Hyosung GT650R - Worth buying one new?

[Shadows]

Took one of these for a ride on Saturday. Thanks Fergus and the big guy who's name I never got, at TSS Motorcycles in Alicetown. They seem like a pretty good bunch down there. Unlike what I've read in reports about a couple of other outfits in the area.

Anyway it went really well, I felt like I'd been riding it for years, it handled well, sounded great with an aftermarket can, and contrary to what I have read in reviews it stopped well too. LCD display was hard to read though. Well I need some excuse for speeding don't I?

All in all it felt pretty good and it put a smile on my face, and is definately on the short list for the next purchase. (I just need to decide for myself if a 650 is big enough... maybe a little small for a 6' 14½ odd stone bloke. I hear a supercharged 1000 is on the cards soon so maybe I should wait.)

The major thing I'm concerned with and asking for opinion about regards the name.

New kids on the block insofar as road bikes go, yes I know a little about their history and that a lot of their engineers are ex Suzuki and the motor design is primarily Suzuki as a result and they reckon Jap bikes were unknown 25 years ago and now look at the big four and look at Hyundai and blah blah blah you could wnak on for days hypothesising about what will happen in the next five years as long as those fcuking muslims don't get the bomb in which case we're all fcuked....

What I'm really interested in is hearing about the actual bikes, from actual owners, and not magazine writers. Specifically the GT650 and / or the -R and -S.

So, do any of you guys own one?
How long for?
Any problems, breakages, or regrets?
Are parts inexplicably rusting or is finish degrading?
Overall build quality?
What are parts and servicing like cost and availability wise?
Would you hold on to it for several years or are you looking elsewhere already?
What is the resale / trade value like?
Any horror stories?

I know it's hard to bag a bike you've spent the best part of $10k on but if you're feeling upset, let it all out!

And if not, then here's the opportunity to sing the bike's praises and tell the world how great it is.

Cheers

[SwanTiger]

Not that I have a GT650 but have a GT250R, what you mentioned about the feel and handle of the bike resembles what I have experienced with the 250. Despite the name, it gets peoples attention.

[Highlander]

Here are a couple of other threads about them, reading through these you'll find others commenting that they either have or are thinking seriously about getting one. You could PM them and ask their thoughts if they don't post here (if they do post here we can all read it).

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=15877

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=14914

[skelstar]

Again - I cant speak personally about the bike, other than it looking quite stunning for $10K. The one big problem I have with it is that (I think) the warranty is only 1 year, 10000kms. I am currently doing 40000kms a year so this doesnt make it good enough value for me.

[El Dopa]

$10K.

$7.2 all in inc. on-road costs from Mt Eden, to be pedantic.

[Mental Trousers]

For $7.2k I'd say 1 year warranty is a good deal for a brand new 650cc bike. Shame it's only 10k kms, but as long as you're not Skelstar that should last more than 3 months ;)

[skelstar]

$7.2 all in inc. on-road costs from Mt Eden, to be pedantic.
For an 'R'?!?!?
Thats quite a bit more cheaper than down here. The 650GT (nekid) is $8K+ORC I think.

[VasalineWarrior]

Fuck it man go four cylinder. A GSXR is the ducks nuts, but then so are all the 600's-trust me man just try one!

[Shadows]

Fuck it man go four cylinder. A GSXR is the ducks nuts, but then so are all the 600's-trust me man just try one!

Yeah I used to have a 900 four. Yeah they go well but I'm not into the howl they make like I used to be, it gets too much like a drone after a while. I'm really in the market for a twin.

[Shadows]

$7.2 all in inc. on-road costs from Mt Eden, to be pedantic.

The naked one is $8 down here, the faired one is $9 (or was it $10... fcuk it I can't remember now... naked definately $8 though).

