HYOSUNG ?

[justas696661]

Hi all :)

still thinking to buy hyosung gt650cc 2007, and first of all - it sound like a china crap but looks like it's Korean, What u think about this bike ??? V form engine 650cc sound great but there is not that much Kw like others 650cc

that's me (test ride)

[boatdetective]

Probably the wrong place to ask your question.

Personally, with all the phenomenal new product from most manufacturers at very competititve pricing, I don't know why anyone would roll the dice with something from China. If I wouldn't trust their QC with kids toys and pharmaceuticals, I certainly wouldn't bet my neck on a motorcycle. Sorry if this inflames the "China only produces crap because greedy, evil Western companies demand that they do" debate - but you asked for opinions. 

Call me a snob, but just having to tell people I ride a Hyosung, then repeat the name, then spell the name, then tell people it's built in PRC, then tell them that it's actually a lot of bike for the money ad infinatum would drive me nuts.

Seems like the legit Japanese firms have plenty of compelling product at the lower end of the spectrum (yes- and they are made in Thailand. No- I don't have any issue with Thai production lines). 

[segesta]

I'd buy a three year old used Japanese bike--and the related dealer networks and parts availability--rather than a brand new Hyosung.

[stephenm]

Hyosung bikes are made in South Korea.
Originally, Hyosung produced Suzuki engines under licence for the Korean market.
Since the 1980s, they have produced their own designs.
China is not involved.

Stephen

[redrider]

Hyosung from Korea was the frame maker for Suzuki when square tube frames were da bomb. The similarities with the VStrom show the bloodline. One of our training sites used the 250's briefly. Brake pads falling apart and no factory/dealer support. Ride it for what it is-disposable, like a Bic lighter.

[Lannis]

Hyosung from Korea was the frame maker for Suzuki when square tube frames were da bomb. The similarities with the VStrom show the bloodline. One of our training sites used the 250's briefly. Brake pads falling apart and no factory/dealer support. Ride it for what it is-disposable, like a Bic lighter.

I probably wouldn't buy one.   Our Honda dealer has VERY nice Hondas and Suzukis in all configurations for not much money.

I guess us of the generation that went through buying the original Japanese products (not motorcycles, but everything else) made out of GI beer cans and bomb casing scrap that had "Made in Japan" be a synonym for "Junk", and who see so much "Made in China" junk today, and who will probably see "Made in Borneo" go through the same thing, would rather not take a chance on the highways on something like this.   The extra money for a Suzuki of the same size and configuration really isn't that much.

Lannis

[Vagrant]

It's like going to a steak house for a medium rare rib eye and having the waitress bring you tofu.

[bpreynolds]

I asked myself to answer this question and 2 people responded.   ???

First respondent:  Brian 12 years ago and getting his first ever street bike.  This Brian is 31 but hasn't ridden a motorcycle since he was 18 when rode dirt/motocross bikes from about the age of 8 to 18.  He knows absolutely nothing of branding, bike snobbery, nor dangers of lack of parts, etc., etc.   In some ways, this Brian "might" be a better respondent here.  
"Hyosung is made in Korea.  This GV250 is nicer than the other cruisers of the same size and actually looks like a real motorcycle.  Sharp too.  It's like $1500 less than the others as well.  I'm just buying this thing for transport only.  Better brakes and handling than a scooter.  I'm getting it"  

Second respondent:  Boring me now who has probably logged about 100k miles on bikes and owned about 10 or more motorcycles since.
"No.  And for the reasons mentioned."

For the record, I bought that brand new 250, drove it about 2500 very pleasing miles and it proved more reliable than many a more expensive motorcycle I owned afterwards.  Sold it to a guy who bought it for his wife - only lost about $500 off the very marked down sticker price I paid.  Would I do it again now having all my bike "knowledge" per se?  No.  Does the product substantiate such aversion?  Probably not.  I have not heard many horror stories with Hyosung and have certainly experienced far worse with many more reputable brands.  

[boatdetective]

PArdon my ignorance of this bike's lineage. Sounds like the same story with Sim, the Taiwanese manufacturer who has made the Honda Cub under license for decades. The Sim scooters are supposed to be very nice.  In this case, it seems like another firm just trying to run its own show. Who knows, they might become the next Samsung. I think the comment about dealer support might be my only hesitation in that case.

