2009 Naked Middleweight Comparison: Kawasaki ER-6n vs. Suzuki Gladius

[@JacobDH87]

I bought a gladius brand new and it gives me a reason to get out of bed everyday. Its a really fun and forgiving bike. I may be a 650 twin but it has great performance and much more character than a CBR or GSX-R inline four.

[@LarryRickenbacker]

Test rode the ER-6n today. What a delight!

[@LostinTimeYT]

I've had both bikes. The ER6n pulls harder at higher rpms and has better highway speed roll on power from 5k rpm on up. They are both great bikes but I think I like the Kawasaki better overall.

[@jtomos]

Day before yesterday I rode a Gladius. It is just an excelent bike for every day use, I love it.

[@Nayega]

These two are pretty neck to neck. I'm not sure about Kawa, but Suzuki uses steel frame to save costs which adds a bit weight. I would still get the Gladius (it looks better IMO), but maybe get some better padded seats.

[@dbreardon]

In 2009 I wrecked my bike (totalled) by hitting gravel going around a curve and need a new bike. I was stoked on getting an SV650 but then saw how Suzuki destroyed it in the looks department and rebranded to the Gladius. So I opted for the er6n. I even remember watching this video on the two bikes! It has been a solid bike that I have even taken on a 1000 mile camping tour down the blueridge and smokey mountains - the bike was loaded up! Flash to two weeks ago - April 2019. Just sold the er6n and plan to move down to Florida soon. My next bike will be the resurrected SV650 that I have been wanting since they first came out in 1999 (had a 96' Suzuki GSF 600 Bandit at that time though). Hopefully, finally, 20 years later I will have an SV650 :)

[@flatlineoptimism2600]

I have a Gladius in black. It's a fantastic bike. It's way smooth and endless fun. I bought the bike four years ago with 13,400 miles on it. It's now up to 43,000 miles. You might like the looks of the Gladius in black with an aftermarket pipe and fender eliminator. I'd like to buy the GSX-S 1000 but am also considering the Z900 next season.

[@OccasionallyEvil]

Had a chance to buy both today. The Kawi was slightly cheaper. But the deal breaker for me was the lack of a gear position indicator on the ER6N. So went with the Gladius.

[@zukkiridesmoto]

I own both bikes. Gladius and ER6N both in the same year [2009]. There is something in the Gladius that I really like that's not in the ER6N. I sold the ER6N and I still have my Gladius to this day.

[@cheezgrated]

You can get a Ducati Monster used if you really want an Italian bike. The Gladius looks too much like a women's running shoe to me, but Suzuki did want to attract female riders (especially with the seat height). I don't like the styling of the Kawi either, so I'll probably get a 696 when I want a naked bike.

[@ur2slob724]

sold my 2009 gladius and bought a 2013 Er6n.. both great bikes.. gladius has alot of torque and feels faster but the Er6n is actually faster and sings up top!.. Er6n is easier to ride, more comfortable and loves to rev where the gladius dies up top the rev range. I do miss the v twin sound though

[@kagolko]

I'm highly consodering buying onle of these babies, I'm cca 6foot 3 (190 cm), which of those is better for a tall man like me? Please sir let me know. And also, which is better touring bike? I really enjoy long rides, is there possiblity to change seat of the gladius for more compfy one? And how did you find it's seat anyway? And wgich one would you recommend for the beginner?

[@ur2slob724]

+kagolko both are the same height when you sit on it. prob not the best for a tall guy, v twin has alot of torque down low Er6n loves to be revved. for touring I would go Er6n seat is alot comfier and in my opinion looks nicer too 👍 both are great bikes. also the Er6n feels easier to ride feels lighter and more manoeuvrable

[@ur2slob724]

+kagolko I'm now selling my Er6n because it feels very slow 😂 upgrading to a speed triple 😎

[@kagolko]

Thank you very much for your reply, I really appreciate man. I am currently looking for my first proper bike amd I'd like to have 600cc first, I live in Switzerland and the insurance here ia horribly expensive. So do you have any tips for 600 cc for a tall guy like me? People have been suggesting Versys (suzuki), or Honda NC X 700 - but I don't really like eother of those. Engine from Honda and styling of Versys. I like naked much more, do you thing that there is any good for me available up to 600cc? Thank you once more again for a nice and full reply man!

[@ur2slob724]

+kagolko anytime man 600cc and 650cc are completely different engines 600cc are mostly used in Supersports cbr600rr r6 etc.. and 650cc is used mainly in sports touring like the Er6n etc.. I'd suggest a triumph Street triple R 675 I can't wait to sell my Kawasaki to buy one. but I'm leaning towards a speed triple or a bmw S1000r.. the 650cc will get boring and slow after a month I know that's how I felt

[@lovenamese]

Both these bikes are priced low and hard to choose between them. I love the Kawa clean lines the twin exhaust pipes coming from the front and how it is tucked under the frame. The Suzuki has the proven SV650 motor, sweet frame, very different styling and easier to read display. In the end I choose the Gladius because it came in black, when I sat on it it felt solid under me and felt good. Which is the most important thing. And the fact that its naked!

[@clffreak]

er6n, gladius, or xj6n ? can't make up my mind...

[@MichaelApodaca]

I prefer the Kawasaki to the Suzuki. The Gladius is nice, but I like the funky styling of the ER-6n. The big downfall is the color as it is for many. It's not bad, it's just kind of ehh. But a Kawi rep told me that they are coming out with another color in the US next year. Hopefully black, but we'll see!

