James Deuce
17th February 2007, 11:29
Thanks to TSS Motorcycles I've had a ball lately. I've never had a shop so happy to loan ME of all people, a bike in my hour of need. I've had an interesting bunch of bikes and at last I've gotten one that I've always wanted to spend some time with, both from curiosity's sake and to get a handle on what this bike is all about.
And the bike in question is: The Mighty Hyobag!.
Which is of course a term of endearment, especially after sharing Skelstar's journey of motorcycling discovery via his experiences written up here on Kiwibiker.
I want to say something right now, by way of a disclaimer. I have a problem. You see, I like all motorcycles. I find it difficult to do anything other than highlight the positive, sometimes almost to the point of flying in the face of conventional wisdom. I've said some pretty positive things about the bikes I've been lent to this point, and yes my attitude is coloured by the fact that someone is doing me a favour
With that out of the way, let's discuss the best damn learner's bike available in NZ.
1. Excellent low speed handling - check
2. Powerful progressive brakes - check
3. Comfortable and tunable ergonomics - check
4. Plenty of tie down points for luggage - check
5. Fuel gauge - check
6. Large, clear, usable mirrors - check
7 Some funky bits that make you smile when you look at your bike - check!
Get the picture? I commuted on this bike for a week and didn't have a single bike generated drama. It is a full size motorcycle that real people can fit on and even the little people will find it easy to touch the ground. I can sit on it (more in it really) with both feet flat on the ground and knees bent, so 5ft nothing folks should be able to ride the mighty Comet without trouble.
I've never had so many non-bike people talk to me about a bike, everyone from random people on street corners to security guards in the wee hours of the morning. All of them surprised that it was Korean, and "only" a 250.
One never expects great things from air cooled 250cc motorcycle engines, which is why the fact this air cooled V-Twin makes usable power from 7000 rpm to redline is such a surprise. It's smooth, the power is delivered in a linear fashion, never threatening, and the gentle chuffing of the low and mid-range is replaced with a rather cool growl in the last third of the rev range.
The mirrors! O! What JOY! What unexpurgated delight! Huge, clear, free of vibration, and full of cars, and trucks, and policemen going, "O Ho, time to hassle an L plater".
"But you've got an L plate on and a full license."
"Yes it's a borrowed bike while mine is in the shop being fixed."
Frown.
"So you don't own it then?"
"No, TSS Motorcycles do."
"And they lent it to you?"
"Yes".
Mutter, mutter. Wanders off to car.
Comes back, "Why would you put an L plate on a 750 anyway?"
That seems to be the general impression: The Comet looks like a much bigger bike.
The Comet has a "rep", generated as much by newbie owners not looking after their Hyobag, as by being a "First Gen" product from a new manufacturer. First gear is too short, while second is too much of a jump, sometimes creating a bit of a rear wheel lock up going into a tight corner as you make the mistake of going down to first. The bars didn't fit me that well, but then it was a borrowed bike so I didn't feck with them, and the handling was much less precise than a Bandit 250, but much sharper than a GN.
I would recommend this as a first bike unreservedly. You need something that can get you though the bits where you are truly dangerous during your first ventures onto the road, and the last thing you need is an uncomfortable riding position, snatchy brakes, and a peaky engine. It handles gravel surprisingly well, never feeling like it is floating on top of the loose stuff like so many balloon tyred sports bikes do.
Best of all it's full sized and can cart you and some gear from Cape Reinga to Bluff with ease.
This is a real biker's bike, not a fop's toy, or a nervous nelly's gentle introduction to two wheels. As can be seen from Skelstar's exploits it also crashes well and inspires you to work on your riding, encourages you to get out there and experience new things, and most of all it's Fun!
And the bike in question is: The Mighty Hyobag!.
Which is of course a term of endearment, especially after sharing Skelstar's journey of motorcycling discovery via his experiences written up here on Kiwibiker.
I want to say something right now, by way of a disclaimer. I have a problem. You see, I like all motorcycles. I find it difficult to do anything other than highlight the positive, sometimes almost to the point of flying in the face of conventional wisdom. I've said some pretty positive things about the bikes I've been lent to this point, and yes my attitude is coloured by the fact that someone is doing me a favour
With that out of the way, let's discuss the best damn learner's bike available in NZ.
1. Excellent low speed handling - check
2. Powerful progressive brakes - check
3. Comfortable and tunable ergonomics - check
4. Plenty of tie down points for luggage - check
5. Fuel gauge - check
6. Large, clear, usable mirrors - check
7 Some funky bits that make you smile when you look at your bike - check!
Get the picture? I commuted on this bike for a week and didn't have a single bike generated drama. It is a full size motorcycle that real people can fit on and even the little people will find it easy to touch the ground. I can sit on it (more in it really) with both feet flat on the ground and knees bent, so 5ft nothing folks should be able to ride the mighty Comet without trouble.
I've never had so many non-bike people talk to me about a bike, everyone from random people on street corners to security guards in the wee hours of the morning. All of them surprised that it was Korean, and "only" a 250.
One never expects great things from air cooled 250cc motorcycle engines, which is why the fact this air cooled V-Twin makes usable power from 7000 rpm to redline is such a surprise. It's smooth, the power is delivered in a linear fashion, never threatening, and the gentle chuffing of the low and mid-range is replaced with a rather cool growl in the last third of the rev range.
The mirrors! O! What JOY! What unexpurgated delight! Huge, clear, free of vibration, and full of cars, and trucks, and policemen going, "O Ho, time to hassle an L plater".
"But you've got an L plate on and a full license."
"Yes it's a borrowed bike while mine is in the shop being fixed."
Frown.
"So you don't own it then?"
"No, TSS Motorcycles do."
"And they lent it to you?"
"Yes".
Mutter, mutter. Wanders off to car.
Comes back, "Why would you put an L plate on a 750 anyway?"
That seems to be the general impression: The Comet looks like a much bigger bike.
The Comet has a "rep", generated as much by newbie owners not looking after their Hyobag, as by being a "First Gen" product from a new manufacturer. First gear is too short, while second is too much of a jump, sometimes creating a bit of a rear wheel lock up going into a tight corner as you make the mistake of going down to first. The bars didn't fit me that well, but then it was a borrowed bike so I didn't feck with them, and the handling was much less precise than a Bandit 250, but much sharper than a GN.
I would recommend this as a first bike unreservedly. You need something that can get you though the bits where you are truly dangerous during your first ventures onto the road, and the last thing you need is an uncomfortable riding position, snatchy brakes, and a peaky engine. It handles gravel surprisingly well, never feeling like it is floating on top of the loose stuff like so many balloon tyred sports bikes do.
Best of all it's full sized and can cart you and some gear from Cape Reinga to Bluff with ease.
This is a real biker's bike, not a fop's toy, or a nervous nelly's gentle introduction to two wheels. As can be seen from Skelstar's exploits it also crashes well and inspires you to work on your riding, encourages you to get out there and experience new things, and most of all it's Fun!