Harley vs Hyosong

[Tank]

This is a bit of a strange one. Since getting my learners about 6 weeks back I have been riding whenever and where ever I can. I'm loving it. I keep raving about it to anyone who want (or even dosnt want) to listen.

Now whilst this annoys 'she who must be obeyed' it has seriously depressed my neighbour who used to ride bikes in the UK.

To this end he managed to get his wife to sign off on him buying a bike. He was looking to spend 10-14k. He is now a happy man.

He loved the styling of the hyosong 650 bike that looks like a Harley V-rod (sorry cannot remember the name). We went to Red Baron bikes and they would not allow him a test ride unless he signed a contract subject to a successful test-ride. (Are they serious ) - this actually made us walk out of the shop (and he had the $$$ ready to pay - he wanted to buy a bike that day!!!!).

On the way back we decided to pop into the Triumph dealer (for me 'coz I love 'em) on Kyber pass. They are also the Harley dealer. So we started talking about the 883. Test ride? "Not a problem - here is a new helmet and jacket - go for your life".

Now hes confused - he loved the Hyosung but now hes feeling pulled to spend more $$$ for the 883 - because at least he knows he will get customer service.

I know that they are very different bikes - has anyone here ridden both who would be happy to offer an opinion?

Has anyone ridden the 650 Hyosong - again any info would help.

Oh - and if anyone from Red Baron is reading this - please remember that people NEED to test ride bikes and are uncomfortable about this. You may want to revisit this policy.

[carbacca]

there are other hyosung dealers out there, mt eden MC, JFJ in otahuhu, east city MC in east tamaki although they may not even have a GV250 in the showroom since i dont think they sell that many.

either way have a look around, you got options as long as they arent the only outfit in town.

[xwhatsit]

...although they may not even have a GV250 in the showroom since i dont think they sell that many.

It's the GV650 he's talking about (the so-called V-Rod lookalike). Probably even rarer.

Red Baron don't seem to be winning the war of community affection with many of their strategies, do they? I can't see that contract holding much water, but it's just the sheer arseholishness to require one.

[carbacca]

oops yeah i mean GV650 :P too used to refer to hyosungs as 250s cos thats the most commone ones around

[Mental Trousers]

Find another store that will let him test ride a GV650. If you can't find another store with a bike in Auckland do what many of the Harley/Ducati crowd do and ring one of the stores in Hamilton. But don't put up with any sort of bad service from a store, it's a really tough business to be in and if they're not treating customers correctly then they're not going to sell bikes.

[Angusdog]

I'm not sure why he's tossing up between the two. Without wanting to slag of Hyosungs too much, especially as I haven't ridden one, the Hyosung will be worth 50% in a year's time, the 883 will be worth a lot more and depreciate less over time - by a considerable margin. The hog is genuine, the Hysoung is the "great pretender". By buying the hog, he'd be buying into the biking culture, for better or worse.

Me, I ride a Suzuki M50 although I came very close to buying a new 883. In some ways, the whole Harley culture put me off a little and the M50 is a very sweet ride - I bought it for me, not to meet other people's expectations. Perhaps your friend needs to look at a few more options - like the M50, the Vulcan 900 and so on. Within his budget, choice of dealers and so on. In fact, to be quite frank, the styling of the Hyosung is a little odd. Like they copied the V-Rod as best they could and changed it just enough to confuse people, or maybe it looks like it's trying too hard. Personally, I think he'd get more satisfaction elsewhere.

[The Lone Rider]

I read a positive review on the GV650, in Kiwi Rider or something, and it's only real negatives is that you might want different suspension, and that the price does reflect what you get even though it's a good price for what you get (if that makes any sense).

And that it's a Hyosung, as some people consider that fact alone to be worth not bothering.

[pritch]

BIKE magazine gave the Hyosung a surprisingly good review (they are usually heavily biased in favour of sprotbikes). They rated it the best of the smaller cruisers. I can't remember exactly how they defined that category.

So the Hyosung should be a good bike but faced with this choice though I'd go for the Harley.

[JimO]

only girls and mexicans ride sportsters

[scumdog]

only girls and mexicans ride sportsters

Only people with small wizzers say that.

But I have a Mexican moustache.

[avgas]

What was the 883 worth?
I'm a big fan of the gv650, and having ridden one i would fork out the $10K or whatever it was for one. I wouldn't mind the 883 but last time i checked the 883 was a crapload more expensive.
In terms of looks i still prefer the GV650, even if it isnt all chrome.
Does he specifically want a twin, has he considered the Buel Blast? I rode one of them - and they are the best bang for buck.

[07fatboy]

Don't no what its worth there but for 14k you'll pick up a good used 06-07 883 sporty with transferable factory warranty here...I now which one i would go

[Big Dave]

A Sportstser is a cool, feel good, easy to maintain, reliable bike that can come with as much associated 'lifestyle' as you want it to come with.

The Hyosung is a nice enough bike.

[The Lone Rider]

BIKE magazine gave the Hyosung a surprisingly good review (they are usually heavily biased in favour of sprotbikes). They rated it the best of the smaller cruisers. I can't remember exactly how they defined that category.

That might have been the review I read. I remember them writing the review out as if they were comparing it to how a sports bike moves.

[Shadows]

only girls and mexicans ride sportsters

Pienso que tengo una poca sangre española - usted está quizá correcto!