Liked my test ride on Yamaha Gladiator SS. Review on Yamaha Gladiator SS

Hi all,

I tried the new Yamaha gladiator SS few days back. Test ride was comfortable although it was short. Here are some of my observations during test ride, other features are widely available from their webiste anyways.

https://yamaha-motor-india.com/GladiatorTypeRSSS/home.shtml

Seating was comfortable.

I felt overall length of the handle was not broad as Honda Shine or TVS flame.

I felt the weight of the bike was not too heavy or not too light.

Good engine feel on throttle definitely not rough.

This new Yamaha has 5 gears in it and shifting gears were not as smooth as Honda Shine but smooth enough. This has toe type gear.

Braking was the best. I clearly agree with Yamaha "Precise Braking" You can feel the way bike comes to stop when you appply the break and there were not any jerks, I tried various amounts of braking in all gears and felt good.

Auto start is helpful.

The thing that I felt ambiguous was for a huge bike like this(125CC bike) the tyres were thin. I think it could have been thicker, however there was better road grip and seemed good.

Another thing that I felt is that for India women who sit laterally on the bike may have their difficulty keeping their feet on Saraee gaurd as it is very small and the foot pedal for pillion rider is in the middle of the bike. This can however be contrasted as Yamaha terms this bike as Sporting bike and not commuting. a slight lean towards front could also be required but not as much as TVS apache.

Yamaha comes with most of the accessories in built like engine cover, saree gaurd, etc. Others can be purcahsed as add ons I believe however not much extra adds are present.

Recently I heard over the Radio(Bangalore) that Yamaha has slashed prices for their bikes(dont know if its because of Holi or budget that happened). It is at 42000+ change for Ex Show room price and checked that it is close to 50500/- on road. Advertisement also said that it comes with assured gifts.

I think this new Yamaha is a good bike. I was very much interested in TVS flame and was waiting for it like everyone since long time. However couple of notes I observed with that is

1) TVS flame with Disc break is not available at the moment and have to wait much longer. .

2) TVS flame with twin spark plug was advertised with huge mileage before Bajaj won  the case and now the TVS flame with Single Spark plug is advertised with lower mileage.

Another thing is that TVS flame show room sales man told me that I can expect between 65-67 Kmpl in city conditions. Yamaha says that 67Kmpl under test conditions. So I would say around 60kmpl after a service and with good care.

I like the looks of TVS flame like everyone else do, however Yamaha gladiator SS has got its own distinct looks as well. I like both Yellow and red one.

Yamaha Management seems to be a problem as every one says. This is something that makes me re-think the option of going to Yamaha. Yamaha has released R1 and MT01 in India and plans to expand their market with YZF-R15 and FZ-15 for which their service should definetly become better to capture Indian 2 wheeler market. By the way Yamaha show room guy told me that YZF-R15 should be released in June and possibly at 1 Lakh onroad price. This could not be necessarily true(for a 150CC bike) but who knows until it is released for sure.

To Conclude I would say Yamaha Gladiator SS is definetly Sporty and for 50000/- for people who are looking for YZFR15 to be more expensive and who do not want to go for YZFR15 for price may be, next better thing from Yamaha is Gladiator SS.

Regards

Balaji S