Hyosung 250r

[pingpong]

I hear that (price aside) the Hyosung 250r is better than the Ninja 250 (but then again, the Ninjette is basically an 80's bike). Not to mention I think it looks a whole heck of a lot better (almost as good as a CBR 250 IMO) than the outdated Ninjette's design and fairings. Not as refined and smooth apparently, but definitely a lot more modern. Resembles more of a sportbike than a sport-standard, too.

[pandy]

I got curious and had to go look. The Hyosung GT-250R looks a bit like the GS! 

[Turd Ferguson]

It is amazing how much uninformed opinions direct the general view of hyosung.

+1

This thread definitely shocked me.  The amount of misinformation regarding the brand is pretty staggering...

-Turd.

[pingpong]

I got curious and had to go look. The Hyosung GT-250R looks a bit like the GS! 

That's actually the GT-250 (same as 250R, but sans the fairings).

[cuda_06]

pixs?   

Here is one of my 650 (with my beautiful wife on it)



And here is a 250 ( I think that they look awesome with black frames)

[pingpong]

Looks sweet. I swear, if either Honda, Kawi, or Suzuki started selling this bike under their name, it would definitely be a strong competitor for the SV and Ninjette.

[Egaeus]

Mechanically, the 650R is essentially an SV650.  It's copied from the SV, it's just a matter of quality.  Hyosung has a bad reputation for quality control, much as many Korean car makers have had (or still have in the case of Kia).  If they get their crap together in that area, and sell more motorcycles, and become more widespread so that you have a more extensive dealer network, they'll be very competitive.  Until then, I stand by my previous post.  I went to the Hyosung dealer in Batesville, AR (where my mom lives).  It makes the crappy Suzuki dealer here in Tallahassee look spectacular.  They had no parts whatsoever.  They didn't even have fork oil.   

[pandy]

Nice pics, cuda! 

[cuda_06]

Mechanically, the 650R is essentially an SV650.  It's copied from the SV, it's just a matter of quality.  Hyosung has a bad reputation for quality control, much as many Korean car makers have had (or still have in the case of Kia).  If they get their crap together in that area, and sell more motorcycles, and become more widespread so that you have a more extensive dealer network, they'll be very competitive.  Until then, I stand by my previous post.  I went to the Hyosung dealer in Batesville, AR (where my mom lives).  It makes the crappy Suzuki dealer here in Tallahassee look spectacular.  They had no parts whatsoever.  They didn't even have fork oil.   

Your whole impression seems to be based on one lackluster dealer, not the brand itself.  Also, the bike is not nearly as much of a copy as you think.  Do a little more research on it before you spread biased and unsupported opinions please.

[Wondertwin]

Here's my reservations about Hyosung... 

Though I doubt that Hyosung is making a lemon (like other may think due to it's country of origin), I would have a bit of trepidation when I consider parts availablity moving into the future.  If Hyosung decides they aren't successful enough selling in the US, they may decide to pull out of the market.  At that point, I'm sure you can get parts, but you'll be ordering them on the internet from another country! 

Also, I'm not too sure about how "bike-savy" your average Hyosung dealer is, as most dealerships picking-up this line are not of the traditional variety.  In other words, you don't see alot of established major brand bike shops (Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, etc) taking on this line.  So, if "Joe's Chinese ATV, PocketRocket, and Scooter Shop" is trying to sell me one of these, I'm not expecting strong dealer support, experience, or longevity.  These places open and close at the drop of a hat!

Another issue, and maybe the biggest issue is price.  Being that Hyosung has not really established themselves in the market to such a degree as to instill confidence in their bikes, they are priced too high.  For not that much extra, you could be riding an actual SV650 with Suzuki's dealer network, knowledge, and a copius amount of aftermarket accessories available.  What they need to do, like Hyundai did, is sell at a substantial discount in relation to Japan's offerings.  This would help overcome the buyer's percieved risk, and get more bikes out there so that it can prove to a greater number of people that it is indeed a good, reliable product.  As it is now, if only a few adventurous early-adopters buy the bike, the word's not going to get out to the greater market to jump-start sales!

And finally, there aren't a whole lot of these floating around yet (I've never seen one on the street (though I have seen them in person at the Indy Dealer Show), so the avaiabiliity of used parts on sites like eBay is probably a bit limited.  If you crash yours, or buy a used one needing work (as I often do) and don't want or can't buy the more expensive dealer parts, you may end-up having to engineer ways to graft on forks, wheels, etc. from other bikes in order to save the $$$.  Although, a set of GSXR forks would definitely be a step up!

Anyway, despite all of this...  Though I wouldn't be the guy to buy a new one, I've got enough confidence in my mechanical and parts scrounging abilities that I'd certainly entertain the idea of buying a used one at the right price.  It might be a cool challenge, and maybe a lot of fun!  I did see the race-kitted 650 at the dealer show, and it had Japanese GSXR brake calipers adapted on.  There's got to be lots of cool mods to do!

[cuda_06]

FYI - my bike was 3999 brand new with 0 miles on it.  If it was in direct price competition with anything other than a 250 I might not have bought one.  However, I have absolutely no regrets about this one and now would gladly look into another, especially as the new models come out in the near future.  A liter twin is promised with the next line up along with this beautiful naked 650.

