Why I like my Hyosung

[disenfranchised]

I haven't ridden a lot of bikes...and my aim here isn't to compare max HP etc...I just had an opportunity to ride my partners ZZR the other day, and noticed a few differences.

With the ZZR being essentially the older equivalent of the GPX now...some of these comparisons may be valid for the newer Kwaka's too...but that's not my place to say, having not riden them.

So what did I notice?

First thing was size...which is pretty obvious really. I'm 6'3" and while I fit fine on the ZZR, it just felt too low..and a bit small. I much preferred the feeling of sitting on my Hyo.

Second was the positio of the bars. Maybe not quite a fair comparrison as I have the naked GT250. In any case the ZZR bars angled back towards me too much. They are semi riser clipons bolted onto the top of the triple clamp...so not adjustable either...I prefer the more straight across nature of the upright bars on my hyo...and while I'm thinking of changing to clipons, they would have to be adjustable ones, so that I can position them straight across in the same way.

Then the revs when power is delivered. on the ZZR everything seemed to happen 2k revs further up the range. My hyo pulls ok from 3,000, kicks in a bit from 5,000 and really takes off (for a n00b on a 250) from 7,000...with the redline at 10,500. The ZZR had no pull at all below 5,000, kicked off at 7,000 and really took off at 9,000...with the redline at 13,000.
I know it's just what I'm used to, but I like having power lower down...I mostly ride round suburbs, commuting etc...and it just makes life easy.

Then the Gear ratios...people say how the hyosung first gear is too "tall" meaning you have to change up too early. The ZZR may as well not have had a first gear at all. it seemed like I was changing up as soon as I got rolling.
The higher up ratios seemed quite close together too...as I seemed to get not much engine breaking by changing down a gear...having to drop 2 to notice much effect.

The sound...again just my preference...but a slow thumping rumble, compared to a faster, high pitched scream....can't really imagine having an even higher reving 4cyl..would sound horrible.

Saying all this I did like a few things about the ZZR better.

The ride comfort...softer shocks? something like that, but the bike seemed to jar less on cats eyes, and dips etc...

The cornering....I think a combination of it being smaller/lower giving it a lower centre of gravity, plus better tyres (Bridgestone Battleaxe 45 or something...vs the stock Shinko's)...and probably the shocks too...it just felt a lot smoother round corners...held the line nicely, and felt really stable
On my Hyo it feels like my line changes through the corner a bit...which doesn't feel as stable, but might have some benefits for emergency maneuvering etc..

So there are my opinions...after riding another bike, I'm still glad I got my Hyosung. It just fits me better.

[Gubb]

Cool write up, don't listen to the haters.

Everyone needs to ride what suits them, for me, there was a multitude of things that I preferred on the Hyo, then the other 15 bikes I test rode when looking to buy.

[CookMySock]

Then the Gear ratios...people say how the hyosung first gear is too "tall" meaning you have to change up too early. The ZZR may as well not have had a first gear at all. it seemed like I was changing up as soon as I got rolling.

Going from the 250 to the 650 - the gear ratios are dramatically different. 1st gear on the 650 and you are off at a fair jog, unlike the 250's walk.

[...]softer shocks? something like that, but the bike seemed to jar less on cats eyes, and dips etc... [snip, trim] ..it [the ZZR] just felt a lot smoother round corners

Try lowering your tyre pressures a bit.

...[the ZZR] held the line nicely, and felt really stable. On my Hyo it feels like my line changes through the corner a bit...which doesn't feel as stable, but might have some benefits for emergency maneuvering etc..

I wondered about this. My GT650R feels downright unstable sometimes when I first get on it, and I have my little weave around - but its just me - once I settle down a bit I am fine.. its like the front steering angle is way back, making the bars super-sensitive. Does this sound right ? I am sure it would be less twitchy if the rake angle or something was greater (or less?).. not an expert on bike steering, but this is just part of the bikes' character. I like it.

Thanks for your write up. I like my 650R because of its styling, its twitchy steering, steep learning curve, vtwin thunderclap sounds, and it was only 6 grand.



DB

[Brett]

That sketchy feeling mid corner is most likely the rear shock.

[fizbin]

yeah i almost bought one of these for my first bike. am hoping i didn't make the wrong decision

[Radar]

Good review, and I notice similar things about my Hyo. 1st gear seems OK to me and it especially felt good when I had to take off from stopping on a steep uphill. The rear shock does feel too stiff and I have heard others say this. The shock is adjustable but it looks like the battery has to be removed to change it and I am not sure if a special tool is needed.

I'm up in Auckland at the moment. Went to Mt Eden MC's and was told sometime this year Hyosung is coming out with brand new models, including a larger engine - maybe a 900 or 1000, it is not certain.

