2009 Suzuki Gladius
  
  
Fashion meets technology
There are machines that fade away into surrounding
traffic, and disappear into the background. Some are
simple transportation devices, form and function dictated
by nothing more than a price tag, uninspired, uninspiring,
utterly forgettable.
This is not one of those machines. Introducing a
unique work of motorcycle art, a masterpiece of fresh
styling.
Powered by a sporty, 650cc V-Twin engine featuring
the best of modern
technology, delivering broad power.
A motorcycle that blends traditional displacement
with an elegant new look, smooth handling and a friendly,
comfortable ride. A motorcycle that stands out from
the crowd when traveling down the road, and draws
a crowd when parked in the plaza.
Think of it as a combination of style and technology,
efficiency and fashion,
an unmatched value on two wheels, with an extra dose
of daily fun included.
It is called the 2009 Suzuki Gladius
Elegance On Two Wheels
The elegant look of the GLADIUS starts with a compact
trellis frame, made from steel-tubing to contrast
with the richly curved bodywork and the organic flow
of the footpeg mounting brackets. The edgy lines of
the frame cover on each side match the seat rail and
engine cover detailing and compliment the shape of
the buffed stainless steel muffler cover.
The carefully shaped multi-reflector headlight incorporates
high and low beams as well as
a position light, and is flanked by clear lens turn
indicators. The compact combination tail and brake
light is tucked up underneath the rear of the seat,
framed by the rear fender and flanked by the clear
lens turn indicators.
The instrument cluster is positioned above the headlight
and incorporates an analog tachometer, an LCD digital
speedometer, LCD digital dual trip meter and odometer,
an LCD digital clock, and an LCD digital gear position
indicator. Indicator lights include a two-way remaining
fuel warning lamp, backed up by an LCD digital reserve
trip meter.
Available colour combinations include Metallic Triton
Blue/Glass Splash White, Candy Ruby Magenta/Pearl
Mirage White and Pearl Nebular Black/Metallic Lush
Green.
In some colour schemes, the front fender and radiator
covers are colour-matched with the fuel tank covers
and side covers, and contrast with the colour of the
steel fuel tank itself and with the colour of the
frame. In the other colour schemes, the front fender
matches the colour of the steel fuel tank itself and
the colour of the frame.
Designed for Comfort
There is more to the design of the GLADIUS than exciting
styling. The chassis and bodywork are as slim as possible
at the point where the fuel tank and the seat meet,
the outside forward edges of the seat are rounded,
and the two-tone seat itself is relatively low, positioned
just 785mm above the pavement. All these factors make
it more comfortable for the rider at a stop, or when
manoeuvring into or out of a parking space. An optional
higher seat is also available to increase comfort
for taller riders.
The carefully shaped seat has ample padding and the
rear edges are bolstered to support the rider’s
hips well. The shape of the tubular handlebars and
the positioning of the handlebars and footpegs in
relationship to the seat also add to riding comfort.
The single rear shock is connected to the rectangular-section
steel swingarm through a progressive linkage, which
allows the suspension to react more smoothly to small
road irregularities as well as larger bumps, improving
overall ride comfort. Shock spring preload is adjustable
over a seven-step range to suit rider preference and
load, and rear wheel travel is 130 mm. The forks feature
41 mm stanchion tubes, spring preload is adjustable
over a 15 mm range, and front wheel travel is 125
mm. Wheelbase is 1,445 mm with rake and trail of 25
degrees and 104 mm.
Cast Alloy Wheels, Disc Brakes and Optional
ABS
Standard 17-inch cast aluminium-alloy wheels each
feature five spokes; front wheel width is MT3.50 and
rear wheel width is MT5.00. Dunlop Qualifier sport
radial tyres are fitted as standard equipment, a 120/70ZR17
(58W) front and a 160/60ZR17 (69W) rear.
Dual, floating front brake discs each measure 290
mm in diameter and work with dual-piston callipers.
A single, 240 mm rear brake disc is fitted with a
single-piston calliper.
Optional equipment for the GLADIUS will include an
electrically controlled ABS (Antilock Brake System).
The system monitors wheel speed, and matches stopping
power to available traction.*
*ABS is a supplemental device for brake operation,
not a device for shortening stopping distance. Always
remembers to reduce speed sufficiently before approaching
curves, corners and traffic congestion.
Sporty V-Twin Power
The GLADIUS is powered by a sporty, fuel-injected,
DOHC 90-degree V-Twin engine, based on the proven
SV650 poweplant famous for its long-term reliability,
broad power and quiet rumble.
Displacement remains 645cm3 from an oversquare bore
and stroke of 81.0 x 62.6 mm, and the compression
ratio is still 11.5 : 1. Each cylinder head still
features a compact combustion chamber with four valves,
two 31 mm intake valves set at 14 degrees from the
cylinder centreline and two 25.5 mm exhaust valves
set at 16 degrees from the cylinder centreline. New
single valve springs reduce inertia weight and mechanical
losses while maintaining accurate valve control.
Each cylinder head also carries two spark plugs,
as introduced in the SV650 engine, to improve combustion.
But the GLADIUS not only has twin spark plugs, it
has twin Iridim spark plugs. The use of the exotic
Iridium alloy reduces spark plug electrode degradation
and allows the electrode to be finer, producing a
more intense, hotter spark and further enhancing combustion.
Replacing conventional iron liners, the bore of each
aluminium-alloy cylinder is now plated with Suzuki’s
own race-proven nickel-phosphorus-silicon-carbide
coating, which reduces friction and improves heat
transfer, durability and ring seal and is known as
Suzuki Composite Electrochemical Material (SCEM).
