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Battle of the Japanese brigade

The Yamaha Gladiator takes on the Suzuki Zeus. Rishad Cooper plays referee and picks the winner

CHEAP FRILLS The Gladiator is more bike for the money in terms of sheer size and power output, while the Zeus is a sharp looking, sharp handler.

The Japanese motorcycle onslaught in India is now finally gathering some solid momentum, with Yamaha and Suzuki announcing two spanking new 125cc motorcycles - the Gladiator and the Zeus respectively - in just as many months. If the choice between the two is a cause for confusion for you, then just sit back and allow us to guide you through the selection process.

Design and engineering

Both these bikes are well styled. However, there's a visible size difference - the Suzuki is noticeably a compact and short wheelbase package, whereas the Gladiator clearly sports more substantial dimensions. Immaculate fit and finish, superb paint quality, and great engineering are common attributes that both the Japanese newcomers can boast. Yamaha's thrown in a new front fairing, a closer ratio five-speed gearbox and a few more goodies that transform their slow-selling Fazer into the Gladiator. And Suzuki's second coming to India, the 125cc Zeus, comes with a five-speed gearbox.

The Zeus is Suzuki's flagship model here. Although it is no grounds-up or made-for-this-country design, the Zeus is quite distinctive and smart nevertheless. Best when viewed head on, it looks quite thrilling with its thoroughly unique front bikini fairing and under-engine cowl. Its instruments are most attractive, extremely functional and in many ways, superior to the Gladiator's. Bright gear indicator lights come above a speedometer and a quick-reacting tachometer - absent on the Gladiator - and these instruments reside in classic twin-pod format on the Zeus.

Control levers and switchgear on both the bikes fall comfortably to hand, with goodies such as push-to-cancel indicators, pass-light flashers and even engine-kill switches in attendance. The big cosmetic change on the Gladiator is its novel and straightforward front fairing, which replaces the ahead-of-its-time unit found on the older Fazer. The Gladiator deals a blow to the Zeus by offering an alloy triple clamp - a neat touch indeed. Most Gladiator panels are borrowed from the Fazer, with the unique fuel tank, flank-panels and integrated tail-unit all as contemporary and attractive as the Zeus.

Engine, gearbox and performance

Suzuki's Zeus and Yamaha's Gladiator use primary kick-started, four-stroke and single-cylinder engines. For now, only the Gladiator offers electric starting. Both twin-valve engines fill up their bays to impart a sufficient muscular appearance. The Gladiator's unit boasts higher power output with 10.8bhp, the Zeus falling among the most underpowered 125's in the country with only 8.7bhp on tap. Another major letdown on the Zeus, which loses its ground to the Gladiator, is its non-CV type carburettor.

Both motors run smoothly and there is no knocking or vibration, the Gladiator using a crankshaft counter-balancer to achieve this. The Gladiator reaches 60kph in 6.51 seconds and 80kph in 11.27secs, while the Zeus crosses those same speeds in 7.97s and 15.99 seconds. And this disparity grows as speeds pile on - the Zeus completely runs out of steam at a discouraging 94kph, while the Gladiator continues to 102kph.

Ride, handling and braking

The taut, short-wheelbase Zeus feels a fraction sportier, while the Gladiator is going to be more comfortable for those with larger frames. The Zeus has a lovely seat, which the Gladiator could learn from - for its seating, which is far too soft, makes long rides quite distressing.

This duo handles smartly, but each has a character of its own - the Zeus feels delightfully nimble and steers ultra quickly with a confident and sharp feel. The Gladiator, on the other hand, displays a solid and forgiving feel that somehow pampers its riders and imparts a relaxed conduct. Straight-line manners are equally first-rate on both. Both test bikes came equipped with front disc brakes and rear drums.

Fuel economy

The Suzuki is a fuel-efficient 125cc bike delivering 52.1kpl under really trying city conditions, and then 55.9kpl when chewing the kilometres on the highway.

Maybe it's to do with its slightly overweight nature, or a lack of roller bearings on its rocker arms, or then a combination of both that makes the Gladiator slightly less frugal. Our test Gladiator delivered 49kpl under identical conditions, this figure going up to 51.6kpl on the highway run.

Verdict

Suzuki's sporty bike looks smart, handles like a dream and has a fun-feel about it that's not replicated by any other Indian 125. It's also a bike with top-notch quality. Which isn't to say there's much wrong with the five-speed Gladiator - another quality product that comes with really high standards of fit-and-finish. This Yamaha has a silky engine and stable handling along with brilliant fit and finish. All this helps it win this slugfest - better luck next time, Suzuki!

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