that there’s a certain truth in that.
The Kawasaki while fast and visually stunning, fails to deliver on a few fronts – there's a crudeness to it that’s almost endearing but it’s ultimately a flawed motorcycle which will, because of its extra capacity, cost more to insure than any of the other three. That said if you're 45, live in Spalding and only ride on smooth roads, then it might make you as happy as John Hogan. Personally, these are three things in life I’d rather not risk.
The Yamaha is almost a great bike. If it had just a bit more… no, actually, a lot more midrange power, then I could grow to love it. It looks cool, it handles okay and it's comfortable. But for me it’s all fur coat and no knickers and far too similar to the (much better) FZ6 to be worth a look in.
Which just leaves the Suzuki and the Honda. Pound for pound there's really very little in it. The little Gladius does everything well. It's easy to ride, it’s got a decent amount of midrange, it’s comfortable and though time will tell, it does seem to be pretty well screwed together. The small fuel tank is a bit of a let down though and the budget brakes feel weak.
And so we have our somewhat confusing answer. The £4500 Gladius represents outstanding value, but to my mind the excellent Hornet is worth every penny of the extra £800 asking price. For the role it's been given, it’s practically perfect. The riding position is spot-on, it handles, it goes and it stops. So is there a place for budget versions of budget bikes? Seems so.
Specifications
Kawasaki
Price: £5,341 (£5,684 with ABS)
Engine: 748cc, liquid-cooled, 16-valve inline four
Power: 96bhp @ 10,200rpm
Torque: 53lb.ft @ 8300rpm
Front suspension: USD, adjustable rebound and preload
Rear suspension: MONOSHOCK, 7-way adjustable preload only
Front brake: 300mm discs, four-piston calipers
Rear bake: 250mm disc, single-piston caliper
Wet weight: 226kg (claimed)
Seat height: 815mm
Fuel capacity: 18.5 litres
Top speed: 135mph (est)
Colours: Green/Black, Black, Blue
Visordown rating: 3/5
Suzuki
Price: £4,500
Engine: 645cc, liquid-cooled, 8-valve V-twin
Power: 69bhp @ 8700rpm
Torque: 46ft.lb @ 6500rpm
Front suspension: Telescopic forks, unadjustable
Rear suspension: Monoshock, adjustable for preload only
Front brake: 290m discs, twin-piston calipers
Rear brake: 240mm disc, single-piston caliper
Wet weight: 202kg (claimed)
Seat height: 785mm
Fuel capacity: 14.5 litres
Top speed: 130mph (est)
Colours: White/Pink, White/Blue, Black/Green
Visordown rating: 4/5
Honda
Price: £5339 (£5681 WITH ABS)
Engine: 599cc, liquid-cooled, 16-valve inline four
Power: 92bhp @ 12,200rpm
Torque: 43ft.lb @ 8100rpm
Front suspension: USD, non-adjustable
Rear suspension: Monoshock, 7-way adjustable preload only
Front brake: 296mm discs, three-piston calipers
Rear brake: 240mm disc, single-piston caliper
Dry weight: 177kg (claimed)
Seat height: 800mm
Fuel capacity: 19 litres
Top speed: 135mph (est)
Colours: White, Black, Silver, Blue, Gold
Visordown rating: 4/5
Yamaha
Price: £4499 (£5249 with ABS)
Engine: 600cc, liquid-cooled, 16-valve inline four
Power: 69bhp @ 8700rpm
Torque: 41lb.ft @ 8200rpm
Front suspension: RWU, non-adjustable
Rear suspension: Monoshock, adjustable preload only
Front brake: 298mm discs, twin-piston calipers
Rear brake: 245mm disc, single-piston caliper
Wet weight: 205kg (claimed)
Seat height: 785mm
Fuel capacity: 17.3 litres
Top speed: 125mph (est)
Colours: Black, White, Yellow
Visordown rating: 2/5
