Hyosung, the Korean motorcycle manufacturer is expanding in the U.S. and moving upmarket into larger displacement motorcycles. According to Dealernews, Hyosung is introducing “a 650-twin sportbike in both unfaired and fully-faired versions, and a 650cc cruiser that utilizes the same motor. Also new are a 450cc ATV, and later this year, a 450cc off-road bike.”
With this push into larger displacement categories, Hyosung officials say they hope to differentiate the company from the other smaller players in the U.S. market and directly challenge the bigger players in the near future. Its attempts to go main-stream include plans to work with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation promoting its affordable small-displacement machines. Hyosung also plans to bid for membership in the Motorcycle Industry Council. Apparently cognizant of the difficulty Americans have with pronouncing the company’s name, Hyosung officials are actively searching for a new U.S. brand name that’s easier on the American tongue.
We’re going to see a lot of new faces and names in the smaller displacement categories and once established here, larger bikes are sure to follow. Hyosung has had the GV250 bikes here for some time that have been quite successful and now they’re building on that by moving up. Interesting.
todd says
Hyosung has had the GT250 comet available for a little while now, though not available in california. I’ve often wrote to them asking that it would be imported in order to compete in a very lightly served market. As it is only the Ninja 250 is available for people who want lightweight high-value motorcycles and the little Kawasaki is getting quite long in tooth, despite the fact that it is a very capable little bike. If Hysoung were to bring in the GT250 the highly successful little Ninja would finally see some much needed competition.
Alphasports has been importing the comet 250 under their own brand but they’ve also no plans to distribute it to california.
Alas, Hyosung told me they will finally begin importing comets into california this year but only as 650’s. I begged to differ with their decision since they will be going smack up against the tried and true Suzuki SV650 (which the Comet shared development with – Hyosung used to be Suzuki’s OEM manufacturer). In this market I think they will tank unless they are priced well below the SV since Hyosung finish quality has little to be desired. Now they will also be competing against the new Ninja 650 and whatever any of the other manufacturers decide to bring out in that catagory. Good luck I say, competing with the likes of them.
Dodgy says
We have had the Hyosung GT650’s in Australia for a while now. They are about 20% cheaper than the SV650 originals. They claim a higher power output but are about 15Kg (36 Lbs) heavier because of their steel frame, pegs etc. The finish is pretty poor IMHO, especially in terms of fairing fit and surface irregularities. They have a pretty good looking fully faired model, GT650R (think 999 Ducati). They have non-adjustable upside down forks. Reputed to have very bad vibration problems also.
I would buy a good used SV before a new Hyosung…
John says
I think the GT250 and the Avitar 650 are probably Hyosung’s strongest bikes in the states. They both fit niches that don’t exist here. Lots of Australians out on http://www.korider.com ride the bikes and have great things to say about them. There are a few reports of lemons but overall reliability is good.
Ian MacLeod says
I hate to sound alarmist. This is just the start. Remember what happened to the British motorcycle industry in the 70s? The British car industry? What is starting to happen to our domestic (North American) car industry right now? It’ll take Chinese manufacturers several years only for them to get the engineering and quality control issues under control.
We consumers are mainly price driven. Chinese motorcycles will be cheaper. We will buy them by the boat load. I’m concerned for those great marques who have invested in RD and racing, and will be vulnerable to a flood of cheap product…….my 2 cents worth.
Richard says
It was the Japanese who put the British out of business, now it’s their turn to have a big of competition from the Koreans. Hyosung, while they might not be racing yet (as far as I know) are putting alot of money and technical expertise into product development.
The 650 engine is indeed a Suzuki design, however their 250 is their own design… and it’s definitely not antiquated, nor a cheap design. As mentioned earlier, we’ve had these (the 250 and 650) in Australia for a few years now. Both have had nothing but great reviews in the motorcycle press here. The only complaints have been the front suspension is not up to really hard riding (it’s a little too soft) and the front brakes are not cutting edge by 2006 performance levels.
I’ve been looking at the GT250 and GT650 quite closely. They have different frames, despite looking identical, and are around the same physical size. The 650 has a kind of double-tube frame (two tubes welded parallel) and the 250 has a rectangular box frame.
Personally, I couldn’t see any quality issues on any of the Hyosung GT models. I looked at the quality of welding on the frame, which is infinitely better than my old Kawasaki GT750… definitely no daggy welds or even spattering of slag (which can’t be said for the frame on my Kawasaki). The paint on the fairings seemed quite well finished, no noticeable imperfections, and likewise the fit of the fairing seemed good.
The quality of casting on the aluminium engine casings also seemed to be up to the same standards as any other Japanese bike these days… and finished in a nice slightly gold-ish tone.
The only complaint I could see was the chrome on the steering bearing nut, which didn’t seem to have that bright gleam of quality chrome, and the switch blocks looked a bit cheap. They were made out of what looks like dark grey plastic, or some kind of cast metal, which looked like it may get tatty after a few years of being left outdoors.
Hyosung also offer some inexpensive accessories for the bikes (a higher flow exhaust, centre stand), which is great to see.
Damian says
Over the last few years I have been riding an Aprilia 650 Strada and a Ducati 888 SP and before these a Suzuki GSXR .All of these bikes were expensive to buy and to maintaine.And the Aprilia which was bought new
I had a lot of problems getting warranty work done.I thought long and hard about buying a Hyosung and I have to say It was one of the best biking moves I have made.The initial cost is good, maintenance cost are good, and most importantly warranty issues are dealt with quickly.I initially had a few minor issues with the bike and these were fixed quickly with no questions asked.The quality of the bike is good,not quite up with the japanese bikes but very close,power and handling are good and the brakes very good.It is a bike well worth looking at,and I don’t think it will be to long until they are one of the major motorcycle manufactures in the world.
Ajit says
Anyone heard of a Hyosung 650 engine fitting into a 250 chassis? We only get the 250 hyosung here in India and I was thinking of slotting a 650 engine in. The motorcycles are generally trouble free but we have serious lack of spares and after sales service here.
Richard says
Ajit – I heard that they originally intended to use the same chasis for the Comet 250 and Comet 650 but they decided against it because they decided to play it safe and beef up the frame for the 650. So in theory the 250 frame should be strong enough, but I guess you wouldn’t want to punish it too much.
That’s just hear-say so I could be totally wrong… if I remember correctly, I may have read that in Australian Road Rider magazine.
Amit says
I have my Hyosung GT250R for more than a year now. i am in New Zealand. It was actually 1 Year Yesterday and the bike crap out on me today. Its a major engine issue. Hopefully it is covered by warranty. the bike didn;t give me much problems before. its good looking and big size. people often mistake it for a 600cc bike. brakes aren’t that good – everyone knows about it. other than that lot of rattling when u go over 140km/h. one of my mates used to work for a local bike shop who are Hyosung dealers and he used to assemble these bikes and told me that they are ok value for money but there are other better value for money bikes.
well my recommendation for anyone who is going to buy a hyosung 250 is that buy a cheap 2nd hand 250 – a honda or sumthng and then when u get a proper licence 6 months later. buy a proper bike like r6 or gsxr or cbr600. i made the mistake of buying a brand new 250 and now i regret it and its an expensive mistake. you will grow out of it very quick, not enough grunt.
well thats me. everyone is different. but i wish someone had told me this before i bought my bike.
Vic says
I have recently bouhgt my first bike gt250 and i am thinking about fitting a 650 engine to it. I havent had any problems with it but the power of it is not enought I just do not know what to do? And do not if it would be too expensive.