Warlord

Remember when we were left gasping for breath by Pamela Anderson’s silicone implants? Or taken way aback by Shilpa Shetty’s new nose architecture? Cosmetic surgery has broken the confines of being just a celebrity fad and is now at the disposal of the common man. When the aversion for asymmetrical nose , askew lips or whatever blemished body parts get unbearable, any citizen of planet earth circa 2008 (no,you don't have to be page 3 wannabe) can make a date with cosmetic surgeons scalpal to set right the distress-causing imperfection. Cosmetic surgery is in- and even Star World is bitten by the cosmetic makeover bug!

So why should bike makers take a back seat? No. Splatter ageing workhorse bike with new paint, fling in fresh stickers and voila! It's good as new. It's a formula that works almost without fail, the gullible buyer taken in rather easily by thin dizzle of the skin-deep therapy.

Since its launch in mid-2006, the Yamaha Gladiator too has been subjected to the makeover treatment, resulting in the very desirable black ‘JA’ edition, or losing the plot completely with the recent ‘Graffiti’.
The latest Gladiator revamp has made way for the SS (stylish and sporty) and RS (racing sports) versions, that involve 28 revisions over the original. The new Gladiators herald Yamaha’s eagerly awaited re-entry to the Indian performance bike arena. Significantly these bikes pave the way for the advent of the R15 and FZ150 super bikes (if you can call 150s super).

With so much at stake the Yamaha Gladiator has a man-size job to accomplish. So, do the new Gladiator variants take the goal posts further out? Or are they just another stickering exercise?

The Yamaha designers seem to have focused on itsy detail rather than redesign major body panels. The front fairing visor is restyled slightly for aerodynamic advantage. The fairing lowered by 30mm further aids the cause. The new front fender sports chiselled curves making for a lean athletic front end. Rear fender has been trimmed as well. The soft and cushy seat has been trimmed radically. Being shorter and slightly stiffer it is now better suited for long hauls. Red coloured springs on the rear shocks stand out against the black theme of the engine and cycle parts.

A key aspect of this latest makeover is the new clock console that now features a tachometer, a regular feature on most bikes these days. In terms of detail, the Gladiator has always had the R1 blinkers - and now gets similar retractable pillion footpegs too. The gear lever is of the toe-shifter kind now. The sporty brake pedal flashes chrome. The chain cover has been scraped to make way for a slick half cover exposing the low maintenance o-ring chain. The alloy wheels now sport glossy black finish that looks durable.
STYLE 4/5
BUILD 5/5