<span style="font-size:" medium"="">With just over 6000 euro, two or Four legs? By Oli the Belgian</span></strong></em></span><br> Photos: Speedy<br> <br> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">First view:</span><br> <br> The white XJ6 versus the black Gladius; and although the lines are very similar, the look remains a matter of taste. Following the opinions and comments of several Internet users, I have to say that my view has changed somewhat... Both bikes share a discreet plasticity, but it's true that the Suzuki Gladius's styling may have something feminine about it, or rather something not "biker" enough?</p> <p align="justify">Very incisive, the little radiator covers on the Yamaha XJ6 are very nice and rather aggressive.<br> A plus for the Suzuki thanks to its headlight, which is reminiscent of the MV Agusta Brutale style.<br> In both cases, the manufacturers have chosen the pot option underneath the bike. A good thing too, since under-seat pots certainly have a sportier feel, but they represent a lot of unsprung weight, and on many motorcycles, it's a real pain in the butt!<br> <br> Despite this, the two mufflers aren't on the same level: the Yamaha XJ6's low output heats up the right boot at idle, a problem I'd already encountered on the "late" Buell, while the Suzuki Gladius has an ugly muffler: the kind of muffler that forces you to budget for an "adaptable output" when you buy it. Mind you, I had the same thought when I saw the cartridge of the new Yamaha FZ8.<br> <br> Very similar seat height, yet the position is not the same! The Suzuki Gladius saddle is considerably firmer, and the under-seat covers shear the thighs (well, okay, I've got big thighs!)</p> <p align="center"><img src="http://www.motoplanete.com/comparo/Gladius-vs-XJ6-1.jpg" alt="" width="520" height="347"></p> <p align="justify">The Yamaha XJ6's handlebars are quite closed and "droopy", so the riding position is "sportier", in all the wrong senses of the word.<In this respect, the wider, flatter handlebars of the Suzuki Gladius offer a less tiring position and (can we call this a positive point?) force you to ride at a reasonable speed or forget the freeway.<br> The wind resistance is such that from 150 (with a slender rider like me, 1.82m, 95kg, winter jacket) the bike starts to sway.<br> <br> The dashboards reveal a search for economy, the one on the Yamaha XJ6 is none other than the Yamaha FZ series model, no big worries for the look, everything is there but it lacks a little warmth.<br> For the Suzuki Gladius, we find the very practical engaged gear indicator, an option we'd like to find on the Yamaha XJ6, so fast does the engine rev and encourage you to pass 7th.<br> It's already running at 7,000rpm at 130 km/h, which puts the needle in the second half of the rev counter.<br> <br> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Motor!"</span></p> <p> Between the manly hammering of the Suzuki Gladius (not unlike the mill of the KTM SuperDuke, yes, yes) and the blaring of the Yamaha XJ6, the tone is set.</p> <p align="center"><img src="http://www.motoplanete.com/comparo/Gladius-vs-XJ6-2.jpg" alt="" width="520" height="317"></p> <p align=">This is the point that interested me most in this comparison. I've always had my doubts about putting a four-legged on a 600.<br> Well, ok, I ride a twin (Yamaha TDM 900) and I have to say I love the way this type of engine behaves for everyday riding, but then, only stupid people don't change their minds.<br> I'm cutting off all suspense, I haven't changed my mind!</p> <p align="justify">Of course, a little throttle when downshifting is a lot more fun with a 4-wheeler, the extension is different, but the red zone at 11500 only allows two riding styles on the Yamaha XJ6.