Don't Just follow, but Decide. Review on Yamaha Gladiator SS

I'm a very skeptical buyer., and except 100 % from the hard-earned money I pay for, and when the purchase amount is a big as 55k, I think you should decide very cautiously rather than listening to one or two friends of yours. Use Google to find some good friends around who can really help you to have your own decision.

Mouthshut gave me the same platform what I was looking for. I never had a bike of my own, not even tried my friends(I used to drive occasionally my father’s scooter almost 6 years back)., I suddenly found that I need a vehicle for City commuting to office/shops as well as occasional 3/4 hours trip to off city, or a long drive along ECR(Chennai) with my wife.

I want my purchase to be healthy on my pocket in long run as well. It needs to have a decent above average look, not much flashy, not lousy,

So obviously my preference comes in the below order,

1. Price/Mileage - 30%

   
   




2. Looks- 20%

   
   




3. Performance - 20%

   
   




4. Comfort - 20%

   
   




5. Impulse (Purely heart no brain) - 10%

   
   

Then I did an internet search. on mouthshut, bikeindia, team-bhp, x-bhp, xkmph and so on.

And I short listed

Gladiator SS Red White

Gladiator SS Black Red

Gladiator RS

Funny though, CBF stunner was there in distant 4th place. Which I ruled out for being too fleshy and way too costly against my budget. All my option listed above are same model with different color, surprisingly they price difference among them stumped me. For Red black I was getting in 53.5k, dealer said it’s discount price. Red White (recently launched) is costing me 54.5k and RS 55k. I zeroed in on Black Red.

I don’t want to share the specification detail of the bike, which you can get in the Yamaha site itself, But want to share my first time Bike purchase exp.

I did a test drive and Found that the engine starts with a peculiar sound usually found in Off Road bikes. It’s different and I like the sound. It worked smoothly in my hand. Since I’m not used to the gear system (remember I drove only scooter) I had some difficulty with the 1Dn4Up style, But I assured myself It will be fine once I’m adjusted to it.

Loved the way it looks, with a big bike feel, and sporty stance. In my mind I already owned it. Took my Wife to have her say on the bike. In the Showroom there was Fz-16, FZ-S, and R-15 snatching all the shows. But my Intelligent Wife Said, "Fz 16 looks sexy, But You will look Sexier in the Glady SS".. Just the thing I wanted to know.

So Know I’m having the bike key now. And practicing regularly on the road next to our Home to get used to the Gear System. Believe me the bike moves in the wind like a knife on butter. Smooth, Subtle, Sensible. Rider comfort is at it’s best. Gear Operation is much smoother now, Never felt underpowered, but the best thing I love is the way the engine sounds. Too good. Only thing I don’t like about the bike is the Front Number Plate, Well I have no plan to move it out from there but, use white no on black background type sticker for the Front Number plate and usual black on white in the Rear.

Well there is some almost inaudible cheeeee sound when I’m moving the vehicle while the engine is stopped. Probably coming from the wheel, and hope to get it solved once the 1st Servicing is done.

Well, I’ll continue this Post down the time, So far I’m loving it, , Stay tuned.