Thinking of going for a Hyo GT250N. Interested in the pros and cons from Hyo owners

[meowmix]

The Hyo will pace well with a Ninja, the R and N versions are exactly same in the powerplant/drivetrain/suspension. The only difference that counts is the second disc at the front, but the 1 is more then enough anyway.
If you're after resale, just don't buy new at all really. The Hyo with the fullsize frame is quite good. The VTR would be tops IMO, the Hornet screams like a buzzy bee and you need to wring it right out to get any of those horses running, same as any 250/4. Test ride them all if you can.

[DarkLord]

I owned 2 Hyo's while on my Learners/Restricted.

Good points:

Look cool and sound awesome with an after market can on
Gives you a good feel for riding a bigger bike when you get one
Good on fuel economy
Good on tyres
Strong, reliable engine (well mine were anyway)

Negative points:

Slow as sh*t
Things tend to fall off and start rattling due to poor materials used in construction
Stock tyres are beyond dreadfull - half plastic and a recipie for disaster. Get rid of them ASAP.
Very heavy for a 250cc bike.
Front end is very dodgy..... shakes it's head VERY easily.

[CookMySock]

Hi guys. Did either of you have any of the issues I mentioned earlier: clutch cable/side stand/peg vibrations? Or any others for that matter?

We've had all sorts of issues, but we've had a lot of bikes and done a lot of kms. No we've never had any clutch cable issues, but we lube them properly.

The bikes do have a few known weaknesses. The gearbox can be really tight for some tens of thousands of kms and hard to find neutral (put thinner oil in it), side stand switch is a bit weak, gearbox breaks if you munch it hard through gears.. best to google them and you will see.

The hyo's aren't smooth bikes to ride. Yes they buzz and vibrate but what do you want? The 650's for example will blur their mirrors and the windscreen looks like its going to jump off the bike. It's really odd. SV650 in comparison is like a smooth sewing machine and the hyo 650 is like a fucking single banger dirt bike but with 80hp - so what do you like?

Seriously, if money is an issue then don't buy a brand new bike of any sort. Pick up a low km one off trademe and look after it really well. Get it checked by a bike shop if you want to.

The stupid hyo basher idiots on this forum think they do me a disservice with their rude remarks, but they don't. They help keep the price of these bikes down, so that's great for you and I. 90% of them haven't been within two hundred meters of one, let alone ridden or owned one, and the other 10% are angry their bike quit on them after they crashed it or beat the fuck out of it and want to blame someone else. Fair enough on the few percent who have a genuine beef with the hyo's, but hey thats the same with any brand of bike.

In any case, the hyo's are easy and cheap to crash and fix, and there's loads of 2nd hand parts around on TM.

Steve

[Conquiztador]

And here all the righteous regulation ninjas will come after me... But I tell ya this: If you have been riding bikes since young and you know how not to fall over: Get an exemption. Get a OK to ride a bigger bike. Did that with my son. Got him a 400cc. Not that tricky to do. There is a few threads on here how to.

And reasons are obvious:
- A 250, even s/h in NZ cost just too much. A 400 is same price OR LESS!
- More umph...
- You can ride around with your 400 w/o L plates. Police will only check on 250's...

[CookMySock]

And here all the righteous regulation ninjas will come after me... But I tell ya this: If you have been riding bikes since young and you know how not to fall over: Get an exemption. Get a OK to ride a bigger bike. Did that with my son. Got him a 400cc.

I agree, I did the same on an 80hp 650. Looking back, they shouldn't have given me the exemption really - 80hp on a 6L is stupid. I think they knew there was no way I would ride a 250 for all that time, so they gave it to me. I think these days things will be different.

Like all things, if you pick your 'buy' moment carefully you don't loose money. My last two bikes I bought I defintely won't lose money on - I'll probably make a grand easily.

Steve

[Conquiztador]

I agree, I did the same on an 80hp 650. Looking back, they shouldn't have given me the exemption really - 80hp on a 6L is stupid. I think they knew there was no way I would ride a 250 for all that time, so they gave it to me. I think these days things will be different.

Like all things, if you pick your 'buy' moment carefully you don't loose money. My last two bikes I bought I defintely won't lose money on - I'll probably make a grand easily.

Steve

I have to yet loose money on a bike. But: Consider a 400 - 600. We did that just a year or two ago. I be happy to tell you what to do.

[Scorp]

And here all the righteous regulation ninjas will come after me... But I tell ya this: If you have been riding bikes since young and you know how not to fall over: Get an exemption.

I wish. I'm a complete noob, so learning how not to fall over is a major part of the curve.

[Conquiztador]

I wish. I'm a complete noob, so learning how not to fall over is a major part of the curve.

In that case: Get a second hand bike. They keep their price even after some noob drops. A new one...

[Scorp]

I really get the point about buying second hand first. I do. But the average asking price for 2007/08 Comets is around $5,000. While there are new 2010 models on offer for $6,695. Which says two things to me, firstly, the Hyos are holding value quite well. And secondly, I'd probably be better off paying the extra $1,600 to $2,000 for a new 2010 model with 2 years warranty and the improved features it has over the older models, which include improved steering geometry, twin front disc brakes and EFI. I'd be happy enough trying to resell in 18 months for $5,000 to $5,500 or trade in for something bigger and better.

[bogan]

I really get the point about buying second hand first. I do. But the average asking price for 2007/08 Comets is around $5,000. While there are new 2010 models on offer for $6,695. Which says two things to me, firstly, the Hyos are holding value quite well. And secondly, I'd probably be better off paying the extra $1,600 to $2,000 for a new 2010 model with 2 years warranty and the improved features it has over the older models, which include improved steering geometry, twin front disc brakes and EFI. I'd be happy enough trying to resell in 18 months for $5,000 to $5,500 or trade in for something bigger and better.

are they selling though? cos that sounds pretty high. And if you want better performance, get the VTR or Hornet.

