2005 HYOSUNG GT650R

[justsomeguy]

I'm looking at one myself -they cleaned up in F3 in the south island this year
It feels a bit heavier than the sv and although its got fancy looking upside downers I wasn't over impressed with the front shocks.
Personally Im keener on the new kwakka 650 coming ont in october.
It just plum looks sexy

Do the Kwakas have a full faired version or just the Brutale look-a-like??

[justsomeguy]

Doesn't look bad in race spec either...

[chickenfunkstar]

Is the 650R a new model?
I vaugely remember looking at the naked 650 when I was looking for a repacement for my 250 last year.
Can't remember exactly how much it was but I remember that it seemed pretty cheap for a brand new bike.

[geoffm]

I looked at them in the bike shop - there wasn't a huge difference in price (then) betwen the Suzuki SV650 and the Hyosung. My thought was at the time that it would be easier to get parts (aftermarket and used) for the Suzuki, and it would probably have a better resale value.
I shoudl find an excuse to test ride one
Geoff

[justsomeguy]

I looked at them in the bike shop - there wasn't a huge difference in price (then) betwen the Suzuki SV650 and the Hyosung. My thought was at the time that it would be easier to get parts (aftermarket and used) for the Suzuki, and it would probably have a better resale value.
I shoudl find an excuse to test ride one
Geoff

What you doin tomorrow??

Zapf - you too??

[Grizz]

I was in at Red Baron last week, and they said that they are brought in by Kawasaki, so I guess that says something. They haven't sold that many and none so far have come back at them. For what its worth.

[MD]

I liked the look of the first 650 naked they brought out about 18 mths ago and had a few good squizzes at them in the shops. Got good mag reviews too. Quality of manufacture was right up there and I wouldn't be worried about the Korean Co.disappearing. If they grow similar to Hyundai, as some bike reviews commented, it'll be the Jappo companies in danger.
Doubt resale will be to good in these early years but once they get established as mainstream- not some oddball from a strange country that might improve.

[justsomeguy]

I wouldn't be worried about the Korean Co.disappearing.

Hyosung is one of the richest/biggest/most successful companies in Korea. They set up for business in 1952. They are involved in all sorts of industries. Bikes are only a small part of their portfolio.

[Waylander]

Hyosung is one of the richest/biggest/most successful companies in Korea. They set up for business in 1952. They are involved in all sorts of industries. Bikes are only a small part of their portfolio.

They also do sewing machines...

[justsomeguy]

They also do sewing machines...

Hyosung's global network of over 30 overseas subsidiaries and satellite offices has enabled it to effectively expand its presence in diverse fields such as apparel and industrial synthetic fibers, specialty chemicals, industrial power systems, industrial machinery, construction & development, information technology, and international trade.

[John]

Hyosung's global network of over 30 overseas subsidiaries and satellite offices has enabled it to effectively expand its presence in diverse fields such as apparel and industrial synthetic fibers, specialty chemicals, industrial power systems, industrial machinery, construction & development, information technology, and international trade.

Event the most successfull companies can fuck up in an industry they arent familiar with, time will tell.

[justsomeguy]

Event the most successfull companies can fuck up in an industry they arent familiar with, time will tell.

Yup true

Who is Hyosung?
We swiped this from the company's website: Hyosung is one of the largest and most respected companies in South Korea, and was founded in 1952. Hyosung Motors & Machinery Inc was established in 1978 as a motorcycle manufacturer. In 1979 a technical tie up was established with Suzuki Motor Corp of Japan for producing Suzuki models for some Asian markets. Hyosung established its own R&D centre in 1986 to develop models under the Hyosung brand for export to global markets under the banner "Made by Hyosung, Ridden by The World". Twelve per cent of staff are engaged in R&D to keep pace with aggressive development of new models suitable for export markets. Hyosung produce some models that carry a Japanese brand name that are exported worldwide, and components produced by Hyosung can be found on several other brands of motorcycles.

http://bikepoint.ninemsn.com.au/port...opDefault.aspx

[SPman]

Excerpts from from Motorcycle Online

The Hyosung has a lot of nice touches for a bike priced at $5,999. There is some good attention to detail, as it seems to have been assembled properly, with no unseemly gaps or poorly routed cables. There is a strap to secure the passenger seat, adjustable rearsets, and though the Bridgestone BT56 tires are an older model, they are known to be grippy and long-wearing. The front end is very good, with easy-to-adjust damping (but no preload adjuster), stiff looking, upside-down fork assemblies and beefy triple clamps. Brakes are two-piston, sliding-pin calipers in the front grabbing floating rotors, similar to the Suzuki's. The component quality of was a little poorer than I expected. The plastic is that brittle, older-style ABS, and the paint has a fair amount of orange peel. The clutch lever rattles, and the brake lever isn't adjustable

The motor fires up quickly and easily, with a raspy sound and noticeable vibration. The clutch has a smooth, easy pull, and the gearbox has short throws and shifts easily, although finding neutral from a stop in first gear is difficult. Pulling up to a stop, I notice that the brakes have a wooden feel and require a strong pull. Once I'm stopped, getting my feet down flat is easy, thanks to a seat that is noticeably lower than the SV's.

The adjustable footpegs are in a nice position, and the seat height is just right for me. The motor is buzzy above 6,000 rpm, but it is geared fairly tall and cruising at 80 (mph) (indicated- I think there's an 8-12% speedometer error) is fairly comfortable. There's plenty of torque for passing if you click down a gear or two, but the buzzing at high rpms is hard to take: your fingers practically vibrate right off the grips! It pulls hard in the midrange, but it isn't as sharp and satisfying as the SV's motor, which feels refined and silky smooth by comparison.....

Once on a curving road, the GT is very good. With the steel frame and swingarm, it feels noticeably heavier than the SV, but it turns in nicely and holds its line well. Steering is very linear and progressive; that's a hallmark of those BT56's! The front suspension is pretty good, tracking over bumps and not mushy at all, but the rear shock is cheap-feeling and under damped. I think the handling and ground clearance are good enough that the GT would make a decent track bike and Hyosung should consider sponsoring a spec racing class .....

The Hyosung GT650R has a lot of flaws. But it surprised me with how much it had to offer. It's a stylish, well-designed motorcycle that need make no apologies for its suspension, motor or handling: the stuff that matters. The overall build quality is cheaper than what I'm accustomed to, but it's acceptable and looks like it will hold together with proper maintenance.

[Pixie]

Testers have said that they like the Hyosung motor better than the SV650.
The designers of the motor were apparantly head hunted from a company in Hamamatsu. Suzuki's home town.

[Marknz]

I reckon this things would make a great one make clubmans class of racing or somehting like that. Would be great if Hyosung ( or Kawasaki if they are the importers ) would market them like that and provide benefits to people buying them to race.