Are you looking for a bike which have a Charecter of both City normal/long drive and Sport feel. This will be the choise in 125 cc segment.Very nice bike. I bought this bike two years before. When I was searching bike, I was thinking to go for Honda Shine. First I tried test drive for Yamaha gladiator ss. After test drive, I didnt think much, Immediately I booked it.
Sometimes, I had a feelings like whether I did a wrong decision. After I drove my friends Honda Shine, I am fully satisfied with my decision.
One year before, I had a race with Shine. After our start, shine went fast. I was far behind. But once I reached 80 KMPH, I had over taken shine.
Three months before, I had a race with Pulser 150. But Pulser have two people(including driver). I was single. It was very easy to overtake. Made it very easily.
Other bike feel.
HH - Typical family and economical bike. Vibrations will not allow you to go more than 60kph. Very bad drive feel. It will quite comfortable for family with in speed 50kph. No sport feel.
H - Super pickup. Low end torque is very good. Inconsistant mileage, Vibrations. same comment as above.
Bajaj & TVS - Big competition between each other. Releasing bikes various models as soon as possible with some bugs. I have lost my hope here. I hat Pulser automatic Left/Right indicator. I have seen many bikes in the road with Left/Right indicators ON without any knowledge of driver and false gear. Bajai vibrations are less. and TVS have more vibrations.
Yamaha - Power throuhout acceleration is linear. And no power lag. No Initial jump(Now a days people says it is good pickup). Braking is obsolutely good. so that you can go at any speed and control the vehicle also.
I became a fan of Yamaha after I own Yamaha bike. It is all about drive feelings. I really dont mind about mileage. I want comfort and vibration free and sport Bike.
Gladiator negatives: I am short(5.3"). Since it is designed as sport style(rear seats are little high), Family riding is not so comfortable like Shine/HH/Pulser bikes. But I always prefer to drive alone. Because I have a car. If you are taller than me. I think, it shoud be OK. You can manage.
Whatever. Before buy any bikes, test drive it atleast 60kph speed. Sure you will feel the difference @ 60kph in gladiator. No vibration at all. Just check it if people who owned Yamaha. Yamaha owners will not go for any other bikes for their next bike choice.
Due to vibrations, you cannt see the vehicles(which are coming behind) clearly in the side-mirror. When you test drive it see the effect of vibrations in the side-mirrors for all vehicles.
My Final words:
Please test drive it. All bikes are good in their ways. It all about your drive feelings and your requirements.
Best of Luck.