Changes in camshaft profiles and valve lift, a 10%
increase in crankshaft inertia, newly staggered intake
and exhaust tract lengths and an increase in exhaust
system volume made it possible to boost the engine’s
low-rpm/mid-range torque output and broaden and smooth
power delivery without affecting top-end power. Intake
valve duration is 281 degrees, with 9.0 mm of lift.
Exhaust valve duration is 267 degrees, with 8.3 mm
of lift.
Changes in the design of the clutch release mechanism
and the transmission gear engagement dogs help improve
shifting of the six-speed transmission. To reduce
mechanical noise, a scissors-type primary drive gear
is split lengthwise with the two halves spring-loaded,
and the clutch and drive sprocket coversa are now
double-layered.
A new, more efficient radiator is narrower, while
a new liquid-to-liquid oil cooler reduces weight.
The fuel pump is also lighter and more compact, and
is located inside the 14.5-litre fuel tank. Final
drive is now via a #520 roller chain, and final drive
gearing is now 15/46.
Advanced Digital Engine Management and Emission
Controls
A powerful engine-management computer runs a state-of-the-art
fuel injection, ignition and engine management system,
including Suzuki Dual throttle Valve (SDTV) throttle
bodies. The fuel injection and engine management system
further improves combustion efficiency, with more
complete burning of the fuel producing better throttle
response and stronger acceleration as well as reducing
exhaust emissions. An oval throttle pulley helps smooth
low-rpm/mid-range power delivery.
Each downdraft 39 mm SDTV throttle body carries an
extra-fine-atomization, 10-hole fuel injector and
two butterfly valves. The rider controls the primary
butterfly valve in each throttle body by using the
twist grip. The secondary butterfly valve in each
throttle body is controlled by the engine management
computer. Based on primary butterfly valve position,
engine rpm and gear selection, the engine management
computer incrementally opens or closes the secondary
butterfly valve to maintain the proper intake air
velocity needed for maximum combustion efficiency
and improved throttle response across the rpm range.
The extra-fine-atomization injectors produce an average
spray particle diameter that is smaller than an average
spray particle diameter from a more conventional fine-atomization
injector, again improving combustion efficiency. The
engine management system controls injector on-time,
which determines the quantity of fuel injected into
the cylinder, based on engine rpm, intake pressure
(or vacuum), throttle position and readings from an
O2 (oxygen) sensor positioned in the exhaust system.
An automatic Idle Speed Control (ISC) system is integrated
into each throttle body, using internal passageways
to eliminate external hoses and control valves. A
notch machined into the secondary butterfly valve
shaft precisely matches the volume of air flowing
through the idle circuit with actual throttle position,
producing a stable idle while improving cold starting
and reducing emissions immediately after start-up.
The engine is so efficient in burning fuel that it
doesn’t need a conventional secondary system
to inject fresh air into the exhaust ports to ignite
unburned hydrocarbons. To deal with other emission
gasses, the GLADIUS has a catalyst built into an exhaust
chamber mounted underneath the engine and connected
to an upswept muffler.
It all comes down to fun
Cut down to its essence, the whole point of fashion
is, fun. And in the case of the 2009 Suzuki GLADIUS,
the whole point is, making it easier to have fun.
More efficient combustion and fewer emissions? Less
thinking about fresh air, as opposed to enjoying fresh
air.
Better throttle response and acceleration? Less
thinking about what you want the motorcycle to do,
as apposed to just doing it.
Elegant styling? Two-wheeled art? Modern Technology?
Riding comfort? Less wondering what people think,
as opposed to enjoying the ride.
Translation? The 2009 Suzuki GLADIUS has everything
you need to have more fun.
Take one for a ride today, and see for yourself!
Suzuki Gladius K9 Technical Information
Dimensions and Dry Mass
Overall length ...........................................................2130
mm (83.9 in)
Overall width.............................................................
760 mm (29.9 in)
Overall height ...........................................................1080
mm (42.5 in)
Wheelbase ................................................................1445
mm (56.9 in)
Seat height ...............................................................
785 mm (30.9 in)
Curb mass ................................................................202
kg (446 lbs)
Engine
Type.............................................................................Four-stroke,
liquid-cooled, DOHC, 90° V-Twin
Number of cylinders ...............................................2
Bore.............................................................................81.0
mm (3.188 in)
Stroke .........................................................................62.6
mm (2.464 in)
Displacement............................................................645
cm3 (cc)
Compression ratio ..................................................11.5
: 1
Fuel system ..............................................................Fuel
injection
Starter system .........................................................Electric
Lubrication system .................................................Wet
sump
Drivetrain
Transmission ...........................................................6-speed
constant mesh
Gearshift pattern .....................................................1-down,
5-up
Primary reduction ratio .........................................2.088
(71 / 34)
Final reduction ratio................................................3.067
(46 / 15)
Chassis
Front suspension
Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped – Fork
Size conventional 41mm, Preload adjustable
Rear suspension
Link type, coil spring, oil damped – Spring
Preload adjustable
Caster.........................................................................25°
Trail.............................................................................104.0
mm (4.1 in)
Front brake ...............................................................290mm
disc brake, twin
Rear brake.............................................................…240mm
disc brake, single
Front tyre size...........................................................120/70ZR17M/C
(58W), tubeless
Rear tyre size ..........................................................160/60ZR17M/C
(69W), tubeless
Electrical
Ignition type ..............................................................Electronic
ignition (Transistorized)
Capacities
Fuel tank.....................................................................14.5
L (4.6/3.8 US/lmp. gal)
Engine oil, oil change ..............................................3.1
L (0.8 US gal.)
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