[GT250R]

I Was in Red Baron today and the GT650 faired is $9995

[VasalineWarrior]

I guess if you are unsure of build quality/the brand/whatever an sv 650 would be a safe bet that you would be getting a good bike-other than that i can only regurgitate info ive read from bike magazines about em'. They seem to be ok though from what ive read if your really keen (and it sounds like you are) then just go for it and buy one bro! When it comes down to it, you can always put stiffer fork oil in/change the brake lines etc if the bike falls short in any of these areas. And for about 10k new thats a pretty sweet deal for a new bike

[skelstar]

THeres a guy in Levin that is planning to race one. Hes getting race fairings for it, changing the brake calipers at the front (mods), OHLINS on the back, oil on the front forks.
Apparently (2nd hand info) the 650R's are cleaning up F3 in the Sth Isl. FROSTY might be able to say otherwise.

[Shadows]

Thanks guys, I might stick with the tried and true.
Unless somebody with one of these things can convince me otherwise!

[Mattyc]

my mate has a non faired gt650, for sale - custom twin stainless pipes,ford falcon blue paint, ohlins rear shock, its just in at Motohaus getting a new rectifier, its a nice bike and custom, not from being dropped, but the previous owner being a custom nut

[skelstar]

Ahh...this is the one that was on trademe about 4 months ago? Nicely tricked out bike that one.

[El Dopa]

650cc bike.

Well, close :-/

She's a 250cc.

[El Dopa]

For an 'R'?!?!?
Thats quite a bit more cheaper than down here. The 650GT (nekid) is $8K+ORC I think.

Yup. $7.2 inc on road costs, GST, etc.

I can't remember if I posted this in the other thread, but this is the info I got from Chris (?) at Mt Eden:

1) Kawasaki NZ have put their reputation behind them. They will be providing spares, backup etc, and will take the fall if they turn out to be donkeys.

2) Mt Eden will be providing a range of aftermarket bits and bobs, including an aftermarket can and carbs, for those that want to take them racing, or just want a bit more grunt. Mt Eden are also getting an after market cowl fabricated for the pillion seat, to turn it into a mono.

[GB500nz]

I've had a GT for a year and no complaints. It looks better and is more powerful than the SV. It goes very quickly and handles well. It's very comfy on long trips. Little things may go wrong as on any bike, but it hasn't let me down. It does weigh a bit more than it should. It uses little petrol on the road: you should get 330-350km per tank.

[skelstar]

1) Kawasaki NZ have put their reputation behind them. They will be providing spares, backup etc, and will take the fall if they turn out to be donkeys.
An isolated case maybe but I have seen enough to know that Kawasaki NZ have a very poor attitude to their Hyo-customers. Theres a thread about this on KB somewhere. I could be wrong, I have had awesome backup from my local, but Im not sure they are treated as well.

[kro]

They have these at Filco's, and I must say, the only thing I dont like about them is the name, it may mean "Super Dragon Weapon" in Korea, but it still looks like "Horsedung" when I look at it. A petty dislike I know, but I'm a cussy funt.

Good allround bike imo, and the price is magic johnson.

[Shadows]

They have these at Filco's, and I must say, the only thing I dont like about them is the name, it may mean "Super Dragon Weapon" in Korea, but it still looks like "Horsedung" when I look at it. A petty dislike I know, but I'm a cussy funt.

Good allround bike imo, and the price is magic johnson.

LOL I'd rather "Horsedung" than "Super Dragon Weapon".

Fuck that corny shit, sounds like one of those dodgy cartoons.

[Bonez]

I've had a GT for a year and no complaints. It looks better and is more powerful than the SV. It goes very quickly and handles well. It's very comfy on long trips. Little things may go wrong as on any bike, but it hasn't let me down. It does weigh a bit more than it should. It uses little petrol on the road: you should get 330-350km per tank.I'd be interested in those knowing what those little things are . Been keeping an eye on one for a while. One thing I don't like is the lack of centre stand are they available at all?

[quickbuck]

One thing I don't like is the lack of centre stand are they available at all?

Bonez, you might have to bring yourself into the 90's on that one.

Done without my centre stand on the 600 for a couple of years now, (but the trolley jack under the prolink pivot is dodge when you are pulling the rear wheel off). I am sure a padock stand can be made for one (the GT that is). Infact, I know so, as I just went out to the bike shed to have a look at one, and the blobs are welded to the swing arm already threaded waiting for the appropriate hardware to be threaded into them.
There are no mounts for a centre stand.

A girl on base has just got one (Heven't caught up with her yet, but will one day soon), and it is parked in the bike shed behind me as I type.

