This bike is starting to rub me the right way, the price is right and it comes with a 2 year warranty.
Engine
Engine System Liquid cooled DOHC 4-valve 90° V-twin
Displacement(cc) 647
Bore x Stroke 81.5 x 62
Compression Ratio 11.6 : 1
Max Power 79 HP @ 9250 RPM
Max Torque 49.32 lb/ft @ 7250 RPM
One of the local shops I frequent had them for about a year. They couldn't get parts for repair jobs. So, I would spend the extra bucks and get the zuki or kawi. Plus, I did test ride that bike and the 250, both felt very, very low budget. An SV650 also feels low budget, but totally differently. The SV650's that I have ridden felt like they could take a beating as long as I had the nuts to put up with a little bad behavior on their part. The Hyosungs felt like they would break. But, that is just one opinion.
Saw lots of them come into the local Suzuki shop trying to get parts since they could not get them from their dealer or the factory. A lot of them looked like they had cobbled together spares from different bikes to keep them running. Your money would be much better spent on a lightly used SV. The SV platform is rock solid and has been that way for a long time. Easy and cheap aftermarket upgrades make an already fun bike into a tremendously fun ride.
Saw lots of them come into the local Suzuki shop trying to get parts since they could not get them from their dealer or the factory.
Looks like they are trying to solve the problem...
A letter from Hyosungs President...
November 3, 2009
Dear Hyosung Riders:
As we move into fall, we are pleased to look back and see all of the improvements we’ve
made during the last year. Our parts department has been streamlined—parts are more
readily available and order to delivery time has been decreased. Every day we work on
ways to make this process even faster, and now offer you the ability to track order status
online. We have added successful and dedicated new dealers in key markets, while both
new and existing dealers have been working creatively to use our price and warranty as
tools to capitalize on the current economic climate.
We’ve been working closely with the team in Korea to provide feedback regarding what
our customers want. As a result, we are thrilled to officially announce the release of our
fuel injected 250cc models! Our GT250, GT250R and GV250 all get upgrades this year,
and we’re most excited about the addition of fuel injection. Included in this month’s
newsletter is a side-by-side comparison of the GT250R and Kawasaki’s Ninja 250R. As
you know, Hyosung 250cc motorcycles have always been class leaders. The addition of
fuel injection arms you with a HUGE competitive advantage over the Japanese brands
and allows you to aggressively go after the customers shopping for them. We are also
working with ad agencies and industry publications to help get the message out that the
new kid in town means business!
Also in this issue, we visit Encore Motorsports to talk about GT650R racing in CCS, and
speak with Pat Yearick at MPG Motors about their success as a Hyosung dealer.
Thank you for being part of Hyosung!
Sincerely,
Tony Kim,
President
I believe that they are trying to solve their problems. The letter from the president wouldn't sway me much, given that he would be hard pressed to say anything other than, "we are getting better...." I would say that Kawi has dominated the 250 market for many, many years and those little puppies are unbelievably tough. In the long run, I do believe that they will make good motorcycles. However, I doubt that they are at that point right now. So, good luck....
Remember that Hyundai and Kia had major issues when they entered the US market back in the 80's but both now produce quality vehicles that are well reviewed. Give the Korean manufacturers a few years, they'll catch up to the Japanese in motorcycles as well.
Hyosung research and development shares a lot with Suzuki's R&D. You'll see a lot of similarities with their bikes, except Hyosung uses inferior parts. For example...Hyosung runs carbs, zooks are injected. Here's a great article on that bike by some local guys. Check it out.
If you can find a 650 brand new for around $4k, I'd maybe consider it. Also consider that the motorcycle industry is flooded with overstock from our economy, so there are a lot of great deals on new and used bikes. For me, reliability is pretty high up when considering a purchase. The only reason why I went with the 9er instead of a monster. Well that and this great forum!
Remember that Hyundai and Kia had major issues when they entered the US market back in the 80's but both now produce quality vehicles that are well reviewed. Give the Korean manufacturers a few years, they'll catch up to the Japanese in motorcycles as well.
Hyosung research and development shares a lot with Suzuki's R&D. You'll see a lot of similarities with their bikes, except Hyosung uses inferior parts. For example...Hyosung runs carbs, zooks are injected.
All of the GT models come with Fuel Injection now, the 09 GT & GV250 are the only ones left that were Carbureted. I would say, that's moving foward...
I bought a brand new 07 SV650 naked last year for $5200 +ttl.
No way would I touch one of those for that kind of money.
I think that an SV650 with a new rear shock, fork rebuild, and a couple other little goodies is one of the best bikes that exists for having a good time.
i have ridden one... a friend of mine was looking at one as a gift... i rode along with him to test it out.... i rode probably 2 miles on it... its not a drag strip monster... it handled ok.. the brakes worked ok.... the acceleration was ok... overall it was ok...........
the engine is the EXACT same as a suzuki sv650 they copied it to perfection...
IMO the Suzuki is worth a least a grand more just because of resale. Probably more because of dealer network, quality, parts, support etc.
NEW Honda CBR 1000's are selling for $7200 +ttl, what do you think a USED Hyosung is going to sell for?
It sounds like your mind is made up, go buy it and let us know.
If i see a nice bike the last thing im thinking about is how much i can sell it for. I have more bikes than i do fingers, when i buy a bike i plan on keeping it. Never been in it for the money...
I saw the gt650 in person and it was a great looking bike. Very eye appealing. The Kawi 250 ninja is the pinacle 250 in my book. Would be nothing else for me if I could park 230 lbs on a quarter liter. Hyosung has nowhere to go but up, and they have done well so far.
__________________
My President is anally poking your child's future.
Change you can feel!
Sounds like your sold on the Hyosung. Go for it, man.
If you care to learn what others think about this exact model read the Feb. 2010 issue of MOTORCYCLIST where on page 40 they rate it 2 1/2 stars out of 5 and write that, "The sum of it's low-tech parts is not enough to overcome it's low-spec price."
It's your dollar, do as you want.
I took a test drive in a Hyundai back in '88 cause I was looking for low cost transportation for school and Excel's were priced cheap. YES! THEY WERE and I ended up buying a Subaru. The excel I test drove had it's rear wheel, hub and all, fall off the car as we pulled off of the lot. That was enough info for me to look elsewhere.
__________________
JDubya
Harleyville, South Carolina
USA
They don't seem to have a terrific name in our neck of the woods (NZ & Oz). They sold well a few years ago, before the release of the 250 Ninja, as they were the only 250 "sports" bike that learners could buy new (over here its compulsory 250cc for learners).
I looked and test rode one when I was on my learners and decided to steer clear and went for a naked Honda 250 VTR instead. Since the release of the Ninja, I see more and more of them on the road and less of the Hyosungs.
Do a few searches on Australian forums such as netrider.com.au
At this stage of the game IMO, they are good at looking the part and that's about it, build quality is not the best in comparison to the Japs.
Remember that Hyundai and Kia had major issues when they entered the US market back in the 80's but both now produce quality vehicles that are well reviewed. Give the Korean manufacturers a few years, they'll catch up to the Japanese in motorcycles as well.
People said the same kinds of thinga about Honda when they entered the US market -
The GTR sint a bad bike, but, its not a good one either IMHO - Im like the majority and would find a nice SV--
__________________
" Any book is a childrens book , if the kid can read !"
Mitch Hedburg
to all those who talk about getting sv650s over the gt because of the quality. hyosung built suzukis vtwins for 30 years. the only thing to worry about is the materials which if they are trying to make a name for themselves i doubt that they would build with inferior materials
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