Read the Test Ride/Review of the 2008 Yamaha Gladiator Type-SS on "The Bike Chronicles of India".. Test Ride of the New Gladiator Type-SS
First things first:
Compared to the earlier Gladiator models, there is no change in the Power/Torque output of the New Yamaha Gladiator Type-SS.
So is it another cosmetic/sticker job with a fancy name (la Hero Honda Karizma "R")..??
The answer to that would be.. "No".
"Quality of parts used in the new model has to be seen and felt.."
Of course there is no change in the power output in the Gladiator Type-SS, but the quality of parts used in the new model has to be seen and felt to realize that the Type-SS is only a precursor of good thing to come from Yamaha India in 2008 (namely the R15 and the FZ150).
Price:# The Gladiator Type-SS will be available in showrooms only by Feb 2008 end.
# The Gladiator Type-RS will be launched after a month.
# Tech Specs of the Gladiator Type SS/RS are same as the older Gladiator
The best part is that the Gladiator Type-SS will have a Ex-Showroom price tag of around Rs. 46,350..!! (which would be more or less uniform across the country) Considering the quality and the equipment levels, the price according to me is quite an aggressive one.
Also what is more exciting is the fact that the price of the Gladiator "Graffiti" Variant (with Self Start, Front Disc Brakes as standard) has now been lowered to Rs. 43,650..!! (Ex-Showroom, mostly uniform across India)
New (Semi Flat) Handlebar:
The handlebar on the Type-SS sits flatter than the earlier Gladiator models. As a result of which the rider now leans more towards the handlebars. Though the riding position is not as aggressive as the TVS Apache RTR 160, but the stance is now more like the Bajaj Pulsar 150/180 models. The handlebar has been given an anodized matt black finish.
One can also find handlebar-ends on the Type-SS along with handlebar Grips which according to Yamaha has been design like the ones found on its 1000 cc R1.
The Type-SS sports a tachometer, a feature which isn't present in any other 125 cc bike right now. There is also a brushed aluminium handle bar crown, which adds to the aesthetic appeal.
The switches are functional and comprehensive, but compared to the competition, it is getting a bit too old and has been in duty on Yamaha models since the RX135 days.
Dimple Type Seat Cover
The Seat cover on the Type-SS has a new perforated material which Yamaha prefers to call as "Dimple Type". It certainly looks good on the Type-SS but I am not quite sure if it is functional too.
New Design Exhaust End & new material Heat Shield
The exhaust of the Type-SS has a newly designed end piece which Yamaha again likes to call as "Machine Gun Type" end piece. Although it looks ok to me, the choice of the colour of the end piece makes it look a bit tacky.
Unlike the heat shield on the exhaust found on other Indian bikes, the heat shield on the Gladiator Type-SS is made out of a special synthetic-plastic-resin material. Apart from protecting the pillion's foot from scalding, the heat shield looks cool too.
Aluminium Die Cast Footpegs:
The classy aluminium Die Cast footpegs of the Gladiator Type-SS enhances the Sporty feel. Both the footpegs are retractable. The front footpegs have rubber inserts to damp vibrations.
What sets these footpegs apart from ones found in other bikes is that the front ones are spring loaded, so that even if they happen to touch the tarmac during hard cornering, they will automatically come back to their original position.
I was quite impressed by the way the rear footpegs makes a "CLICK" everytime you retract it or bring it back. Exquisite..!!
Apart from these changes, the Gladiator Type-SS has many other small changes like newly designed sleek Front and Rear Fenders, front fairing which has been lowered by 30 mm, Half Chain Cover, O-Ring Chain Drive, Toe-only type gear lever. Not to mention an excellent paint job. All these changes manage to give the Type-SS a Stylish and Sporty stance and look.
Colors:
The Gladiator Type-SS will be available in two color combinations..
- Metallic Silver with Red
- Metallic Silver with Gold
Review of the Test Ride
The test ride was taken on a proper test track prepared by a Japanese gentleman from Yamaha India (Posted below). The test track comprised of a number of twist and turns along with sweeping bends and a few straight portions as well. It was designed to test the handling and performance of Gladiator Type-SS.
"The New Gladiator Type-SS is definitely the "Sportiest" 125 cc motorcycle in the country at present
I took three rounds around the test track. After the ride I can safely say that the New Gladiator Type-SS is definitely the "Sportiest" 125 cc motorcycle in the country at present. The way the rider sits on the Gladiator Type-SS is quite different from the earlier Gladiators. The rider now leans more into the bike, like on a Pulsar. The bike was resonably smooth even and the gear box was a joy to use. Special mention have to made of the front disc brakes of the Gladiator Type-SS. Nowhere during the test ride did it ever feel that the brakes were weak. The handling was also quite sporty (though definitely not as sporty as the Apache RTR 160) for a bike in the 125 cc segment.
Previously I had taken test rides of the various 125 cc bikes and compared them (viz. the Bajaj XCD, Hero Honda Glamour, Honda Shine, Suzuki Zeus and the Yamaha Gladiator Type J.A.) Even back then, I had said that I could hardly find any fault with the Gladiator. In fact apart from the Gladiator, each 125 cc bike had something missing in it.
"The current price of Rs.46,350 along with the Standard Front Disc Brake (Flame without Disc Brake is Rs.45,000 Ex-Showroom Delhi) is very competitive.
As a bonus the Gladiator Type-SS also has the 5’th gear and tachometer"
The Bajaj XCD felt small, the Suzuki Zeus felt a bit underpowered (especially on revving) and had stiff suspension, and apart from the Honda Brand, I couldn’t find something which could set apart the Hero Honda Glamour and the Honda Shine. But on the Gladiator Type-SS, I couldn’t again find any fault with it.
The Gladiator Type-SS feels almost like a bigger 150 cc bike in size. The tank also has functional knee recess unlike a few other bikes.
The only chink in the Older Gladiator’s amour was probably its price which was a bit high compared to the likes of the Bajaj XCD. But the current price of Rs.46,350 along with the Standard Front Disc Brake (Flame without Disc Brake is Rs.45,000 Ex-Showroom Delhi) is very competitive. As a bonus the Gladiator Type-SS also has the 5’th gear and tachometer.
And also because the maximum torque of the Gladiator is produced at a comparatively higher RPM than all the other 125 cc bikes, the Gladiator doesn’t pull that well as say the XCD at low RPM’s. But this also means that the Gladiator is much sportier than the other 125 cc bikes since guys looking for sporty bikes like to have more pickup at high RPMs.
Another reason for the Gladiator not selling well has been its poor advertising. It is no secret that the previous Ads of the Gladiator could be termed as Crappy. According to me the success or failure of the Gladiator Type-SS now depends a lot on its Promotion and Advertising.
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Disclaimer:This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.
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