Thoughts on Hyosung motorcycles?

[Balog]

The other day I say a rather sharp looking motorcycle that, upon closer inspection, turned out to be a Hyosung. I admit I was intrigued, as I'd never heard of such a brand. Looks like it is a Korean manufacturer that started out by making Suzuki bikes under contract then branched out to their own models.

Not a lot of info on them on the net, so I'm curious. Anyone have any experience with them? How's the quality, design, actual street price, resale value etc etc.

[zahc]

No first hand experience, but every time I mention that I want to buy a new Ninja 250, I'm always encouraged not to overlook the Hyosung models. I figure Korean cars are proving themselves pretty decent so I don't suppose there's any reason to dismiss a Korean motorcycle off hand.

[MillCreek]

I have never seen one in the flesh, and I think there was or is a dealer in Renton who carries them.  I have noticed that they have gotten some very good reviews in Australia and Thailand.  They are considered a step up from the PRC bikes and a step below the Japanese bikes, according to what I have read.  

[Balog]

They are considered a step up from the PRC bikes and a step below the Japanese bikes, according to what I have read.  

About what I expected. I was just surprised at the price, the msrp I'm seeing online (as well as resales on Craig's List) seem too high.

[gunsmith]

you're simply better off with a Japanese bike, way more spare parts, & expertise.
My old co worker got a Hyosung, runs good while brand new but nobody around to work on it. I'd wait 20 years to buy one

[Monkeyleg]

At least they didn't name the brand KIA.

[bedlamite]

The other day I say a rather sharp looking motorcycle that, upon closer inspection, turned out to be a Hyosung. I admit I was intrigued, as I'd never heard of such a brand. Looks like it is a Korean manufacturer that started out by making Suzuki bikes under contract then branched out to their own models.

Not a lot of info on them on the net, so I'm curious. Anyone have any experience with them? How's the quality, design, actual street price, resale value etc etc.

They are Korean, but they have never made anything for Suzuki or Kawasaki. No parts are interchangeable between the brands, and the Hyosongs already have a reputation for poor quality.

The GT650 is a cheap copy of Suzuki's SV650, and the GT250 is a cheap copy of the Kawasaki Ninja 250.

[Balog]

They are Korean, but they have never made anything for Suzuki or Kawasaki.

Just going off Wiki on that one. /shrug

[RoadKingLarry]

Give 'em a decade and they might have something worth buying.

[Physics]

I have a Hyosung scooter (It's my wife's) that has never ran right.  NEVER.  We bought it brand new, or rather my father-in-law did.  I personally would buy the Ninja. 

[Balog]

Thing is, I don't actually want to buy one. When I first saw it, I thought "Hmm, new Asian manufacturer I've never heard of, I bet they're uber-cheap but kinda crappy." But when I looked at the prices they seemed sku high, so I had a bit of cognitive dissonance.

[Iain]

They look pretty cheesy, but I've not heard terrible things about them.

Bikeexif and the Kneeslider are very cool blogs btw. Definitely worth trawling through their histories for things like: http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2010/05/19/ryca-cs-1-suzuki-s40-cafe-conversion/

http://www.bikeexif.com/
http://thekneeslider.com/

[S. Williamson]

I still want an Ural.  

'Course, a Royal Enfield is looking kinda nice, too...

[bedlamite]

I still want an Ural. 

Me too. A Gear-Up. 

[MillCreek]

I live in the land of Urals.   The US importer is just down the road a bit in Redmond.  I see a bunch of them on the road in this area.  They are pretty cool up close and personal. 

[S. Williamson]

I think if I ever got a Ural, I'd have it done up in retro Nazi-era colors and markings, but then with the swastika bits callously sprayed over and the larger ones re-marked "PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT".    I'd also piece together a WWII US Infantry uniform, with Ike jacket, including helmet for riding (if it's legal to use that kind of helmet for motorcycling) to wear while out and about on it.  

If I got a Royal Enfield, I'd militarize it too, but have a British uniform for that.  

[Iain]

The Urals are pretty cool, but unlike the Enfield there hasn't been a lot of updating going on. Enfield have had to redesign their engine twice in the last decade to pass emissions tests. Ural can't import to Europe anymore because they haven't. Both are a little too all-round retro for my tastes. I'll take a Guzzi V7 classic. I would love an updated Ural design though, bikes of the 30s and 40s look right to me.