The Kneeslider

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Hyosung Trend Killer

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Hyosung Trend Killer

Hyosung GV650The Hyosung Trend Killer was shown at Intermot by MMS Cycles, one of their dealers over in Germany. The Trend Killer is a Hyosung GV650, with a careful selection of custom accessories swapped for the stock pieces to change the look quite a bit. The end result, which includes items like a 240 rear tire and twin exhaust, custom wheels, LED lights, superbike bars, a custom single seat/rear fender combination to name just a few is a lot more aggressive than the stock bike.

MMS Cycles has the parts available so GV650 owners can build their own duplicate of the show bike. All of the changes are to the appearance, there are no engine related items listed.

If this sort of thing keeps up the Korean bike manufacturer might gain a little more popularity. Some Hyosung owners are already big fans of the marque and Hyosung seems to be pushing a little harder to gain acceptance worldwide. Many of the Japanese manufacturers followed this route, showing custom versions of their bikes to give prospective owners ideas about how they could modify their own rides. This one looks pretty nice.

Link: MMS Cycles

Comments

  1. For the price and the look achieved — I think it will be a success.

    One thing that I think the motorcycle industry has completely missed the boat on is in working with 3rd party vendors to “customize” their vehicles when debuted. (Yes — I do have a bias here!) Just walk through the SEMA show or LA Auto show and you will see debuts of a manufacturers car and then somewhat adjacent 5+ iterations of customized ones. Plus the aftermarket parts to modify the vehicle when it hits production are there to help promote initial sales to the enthusiast crowds and generate further publicity. Just look at Honda, Jeep, Chevy trucks, etc as examples.

  3. The name “Harley Davidson” doesn’t really inspire either but history has given it familiarity. Give Hyosung time to settle in. They used to be imported under a different, american sounding name but I can’t remember it for the life of me. Not every company can be named “MACK” or “MINI”. I guess reasoning like you state is why Yamaha has its “Star” line to fool white people in to thinking the bikes don’t come from the land of slanted eyed people…

    Besides, what’s in a name?
    -todd

  5. Its a nice looking little bike, very reminiscent of the V-Rod but alot more affordable. I wonder when the bike mags will start testing these bikes out? I’d like to get some feedback on their reliability, build quality and performance.

    Trend Killer, though, is a really bad name.

  6. “…very reminiscent of the V-Rod …”

    Yes but even less attractive than the V-Rod already is. With the abbreviated tail section, might as well make the front fender purely ornamental as well, I suppose. And why not take what is probably one of it’s best assets, handling and nimbleness due to it’s small size and louse that up with an oversize weanie out back?
    Asian rim meets american chopper hack. Ah, progress…

  7. I was a Hyosung GV650’s owner since few time ago.
    When I bought this machine I fell in love of it performance and desing, unusal in cruisers’s segment… but the problem was coming to me!
    A lot of mechanical problems and low quality parts its characteristic of this bike (I would spend some money by a little more)
    It was a dream, and became a nightmare.
    In my house there are two korean cars and I don’t think the same, but in motorcycles, Korean engineers still have many way ahead.

  8. I have a Gv 650 stock standard except the rear muffler and sisy bar added on. Fair enough the Harley’s and other japanese crusiers do have better finishes in some areas although my crusier keeping in mind it is stock runs the quarter mile in 11 seconds…..
    When going on 150 mile day trips in South Africa I manage to sit quite comfortably up straight riding at 70-120mph (Traffic and road conditions permit) which most other crusiers are a nightmare over 90mph to do as south african roads are not the best quality. The club I drive with have various brands including a harley custom and where all the japanese and my Korean cruiser managed to go through a few loose bends quite easily the guy on the Harley had a tough time keeping his bike in line.

    Then my favourite…. I parked next to a v-rod which this bike looks very close to only to find that the hysoung is bigger and more comfy to sit on and when the light turned green …alas the 649cc sat next to the v-rod until 100mph. Pending on price on this kit I will consider modding it even if it is unpractical and loud it looks unique. Yes I have a korean car as well which keeps up in the South African conditions- I am not a fan of Korean vehicles though but this bike is a very good offering.

  9. I had a 125 Hyosung in 1997 and the bike was a joy. I can’t wait for the Trend Killer to Shore South Africa. I will be the first customer!

