GT250R vs VTR250

[carver]

i had the oppertunity to ride a 06 hyosung GT 250 R in the weekend.
a popular beginners bike, with reasonaly attractive styling.
so what did i think?
im comparing it to the VTR 250 when i say this..
shit

yea, this bike just aint smooth, and there is no power peak anywhere, its just gutless..
compared to my old GT 250 however, the gearbox seemed to be a bit smoother.
The handling offers no feedback, and very little feel.
the riding position was ok...not the best though.
the owner claimed it would smoke a VTR through the twisties..yea right!
the VTR has a sweet surge of power in the top of the rev range, and is faster in a 1/4 mile drag (yeah, we tested them 1 and 2 up)
it is much more reassuring to ride too, and easier to ride hard.
its much smoother and comfortable, it just feels much more refined!

so if it was my dollars-VTR, no question

[MVnut]

VTR wins no contest

[HungusMaximist]

Yep, VTR all the way.......

[marioc]

Yep but wheres the friggin rev counter honda?

[carver]

Yep but wheres the friggin rev counter honda?

on the dash beside the speedo..on the 07+

[breakaway]

I've ridden the 2005, and it was pretty smooth, but felt slow as balls and gutless. Perhaps this was because I was used to the awesome power band of my RG150.

[MattyP]

I've ridden the 2005, and it was pretty smooth, but felt slow as balls and gutless. Perhaps this was because I was used to the awesome power band of my RG150.

Hi Breakaway, was it a 2005 Hyo or VTR that was pretty smooth? My car has just sold, and I was set on a new GT250R, but there seems to be a definite bias of opinion towards the VTR being superior (which I could also live with).

So far, I've narrowed the short-list to:

GT250R
VTR250
Hornet 250

The other 250 race reps are a bit of a squeeze for me.

Cheers,
M

[HenryDorsetCase]

Hi Breakaway, was it a 2005 Hyo or VTR that was pretty smooth? My car has just sold, and I was set on a new GT250R, but there seems to be a definite bias of opinion towards the VTR being superior (which I could also live with).

So far, I've narrowed the short-list to:

GT250R
VTR250
Hornet 250

The other 250 race reps are a bit of a squeeze for me.

Cheers,
M

My pick of those would be the VTR: they look good, no fairing to munch up when you drop it (which, being a learner is likely to happen, forgive me for saying). I have a 900 Hornet which I really like (especially now it has a decent shock and proper fork springs) but do you really need 4 cylinders with attendant maintenance costs: 4 sparkplugs vs 2, more time by the mechanic etc.

Ive never ridden a Hyosung, but my interweb readings suggest some issues (do a trawl thru KB): having said that, its like a restaurant review: people tell more people when they have a bad experience than when they have a good one.

Ride all three, do a deal with the one you like best.

Oh, and get goood gear including a back protector, and wear it every time.

Sorry if I sound like your Dad.

[limbimtimwim]

The Hyosung is pretty dire compared to the VTR. Yes I've ridden both.

[Coyote]

I had a blast on a 1998 VTR250 last Thursday. It was great fun. Smooth, suspension was plush, it was decently quick, comfy seating position. I haven't ridden a Hyosung 250 to compare though (though the 650 I rode was pretty cool).

However it didn't feel any different to hXc's Spada. Only difference I noticed was in appearance (cast frame vs tube frame). I would look into one of them if I was in the market (kinda am, girlfriend is looking for a bike).

[Templar]

I haven't ridden the hyosung but 100% agree that the VTR is a great bike to ride

[MattyP]

Thanks to all who responded. I've got my all my gear ready to go (armoured pants, jacket etc). I did this before I started looking at bikes, so my return to biking wouldn't be an "if", it would be a "when"

The GT250R caught me with it's looks, size, price, and standard features (USD forks & double rotors). What didn't impress was the painted steel frame, oil cooling, and relatively low power output.

I like the look of the VTR, even though I wasn't a huge fan of naked bikes. Could you put clip-ons on a VTR? Give it a more sporty feel?

The guy who bought my car has just faxed through the finance papers, so it looks like I'll be shopping next weekend. Can't wait!

[Pancakes]

Thanks to all who responded. I've got my all my gear ready to go (armoured pants, jacket etc). I did this before I started looking at bikes, so my return to biking wouldn't be an "if", it would be a "when"

The GT250R caught me with it's looks, size, price, and standard features (USD forks & double rotors). What didn't impress was the painted steel frame, oil cooling, and relatively low power output.

I like the look of the VTR, even though I wasn't a huge fan of naked bikes. Could you put clip-ons on a VTR? Give it a more sporty feel?

The guy who bought my car has just faxed through the finance papers, so it looks like I'll be shopping next weekend. Can't wait!

IF you do look at the Hyosungs they are low power but have a good spread right off idle to make up for it. They aren't light but do handle ok, I like the naked one way better cos the sitting position suits the motor more, I think a sport position suits a motor with a more revvy nature. It's always gonna be a compromise $$'s for what your getting. Older bikes that cost the same as a Hyo' can be wicked or a real lemon. Personal preferance really. I like the look of the VTR's better with the latticework frame and they are a bit lighter too but I have no problems flicking mine around. If you get a naked one I have found that some aftermarket bars to move your weight forward a bit lightens the bike up heaps. I'm not gentle on my motor and haven't had any problems. It sits right at the top of 4th lots and gets a good hiding to keep up with the bigger bikes on rides. I use average oil. The cheaper oil, Yamalube brand and do a change every 2500k's, filter every 5000k's cos I get two and a bit fills for each bottle of oil. Get it checked every 10,000k's. Valve clearances etc and it's always been sweet. Really predictable ride. I have ridden lots of other bikes. GN's, PX200's, CBR250rr, NC(RC?)30's, RGVr250, Hornet 900's, 900 Fireblade (the old ones), VTR 250 and thou and if you pay more you can get better bikes but when it came to spend my own money (now I've got a family and toys aren't the priority) a naked Hyo won. Don't think they won't be fun cos mine is plenty of giggles! Hope you enjoy whatever you decide on.

[breakaway]

MattyP - I was talking about the hyosung. Like Pancakes stated - the hyosung pulls right from idle, where I had to wind up my RG150 to at least 80% of redline to get it to really move.

I'd still pick the VTR though.

[carver]

MattyP - I was talking about the hyosung. Like Pancakes stated - the hyosung pulls right from idle, where I had to wind up my RG150 to at least 80% of redline to get it to really move.

I'd still pick the VTR though.

ok n00bs, its official

in a drag thats about 700-1 k long, the VTR wins...it takes off faster than the GTR.
it feels more powerful and handles better.
why would you get a hyosung?