First bike purchase - options are Hysosung or Keeway. Need advice.

[Khan12]

Hi all,

I've just started a full-time job (just graduated) and need a vehicle. My price range is capped at $2000, or I'll never be able to buy one and I'll be stuck using public transport for months. I'm wanting something economical to commute but with enough grunt to go from (for example) Napier to Wellington. My basic research has led to a 250cc.

There are two that I've come across, both of which seem great. One is a 2004 Hyosung Aquila, which has done around 30,000ks. $1400 with a helmet. Well maintained, bike enthusiast family (and seller works in bike distributions) with rego and warrant into early next year. By all accounts has relatively new parts.

The other is a 2008 Keeway Supershadow, with 7,700kms and a bit of rust from being outside due to limited shed space. $1300 ONO. Is quite a bit further out from where I am (so a few hundred additional on transport) and has really only been used for commuting to University in Auckland. Brand new tyres. No rego, WOF until November next year.

I'm really torn, although I'm leaning far more towards the Hyosung because it seems to be a better model, a little heavier (for long distance travel) and has been well used and looked after. I've spoken extensively to the seller and she seems genuine. My only hesitation is that the Keeway is a little cheaper (depends what I could get and transport) and has substantially less kms.

Hoping your collective wisdom can help.

[mrchips]

No contest really..... go for the 2004 Hyosung Aquila. I've seen a couple used as commuters for years so must be pretty reliable.

I've ridden one.... it was really comfortable + quite nippy for a 250. They also sit at motorway speeds (100kmh - 120kmh) with ease & plenty left to pass. They are a good looking 250 cruiser for the $$ :headbang:


No disrespect to Keeway owners but the ones i've seen appear rusty & the chrome plated metals look real cheap & rust easy.

[george formby]

No contest really..... go for the 2004 Hyosung Aquila. I've seen a couple used as commuters for years so must be pretty reliable.

I've ridden one.... it was really comfortable + quite nippy for a 250. They also sit at motorway speeds (100kmh - 120kmh) with ease & plenty left to pass. They are a good looking 250 cruiser for the $$ :headbang:


No disrespect to Keeway owners but the ones i've seen appear rusty & the chrome plated metals look real cheap & rust easy.

Concur.

Having said that I would still be looking at what else I could get for $2000. Kawasaki do a bullet proof lams cruiser, KLR 600 / 650 motor I think.

If it's a quick decision I would go hyo.

[sidecar bob]

I'd run with the Honda.

[awayatc]

They also sit at motorway speeds (100kmh - 120kmh)

.......100 km/h- 104 km/h is the tax free bracket these days

[mrchips]

.......100 km/h- 104 km/h is the tax free bracket these days

Oops, how irresponsible of me.


I've ridden one.... it was really comfortable + quite nippy for a 250. They also sit at motorway speeds (100kmh - 120kmh) with ease

I mean.... 100kmh - 104kmh with ease....... just don't sneeze when you are over taking

[Oakie]

Hyosung....

[Jeff Sichoe]

Don't bother getting a bike to commute in wellington unless you have a park available already - there are not enough motorbike parks and the council will ticket you for using a car-park (even when paying)

The (un-elected) fuckwits responsible have said 'we don't care about, or factor, motorcycles into our transport plans' so just get a bus / train card and enjoy the 45 mins stuck in a fucking sweaty cunt fuck infested box every day

hth

[Old Steve]

2006 Hyosung GV250 was my first, learner bike. I did 25,000 km in 20 months. By the time I sold it there was a bit of light rust on the bars, and the Hyosung GV250 shares the transmission glitch with the Suzuki Intruder 250 which it seems to have been cloned from - can't get into neutral going down, eg at the lights.

At least the Hyosung is Korean and Hyosung made Suzukis under license for something like 20 years. Have no experience with the Keeway, but would take a Hyosung GV250 again. Open road capable, max speed 139 km/hr downhill with a following wind, comfortable and is on the bigger size for a 250 cruiser. Don't know if the 2004 was fuel injected, the 2006 was, don't think it was called the Aquila until 2007 or 2008.

[AllanB]

Best service evidence.

[russd7]

cant believe nobody has said this already but if the helmet is a used one then leave it behind and do yaself a favour and buy a new one, problem with second hand helmets is you have no idea how they have been treated and if it has hairlined cracks you wont see them.

other than that, look around some more, you may find more bikes in your price range and don't forget some proper riding apparel, this you can pick up cheap second hand

[AllanB]

cant believe nobody has said this already but if the helmet is a used one then leave it behind and do yaself a favour and buy a new one, problem with second hand helmets is you have no idea how they have been treated and if it has hairlined cracks you wont see them.


It's like sharing undies .....

[russd7]

It's like sharing undies .....

oh how the hell did you find out, who told :facepalm: its the hair lined cracks that become a real issue

[granstar]

Consider Honda Hornet 250, better bike around that price.

[EJK]

I would also look at Yamaha Scorpio, unless you really want a cruiser style bike.

[Whynot]

It's like sharing undies .....

So they are ok if you turn them inside out?

[HenryDorsetCase]

neither. there was a VTR250 for sale on here which is a better bike than either.