Which bike? Honda Spada 250 or Hyosung GT250?

[rf74]

hi peoples
At the moment I'm trying to decide between two bikes to buy:
one is a 2003 Hyosung GT250 comet - the other is a 1989 (I think, but it might be a 91) Honda Spada 250.

Both are nice to ride, I was more comfortable with the Spada to be honest, but the thing that gets me is: its 16 years old, and costs slightly more than the Hyosung.

Any thoughts?

[vamr]

Get whichever you want.

[MSTRS]

The Spada will be 88 or 89 (only years they were made). It will eat the Hyobag in absolutely every way. And as long as the price is right, you won't ever lose too much when you sell it.
However, you will get whichever one you like the most, won't you?

[ZeroIndex]

Go the Honda Spada :)

[yungatart]

The Spada is reliable, fast, easy to handle and infinitely manouevrable...and sexy!
Whatever you are most comfortable with, really.

[McJim]

I would get a Spada - but then that's me.

You can get a few Spadas less than $4,000 these days - I'd be surprised if a Ho Bag i being sold for less than that yet.

[rf74]

Ok. So I'm getting the hint. Spada good, Hyosung bad. Or not as good, anyway.
The bike mags etc have been giving them good writeups and I haven't heard a lot of bad things about them from people who've owned them or who have mates with one.

So... there's nothing wrong per se with buying a bike that was built back in the year George Bush the elder became president, the Tiananmen Square massacre happened, the berlin wall came down, and the Simpsons first aired on TV....? ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989 )

[MSTRS]

So... there's nothing wrong per se with buying a bike that was built back

No...why should there be? Spadas will basically stand any test, including time....

[howdamnhard]

Get the SPADA,my brother in law has one and never has regretted it.It a great all rounder with heaps of grunt and looks good to.:yes:

[limbimtimwim]

If you want newer, investigate a 1998 onwards Honda VTR250. Like this (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-104305786.htm?p=1). Less poke than the Spada though. Also, a lot more money.

[alexthekidd]

If it's the Spada i think it is, the one at TSS, it was very very nice. Lovely sound from the aftermarket pipe too

[McJim]

This one is well worth a look
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-102516263.htm?p=2

[Mr. Peanut]

I would get the Hyosung over a 16 year old Honda any day. I've ridden one and I think they're great! Nice simple engine, good gearbox.

[sAsLEX]

I would get the Hyosung over a 16 year old Honda any day. I've ridden one and I think they're great! Nice simple engine, good gearbox.

I reckon a 16 year old Honda would be more reliable.

[Mr. Peanut]

I reckon a 16 year old Honda would be more reliable.
You reckon? Based on what?

My mates 16 year old Honda just broke down today, and I've had to rebuild my 16 year old Honda too. I have another friend who fried the electrics on his CBR250 a few weeks back.

Meanwhile, I have a friend (smokeymoe) with a Hyosung GT250. He gets phenomenal fuel consumption and the thing's a hoot to ride. Hasn't skipped a beat.

[rf74]

OK thanks. I'm tending towards the Honda but will ride them both again.
Pricewise - whats a reasonable ask for the Honda, assuming its in mint condition with about 20,000kms on the clock (yeah, I know, the previous owner might well have had the odo disconnected. Or maybe it just sat in a garage for years and years)

[yungatart]

I know of one that was written off by insurance recently, the guy was paid out $4000, that figure being deemed market value.

[MSTRS]

I've seen Spadas go on TardMe for anything between 2500 - 5500. Around 4-4.5 is OK for a low ks one in a dealer. One dealer in Auckland was asking 5995 for one just like TSS example.

[rf74]

ok then. So whats a reasonable price to pay for the Spada? assuming its in very good nick, with 20,000 kms on the clock.

[vifferman]

I reckon a 16 year old Honda would be more reliable.
Without question.

Generally, newer is better, but not when comparing these two bikes.

[MSTRS]

ok then. So whats a reasonable price to pay for the Spada? assuming its in very good nick, with 20,000 kms on the clock.

Reasonable is in the pocket of the purchaser (to plaigarise a phrase). Thought I gave you a clue already? Talk to Stu....he'll tell you that his one is priced well for a dealer

[rf74]

OK so I'll point out that I've spent no more than 10 hours riding bikes in the last 5 years, most of that on little 125cc's on Koh Pangang, Thailand.

On Saturday I rode the Hyosung, liked it, but then rode the Honda and thought I liked that better.

Saturday night, over a beer, it occurred to me that maybe I liked the Honda more because I rode it after already having ridden another bike for half an hour - getting used to being on a bike again - and that just made me more comfortable going for a spin.

SoI thought I'd do it again, but the other way round.
I took the afternoon off and went back to the dealer - yes, it was TSS, thanks AlextheKidd, good spotting there - and had another go, first the Spada, then the GT250 Comet.

The Spada was good, but maybe a bit cramped (I'm 6ft or thereabouts). Jumped on the Hyosung, and it felt much better because its just a much bigger frame bike.
Took it for a spin round Lower Hutt, onto SH2, it felt good, so I bought it. (no, I haven't got it yet, wait a couple of days!)