[Caffeineo]

Guzzi riders consider dealer support in their choice of bike  ??? So I guess the limited MG dealers is the limit.....any less and it is a problem.  ;D JK......kind of odd to hear "limited dealer support" as a factor in choosing a bike here.

[jetmechmarty]

I've been to Korea quite a few times.  Almost every motorcycle I ever saw close enough to identify was a Hyosung.  Many of them are working motorcycles.  FWIW, Koreans are riding plenty of them.

[rocker59]

Seems like an SV650 would be a better purchase, if that's the kind of bike you wanted...

[bpreynolds]

Guzzi riders consider dealer support in their choice of bike  ??? So I guess the limited MG dealers is the limit.....any less and it is a problem.  ;D JK......kind of odd to hear "limited dealer support" as a factor in choosing a bike here.

I see dealer support as a central issue "because" I own a Guzzi.  Have I experienced parts delays?  Check.  Have I hauled a Guzzi over 250 miles for warranty work on multiple occasions.  Check.  Do I want yet another bike in my garage that is not a Guzzi that might entail these things?  Che...no.   :BEER:

[Lannis]

I've been to Korea quite a few times.  Almost every motorcycle I ever saw close enough to identify was a Hyosung.  Many of them are working motorcycles.  FWIW, Koreans are riding plenty of them.

Kind of hard to go by what folks in a completely different culture might be satisfied with, compared to what you or I might consider "satisfactory" performance, longevity, etc in the USA ... Not saying better or worse, mind you, just different.


Lannis

[jas67]

Seems like an SV650 would be a better purchase, if that's the kind of bike you wanted...

 :+1

[canuguzzi]

Most of the negative things you hear have been said about Hyundai too but you see them all over the place and so far, I've seen more of everything else stuck along the road than Hyundais.

Out here I see a lot of Hyosung bikes. When it comes to dealer support, surely that can't be too much of a problem, this is a Guzzi forum ;D

It isn't like Kawasaki Ninja engines aren't being replaced so much that they are called expendable items eh?

[rboe]

Our Guzzi dealer in Prescott sells them, his parts guy races them and does pretty good. Think of it as a Korean Suzuki. If the bike fits you and your needs, go for it.

[Arizona Wayne]

I've been riding MCs for over 50 years and the 1 Suzuki twin I bought new has been the most trouble free bike I've ever owned.  ;-T  Most my other bikes have been Guzzi or Yamaha twins.

[lorazepam]

In response to Pharmaceuticals, No antibiotics are made in the USA any longer. They are made in China or India. More and more things are being offshored in this country and someday it will come back to bite us.
I spent a lot of time in Korea, and those bikes are pretty dang durable. Koreans are not noted for keeping up on maintenance, and their bikes do take a beating.

[Vasco DG]

The Hyosong 650's are basically an SV650. They are quite popular out here and are virtually trouble free as far as I can make out.

As far as their durability is concerned our local dealer told me a tale a few years ago now about a young Asian kid who had come here to do a big tour, I can't remember where he was from? Either Japan or Korea I'd expect. Anyway he'd never ridden a 'Manual' motorbike before, only twist and go scooters. He bought a Hyosong 650 and rode it across the Nullabor from Perth not realizing it had more than one gear! He apparently stuck it in first and then rode it at the limiter/valve bounce for 2,000 miles! It finally dropped a valve just outside Queanbeyan and was towed to the local shop where warranty was honoured and he got a whole new motor! I have no reason to doubt the veracity of this tale as the shop owner in question is perfectly honest and had nothing to gain by spinning me a line. He lives in Bungendore, I've known him for twenty five years or more. Apparently after they'd slotted the new motor in they took the young lad out and showed him the other five gears. He was mightily impressed! :D

Pete

[drums4money]

A billion Hyo scooters in Taipei can't be wrong.  Those & Kymco's!

[canuguzzi]

The Hyosong 650's are basically an SV650. They are quite popular out here and are virtually trouble free as far as I can make out.

