Experienced opinion for a newbie

[GeckoWebDesign]

Hi all,

Does anyone know much about the Kymco 250 Venox?

How does it compare to something like a Suzuki Intruder 250 or the Hyosung GV250 Aquila?

I've read a couple of reviews about the Venox (Canadian based) and they seem pretty positive but would like to know if anyone downunder has been on one. A good kiwi opinion.

Also, I can't seem to find a dealer that stocks the Venox, they all seem to sell the Kymco scooters. Anyone know of a dealer(s)?

Cheers,

Chris.

[skinman]

I have not ridden or seen the bike in question however if you will want to sell the bike again in the future the recognized brands, not Chinese or fairly unknown brands, will hold there value better (this is true not just for bikes). Also although it may look good & ride nice, if it were to break who has the parts to fix? Is it going to last not rust & fall apart in 6 months?
IMO it is worth paying a little more to get a reliable machine that you can get parts for, so it will be a Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda etc.

[GeckoWebDesign]

Also although it may look good & ride nice, if it were to break who has the parts to fix? Is it going to last not rust & fall apart in 6 months?

Yeah so true. It's a nice looking bike but those thoughts did run through my mind as well, so thanks for validating those. If I can't find a dealer the chances of finding parts could be even slimmer! Cheers, Chris.

[retro asian]

Yes, stay with a major brand.
And I'd recommend Suzuki over Hyosung for quality. Suzuki have been building bikes much longer than Hyosung have.


I have a newish VL250 for sale, make me an offer... :niceone:

[Griffin]

Suzuki have been building bikes much longer than Hyosung have.

Actually, Hyosung is a company that manufactured Suzukis (under licence from Suzuki) for many years until they decided to terminate that contract and build bikes for themselves using their own name.

Granted, Hyosungs are considered inferior here due to their being a lesser "known brand" but the bikes themselves are proving to be quite dependable.

The better known brands (Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki) will always demand a higher price, but when it comes to bike for your buck... Hyosung ain't a bad option to start off with.

[Griffin]

Hi all, Does anyone know much about the Kymco 250 Venox?

Hell... I looked up images for the Venox and thought that google had screwed up - it looks just like a bloody Honda Magna!

Don't know much about this bike or the manufacturer except to say it appears they have directly copied from Hondas blueprints. Perhaps there is an affiliation between the two companies. Do some serious research before buying an unknown brand (of anything)... its not necessarily bad - but it could be!

[TOTO]

I havent heard of many suzukis with blown motors, but I have read of a quite a few hayos and seen a couple too. I used to own a hayosung, and thats a fact. Since owning hondas, I have never looked back.

+ 1 on going with a japanese bike. You cant go wrong :niceone:

[Slyer]

Yes, stay with a major brand.
Fo shizzle my nizzle!

[CookMySock]

Hyosungs are considered inferior here due to their being a lesser "known brand" but the bikes themselves are proving to be quite dependable.[....] Hyosung ain't a bad option to start off with.They are only considered inferior by those who overtly subscribe to the the idea that brands offer you some safety - a ploy that said brands spend millions to perpetuate.

The hyo 250's are a great bike to start off with, and parts are available from your local dealer or directly from two different outlets in Korea that will sell to the public worldwide - pay with paypal, parts arrive in 3-4 days.

Many people stick with hyo after they are done with their learner bike.. We have three 650s.. One in bits currently.

Hyos are cheap and cheerful, look good, cheap to crash and repair, easy to work on, available in plenty of styling variations to suit your taste. We currently have five of them, hehe. There's usually one for sale at any time.

Steve

[Slyer]

Many people stick with hyo after they are done with their learner bike...
You are the only person I know that owns a hyo 650. :bleh:
How many others are there in NZ?

[retro asian]

Hell... I looked up images for the Venox and thought that google had screwed up - it looks just like a bloody Honda Magna!



If it is in fact a re-branded Magna, and uses real Honda parts... it should be a pretty sweet bike. (and better than a Hyo :rofl:)

[Tank]

Im buying a bike for my daughters boyfriend. He is learning - but wants a bike of reasonable quality - and something he can sell when he gets past his restricted period.

There is a reason that 'main brands' cost more and it obvious when you start looking into it.

The components are of a higher quality - as is fit and finish. You can buy parts easily and cheaply (well - for the jap brands anyways) - no need to email some bloke selling out of his garage in Korera.

I was given a 650 loaner Hosung (or HoBag as they are often referred to) - it was the cruiser.