[@hugodacosta]

First you need to be sure if you want a 2 cylinder or a 4 cylinder, because the driving is different. I prefer 2 cylinder because I drive more in the city ans in curvy roads. I have the Kawasaki.

[@scavenom2008]

alot of people go by the looks but you should try hard to choose based on ergonomics and ridding comfort which will prove to be more important believe after all this arent race bikes i ride sport bikes and ergonomics bike size etc is on the top of my list

[@jefflambert8603]

E.R stands for Essential Riding I only found this out recently One of those Lost in Translation...🇯🇵

[@MargaritavilleIsle]

Both are really fun to ride. I prefer the look of the ER6N but I bought a Gladius... it just has more fun factor (speed and handling was better) in my opinion.

[@d0gM3at]

LoL !!! - ER-6N looks wicked in black, white, silver, orange or red....Basically all the colors you can't find in the US. I am being serious though the ER-6N looks better in other colors then the blue we got.

[@harryrobertson2002]

Seems. It's really amazing literate cheap What's your opinion about that 1!

[@saturnfanatic]

hmm i think ill take the er-6n but i probaly would also test ride the gladius just to be sure

[@clffreak]

@drums634 eventually i got nothing because i started building a house and ran out of money :( xj6n remains my favourite though. take care and good luck with your new bike

[@peavyt15]

the daytona is in a completely different class of from these 2 bikes in both cost and performance. A 675 is about $3,500 more.

[@drums634]

@clffreak Im now in this exact situation. have a few months to think about it though. what did you get in the end???

[@woodyx10]

the er6n in europe come with ABS? damn yall always get the good stuff first. makes sense i guess the ER6n has already been there for a few years

[@gseeno]

Im 6'3 and Im looking to get the er6n in a month or so. Any tall guys out there ride this bike? were you cramped at all?

[@jboy2621]

Boy what a mistake the Gladius was. The ER6N also failed.

[@adder80]

@portchugez if they want your business, they'll find another gladius for you at another dealership and have it shipped.

[@DKGate7Ultras]

hey guys, has gladius abs?

[@thisisbenji90]

Firm is often more comfortable...

[@TheBorn09]

The triumph is about four thousand pounds more oops! and if cooler means faster the speed it has aint worth four thousand pounds. I would prefer one each of these two.

[@DplatinumG]

i wish they would mention inseam when talking about seat height. 5' 8" doesn't give much information...

[@wdkirkes62]

I own Kawasaki er6n. I’m 5 foot 6 inches. Bike is quick responding and a blast to ride. Don’t see many like this. I highly recommend riding one.

[@jungkvist]

I like the Kaw less than the Gladius. and that's saying something, since I hate the Gladius because it's a fete acompli...a "Done Deal." In stead of improving the suspension on the SV (the only thing it ever really needed) Suzike went for Duc Monster style cosmetics, "Ain't it cute?" No, simply because it negates the possibilty of personalizing your bike with the huge aftermarket that grew up around the SV. For about $200, an SV could be your nearly anything, not a Dead End/Done Deal !!!

[@joekuta]

thanks, easy review good points for good easy bikes

[@mattbrew11]

do you still have your gladius?

[@LigerZero1985]

im going with gladius simply because i cant afford a ducati and an aprilia

[@TimoFishingOutdoors]

does anyone ride the er6n who is taller than 6 feet? im 6 4 and wondering how the bike feels to the larger riders.

[@70c4n1]

are they in mulholland?

[@DKGate7Ultras]

@dudeacus much costing too

[@sleendrvr]

Im 6' 2'' , how does the er6n feal for the 6 ft and taller guys out there?

[@jeffsavoy3633]

sleendrvr im 6'2" i had to drop the foot pegs 11\2" to b much more comfortable

[@rg0r]

suzuki way better.

[@ruddevator]

he says "uhh" too much.

[@wuzihuzi]

Andrew Short it's a sign of compassion

[@แพงศรีศรีเมืองเฮ้า]

@@wuzihuzi %

[@forrest225]

I like the ersixn'

[@goldpilgrim]

SHITTY comparison! It's a commercial rather. I would pick the GLADIUS for a BETTER GEARBOX!

[@ylism]

+goldpilgrim For some reason they seem to go out of there way to not like the Suzuki SFV 650 / Gladius, saying it's dated & mismatched, and yet it handles better, also it has a better quality overall of build, plus the 90 degree twin is a gem, oh yes the set is a more comfy than a brick, or torture rack but can be tolerated ? The transmission is a work of art in how smooth it shifts, that goes for both up & down shifts, it has a good set of gauges that work just fine, even has the gear indicator only a few bikes have in this category include, I wish the fuel tank was like the older 2 gen SV650 @ 17 liters / 4.5 gal US. So yes I agree as well.. Like it's been said they both are fun bikes, and would make a great time of riding for just about anyone, seeing they're both motorcycles !

[@crashbomber]

@dudeacus 3 cylinder engine 675cc, about 100lbs lighter, and about 3000$ more.

[@ZOMGITSBRENTON]

I ammm......on the enterprisssse......we arrrrrrre....on an inter...galactic mission.

[@Haggy58]

Has this guy, who thinks they have "funny names" been smoking something cos he sounds "funny" ?

[@shon9514]

ktm duke 690

[@wuzihuzi]

Rip Tear is a motorcycle

[@MichaelApodaca]

@odracirseraoseia1999 Don't have it in America unfortunatley. It'd be nice if they did though.

[@DuranXL]

six'n? wtf

[@Sherylyuki]

funny named bikes... XD