Hyosung GV650?

[Rondo777]

One of my friends is looking to buy a bike. Had him sit on the FeeJer the other night. At 5'6" it ws a long way down to the floor for him. This is going to be his first bike, he's taking a MC course this weekend and hoping to have a bike in his garage with in 2 weeks. Trying to keep it in the 6k range. he mentioned the Hyosung GV650. Looks alot like a Vrod to me. Seems to be a nice first bike although hes a real big 5'6" @ 240lbs and will probably want a bigger displacement with in a year or so. Anybody familiar with this. Another bike he's considering is the Yamaha VStar.

Hyosung GV650

 

[Scab]

I've not personally ridden one, but I spoke with a guy that was on one. According to him, the bike was a little weak on power and quality. He had only been riding the bike for a year and it already had required work on several occasions and was leaking oil while we spoke.

In my opinion, THIS would make a better starter bike and is less expensive.

...and it will run with the big dogs.

 

[radman]

Can motorcycles get any uglier or more cliche? The GV650 answers with a resounding YES. First thing to get hit in a rear ender is that hideous muffler, so not every accident is a bad thing I guess.

 

[chrisflock]

One of my friends is looking to buy a bike. Had him sit on the FeeJer the other night. At 5'6" it ws a long way down to the floor for him. This is going to be his first bike, he's taking a MC course this weekend and hoping to have a bike in his garage with in 2 weeks. Trying to keep it in the 6k range. he mentioned the Hyosung GV650. Looks alot like a Vrod to me. Seems to be a nice first bike although hes a real big 5'6" @ 240lbs and will probably want a bigger displacement with in a year or so. Anybody familiar with this. Another bike he's considering is the Yamaha VStar.
Hyosung GV650

I can't comment on the Hyosung, as I've never had any personal experience with one, but I would recommend a Ninja 650. It seems like a great starter bike for a somewhat 'advanced' user (in other words, if this guy is a responsible adult who can drive an automobile with no problem, and assuming he doesn't have a lot of trouble with the MC course. I wouldn't recommend this to, say, a 120, 5 footer who can barely handle a car and either hasn't taken or barely stumbles through the MC course).

It's a sweet bike, and seems to have plenty of power, good handling, and they can be had for 6k.

It is a fairly upright seating position, yet the whole bike is sporty enough that you would have to be a fairly serious track-racer to over-run it's abilities...

The v-star, to my sensibility, is too much of a 'cruiser' for a new rider. Many are drawn to the low seat height of a cruiser as a 'beginner' bike, but I honestly think that the 'flying c' riding position of (most) cruisers, the inability/extreme difficulty of standing up on the pegs, the 'heavier' steering, lack of feedback, and the ease of dragging parts, doesn't reinforce good riding technique, and although not as dangerous as putting a high horsepower sport bikes into the hands of a new rider, is still a less responsible choice than a more 'standard' bike (I've seen in several places, and was told in the MSF course, that one of the top deadly motorcycle accident scenarios is someone going around a corner at a reasonably safe speed, and then they scrape a peg when they throw the motorcycle in to the turn a little hard, and instead of simply easing up a little and making the corner, they straighten up fully, or even slam the brakes, and slide right off the corner)

After riding a standard bike for a while, they may decide to go to a sport bike, a cruiser, a sport-touring bike, or maybe even an adventure bike, it seems sensible to start with a standard...

 

[uctofeej]

There's a beemer/hyosung dealer (go figure!) near my house. Sitting on the showroom floor, you can certainly see the difference in quality.

If you're friend is dead set on getting one, he can pick up a used one for half price. They apparently drop like a rock in value.

 

[SkooterG]

I've not personally ridden one, but I spoke with a guy that was on one. According to him, the bike was a little weak on power and quality. He had only been riding the bike for a year and it already had required work on several occasions and was leaking oil while we spoke.

In my opinion, THIS would make a better starter bike and is less expensive.

...and it will run with the big dogs.

Scab, my friend, you need to lay off the moonshine. I have to disagree with you when it comes to the Vulcan 500. I hate the POS!!! It's ok for a beginner bike, but there are better out there. I can't wait for my g/f to get rid of hers. We are currently looking.........

The engine on the Vulcan500 (same as the Ninja 500) is ok, but the suspension/handling are atrocious, and the seating position is none too good either for any ride over 50 miles if you are over 5'2". I suppose the Vulcan 500 is a good bike for somebody who is REALLY short.