Hey DB, I've heard good things about the Hyo 650. Seems to have plenty of power. I've talked to two people who have ridden the Aquila 650 cruiser and they said it was a really good ride, surprisingly so, also with lots of power.

[BadCompany]

A couple of things..

Then the revs when power is delivered. on the ZZR everything seemed to happen 2k revs further up the range. My hyo pulls ok from 3,000, kicks in a bit from 5,000 and really takes off (for a n00b on a 250) from 7,000...with the redline at 10,500. The ZZR had no pull at all below 5,000, kicked off at 7,000 and really took off at 9,000...with the redline at 13,000.
I know it's just what I'm used to, but I like having power lower down...I mostly ride round suburbs, commuting etc...and it just makes life easy.

Its scaled (sort of? maybe the wrong choice in words), obviously the bike with the higher redline will kick in later on in the revs then the bike with the lower redline.

Then the Gear ratios...people say how the hyosung first gear is too "tall" meaning you have to change up too early. The ZZR may as well not have had a first gear at all. it seemed like I was changing up as soon as I got rolling.
The higher up ratios seemed quite close together too...as I seemed to get not much engine breaking by changing down a gear...having to drop 2 to notice much effect.

You got that back to front mate. When you're tall, you have long legs, and take less strides then with someone with short legs. If you have a tall first gear it means you can do a higher speed in that tall gear then you can with a short gear.

But in saying that, if some bastard in a car goes so slow they cause me to go into first gear, I'm not a happy man. First gear sucks, it lacks power and as you said you nearly change up as you start rolling..if you're a sensible rider :P

The sound...again just my preference...but a slow thumping rumble, compared to a faster, high pitched scream....can't really imagine having an even higher reving 4cyl..would sound horrible.

I sort of agree with this, I rather the sound of a 250 2 cylinder to a 4 cylinder.

Do they even make any 2 cylinder super sport bikes?



-Bad

[CookMySock]

Hey DB, I've heard good things about the Hyo 650. Seems to have plenty of power. I've talked to two people who have ridden the Aquila 650 cruiser and they said it was a really good ride, surprisingly so, also with lots of power.

Yes, I have a lot of fun on it.. reminiscent of a large four-stroke dirtbike, but more!! brrrrAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPP!!! woot!!

Down two gears and pull out and pass stuff.. 170 clicks before ur back in top gear. It's not a litre bike, but its not a litre price either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIHvX6WgVI4

DB

[CookMySock]

That sketchy feeling mid corner is most likely the rear shock.

put the rear shock on its softest setting.

DB

[RantyDave]

Do they even make any 2 cylinder super sport bikes?

Oh hell yes. Aprilia? Ducati?

Dave

[The Pastor]

hyos are a waste of money, get a cbr or zxr

[rphenix]

hyos are a waste of money, get a cbr or zxr

In the 250 market, a 14 year old CBR costs about the same as a brand new Hyo so whats a waste of money a bike that might crap out on you after a decade of thrashing or a bike thats got a dealer warranty for your first year!

e.g this 20 year old CBR has an asking price the same as a new naked GT250.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-141539616.htm


Now once your out of the 250cc market and can get a 400 or 650 then I would start considering the CBR.

[Iain]

hyos are a waste of money, get a cbr or zxr

Hey RM,

Not really a 'waste' of money if they don't cost that much or involve time spent on the weekend fixing and correcting things that arent under warranty.

If you've got the money to purchase a new bike to see you through your learners then I dont see why you wouldnt. Most buy a 250cc bike to fulfill the licensing requirements. Power or top speed shouldnt really matter if you are learning to ride a bike - but I guess if its there you will use it

Most of us will upgrade our 250s when we get our full - although it seems alot of people like to keep the 250 for commuting - and the Hyo does a good job at that with its available low end.

Im sending mine for a before and after dyno now that Ive got the Screaming Demon. Re-jetting after some airbox mods and the AIS kit. Will post the results.

Still cant decide between the 2007-08 R6 and CBR600rr. Get my full in August CBR looks good on paper, but the R6 just looks farkin good! Test ride!

Iain

[Iain]

hyos are a waste of money, get a cbr or zxr

oh... I missed this on my previous post...

Is any bike a waste of money? Its a bike, Im riding it, Its fun, I save $ on gas, Its fun, mine is black, and its fun!

Iain

[disenfranchised]

hyos are a waste of money, get a cbr or zxr

How about no!!!

You kinda missed the point didn't you.
Everything I didn't like about the ZZR would be even worse on a CBR...they're even smaller, the engine would be even revvier (if that's a word), the noise would be all high pitched and whiney.