[Egaeus]

Mechanically, the 650R is essentially an SV650.  It's copied from the SV, it's just a matter of quality.  Hyosung has a bad reputation for quality control, much as many Korean car makers have had (or still have in the case of Kia).  If they get their crap together in that area, and sell more motorcycles, and become more widespread so that you have a more extensive dealer network, they'll be very competitive.  Until then, I stand by my previous post.  I went to the Hyosung dealer in Batesville, AR (where my mom lives).  It makes the crappy Suzuki dealer here in Tallahassee look spectacular.  They had no parts whatsoever.  They didn't even have fork oil.   

Your whole impression seems to be based on one lackluster dealer, not the brand itself.  Also, the bike is not nearly as much of a copy as you think.  Do a little more research on it before you spread biased and unsupported opinions please.

Okay, some empirical results:
http://www.suzukicycles.com/DealerLocator/
http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/Information/StoreLocator.asp

Dealers in FL:
Hyosung: 14, Suzuki: 46

Dealers in AR:
Hyosung: 3, Suzuki: 19

Dealers in NY:

Hyosung: 6, Suzuki: 54

Dealers in Oregon:

Hyosung: 3, Suzuki: 19

So yeah, the dealer network isn't there.  And if the one I saw is any indication, Wondertwin is right on the money as far as the "bike savvy dealer" comment.  I would check my local dealer, but the nearest dealer is 85 miles away.

As far as QC goes, there are only anecdotal stories.  I can't find any hard statistics and you can't access the service bulletins on hyosung's website without being a dealer. 

It's not that I don't think they have promise, but I haven't been convinced yet.  I'm not buying a Kia anytime soon either, but I'd consider a Hyundai.

[cuda_06]

The low number of dealers is entirely correct.  However, it will always be like this for a brand new entry into a new market. 
That is not a fact that I am disputing.  As far as not having mainstream dealers involved, you are incorrect.  Check out Tulsa Cycle Supply and the Hyosung side of their operation at www.hyosungmotorsracing.com .  This is one company that actually has loads of direct experience with both the sv650 and the gt650.  I was also skeptical at first but since buying one have become a huge fan.  As far as the Kia/Hyundai thing goes, I agree with you one hundred percent.  However, my main reasoning for that is product offering as Kia just has nothing that interests me.       

[Bulwark]

Well, Hyosung has been sold in the US for a while as Alpha sport.  They are now being sold under UM and the Hyosung brand names.

That new naked 650 does look sweet though.

[Wrongside]

The low number of dealers is entirely correct.  However, it will always be like this for a brand new entry into a new market.        

Brand new? I was under the impression they've been around awhile, 1978 to be exact. That's not new...

They were the official motorcycle supplier for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea.

[Wondertwin]

But not being sold in the US market until much more recently than that...

Good post GON!  Gettnig lots of mileage out of this one

[cuda_06]

The low number of dealers is entirely correct.  However, it will always be like this for a brand new entry into a new market.        

Brand new? I was under the impression they've been around awhile, 1978 to be exact. That's not new...

They were the official motorcycle supplier for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea.

New to the US.  I even stated earlier that Hyosung was established in 1978.

[Wrongside]

The low number of dealers is entirely correct.  However, it will always be like this for a brand new entry into a new market.         

Brand new? I was under the impression they've been around awhile, 1978 to be exact. That's not new...

They were the official motorcycle supplier for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea.

New to the US.  I even stated earlier that Hyosung was established in 1978.

Wrong again since the Company went into partner ship with Suzuki in 78. At the time ALL of their bikes were Suzuki's...the SAME bikes that Suzuki made they used. Suzuki sold those same bikes in the US. Same bikes different names. While I was in the Marines there were ALOT of jarheads who had Hyosungs in San Diego and in Jacksonville, NC...that was in 99.  Hyosung didn't produce their own bike untl 86.

But long story short. They are the ones that made most Suzukis during the 80's because their factory was larger and they had a work force willing to work for pennies on the dollar.

[cuda_06]

Once again I am not wrong.  I am speaking about The emergance of HYOSUNG into the US market not a rebadged job or something that was manufactured by them for another make.  I am well aware of the history and pretty sure that I have already stated this many times.  Hyosung emerged in the US for 2005.  Which in my book makes them a pretty new company to these shores.  Oh, and BTW, they partnered with suzuki in 79 not 78. 

[jjr_vw]

Like Cuda, I got my GT650R for 3999.... add tax and fees and it was $4800 ?? then I traded in my 2001 GS500 to the dealer and only paid $3100 out of pocket for a brand new 2005 with 0 miles on it.

I like my local dealer (only 4 miles away, but then so it's everything in San Francisco , and I got a good vibe off of them, they been around for some time... that was a major deciding factor in buying the bike.  If I was looking at buying the bike from a place 50-100 miles away, with some sketchy dealer... no deal.

The bike is definitely cheaper than a Honda/Kawi/Suki counterpart... lots of bolts and bits are starting to rust, and only had the bike for 50 days... but everything else is very solid... well, except the brakes, they are crap... very crappy.

GT650R vs GS500 ?  Take a chance on the Hyosung...
GS250 vs GS500?  Only if you get it dirt cheap and are able to keep the Suki : )