  10. We have had our Hyosung GV 650 Avitar for almost a year. The only problem we have had, is that the mirrors kept breaking off in the wind.Since replacing with and upgraded pair, no problems.
    An all day ride will give a sore behind but that can be resolved with a king-queen seat if they come out with one. Performance wise ,it’s great, fast and quiet.
    It may look like the Harley V rod but it rides like a Honda goldwing.
    People want to look at it all the time and comment on it’s great look.

  11. I have had a Hyosung 650r for sometime now. Put over 1000 miles on it with no problems. I dont know much about the cruiser but I have seen more and more of these bikes as of late. In my experience so far they are affordable and reliable. Say what you will but just because it’s not a Harley or a Suzuki or whatever-doesnt mean it’s not a good bike. Yamaha came out way back when and they used to be referenced/called “Yamahahas”. Still to this day I hear Harley guys refer to sport bikes as “Jap bikes”. The truth is however as one Harley owner and I discussed-that every bike including Harley’s are a Jap/Asian bike. Just like cars…..Harley’s have foriegn/Asian made parts in them, Get over it already. Talk about the facts and dont dismiss something just because you dont like the styling or the name. Personally I dont like cruiser style bikes/Harley types but if that floats your boat ride it! I love my Hyosung/UM(thought I might add that in there as UM/Hyosung is basically the same thing.)-cruiser folks you have the same engine basically. You might want to check out Tulsa Cycle…..hyosungperformanceparts.com…..tulsacycle.com…they have performance air filters,oil filters and other kool stuff. They race the bikes know what they can do and love them. Hyosung is moving up. If you dont like them dont knock them-just go get something else. I dont like the look of some Hondas but my buddy has one and Id ride with him nonetheless.

  12. You should investagete about the breed of the bike before going out to buy one. 🙂 And as it came out hyosung has begun building bikes wey back in the mid 70’s and gues with how’s help? Suzuki ofcourse so no wories here, You are basicly riding a Suzuki know-how engine build by hyosung in Korea, and as many other product from Korea you get more bang for the buck you spend on them instead of the well brended Western or Eastern Car or Bike manufacturers. 🙂 Me personaly, when I get enouf money for my bike, gess on what I’m going to spend them on…. –>hyosung

  13. Bought a Hyosung Avitar in 6-2006. Have ridden it over a Vulcan Classic since I purchased it. Main problem GAS TANK LEAK .It took 2 months for replacement and then shop failed to flush before installing. More problems . But bike performance is excellent. Time slip at 137 @ 11.24 in the 1/4 mi. (and not totally twist up). Runs good, handles like a dream in curves (but watch your heals). Manufactured a straight pipe from 2 X 14″ of .304 ss tubing to open exhaust up. Sounds impressive and did not void warranty. I’ve been to car/bike shows in VA. and this bike brings looks. Even by Harley riders. If America gets good mechanics for the simple things this bike will be a winner. Because the bike performs fantastic.

  14. I have 2k miles on my GV 650. It has performed flawlessly. It is very fast for a 650 w/lots of torque all around. I have had it up to 90 mph on the Hwy and no problems. Just gotta lean forward a bit. It is a real head turner too. At traffic lights or parking lots, wherever, I am stopped daily by people who want to know what it is. First thing I tell them is it’s not a Vrod. I tell them it handles way better than Harleys and is 300lbs lighter and $16,000. cheaper.

  15. I have ridden a GV650 for the past two years and now have 7,600 miles with no problems other than a gas tank seam leak which Hyosung Quickly warrantied 5 Days i was riding again. For the price i think it is the best bang for the money. And 55MPG

  16. Wow the more i read comments on this bike the more anxious I get to owning one. Love the style and the price. How does it handle on long trips? Im sure its no goldwing but that is what i intend to do!

  17. I have bought a GV650 Aquila, which is my first open class bike and I thinks the world of MY BIKE. I wish to start adding to the looks by putting a better pipe and then address the handle bars, etc,etc. Is there a wes-site that I can look at the different accessories for this style of bike??

  21. my bke is on his home page tell him terye sent you the guy with the longshot turnout pipes ,we call my bike the orange crate!!!