[Bonez]

It's nice to go into a testing station and pop it on a centre stand. Saves the poor tester from having to lift the back wheel up so I can spin it for him/her.

[Bonez]

A girl on base has just got one (Heven't caught up with her yet, but will one day soon), and it is parked in the bike shed behind me as I type. I'd be interested in feed back. I know the bike shed you speak there of.

[quickbuck]

Still there, and no bugger has cleaned it in a while! Must get the boys onto it. Missile bay is now an office block.

She has e-mailed me, and is keen to go out on rides with us, so I will get some feedback for you Bonez.

[Bonez]

Still there, and no bugger has cleaned it in a while! Must get the boys onto it. Missile bay is now an office block.

She has e-mailed me, and is keen to go out on rides with us, so I will get some feedback for you Bonez.Thanks for that. Obviously the shed is in the same state I saw it in in 2001 ah?

[quickbuck]

Thanks for that. Obviously the shed is in the same state I saw it in in 2001 ah?

Well, yes close to it.
Additions are a Dead SR250, belongs to somebody who got direct posted to the school, and a dead slab sided Gas Axe 750 with a Yoshi Cyclone pipe S/N 000001. I guess the can is worth way more than the bike is.

[Qman]

i've only had my GT250R since Dec. but so far no complaints at all riding back and forth between AK and HN. the guys at Mt Eden have been fantastic, im just waiting for the new pipe and packrack for it. they are sourcing the aftermarket stuff from Aus i think. I get a lot of comment on the look of the bike ( positive comment ). i would say if your in the market for a new cheap 650, then go for it.

[Bonez]

a dead slab sided Gas Axe 750 with a Yoshi Cyclone pipe S/N 000001. I guess the can is worth way more than the bike is.Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm any pics. Any idea who the owner is?
Is Paulette still "running" the Eng Club.

[quickbuck]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm any pics. Any idea who the owner is?
Is Paulette still "running" the Eng Club.

No pics yet bonez, may get some next week (When I remember to bring the camera in).
I do know the owner, but won't publish his name for privacy reasons. Are you interested? I could ask him about it if you want.

Paulette is still "running" the Engineering club, yes.

[Bonez]

No pics yet bonez, may get some next week (When I remember to bring the camera in).
I do know the owner, but won't publish his name for privacy reasons. Are you interested? I could ask him about it if you want.

Paulette is still "running" the Engineering club, yes.
Lol nice to see. Must make an effort to catch up with her. Can you PM the extension, I know the rest by heart funny ol thing.

Yip, I'd be interested in what he'd let it go for. No hurry though got a cb750 engine to pay for at the mo, it's coming from Invercargel of all places.

[CLEAN CUT]

It handled well? What planet did you arrive from? The rear shock in that bike I wouldnt use as a door opener. This is the sort of junk that the mainland Asians are serving up and we are dull enough and stupid enough to consume such trash. Adolf Hitler once said ''most of the population is dull''

[Pixie]

... and blah blah blah you could wnak on for days
Wnaking will make you go blnid

[Pixie]

It's nice to go into a testing station and pop it on a centre stand. Saves the poor tester from having to lift the back wheel up so I can spin it for him/her.
:Offtopic: This little activity by the testing stations is shit.
Do they lift cars and spin the wheels?:angry2:

[Ixion]

Actually, yes, they do. Of course they have hydraulic jacky things to help them do it, but those don't work for bikes.

[Shadows]

It handled well? What planet did you arrive from? The rear shock in that bike I wouldnt use as a door opener. This is the sort of junk that the mainland Asians are serving up and we are dull enough and stupid enough to consume such trash. Adolf Hitler once said ''most of the population is dull''

So what is wrong with the suspension then??? This is exactly the kind of shit I want to know about. Everything I've heard about the suspension is that it isn't too bad. Certainly seems okay new. Does it not last? Please elaborate.

[Bonez]

It handled well? What planet did you arrive from? The rear shock in that bike I wouldnt use as a door opener. This is the sort of junk that the mainland Asians are serving up and we are dull enough and stupid enough to consume such trash. Adolf Hitler once said ''most of the population is dull''Have you riden one?