Hi mate,
I was looking at exactly the same list of bikes myself while I was sitting my test and getting geared up. At first, the Hyo was at the bottom, but it gradually worked its way to the top. Initially I was dead set on buying second hand, but with 10 to 15 year old hornets and VTRs going for $5,500 plus, I eventually figured that buying a new 2010 hyo with EFi and a 2 year warranty was probably worth the extra $1,100.
I eventually went for a new 2010 GT250N, retail $6,695. (I prefer the more upright ride position of the naked bike, and the added feel of control with the more upright and wider bars).
I've only been riding it for a week and a half, first 350kms, but I love it. Feels as smooth as butter to me, probably because I don't know any better, but still... fine for learning on. As someone else has mentioned, all the better for learning on probably. I find the gearing is fine, nice and smooth (except for when I screw it up) and getting smoother every ride, not too tricky finding neutral, and easily quick enough for me.
Another thing in favor of the Hyo. It's one of the only 250s that looks and feels the size of a full size bike. A little taller in the seat and fuller in the frame. Good practice I reckon for the step up to a bigger bike, plus, if your 6'1, you won't feel daft on it.
Can't really comment on the Shinkos, I haven't reached the confidence level yet where I'm pushing the tyres too much, plus, I'm a rain shy bastard and won't take my new baby out in the wet!
It's perhaps also worth bearing in mind that apparently, Hyosung NZ has one of the best parts availability records in NZ.
My advice, go for Hyo. As new a model as you can, and do what Dangerous and Steve say - get it to a Hyo dealer for a proper check over. Good luck!
P.S. Yes, the SDs sound fantastic, especially throttling off and dropping down through the gears. It's like she's thinking dirty thoughts and chuckling to you under your arse!
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A mate of mine had a GT250R with only about 10,000km on it when the gauge cluster fucked out and had to be replaced. It cost him about $500 from memory to replace it.
Hiya,
Well so far i have ridden the 2010 Hyosung GT250R and GT250. The GT250R was real fun, i was blasting around Northshore yesterday, but i got a sore left wrist (may be due to clutch grabbing and not relaxing) and a sore hip flexor (where your leg joins your hip) but i have been doubled over and squashed up in my ceiling for the last 2 weekends installing a ventilation system....but yeah..fun!! The GT250 was more comfortable as noted by others and had a better mirror set up so i could see what is behind me. I managed to find neutral instead of 2nd a few times, but i think the girls on the side walk thought i was revving it to get their attention, i then managed to hit the horn instead of the indicator...probably made their day, while i was trying to leave the scene of the gear change-indicator debacle! I'm riding a scooter to get to and from work at the moment. My poor scooter, it felt like I was riding a ten speed stuck in 9th gear going up a hill!! I think my scooter days are most definitely over.
Anyway...Hyosung is still leading the "to-buy-list". But i will try the VTR and Hornet this week! So yeah fun times on the test rides!!
I would like to buy a 2010 Hyo but $$ are an important consideration and there are some good cheap Hyo's on trademe at the moment. So looks like a 2nd hand bike will be my option.
well I have a 2006 GT250 which has clocked 128000km and I have not had that much expense or trouble with it!! - just keep it serviced at the correct intervals and when something isn't quite right fix it!!
In fact I have just bought a 2010 GT650N so thats what my thinking on the Hyos are for what its worth.......................
Im hauling round on an 07 GT250R which I have found a better step down from the big bikes I was riding so I can get my license finally. I have had CBR250s & all sorts of other bikes but they tend to be a bit short for me to commute on comfortably (i'm only 5'10") I find that while the GT is lower on power the delivery is great in traffic & still revs out really nice on the highway. Shinkos are a shit tyre but they will handle ok if your not rough on them, I am down to 10mm chicken strips & I have only been riding it during shit winter days, bring on the Sport Demons & dry roads. I love your SD comment SCORP lol :8):
Just an update; I ended up buying a 2008 Black Hyosung GT250R with 6,000km on the clock. There are few small scratches on the left fairing and it has a full service record. I have only had it for a few days but it appears to go well. The front forks are soft with bugger all dampening. So the first thing on the list is to change the fork oil. Good times to come!
Good choice, better price but not too old. I hope you're as happy on your GT250R as I am on my older GV250. I'm an older rider, looking for the cool dude look on a cruiser - I'll have to keep working on it.
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