Given your friend's height, a cruiser might be best for him. The V-Star would not be a bad choice. How about a used Honda Shadow 600? Or the Kawasaki Vulcan 900? Now that is a much better bike than the 500.

Or, after seeing this in the flesh last weekend, I would take a close look at this bike as a beginner bike that somebody won't outgrow in 3 months: Kawasaki Ninja 650R

Then there is always BMW's new F650GS that is due to showrooms this month. Pricey, but lots of options like ABS, heated grips.........And then you will be able to get sidebags for it. G/f is seriously considering one of these as her 2nd bike, but it would make a decent first bike too. Clicky HERE for 09 F650GS

My g/f didn't like the V-star when she rode one, but liked the Vulcan 900. My advice is to try and get a test ride on each.

 

[mfletch69]

I've not personally ridden one, but I spoke with a guy that was on one. According to him, the bike was a little weak on power and quality. He had only been riding the bike for a year and it already had required work on several occasions and was leaking oil while we spoke.

In my opinion, THIS would make a better starter bike and is less expensive.

...and it will run with the big dogs.

A friend of mine bought an '08 500LTD for his 1st bike a few months ago. He has already sold it and upgraded to the Vulcan 900...but he said it was a very easy bike to handle. He sold it for $400 more than he paid and it resold in 1 day.

I would suggest doing what he did... buying one used (right) w/ low mileage...because he will want to upgrade quickly.

 

[amansker]

The FJR is way, way, way to risky for a first bike. Dropping it in the parking lot might cost you $1,000.

Avoid no-name bikes and go with a mainstream manufacturer. Buy USED. First bike / learning considerations: Suzuki SV/V-Strom 650's, Kawasaki 250 Ninja / EX500, Honda Rebel, or a smaller cruiser.

Take a safety riding course, ride for a year and move "up" if necessary. Personally, I have a total blast on my girlfriend's Kawasaki 250. Dependable, proven engine, plenty fast to have fun and easy to handle.

 

[Fred W]

Friends don't let friends buy Hyosung GV650's

 

[Neil San Diego]

No personal experience with Hyosung bikes, but I've heard unpleasant things about their quality. And the dealerships have a problem with staying power which would be an issue for something that will be needing alot of parts down the road.

VStars have a good reputation. I hear the oil is a ***** to change if you plan on doing it yourself. Overall the bike is solid. Also, LOTS of VStar650s on craigslist around this area in the $3500 to $5000 range.

 

[twowheelnut]

Friends don't let friends buy Hyosung GV650's

Said the Pegaso owner.

 

[Scab]

Scab, my friend, you need to lay off the moonshine. I have to disagree with you when it comes to the Vulcan 500. I hate the POS!!! It's ok for a beginner bike, but there are better out there. I can't wait for my g/f to get rid of hers. We are currently looking.........

Well, while I actually agree with most of your assessments, I still think the 500 is a great bike...for what it is. It is a sturdy, easy to ride, reliable machine. I picked up the wife's, brand new, for a mere $4400. When you are talking that kind of money, this is a hard bike to beat. And as for cruising at highway or better speeds, I think it will do so much better than the honda 600 or the little v-star.

Now, in comparison to what we are accustomed to, no, it's just not going to cut it. But for a beginner... it is more than adequate, with minimal investment. There will be little, if any, loss at resale time when and if a larger bike is desired.

I wonder, were it not for your influence, if the GF would not be completely satisfied with her vulcan. You know, I'm sure you have transfered to her motorcycle expectations and motorcycle desires that she may have stayed perfectly oblivious to otherwise.

Now, 'scuse me while I go check my production on my 'shine still.

Friends don't let friends buy Hyosung GV650's

Bingo.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

There's a beemer/hyosung dealer (go figure!) near my house.

The latest BMWs are made in China (really)....and that's near Korea/Hyosung.

 

[El Toro]

There's a beemer/hyosung dealer (go figure!) near my house.

The latest BMWs are made in China (really)....and that's near Korea/Hyosung.

I'd like to see a reliable reference to prove this assertion. Some of the new bikes have been joint projects with Aprilia and Rotax, but manufacturing has been within the EU. Italy is about as low as they'll go.

