Suzuki's new Gladius (SFV650) shares some 696 traits...

[Popeye the Sailor]

Can't wait to hear what The Ron thinks about it.   

He's been banned.

[JohnnyDucati]

He's been banned.

This I didn't know (but I'm not surprised).  thanks for the info. 

[DucHead]

It seems like the Japanese marques (or maybe just Suzuki) are having a "who can make the ugliest exhaust" competition.   

A rather feminine color combination on that example.

[Evil_Ductator]

A rather feminine color combination on that example.

That is an interesting observation, because methinks it is intentional.  Women are the fastest growing market segment of riders, and recent advertising reflects that.  The new Yamaha FZ6R was just released, and despite its name it is actually a scaled down, cheaper version of the FZ6, with a cheaper frame and smaller tires, etc and a full fairing.   Most of the ads I've seen of it so far have predominantly featured women riding it.

[r_ciao]

Not as sexy as a Ducati.

[Triple J]

You may not like the 696...but you gotta admit it looks a shit ton better than that! 

[mikeb]

As a long time fan of the Suzuki SV if that thing replaces the SV it's a damn shame. 

[pennyrobber]

The original SV650 had a trellis looking aluminum frame. You always new what they were shooting for with the old one but this thing is a blatent rip-off of the monster. My question though is, who exactly is this bike for? Suzuki already makes a naked SV650 with the same engine and bargin bin hardware to keep the price down. Are they going to have two different newby friendly models that share an engine among other things?

And Gluteus... man I feel bad for the people who buy this thing, they will never hear the end of it.  

[mikeb]

Suzuki already makes a naked SV650 with the same engine and bargin bin hardware to keep the price down. Are they going to have two different newby friendly models that share an engine among other things?

There was talk of the SV going bye-bye.  This may be it's replacement.

[bluemoco]

There was talk of the SV going bye-bye.  This may be it's replacement.

I think you're right - I've also heard that the SV650 will be replaced soon.  That V-twin is a sweet motor, though, and I wouldn't expect Suzuki to abandon it.

[DCXCV]

It seems like the Japanese marques (or maybe just Suzuki) are having a "who can make the ugliest exhaust" competition.   

Thought the 696 walked away with that award? 

[ryandalling]

There was talk of the SV going bye-bye.  This may be it's replacement.

That would be sad... the SV is one of the most fun light and nimble track bikes... plus its cheap enough to drop a few times and keep putting new kibbles and bits back on it... however... if you pulled the lights off, the mirrors off, the rearsets, added an M4 exhaust... and full fairings... may not look that bad... for a track bike.

[COWBOY]

The Suzuki does look similar.  I wish Ducati had been half as creative with the exhaust as the Suzuki as far as placement and routing goes. 

The thing that catches my eyes every time I see the 696 is that god awful exhaust.  That and those huge ass rearsets are really the only things I hate on the 696. 

[optiato]

No inverted forks or am I missing something?

[mmakay]

 Not missing anything ... this is an entry level bike, so lots of shortcuts are likely.  This model will be below the SV.