[Scorp]

are they selling though? cos that sounds pretty high. And if you want better performance, get the VTR or Hornet.

Real hard to say. There's only 3 private sale Comets on Trade Me right now, and there were a good few more a couple of months back (could just be withdrawals though). The rest are all through dealers, which I guess probably aren't going to budge much from asking price. I'm looking at a Hornet at the moment. Unfortunately pickings are slim on VTRs at the moment. Hence the reason I'm veering towards the Hyo.

From everything I've read, the build quality has improved from earlier models, but I'm wary of buying what may turn out to be a piece of junk. That said, the people who knock them seem to be people who don't own them, while people who do seem to love them.

If it was the other way around I'd be more worried.

DB's info on the issues he's had are very informative though Think I'll PM him.

[CookMySock]

They are not selling at that price. You will lose a lot of money on a new hyo - make no mistake about it. We bought a new one and ate in the order of 3k on it. Not recommended for a learner bike that you are just going to sell later. Might be a different story if you wanted to keep it and use it as a commuter.

There are plenty of low-med km Comets on trademe. There's nothing wrong with the older ones, and if there is, it's easy and cheap to fix them.

I am really surprised just how good the Comet 250 is as all-rounder. It's dead easy to ride - like a modern GN but bigger, super cheap to run, and it will easily carry two good sized adults. Not many 250 commuters will carry two big adults.

Steve

[Old Steve]

OK, I haven't had my Hyosung GV250 long, only 6 weeks, but I've put 2,800 km under the wheels in daily commuting and weekend runs. Also the GT250 and GV250 have the same engine, mines a carby 2005 not an EFI 2010 though.

Basically I think the Hyosung is good value for money, I paid $3,200 for my 2005/first reg in 2006 GV250 with about 9,000 km on the clock. It's a big bike, the GT250 seems to be too, but I bought it for it's size. Second hand Hyosungs are cheaper, even the new 2010 EFi is a good price, so if you lose any depreciation you're lossing less because its a % of a lower amount.

Slow? Suppose so, I'm already dreaming of something around 750cc. But I can cruise at 110km/hr, and go up to 120 km/hr to catch up, on the open road. I find I'm doing 70 or more around town when not concentrating. It does fall behind group rides on hills, I fell way back behind a friend on a big Shadow going up the Kaimais but I'd expect that. I also fall behind on corners on the open road, but I think that'd be the case on any bike - blind left handers spook me!

Reliability? Can't tell yet, my chain and rear sprocket are due for a replacement at the next 4000 km service at 13,000 km and I'm thinking of putting an automatic oiler on it. I don't know the maintenance history of her previous owners, so I can't judge reliability. I lost the reflector from a wing mirror and the replacement mirror was down the next day so parts seem to be readily available.

Quality/value for money? Gets my vote, especially a second hand one. Most 250s for sale have rediculously low mileages, people seem to only do 5-6000 km on them, yet the Hyosung seems to be much cheaper than many other 250s of similar ages. Honda Magnas seem extraordinarilly expensive for bikes up to 15 years old, even dearer than a one or two year old Hyosung and less older Hondas of other models. My Hyosung agent, Bay City Motorcycles in Tauranga, give great support.

Any problems? Finding neutral when the engine is running - this seems to be a carry over from the Suzuki technology transfer which set Hyosung up. I believe the Suzuki Intruder has the same quirk. Some careful clutch cable adjustment made it easier to select neutral, but I usually sit at lights with my clutch pulled in if I can't get neutral after one or two attempts. When I get home or want to walk back into a park I turn the key off then on again, click into neutral, then turn the key off again. The noise, I've taken out the back baffle to get a louder sound, she crackles a bit but I like it better than the original sound.

Would I buy another? Yeah. I'll have her for at least 12 months (over 25 - have my restricted for only 6 mths or less) or longer. Got her for a good price, few if any problems, and I'm not a boy racer. I might just keep her.

Should you buy the 2010 GT250N? Dunno if you should get a brand new one, OK you like the EFI, the good price and the new bike warranty. But you'll only keep it for 12 to 18 months, once you get your full license you'll want the big noise. Buy a second hand Hyosung GT250, get it checked out first, you'll pay a bit less and won't lose so much when you sell it. This is a learner bike you're looking at, you might not fall off it but you will scratch it, you will sell it.

Old Steve

[Scorp]

Thanks for that Steve. Just what I was looking for. I'll be taking a trip to Bay City next week I reckon - they'd be my nearest Hyosung dealer too. Heard good things about them from the guy I'm training with.

Still not convinced on the second hand argument, though. I get it. But when the 2008 dealer prices are so close to the 2010 prices, and there are virtually no private sales around... just not convinced. I'm not setting that much store on EFI myself, it's just that if I am re-selling in c. 18 months time, there will be more EFI models on the second hand market by then, so EFI might give me a resell/trade-in advantage over the older carb models.

On the other hand, there's a good chance I'll stick with it for two years or more.

Thanks for the great info mate! Might have to meet up with you for a ride when I do finally get a saddle. You won't have any trouble keeping up with me.

[Lurch]

I don't understand the argument around the Hyo being slow, if anything it's a benefit for the short duration that you are on your learners/restricted in that you are less likely to fuck yourself up by trying to race your 'mates' on their overpriced learner bikes.

The '07 Hyosung GT250R that I owned from almost new took me all around the north island and served me flawlessly for the 15,000kms that I needed it for prior to getting my 6F. Now with the new EFi design and the great looks of the 2010 models - especially the naked, I think you can't go wrong.