Looking for something cheap, powerful and loads of fun? Then you should certainly try out the Hyosung GT650R.
Everyone is ‘out’ there looking for a bargain. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a tin of soup, pet food or even a vibrator, people want and demand value for their hard earned money. You see, annoying and continuously escalating energy costs, combined with greedy banks and so-called thieving ‘financial service providers’ add or more specifically detract from one’s ‘stash of cash’. I personally would like to take a flamethrower and scorch the crap out of these pompous pricks that award themselves stupendous bonuses and deviously smile in national tabloids. But that’s just me, or maybe you too?
Anyway, justifiably squirting around flammable liquids aside, this obsessive greed has an effect on us all whether we like it or not. So we all (or generally most) have less disposable income and therefore less money to buy expensive motorcycles, especially if you’re about to buy your first bike or return to the ‘bikers umbrella’ after a stint in the wilderness. Well the answer to all of this bottom lip extending negativity is things like the surprisingly good Hyosung GT650R.
Hyosung began life in 1978 and have been a successful brand ever since. They were the official motorcycle provider for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games and have been heavily involved with Suzuki. Even today they still produce the LT80 and LT160 quads. As far as I’m aware they also made the SV650 engine for Suzuki so there’s no surprise that this engine is what basically sits inside the GT650R.
But things move on and Hyosung is today owned by a massive Korean corporation called the S&T Motor Co Ltd, so expect to see this name across the tank on newer models in the future and who knows what they’ll come out with? Just look at the incredible rise and demand for Kia cars? But for now I’ve had the pleasure of riding the 2012 Hyosung GT650R. As you can see it’s a sporty affair, a bit like a Suzuki SV650 (surprise, surprise), and let’s get the price over with before I begin. R49,000, yes, only R49,000, cheap or what and most certainly not crap?
The engine is a fuel-injected, 90-degree, DOHC, four-valve, V-twin (a bit like a Suzuki SV650, ha, ha), and there’s nothing wrong with that because it’s always been a good, reliable power plant to begin with. Hyosung claim 79hp @ 9,250rpm and 67Nm @ 7,250rpm from their version, which isn’t too bad at all, enough to send the GT650R to well over 200km/h while tucked in behind the efficient and rather nice looking fairing. But when you begin to rev the V-twin hard, which by the way sounds just like a big Ducati when a less restricted silencer is fitted, it does get a bit ‘vibey’, especially in the footrest zone. Still, it’s a fun unit and more than quick enough to dispel a fat rep in a car.
I also found the gearbox to be a little ‘notchy’ but oddly not all of the time. I did get this particular bike with 0kms on the clock though, so perhaps the first oil change might free things up. And while I’m on the moan page the GT650R also slacked off a few bolts, but it wasn’t really an issue to nip around with an Allen key for a few seconds. Look the build quality isn’t an issue here but quality control might not be up to the level of the Japs for example, yet?
On the other hand the handling is outstanding for what you pay and it comes with Bridgestone BT56 tyres as standard fitment to keep things planted. The 41mm forks have compression and rebound, which I never fiddled with, and the rear shock has pre-load only but the GT650R is one sweet and nimble sportsbike. In fact I think there should be a ‘one make’ race series for this bike to get people cheaply into track racing. One thing is for sure; the engine will be reliable enough. The hefty twin-spar steel frame is commendably stiff as well and even the rear-sets have three-way adjustability to raise the height for more lean angle, not many bikes for double the price have that feature on them.
The Hyosung GT650R is definitely a good looking motorbike and seemed to attract a lot of attention and when I told the inquisitors the price no one could believe it. They all said, when asked, that the price will be around R70-80,000 so job done there then Hyosung.
Hyosung in South Africa has been passed around over the past decade or so and recently it’s become part of the Cayenne Empire. And already they’re selling loads of them and I’m not surprised with the prices they’re asking. What a great way to get into or back to ‘big bike’ motorcycling. This bike is a 2012 model and they’ve just landed the updated 2013 model with cosmetic changes, which looks even better for only R59,000. So the choice is yours and it will be well worth a visit to their impressive premises to see the full range of Credible Koreans. I just hope that the recent and provocative threats from North Korea have no adverse effects on this interesting brand. You never know, perhaps Hyosung have a cheap jet fighter under their wings, if so I’ll have two please?
For more information on all Hyosung models log on to www.cayenne.co.za or call 011 466 1902 for professional service.