<br> Either you shift into sixth as fast as you can and ride on the torque. But in this case, it's not uncommon to have to "drop" 1, 2, even 3 gears to regain a bit of vigor for a virile overtaking.<br> Or, grand prix-style driving, always up in the revs!</p> <p align="justify">During a duo outing, I tested both driving styles. The 6th on the rolling road and the top of the rev counter for the twisty.......<br> As the in-line 4 doesn't have a very present engine brake, driving at the top isn't too uncomfortable for the passenger. I have to say that even during an attack, er, lively and in duet, the bike doesn't come apart.</p> <p align="justify">The Suspension does a very good job (well, it's stiff anyway, eh!) and the bike is really fun in the twisty.</p> <p align="justify"> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">What about the Gladius?</span></p> <p align="justify">I tested it solo, on a similar course to the Yamaha XJ6. There's no mistaking it: at the same speed and on the same road, the Suzuki's twin-cylinder is a delight. Quite simply, you're always in the right rev range. <A real mini KTM SuperDuke, I tell you! On the other hand, the suspension and handling are less bleeding edge than on the Yamaha XJ6. The bike tends to come apart when you go hard into corners, and the cornering isn't as straightforward...<br> It holds together just about .....quand même, one isn't a precision monster and the other a custom, but it's true that if you go from one to the other the difference in behavior is obvious<br> Add to that, an ultra lively gearbox with perfect locking and it's bliss!</p> <p align="center"><img src="http://www.motoplanete.com/comparo/Gladius-vs-XJ6-3.jpg" alt="" width="520" height="347"></p> <p align="justify"> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Conclusions:</span><br> <br> Here, for once, I almost feel like saying that the top would be the mix of the two... The chassis from the YamahaXJ6 and the engine from the Suzuki Gladius.<br> Obviously that's impossible, so... which one to choose?</p> <p align="justify">As is often the case when buying a motorcycle, it's important to think about the primary use of the future 2-wheeler. In this case, price, fuel consumption (less than 6 liters in all cases) and rideability are very similar.</p> <p align="justify">Then there's the look... And now I've fallen in love with the Yam! A pre-test crush that has been largely overshadowed by the Gladius's motoring pleasure!</p> <p>I'm not helping you here, so much the worse, it's up to you ;-)<br> <br> A+<br> <br> Oli the Belgian</p>
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| Yamaha XJ6 600 Naked 2010 | Suzuki SFV 650 GLADIUS 2010 | ||||||||||
Chassis |
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| Nombre de places | |||||||||||
| Frame | |||||||||||
| En acier de type Diamant | Treillis tubulaire en acier | ||||||||||
| Fuel capacity | |||||||||||
| 17.30 liters (4.57 US gallons) | 14.50 liters (3.83 US gallons) | ||||||||||
| Oil capacity | |||||||||||
| Seat height | |||||||||||
| Seat height : 785 mm (30.91 in) | Seat height : 785 mm (30.91 in) | ||||||||||
| Length | |||||||||||
| Length : 2,120 mm (83.46 in) | Length : 2,130 mm (83.86 in) | ||||||||||
| Width | |||||||||||
| 770 mm (30.31 in) | |||||||||||
| Height | |||||||||||
| Min height : 1,085 mm (42.72 in) | Min height : 1,090 mm (42.91 in) | ||||||||||
| Ground clearance | |||||||||||
| Wheelbase | |||||||||||
| 1,440 mm (56.69 in) | 1,445 mm (56.89 in) | ||||||||||
| Dry weight | |||||||||||
| Curb mass | |||||||||||
| Weight when fully loaded | |||||||||||
| 205 kg | 202 kg | ||||||||||
| Brake assist | |||||||||||