As far as their durability is concerned our local dealer told me a tale a few years ago now about a young Asian kid who had come here to do a big tour, I can't remember where he was from? Either Japan or Korea I'd expect. Anyway he'd never ridden a 'Manual' motorbike before, only twist and go scooters. He bought a Hyosong 650 and rode it across the Nullabor from Perth not realizing it had more than one gear! He apparently stuck it in first and then rode it at the limiter/valve bounce for 2,000 miles! It finally dropped a valve just outside Queanbeyan and was towed to the local shop where warranty was honoured and he got a whole new motor! I have no reason to doubt the veracity of this tale as the shop owner in question is perfectly honest and had nothing to gain by spinning me a line. He lives in Bungendore, I've known him for twenty five years or more. Apparently after they'd slotted the new motor in they took the young lad out and showed him the other five gears. He was mightily impressed! :D

Pete

 :+1

The days of judging something just because of where it is made should be a thing of the past.

The Chinese bought Pirelli BTW. You never know, they could buy Piaggio too.

[Lannis]

:+1

The days of judging something just because of where it is made should be a thing of the past.

Why?   What's wrong with that?  

Not every country has the experience, labor force, or infrastructure to build every product.   If Ethiopia built a jet fighter, no military would buy it.

I would never have bought a Nano, Tatra, Lada, or Yugo either.   You can argue about whether they might be a piece of crap or whether it's because of where they're made.

I'm not sacrificing my safety and security on the "Kum Bah Yah Why Can't We All Live Together" PC altar.

Lannis

[guzzisteve]

They have a warehouse right here in Norcross, GA, go by it every day.

[Lannis]

The Ethiopians  ??? ;D
 Lannis , what in hell does any of this have to do with being PC  ???

  Dusty

Welcome back!   We hear that everyone had a great time at the NAR.   I see that you are fully charged up, the "Kum Bah Yah" phrase search engine is active and working,  and you are ready to get back to regular Lannis-overchecking business now ....   ;)  .

The reason I said what I did was because of how the statement was phrased.  "The days of judging something just because of where it is made should be a thing of the past."   As if being discerning about what you buy, and using one's experience and the experience of others to make judgments about what to buy and what not to buy, is no longer true and should no longer be done by anyone.  

My ass-umption (KevM has forever sensitized me) is that this is because everyone should be considered equal, we should not be prejudiced about quality, metallurgy, and manufacturing just because they come from different places, because if we say (for example) that "Chinese cars are low quality compared to Japanese ones", then we are being bigots. (I know that Hyosung is Korean).

If I ass-umed too much, then it doesn't have anything to do with Ethiopian fighter jets; but then in that case I don't understand what the OP's "judgment" statement means at all.

Have a great evening.  Enjoyed the rally pictures ....

Lannis

 

[rodekyll]

If we used that sort of knee-jerk bigotry to make our purchase decisions we'd be using no electronic or mechanical devices at all.  Pry open any computer, toaster, auto, or bandsaw and you'll find offshore mfgr'd parts in all.  But since that model doesn't work in the real world, a guy has to add some hypocrisy to the bigotry to exclude the stuff he actually owns and uses.

[Cage Free]

Id buy the red one, slap some Ducati stickers on it and ride the hell out of it. Seriously, if it fits your needs, budget, and you like it buy it and in all reality it will probably be very reliable and doesn't have desmo valves. :D

[Chuck in Indiana]

As Micheal Vick said, "I have no dog in this fight.."  ;D So. I don't know anything about those bikes except it looks kool. <shrug> I *do* remember when we laughed at the Datsun Fair Ladys, etc.. and they kicked our collective asses.

[Lannis]

Lannis , my question was simply about how any of this is related to PCness . And yes we had fun .

  Dusty

And I just tried to answer you.  I think I did.   I buy all kinds of Chinese and Korean stuff that I know works.   My car is a Mazda/Kia, and it does good.    I think I'll wait till I see a few Hyosungs with 200,000 miles on them before I buy one myself!    

I'm holding off for the 2015 ABS-model Chang Jiang!

Lannis

[Lannis]

As Micheal Vick said, "I have no dog in this fight.."  ;D So. I don't know anything about those bikes except it looks kool. <shrug> I *do* remember when we laughed at the Datsun Fair Ladys, etc.. and they kicked our collective asses.

And now the Japanese are getting rich, and not quite so hungry any more, and someone (Malaysia?   Indonesia?   Nauru?) who IS hungry and where people are willing to work for $.75 an hour will develop products that will kick THEIR collective asses ... It's a global world, if I can say it that way .....   ;)

Lannis