It was the crappest POS I have ever ridden. Plastic chrome, rattled like it was falling apart.

Spending my own money - no I personally would not buy a Hobag - for not much more (or even the same cost) you can get a Kawasaki, Suzuki or Honda.

The HoBag cruisers are the worst IMHO of the entire range of bikes they sell.

If you like the cruisers - how about: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-259468988.htm

or

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-258390919.htm

[Tank]

You are the only person I know that owns a hyo 650. :bleh:
How many others are there in NZ?

4 - But DB owns them as well. BTW - how long has he been waiting to get that engine in from the States for his bike. Somewhat longer than 3 - 4 days.

Thats why you have to own about 5 of them - it ensures you can generally have one on the road at all times.

[Katman]

The other area that most of the non-Japanese asian brands fall down on is their warranty. Keeway only offer a 4000km warranty.

[Neon]

Since owning hondas, I have never looked back.

[insert token gay Honda rider joke] :shutup:

[Tank]

They are only considered inferior by those who overtly subscribe to the the idea that brands offer you some safety - a ploy that said brands spend millions to perpetuate.

...
Many people stick with hyo after they are done with their learner bike.. We have three 650s.. One in bits currently.

Hyos are cheap and cheerful, look good, cheap to crash and repair

That does not really follow what you posted here BTW:

Great pics tho' - and its one of your bikes right?

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=111271

[awayatc]

Just a quick google.......

"I have two Venoxes.

One a total custom ''OBnoXious'' Venox that is a 2004 (got in 2003, now have over 50,000km's.
The other more of a 'bagger' 'YelloNox' that is a 2006 (got in 2005, now have over 55,000km's.

Have had ZERO major issues and only small self inflicted ones.


Also the Venox uses a ton of the same parts as the Honda Magna 250 / VTR250 which was around from the beginning of the 90's till Kymco released the Venox in 2002 due to the change of laws in Taiwan allowing bikes over 150cc at that time.
Kymco was started by Honda in 1963 and making them a major 'inhouse' supplier. When Honda pulled out the company was split in to two co.'s
Kymco and SYM's

Lots more long term owners @ http://piwyr.co.cc

KYMCO FORUMS @piwyr.co.cc"

Me myself I am a bit weary.....
Spare parts.....etc
AND
You are most likely only to have a 250 cc for a short time, untill you get your full licence and move on......

So how will you get on selling the thing secondhand?
and how much will you have to lose on it...?

[avgas]

GN 125 or GN 250

Everything else is just a toy

[Jaik]

Since splitting from Honda, Kymco has built an excellent reputation as a scooter manufacturer and I believe the Venox is their first effort beyond that.

The reviews do seem to be very good and I wouldn't be surprised if it's an excellent bike.

City Scooters & Motorcycles stocks them in Christchurch and includes phone numbers on its Trademe listing. So probably best placed to answer questions re parts etc.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-254587555.htm

I'm mildly surprised by the price however. Unless it's a keeper maybe a secondhand Magna is a better move?

[avgas]

I'm mildly surprised by the price however. Unless it's a keeper maybe a secondhand Magna is a better move?
Or 3 GN125's!

Or a GN250, turbo kit and NOS!!!!

[Rayray401]

hmm, agree with everyoneelse! stay with the major jap brands. Though i know, Kymco is actually huge in Taiwan, if i was buying a scooter, then id buy Kymco. But since we're in NZ, Kymco's not very big in NZ, and Venox isnt a scooter...go for the suzuki eh.

[awayatc]

$6500......?
and a drum brake on the back......

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-258705405.htm

Buy that,( like new), get your licence and use the &4500 you saved PLUS the $2000 you will get back on this one on a bike you keep a bit longer.....

[avgas]

$6500......?
and a drum brake on the back......

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-258705405.htm

Buy that,( like new), get your licence and use the &4500 you saved PLUS the $2000 you will get back on this one on a bike you keep a bit longer.....
Yep completely agree with this. Hell you could save a bit of coin in that time and buy something nice like an M50 or something.
Nothing like getting your full and walking out the next day to buy a big flash bike

[McJim]

Buy a used VTR 250. Best 250 currently available.

[hmmmnz]

Buy a used VTR 250. Best 250 currently available.
best looking maybe, but that engine is cheese,
as far as chinese bikes go, kymco are one of the best, the only thing that would stop me is parts availability in nz,
buy really who actually buys parts in nz anymore?? the wonderful world of the internet provides all.... all be it sometimes it takes a bit longer (although ive had stuff out of the uk, us and germany faster than the bike shops some times)