| ABS optional | ABS optional | ||||||||||
Front axle |
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| Suspension | |||||||||||
| Telehydraulic fork Ø 41 mm | Telehydraulic fork Ø 41 mm | ||||||||||
| Wheel travel | |||||||||||
| 130 mm (5.12 in) | 130 mm (5.12 in) | ||||||||||
| Angle de chasse | |||||||||||
| Setting | |||||||||||
| Brake | |||||||||||
| Braking 2 discs Ø 298 mm (11.73 in), 2-piston caliper | Braking 2 discs Ø 290 mm (11.42 in), 2-piston caliper | ||||||||||
| Wheel | |||||||||||
| Front tire : 120 / 70 - 17 | Front tire : 120 / 70 - 17 | ||||||||||
| Pressure | |||||||||||
| 2.25 bar | 2.25 bar | ||||||||||
| Handlebars | |||||||||||
Transmission |
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| Gearbox | |||||||||||
| 6 stage gearbox | 6 stage gearbox , manual | ||||||||||
| Transmission | |||||||||||
| Secondary by chain | Secondary by chain | ||||||||||
Rear axle |
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| Suspension | |||||||||||
| Mono-damper | Mono-damper | ||||||||||
| Wheel travel | |||||||||||
| 130 mm (5.12 in) | 130 mm (5.12 in) | ||||||||||
| Setting | |||||||||||
| Brake | |||||||||||
| Braking 1 disc Ø 245 mm (9.65 in), single-piston caliper | Braking 1 disc Ø 220 mm (8.66 in), single-piston caliper | ||||||||||
| Wheel | |||||||||||
| Rear tire : 160 / 60 - 17 | Rear tire : 160 / 60 - 17 | ||||||||||
| Pressure | |||||||||||
| 2.5 bar | 2.5 bar | ||||||||||
Motor |
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| Motor type | |||||||||||
| 4 cylinders online , 4 strokes | two-cylinder 90° L-shape , 4 strokes | ||||||||||
| Cooling system | |||||||||||
| liquid | liquid | ||||||||||
| Fuel system | |||||||||||
| Injection | Injection Ø 39 mm | ||||||||||
| Fuel | |||||||||||
| Starting system | |||||||||||
| Timing | |||||||||||
| 2 ACT | 2 ACT | ||||||||||
| Number of valves | |||||||||||
| 4 valves per cylinder | 4 valves per cylinder | ||||||||||
| Displacement | |||||||||||
| 600 cc, Bore x stroke: 65.5 x 44.5 mm | 645 cc, Bore x stroke: 81 x 62.6 mm | ||||||||||
| Power | |||||||||||
| 76.9 ch to 10,000 rpm | 71 ch to 8,400 rpm | ||||||||||
| With compressed air | |||||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||||
| Compression | |||||||||||
| 12.2 : 1 | 11.5 : 1 | ||||||||||
| Torque | |||||||||||
| 6.10 mkg to 8,500 rpm | 6.40 mkg to 6,400 rpm | ||||||||||
| With compressed air | |||||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||||
| Émission sonore | |||||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||||
| Motorcycle can be restricted to 34ch (A MTT1 Permit) | |||||||||||
| No | No | ||||||||||
| Motorcycle can be restricted to 48ch (French A2 Permit) | |||||||||||
| No | No | ||||||||||
Options/Equipment |
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Practical information |
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Compare |
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Fuel consumption
Yamaha XJ6 600 Naked 2010
Undisclosed
Suzuki SFV 650 GLADIUS 2010
: 5 liters/100km (0.47 mpg)
Range
Yamaha XJ6 600 Naked 2010
Undisclosed
Suzuki SFV 650 GLADIUS 2010
: 290 km (180 miles)
Torque
Yamaha XJ6 600 Naked 2010
: 6.1 mkg
Suzuki SFV 650 GLADIUS 2010
: 6.4 mkg
Power
Yamaha XJ6 600 Naked 2010
: 78 ch (76.90 hp)
Suzuki SFV 650 GLADIUS 2010
: 72 ch (71 hp)
Power-to-Weight ratio
Yamaha XJ6 600 Naked 2010
: 2.47 kg/ch
*
Suzuki SFV 650 GLADIUS 2010
: 2.66 kg/ch
*
Torque-to-Weight ratio
Yamaha XJ6 600 Naked 2010
: 31.14 kg/mkg
*
Suzuki SFV 650 GLADIUS 2010
: 29.54 kg/mkg
*
Speed
Yamaha XJ6 600 Naked 2010
: approximately 190 km/h (118.10 mph)
Suzuki SFV 650 GLADIUS 2010
: approximately 200 km/h (124.30 mph)
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Bikers' reviews