I think its the right decision, despite what some replies have been saying.
Reviews have generally been favourable, I don't think the guys at TSS would sell me a crap bike, and ff it doesn't work out, I'll just sell it when I've got my full licence.

[bounce]

I;ll likely be putting my vtr250 up for sale in the next week or two so if you wanted to check it out before I put it on trademe give me a yell.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xrBycoeFuIQ

[rf74]

nice sounding bike. Already put a deposit down, so its too late I'm afraid!
I'll more than likely be upgrading to a 400 (If I can find one...) or a 600 in 6-12 months anyway

[Biff]

Definitely the Honda. It's better built, you're likely to experience fewer, if any problems with them, and it'll hold it;s re-sale value a lot more. So, if for no other reason, you'll save yourself money in the medium to long term choosing a Honda over the Hyosung.

[xwhatsit]

Definitely the Honda. It's better built, you're likely to experience fewer, if any problems with them, and it'll hold it;s re-sale value a lot more. So, if for no other reason, you'll save yourself money in the medium to long term choosing a Honda over the Hyosung.

<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>Well it's a bit late now, as he's already bought the GT250.

The Hyosung sounds like an excellent bike, after reading Jim2's review (and I've heard very positive things from people who've actually ridden one too). However the Spada is legendary, it's turning into a sort of V-twin, naked NC30 as the years progress. Has a huge cachet in HK and Japan.

[MSTRS]

A bloke that knows his own mind eh? Good onya. Chances are if you flick it in 12 months time you will never find out "We told you so"

[rf74]

well without meaning to sound like I'm defending myself - I have read nothing but good things about the Hyosungs - including something from a Korean guy who sounds like he was extremely rough on his - including taking it off road. Also the Korean student staying with us says he's got a mate back home with one who reckons its great.
Hyosung have been making bikes since 1996 - surely they would've ironed out any problems?
Would've preferred to get a Honda or something - but it came down to a slightly cheaper price, and the bike just felt good. Its only for commuting from the Hutt into town every day - so it should be fine.
Planning on doing an advanced riding test etc, so should be on my full licence by the time summer rolls round. At that point I'll re-evaluate and maybe upgrade.

[xwhatsit]

well without meaning to sound like I'm defending myself - I have read nothing but good things about the Hyosungs - including something from a Korean guy who sounds like he was extremely rough on his - including taking it off road. Also the Korean student staying with us says he's got a mate back home with one who reckons its great.
Hyosung have been making bikes since 1996 - surely they would've ironed out any problems?
Would've preferred to get a Honda or something - but it came down to a slightly cheaper price, and the bike just felt good. Its only for commuting from the Hutt into town every day - so it should be fine.
Planning on doing an advanced riding test etc, so should be on my full licence by the time summer rolls round. At that point I'll re-evaluate and maybe upgrade.

<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>Lol don't let MSTRS put the shits up you, he's just Spada-biased because his son owns one :sunny:

Some people might give you shit for choosing a Hyosung, but I wouldn't worry about it. Everybody's got their own choice in bike, and seat-of-the-pants riding has to be the most important factor; I personally wouldn't be seen dead on a GSXR but that's just me. Lots of reports of bits falling off on the first GT250 generation, and things being replaced under warranty, but certainly no worse than the Suzuki GN250 (and at least the warranty had you covered for most things); it all seems to have cleared up now anyway.

I ride a single-cylinder Honda 250, and I'm very comfortable with the size of my penis thankyouverymuch :)

[Biff]

well without meaning to sound like I'm defending myself.

No need mate - there's good bikes and there's better bikes. I've heard some good things about Hyosungs, and I've also heard some not so good things. There's also plenty of people who hate Hondas for various reasons.

Swingsnroundabouts.

Enjoy.

:scooter:

[MSTRS]

.... I personally wouldn't be seen dead on a GSXR .....

Balance can be a problem when you're toes-up.
You're more likely to be seen with a grimace of pure fear distorting your youthful visage.

[xwhatsit]

Balance can be a problem when you're toes-up.
You're more likely to be seen with a grimace of pure fear distorting your youthful visage.

<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>Hahaha yeah you're quite right there.

I was seen alive on a GSXR6, just around some local urban streets, hoping nobody I know saw me :dodge:hahaha. Nice bike, handled sharply despite the extra bulk. Surprisingly low on power and quite user friendly -- until the revs climbed a little and I had more power than I'll ever know where to put.

Would rather own the Spada, though :first:

[rf74]

Nah, like I said earlier, I compared the two again and the spada was just a tad too small.
Can't wait to get my hands on my bike though. Maybe tomorrow...

[Pancakes]

If you need a hand with yours feel free to get in touch, I've played with mine a bit and am a bit heaner to it than it likes sometimes so have found the weak bits. I recon they are a nice big ride for the money, there are nicer bikes, and you'll pay more for them. The standard pads seem to just disappear, easy to do yourself. Can email you pics of the order to do things in etc if you want. Have fun.

[rf74]

Thanks. Won't be modifying it for a while - just going to take it easy and get used to being on a bike again!
didn't pick the best day for my first 45km round trip to work - this morning was cold & fine, but tonight was wet and windy and I can't say I enjoyed being blown around on the motorway. Just have to get used to that - either that or leave the bike at home on sh!tty days and take the train :yes: