Anyone riding a GT250R?

**rookie** · 24th February 2007, 17:44

Originally Posted by Pathos

Handling, looks, sub 100 acceleration, gear box, clutch and are all sweet.
top speed: meh... struggles to get over 140 but does the engine loosen up ?
brakes: meh...anyone know if a brake pad change would make a difference ?
tyres: heard bad things about the shinkos but couldn't really test them myself. Whats the best pair for the GT250R ?

Things that surprised me: gearbox had a nice weight to it. Pick in low revs was nice. Seat has enough room to sit back and lean forward, or sit forward upright (I'm 6'3"...). Handling was wonderful...so much better than the fxr and I instantly felt very confident.

can anyone answer my questions regarding the engine, brakes and tyres ? will have a big impact on whether I buy one or not (thinking hard about it) ? thanks in advance

I also took one for a test ride (they wouldnt let me test ride the new zx6).

I agree the gearbox and clutch are fairly good...got it up to 160 and would have kept goin but needs a LONG straight(this was within the first 100km on the bike).
IMO, the sub 40 acceleration was good but sad above that...i really liked how it didnt mind sticking to 50km/hr as well...whereas the zxr coughs and moans...very well behaved.
brakes: little soft but seemed alright.
tyres: like you ...i had heard bad things about the shinkos - but they seemed sweet once I had scrubbed them in...it was the soft damping that was the limit of the handling for me.
Nice sound below 5000rpm.
nice position with fairly good handling for a first bike. Stiffening up the damping would be my first mod.

**Pathos** · 24th February 2007, 20:04

I was leaning it over at 120-130 and I felt a little wobbling at the front. Handle bars weren't moving at all so it was either the suspension or tyres. I was going over some white lines at the time and the tyres were new so I put it down to that, nothing that would put you any danger.

The brakes just don't compare to the fxr which is wicked in that respect. On the way home a car started pulling out in front of me from a parking spot, I was glad I was back on the fxr, with the hyosung I may have had a moment.

**$CENSLS1$** · 24th February 2007, 21:48

From what i've read these seem to get good reviews everytime

**Pathos** · 24th February 2007, 22:33

Originally Posted by $CENSLS1$

From what i've read these seem to get good reviews everytime

They are good bikes, only 3 issues I know of

Engine: gutless out of town, not really fixable without throwing too much money at it. But this has benefits around town with its low end torque.
Tyres: Some people really don't like those shinko's.
Brakes: A little on the weak side. Hopefully a brake pad change will make a difference but I need some to verify that.

**WarlockNZ** · 25th February 2007, 08:36

Originally Posted by Pathos

They are good bikes, only 3 issues I know of

Engine: gutless out of town, not really fixable without throwing too much money at it. But this has benefits around town with its low end torque.
Tyres: Some people really don't like those shinko's.
Brakes: A little on the weak side. Hopefully a brake pad change will make a difference but I need some to verify that.

Meh, it's a 250, the only power issue i've had was on the desert road, with nothing left in the hills without a down-change to 4th or 3rd.

hated the shinko's and got them replaced at 2000K

grab a fist full... that'll stop ya .. lol

I've got some braided lines coming, so i'll see if that makes a difference

**rookie** · 25th February 2007, 11:14

Originally Posted by Pathos

I was leaning it over at 120-130 and I felt a little wobbling at the front.

The brakes just don't compare to the fxr which is wicked in that respect.

The wobble is due to suspension (or low tyre pressures). Front tyres tend to drift if they are crap or new. New rear tyres like to step out through corners.

Dont forget that new discs need to be worn in before they are really useful. Requires roughly 300km of general use without braking really really hard - dont ride around with the brakes constantly on softly either.

Originally Posted by WarlockNZ

I've got some braided lines coming, so i'll see if that makes a difference

Should do after long periods of hard braking.(brake fluid heats up and makes rubber lines soft causing brake fade). Could try re-bleeding brakes??

**skelstar** · 25th February 2007, 19:06

Originally Posted by Pathos

Engine: gutless out of town, not really fixable without throwing too much money at it. But this has benefits around town with its low end torque.

Good enough to chase 4 litre bikes around the South Is for 2500kms 12months ago.

Tyres: Some people really don't like those shinko's.

They never slipped under me and I'm not fast but I wasn't that slow.

Brakes: A little on the weak side. Hopefully a brake pad change will make a difference but I need some to verify that.

You just don't know they're weak until you ride something that is strong...so what does it matter? Didn't stop me from doing anything (pun not intended).

I'll re-iterate: make sure you get opinions from people that have ACTUALLY ridden the bikes...not just heard someone say it once.

**Pathos** · 25th February 2007, 21:47

Originally Posted by skelstar

I'll re-iterate: make sure you get opinions from people that have ACTUALLY ridden the bikes...not just heard someone say it once.

I am reiterating opinions from people I trust who have ridden it.

I push my bikes hard (carpark racing) and I'm going to give my next bike a good run whatever it ends up being so I want it to be as safe as feasibly possible hence my questions on the tyres and brakes.

**rookie** · 26th February 2007, 22:09

Originally Posted by Pathos

I am reiterating opinions from people I trust who have ridden it.

I push my bikes hard (carpark racing) and I'm going to give my next bike a good run whatever it ends up being so I want it to be as safe as feasibly possible hence my questions on the tyres and brakes.

get a zxr or cbr.
i thought the hyosung handled well until i took the zxr over the same road afterwards. The zxr drops in like nothing else I’ve ever ridden – every time i ride another bike i always get back on mine and think...man this is awesome - would be much more suitable for your carpark shenanigans.

**Pathos** · 26th February 2007, 23:04

Originally Posted by rookie

get a zxr or cbr.
i thought the hyosung handled well until i took the zxr over the same road afterwards. The zxr drops in like nothing else I’ve ever ridden – every time i ride another bike i always get back on mine and think...man this is awesome - would be much more suitable for your carpark shenanigans.

I know but I just can't be bothered spending 4+ grand on a 20 year old bike. If something needs replacing on a hyosung I take it in and the warranty will mean I won't pay a cent and the parts will be easily available.

only other options is to ride something outside my license conditions without insurance which I don't like the idea of.

**skelstar** · 27th February 2007, 08:02

Be aware that the Hyosung warranty is only 12months or 10,000kms. Bit short IMHO.

Those conditions may have changed of course.

**Pathos** · 27th February 2007, 17:38

Originally Posted by skelstar

Be aware that the Hyosung warranty is only 12months or 10,000kms. Bit short IMHO.

Those conditions may have changed of course.

yeah but a acquaintance was still able to get a full cash refund via the consumers guarantee act after the warranty lapsed. Companies wish they could make the rules.

I'm jealous of the EU as they have brought in some major minimum warranty periods for all products be imported.

**rookie** · 27th February 2007, 21:25

Originally Posted by Pathos

I know but I just can't be bothered spending 4+ grand on a 20 year old bike. If something needs replacing on a hyosung I take it in and the warranty will mean I won't pay a cent and the parts will be easily available.

only other options is to ride something outside my license conditions without insurance which I don't like the idea of.

good call.

**Pancakes** · 10th March 2007, 15:59

Some of the speeds here might just be a bit on the hopeful side and alot of the comments are one eyed, from the for and against camps! I got mine because I could buy it brand new. You don't know the history of a 2nd hand bike and I didn't want to spend time in the garage to fix something that is primarily a commuter.

Brakes are weaker than most bikes I've ridden. Have just gone to scintered pads which feels a bit better but next step is braided lines so we'll find the weak point sooner or later.

The tyres, I'm sure they're not the best in the world or the bikes would cost a few g's more but thats not the point (someones going to chime in with the old tyres are the most important blah blah) bikes are made by companies who want to sell them not safety freaks who are giving them away. I think they are suitable for the bikes characteristics and most riders would struggle to find the limits of the Shinko's due to their own skill levels (people who are used to pushing the limits or are after tons of grunt aren't going to buy one of these, also soft compounds and commuting will see your rubber gone in the middle quick as so in greasy lane splitting scenarios there will be a big bald soft slab of rubber ready for a slide). That said, once they're worn out, looking for the best quality tyre you can afford that suits your usage and style will never be a bad move.

I've had mine to 150 and don't think revving the engine much harder would be a good idea but if a blown block is worth the bragging rights of posting up a higher number in an internet forum please take some pictures too!

The only thing that I think is a weak point on these [U]given the price compared to other bikes[U] is the 'box. It has a long ish throw and the gears must be cut on a fairly high angle as mine has "popped out" of gear a few times.

I'd be really interested in hearing what mods people have done to there or seeing some pics of the exhausts etc some have posted about.