Jan 09, 2015 08:59 AM
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Some cities in india does not encourage commuter biking.let us face it.Bombay is one among those cities.
And, there is nothing wrong with it.Bombay's life blood is local trains and taxies.so when I left bombay after 10 long years, and came to Bangalore.i was marvelled at the local public transportation here at Bangalore.it just did not Exist!
I had to spend too much money on autos.That's when, i've decided to buy a motor cycle.
I have brought it in Bangalore's Prestigious'Bangalore wheels showroom.And still the bike is new in appearance and running condition because of them.
Being a bombay boy, i had absolutely no idea how to drive a bike, for commuting(: I know bikes theoritically, infact, I can tell you the specs in detail, like power, bhp, torque at what rpm.blah.blah.but driving it in Bangalore's bumber to bumber traffic is a nice different story altogether.
But, I made a buying decision and it's reported briefly in mouth shut.com in 2007.
https://mouthshut.com/review/Yamaha-Gladiator-review-rstntrtoom
The biggest happiness is, that, I bought this yamaha gladiator from Yamaha MD tomotawa Isikawa(snap attached.please feel jealous):
Some how I learnt, the art of biking through the years, and today.I.am.a.Biker! Four years been over with more than 65000 kms in Odo.Thus qualifying myself, to write my bike's long time review.
Here we go guys.
First Impression.( when I bought in 2007)
I loved this bikes side profile, first I saw it in a mall.it was a John abraham signature edition.very unique, and since yamaha could not sell it much, it was a rare sight.Those time was when pulsar reigned supreme.covered the roads like carpet.the only place you won't see a pulsar would be your bedroom and bathrooms);
Many suggested a pulsar to me.but I liked gladiator's side profile.with that, i will have an unmistakable individuvality. I.I always feel, glady's rear profile and the front scoop are unimpressive though.
Engine
125 cc engine that has got the most smooth, silky, buttery.so soft.i use to horn left right and center, because there hardly any running sound.It remained smooth for three years.now the smoothness is not really there.But, the pick up was.man.aweful.when you can commute in traffic free ringroads then great, not in a messy traffic jams.You would sure wonder, wheather you are driving it or pushing it.Sluggish.
But, apart from that, there is no big complaints.it withstood thousands of kms, at times, I drove it through the waters, rains, hottest summers.no problem.
Handling
Many don't realize the importance of handling.you know why people fall at curves and a sudden breaks? The reason is lying with the handling nature of a bike.I have seen a hero hunk guy fell in the free, and slightly curved road, with slow speeds.There was absolutely no reason for him to fall.Blame it on handling nature of bikes, but this yamaha I own, always wonderful, that too after 4500 rpm.it somehow sticks to the road and you need to do some really weird thing to fall off the bike.
At speeds 60 and above, I had taken curvy turns at ease.it never threw me off.The frame and chassis of this bike is wonderfully made for a dream like handling.I have done a top speed of 105 km/ hr at one night.i think, this is the maximum it goes.And it Does it without any vibrations.
Riding gladiator in 5th gear and above 80 kms of speed will show you what " Fun "really means! It'a joy untold.This one is the sweet spot of this bike.
Riding for work
I took it for granted, i was commuting 60 kms a day in this bike.There was no back pain, front pain or any in that sort.But, when I gave my bike for service, i took my friend's bike for some days.
it was a nightmare.my friend's bike was old, but some how, after riding it for my office, i got a terrible thigh and leg pain.So, there must be a lot of truth when some say riding position.My gladiator is rightly designed factory set up, and unless you change it for some cheap wheelie thrills, i can assure you, that no pain ever trouble you.i forgot.oh.the suspension.yamaha had done a noteworthy job.i never had a bumby ride.seats are also soft and commuterish.
By the way, you may wonder, why am I writting this four years ownership review like a new buyer review kinds.there is a reason.That is "Yamaha Politics". though they have discontinued my bike, but still they manufacture under SS 125'. RS125, YBR 125 and all that.with minor mods.So if you are buying any of these bikes, you are actually buying my gladiator only.even looks resembles same.
Performance
In city limits, Nothing to write home about.It's a bike that finishes your task.It will go to point A to point B.takes time to gain top speed.At signals, you will have to work hard or rev hard to beat any pulsar guys.the power they quote(the 11 bhp thing)is Actually a great vadivelu comedy in traffic ladden roads.But when it comes to a straight trafficc free roads, i have seen chasing myself the big bikes, the one remarkable chasing was when I attempted to beat Honda Goldwing.Believe me, Gladiator will become true gladiators.But unfortunately, bangalore is not free from terrible traffic jam.(contd)
