Suzuki Gladius marketing

[banda]

SUZUKI - GLADIUS -

Who knew about this? It's so weird, I can't believe it's true.

Suzuki is introducing a SV650 powered street bike targeted at new riders and women - their advertising angle is certainly different - it's a style thing. Show of hands - who thinks this will work?

[Superhawk69]

The bike looks SAD. I mean, I am now confused; is this the naked SV and now only the SVS is available?

That said, they don't share much in common at all it seems; even the motor is different. That styling though is just NOT attractive to me at all. Take the current SV and really STYLE IT up with great headlights and gauges and you could really make a naked that folks would like. The motor speaks for itself.

[robfromsc]

the website hurts my eyes


MY EYES...MY EYES! IM BLINDED!

.....Oh Dear God!

[banda]

I understand it's in addition to the naked SV. Less expensive frame, more bling.

It's not trying to be what the SV is. It's trying to be something the SV isn't. Does it succeeed? Should it?

[Doughnut Spaghetti]

You can't improve on perfection.

I think they just down graded the naked bike and made it look better. How many bikes have to use that little TL1000 based motor? At least the SVS is still on production for the moment.

There will always be a spot in my garage for my SV. For 72hp stock it's a blast to ride around town and commute on.

[DesperateSP2]

The Gladius is the direct SV650 replacement, at least around here.
You can still have a brand new SV though: warehouses are so stuffed full with unsold 2008 and 2007 Suzukis around here that Suzuki will not import quite a few 2009 models until stocks are eliminated.

[apfelbaum]

Is that web site for the American market? It reeks of euro-trash. Silver pants, techno-pop, ouch my eyes are burning. make it stop.

[Old Fart]

Should be named the clitorious.

[jetfixer]

Granted the bike may not appeal to many, with a rearset bracket that looks like it's off my 86 900 Ninja. I don't much care for the styling, but then again I think the Ducati Monster is ugly too, and look how well that sold. Some folks hate the Triumph Speed Triple but it's sold well over the years. The naked SV never sold as well as the version with fairing so Suzuki figured it was time put out a different naked bike. The SV has long been a starter bike so I can see the Gladius being the same way. Make a bike cheap, reliable and decent on gas and you will have success.

[sburns2421]

Originally Posted by Old Fart

Should be named the clitorious.

The potential male buyers of the Gladius wouldn't want to go anywhere near a clitorius.

I saw they had changed the colors to normal names. Originally it was names which would connect with their target audience. Names like Bukkake White and Frisco Bathhouse Blue.