I can't find any credible evidence that they are making bikes in China. Gloves from Viet Nam, yes. Shifters from Rumania, probably. Bikes from Beijing? No.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

There's a beemer/hyosung dealer (go figure!) near my house.

The latest BMWs are made in China (really)....and that's near Korea/Hyosung.

I'd like to see a reliable reference to prove this assertion.

www.faster and faster.net:

"BMW have moved production of their G-series bikes to China, to take advantage of the lower production costs there. In fact, the single-cylinder engine used on the G650 range is actually manufactured by Loncin, a Chinese company that makes motorcycles, motorcycle engines and various motorcycle components."

 

[El Toro]

There's a beemer/hyosung dealer (go figure!) near my house.

The latest BMWs are made in China (really)....and that's near Korea/Hyosung.

I'd like to see a reliable reference to prove this assertion.

www.faster and faster.net:

"BMW have moved production of their G-series bikes to China, to take advantage of the lower production costs there. In fact, the single-cylinder engine used on the G650 range is actually manufactured by Loncin, a Chinese company that makes motorcycles, motorcycle engines and various motorcycle components."

I personally hope that they get their Bavarian neck ties caught in the drive chain.

I knew I didn't want one of these suckers.

FWIW, some of these bikes identified with the model designation 650 are actually now 800cc twins.

I think BMW will have trouble exporting these into the EU and North America. There are only so many sins that can be forgiving by a 3 letter marque.

I'm going to start a thread on this over on BMW's corporate forum and see what surfaces. I haven't seen it discussed on the corporately supported forum at all.

 

[wfooshee]

I have seen the Hyosung in person, branded as United Motors. What a piece of crap!

A local used car store, of all places, became a United Motors dealer, and it lasted all of a year. They aren't any more.

They build bikes around 3 v-twin engines, a couple of 72-degree 250s and a 90-degree 650. The 250 has an air-cooled version and a water-cooled version, while the 650 is water-cooled. The engines are Korean, I think, the bikes made in China. They have a cruiser line, a standard line, and a sport line. From what I could see, the standard and sport were the same bikes, naked or faired. The cruiser were the same mechanicals on different frames.

I didn't sit on it or ride it, but I could just "see" how awful it was. If you've ever seen the cardboard they use for boxes that they use for shipping from China, and compare it to the boxes we use here. . . . well, it's the same comparison.

 

[Tenchi]

Friends don't let friends buy Hyosung GV650's

Never a truer word spoken. My sister owns and rides the GT250R and now she can't sell it because it's such a hunk of sh*t. Common complaints include cracks in the frame, fairing falling off while riding, electronics failure and inaccuracies in readings. This can be a problem when your tank is reading that you have fuel left when you do not, not to mention the speedometer is out by 9%. Build quality is still a very big issue. The engines are not bad, although woefully underpowered (650cc V-twin puts out 58 hp and sweet FA torque last time I checked the specs on the GT650R). Consider them to be like the early Hyundai's - they're bad now, but even though Hyundai has gotten a lot better after so many years, but they're still cheap POS's. She bought it because she thought the GT250R "looked pretty".

If it comes down to the GV650 and an option B, choose option B. They are, with the possible exception of the Zongshen, the worst bike make sold in Australia.

 

[Jaycen]

One of my friends is looking to buy a bike. Had him sit on the FeeJer the other night. At 5'6" it ws a long way down to the floor for him. This is going to be his first bike, he's taking a MC course this weekend and hoping to have a bike in his garage with in 2 weeks. Trying to keep it in the 6k range. he mentioned the Hyosung GV650. Looks alot like a Vrod to me. Seems to be a nice first bike although hes a real big 5'6" @ 240lbs and will probably want a bigger displacement with in a year or so. Anybody familiar with this. Another bike he's considering is the Yamaha VStar.
Hyosung GV650

I have a friend at work with a GV650. He goes about 350 lbs. He actually pulls a trailer with the darn thing (we are copier technicians). He said he can get it to 80 mph down hill with a tail wind.

Looks like a cheap POS to me....granted they do have a suzuki v-twin in it 650. He has had is back to the dealer more times than I can remember. Even had a regional rep travel all the way to NH to look at it. he's on his second one, cause they couldn't figure out the problem with the first on.

honestly I picture a monkey on a tricycle everytime I see him on it