Decisions, decisions?

**Trouss** · 20th December 2007, 10:56

So I can't decide between two different cruisers that I want to get.
1: 2007 Suzuki VL250 Intruder
2: 2007 Hyosung GV250

Have been for a test on both and just can't figure it out. I think I need the opinions from the respected voices of the KB 250 Club before I can decide.

Also would value some input from people that already own one of these two.

Cheers in advance. . .

**vifferman** · 20th December 2007, 11:03

Although I don't know anything about...well, anything really

I would go for the Suzuki. If it's that close that your trouserometer can't indicate which one is THE one, then go for the established brand.

**Blue Velvet** · 20th December 2007, 11:10

Originally Posted by vifferman

I would go for the Suzuki

Same. At advanced course I attended, a guy had the Hyobag 250 and it performed badly at everything. But he was a big fat bastard and really should've sought dispensation for a bigger bike.

Emergency braking = emergency skidding on the Hyobag, and the chrome exhaust looked very rough at the end of the day having almost permanently scraped the ground.

**blue eyed savage** · 20th December 2007, 12:26

2007 Suzuki VL250 Intruder is all good from what i hear
i had a keeway 250 and it was crap.
stick with good brands

**EnzoYug** · 22nd December 2007, 15:14

you get what you pay for.
I own a hyo but if money is no object - get the su-zu.

Hyo- cheap parts (decent design) = cheap bike
Suz- good parts, (good design) AND 'the badge' = costly bike

remember - the more established the brand the more you pay. that's why levi's cost 100's - but only take $40 of material to make.

**Pancakes** · 22nd December 2007, 16:06

Originally Posted by vifferman

Although I don't know anything about...well, anything really

I would go for the Suzuki. If it's that close that your trouserometer can't indicate which one is THE one, then go for the established brand.

Agree with that too. Sounds like they're both in your price range and I'm sure the Suzi' has more power than the Hyo 250 block.

Originally Posted by Blue Velvet

Same. At advanced course I attended, a guy had the Hyobag 250 and it performed badly at everything. But he was a big fat bastard and really should've sought dispensation for a bigger bike.

Emergency braking = emergency skidding on the Hyobag, and the chrome exhaust looked very rough at the end of the day having almost permanently scraped the ground.

I haven't been on one but skidding (the rear) means it has enough power to lock the rear so it was rider error overbraking? Not a point to knock the bike for, scraping pipes and general poor handling (Trouss has been on both and says he can't tell the difference) would be concerns.

Originally Posted by EnzoYug

you get what you pay for.
I own a hyo but if money is no object - get the su-zu.

Hyo- cheap parts (decent design) = cheap bike
Suz- good parts, (good design) AND 'the badge' = costly bike

remember - the more established the brand the more you pay. that's why levi's cost 100's - but only take $40 of material to make.

Agree, they are built to a budget and you get alot for your not much money and normally a new bike for the same price as a "Brand Name" used one but power is down. That said Mine has just had it's 3rd full service and nothing needed adjusting! Easy to live with cheap to maintain motors.

Trouss, if you can't tell the difference between the two do some more testing! Longer rides or more vairied roads? Also do things you will when it's yours but you might not on a test ride. Try to 3 point turn it somewhere tricky to park or filter up at the lights, see what is easier for you to ride then?

**James Deuce** · 22nd December 2007, 16:21

You guys crack me up.

The Hyosungs are better built and built to less of a price the the Suzukis.

IMO the Suzukis look better, but I don't give that chromed plastic and those non-plated fasteners and bolts much chance of anything like a long life.

There average Hyosung will kick any small capacity Suzuki or Yamaha right in the 'nads in terms of build quality. What you guys are seeing as cheap is a different design philosophy which isn't quite in step with current market practices.

Look further than the badge. Thailand and China are comparative newcomers in the bike market. Korea, through Hyosung, have been building components and whole bikes for 30 years (1st Gen SV650 anyone?).

**shafty** · 22nd December 2007, 19:01

No brainer - Suzuki - for resale etc etc

**Trouss** · 23rd December 2007, 15:57

Thanks for the feedback folks,

Originally Posted by Pancakes

Trouss, if you can't tell the difference between the two do some more testing! Longer rides or more vairied roads? Also do things you will when it's yours but you might not on a test ride. Try to 3 point turn it somewhere tricky to park or filter up at the lights, see what is easier for you to ride then?

I will definatly be taking them both out for another blat before I make a choice.

Both are good bikes, and both have pros and cons.
The GV pillion seat is right in the small of my back and the foot levers are quite close to the pegs.
The VL has no tachometer, wheels are smaller and yeah the plastic.

I must say though I am leaning toward the VL, (sex on wheels after having a little think about the difference in feel between the two), especially after finding a 2008 model for the same price as the 07. Trying that one on for size tommorrow.

**FilthyLuka** · 23rd December 2007, 16:03

Originally Posted by Jim2

The Hyosungs are better built and built to less of a price the the Suzukis.

i have yet to hear of suzuki brake callipers falling of mid ride...

Havent had any problems with engine cut outs due to dodgy electrical system either, neither have 3 of my friends on gn250's and 2 on VL250's

No problem with pipes scraping the ground

no problem with rough chrome (on the vl's at least)

no problem with tacho's or speedometers

Hysosung build quality != Suzuki build quality

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung

admittely all the above faults are with gt250(r) so the gv might not be as shocking

**Pancakes** · 23rd December 2007, 18:10

Originally Posted by FilthyLuka

i have yet to hear of suzuki brake callipers falling of mid ride...

Havent had any problems with engine cut outs due to dodgy electrical system either, neither have 3 of my friends on gn250's and 2 on VL250's

No problem with pipes scraping the ground

no problem with rough chrome (on the vl's at least)

no problem with tacho's or speedometers

Hysosung build quality != Suzuki build quality

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=hyosung

admittely all the above faults are with gt250(r) so the gv might not be as shocking

If the mechanic doesn't do the bolts up on the caliper of any bike it'll fall off. The badge has little to do with this. What were the key words you used for that search and did you also run it with Suzuki in place of Hyosung?

There are weak points with the Hyo's but in the name of fainess to this guy who has asked for comments on both more valid points would probably help him. There is also the fact that in terms of being cheap and user friendly the Hyo's are sold primarily to people who haven't had a bike before so have less mechanical knowledge with bikes and may not have a bike storage place out of the weather etc like a bike owner of many years would.

As for super fat man making the pipes scrape. Lots of weight will do that and the bike is made in that style (cruiser with low straight pipes) cos people want to but that style, not cos it's a good place for them. The guy who gets a race rep' for the look and stop-starts up Ponsnobby Rd will get sore wrists too. It's the riders problem not the bikes.

**99TLS** · 23rd December 2007, 18:53

you can buy my TLS for the same price you are looking to spend

**2strokegirl** · 24th December 2007, 07:48

what about the yamaha virago??

hmmm id say go the hyosung. they look bigger and better.

**sprag** · 24th December 2007, 17:32

Originally Posted by Trouss

So I can't decide between two different cruisers that I want to get.
1: 2007 Suzuki VL250 Intruder
2: 2007 Hyosung GV250

Have been for a test on both and just can't figure it out. I think I need the opinions from the respected voices of the KB 250 Club before I can decide.

Also would value some input from people that already own one of these two.

Cheers in advance. . .

I do like how the hyosung looks however