I have Gladiator Type JA Version. Now it is 1.6 years old and done 10000 KMS. The bike was brought by my grand faher and he used it for 6 months and later given me as a gift. From the last 1 year I am using this bike.
I am person of 55 kg weight and 5.8 height. When I saw the bike for the first time I felt that it is a bigger bike and may not fit my personality. But I am wrong. When I started riding the bike I felt that it is completed manufatured for persons of my height and weight(even more). I feel very comfortable while riding the bike.
Coming to the bikes performace, I feel it has less pick up from 0 - 40 KM speed but from 40 -100 its like a 150 CC machine. The engine doesn’t produce any vibrations even on 90’s and you feel the bike is under your control even at higher speeds. I have riiden TVS apcahe and CBZ exteme also extensively. But even CBZ produces vibrations above 80 KMS speed and apache above 65.
You can easily bend the bike with out hesitation in corners and the bike has perfect balance. Mileage: It gives me 56-58 kmpl in bangalore city riding conditions when I drive single. But when I drive the bike with pillon rider who is having good wieght I get 52- 54 Kmpl. Now my grandfa is using HH Glamour and he is getting 50 kmpl.
Handle and Seat: The handle of the bike is almost like short hand handle. While driving the bike most of the weight rests on your shoulders and hands. So no back problem at all but pain to the shoulders and hands while driving extensively in cities. As the handle is light sometimes its difficult to balance the bike in traffic with a pillion rider with more weight.
The seat is better than most of the other bikes as it is of more lenght and with good width. Its more than conforatable for 2 persons. Some times you even have space to put a bag inbetween the two persons while riding.
Maintaince: The maintaince is also low for this bike. Till date I have only replaced the disk brake pad, disk brake switch with the new one. Rest of the times I went with the normal services(Gladiator has 8 free services, Herhonda, Honda - 6 free services, bajaj - 4 free services)
Other Departments: The head lamp light, braking are far superior to any other bike in the segment.
Type SS, RS Gladiator: I have even ridden type SS version of gladiator. The main interesting diffrences are 1. The handle is a bit higher than normal version 2. Sporty gear toe and engine crowl. 3. RPM meter The rest of the changes are only to the looks. The performance is same for all the versions I feel.
Now that yamaha is coming with new 150 CC bikes(R15, FZ150) in India I feel it should increase the no. of Service centers also, so that people will be start purchasing yamaha bikes more. I feel Yam has less sevice centers in Bangalore .
I feel, People chosing a bike in 125 CC segment should compare the performance, relability, prices of all the 125cc bikes.(As per my knowledge on road prices in Banglore: Gladiator SS 52000/- , Honda shine 55000/- , Stunner - 59000/- , Flame 52 to 53000 without disc brake variant)
Finally to end up, I am satisfied with the bike performance and Now I have recommented the Galdiator SS for one of my friends and even he feels good of owing a gladiator.