Technical characteristics of the Hyosung GD250N motorcycle

Another sports motorcycle from Korean manufacturers. The Hyosung GT250R, which is reviewed in this article, is a lightweight type of motorcycle from the Suzuki concern. Lighter and more maneuverable, it is ideal for use in urban environments. The improved chassis ensures smooth movement even on uneven roads, but it is made from cheap, low-quality materials.

The bike has three configuration options . The first option is the classic GT250 Komet, completely devoid of fairings, the second is the sports model GT250R, the third is based on the same naked and is called GV250. The appearance of the Hyosung alone is enough to remind one of the Japanese unit, not to mention the system components and main structures.

Hyosung GT250R, whose technical characteristics are superior to its analogues, is characterized by ease of landing and easy starting. From the very beginning of the ride, you can feel the energetic character of the motorcycle. For a small engine, the bike responds well to fuel delivery. The clutch is depressed smoothly and gears shift smoothly. These features make the unit much more comfortable than the more powerful GT650R model, which has shortcomings in the gearbox. The engine produces only 30 horsepower, which does not allow it to stand on the same level as the sports Japanese ones. Of course, the appearance says otherwise, but this is just a wrapper. However, excellent dynamics allow the driver to be aggressive on the road. Already at a speed of 130 km/h, the engine picks up 10 thousand revolutions , but does not reach the cutoff.

Even in the hottest weather with heavy traffic, the engine shows no signs of overheating. Fuel consumption is very low even when driving fast.

Specifications

The Hyosung GT250R, the specifications of which are presented below, is an excellent option for everyday use due to its power and performance indicators.

In technical terms, the GT250R differs from the GT650R only in the engine, otherwise the parameters are almost identical. The same budget details, operating principles, etc. The only thing that can be highlighted is the improved ride comfort on the 250th model.

Where to buy?

The Hyosung GT250R motorcycle can be purchased from official dealers in Moscow and many regions of Russia. The company 13 LAB supplies bikes from Korea. It has been importing from Asian countries for several years now.

The estimated cost of the unit is approximately 260 thousand rubles. This is significantly cheaper than Japanese motorcycles.

In general, the bike is designed for urban use. With a small engine capacity, it has good performance and is characterized by a very dynamic ride. This unit will be an ideal option for those who have recently gotten behind the wheel of a two-wheeled vehicle.

Test drive HyosungGT 250 Comet, HyosungGT 250R

Every year the vehicle fleet in our country increases by about 30-40 percent. At the same time, the streets of more or less large cities, not to mention the capital, become tightly clogged. Cars sit in long traffic jams for hours, and drivers look with envy at the two-wheelers passing nearby.

Having used a rather heavy Suzuki cruiser for several years, moreover, with a large body kit, I came to the conclusion that this motorcycle, although it provides a lot of advantages in moving around the city (unlike a car), is still of little use for a light and painless forcing of traffic jams. The clumsy, heavy motorcycle has a width of about 130 centimeters. In contrast to comfortable movement along the highway, in urban conditions, after several hours of “fidgeting” and maneuvering, you understand that what is happening is more likely a good weightlifting workout than moving from point “A” to point “B”. This is what made me think about the need to buy a second motorcycle, for quite utilitarian purposes - transportation in the city. In addition, it became possible to test several models at once that fit my desires.

The South Korean company Hyosung, according to marketers, has much in common with the Japanese Suzuki. It is this relationship that determines the great similarity, if not identity, of the designs of the manufactured motorcycles. Currently, a line of devices with a cubic capacity of 250 and 650 cm3 is presented on the Ukrainian and European markets. Moreover, each volume presents a full line of sports bikes, street bikes and choppers. Today we will take a closer look at the company’s bottom line.

250 cm3 is the engine size that beginners usually use. But in the case of Hyosung, this segment can be safely expanded. The eight-valve DOHC V-twin, combined with a lightweight and durable twin-spar frame, produces quite decent dynamics.

The company offers several options to choose from: the naked GT250 “Komet”, completely devoid of fairings, the GT250R sportbike, and the GV250 cruiser, based on the same power unit (we will discuss it in our next publications).

Even a quick glance at the GT250 will reveal the familiar Suzuki frame elements of a rectangular welded section, which gives it amazing strength. The same, familiar from Suzuki, outlines of the plastic tail, the shape of the gas tank, the location and shape of the driver and passenger seats. In the case of Hyosung, all this is done more angularly, which gives the motorcycles a somewhat aggressive look.

For testing, I first chose a naked bike with a mileage of one and a half thousand kilometers - I wanted to test the motorcycle after running it in and passing the first maintenance. The round headlight, dial tachometer and speedometer take us back at least 10 years. However, the excellent readability and layout of the instrument cluster make you not think that the concept is old-fashioned. It’s not for nothing that the world’s major manufacturers in street and neoclassical sports often use a similar design.

The motorcycle starts, as they say, right away. The driver's seating position turns out to be surprisingly comfortable - being 182 centimeters tall, I feel quite comfortable in the saddle: my legs normally reach the ground, and my torso is only slightly inclined towards the steering wheel - the naked bike has a classic motorcycle steering wheel (which is one of its differences from a sports car). motorcycle version). The clutch release is soft, and the gears are engaged clearly and without unnecessary clicks and efforts. The first meters of the journey show the lively nature of this model. I honestly admit that I expected much less from a motor with a working volume of a glass!

But there is a subjective feeling that the engine is “charged” with at least 400 cc. Fast acceleration is ensured by the natural high-torque power of the V-wheel with a block camber of 90 degrees: the engine pulls equally well throughout the entire range, from 3 thousand to 11 .5 - the beginning of the “red” zone on the tachometer. Although those who are used to riding low-speed choppers will be able to adapt the motorcycle to their riding style. The engine produces 30 hp, which is quite a lot for a four-stroke engine in this class. At the same time, the exhaust is “strangled” to European standards, and at idle the engine sounds a little louder than a scooter, but when the speed increases, a familiar low-frequency roar breaks through the muffler.

I admit, I've driven choppers and classics most of my life. But after an hour of careful riding, I begin to feel this light motorcycle: unlike a cruiser, it can be leaned quite deeply in a turn without fear of the pegs catching on the asphalt. The dynamics of the engine and the seating position begin to provoke the driver into aggressive riding - the motorcycle is not conducive to thoughtful parading at a speed of 50 km/h. On a straight section, it is difficult to overcome the temptation to not twist the accelerator handle all the way! The GT250 accelerates obediently. But after 110 kilometers per hour, you remember that the engine has only 250 cc, and the motorcycle itself weighs a little more than me. Acceleration becomes more moderate, and the absence of a fairing makes it possible to enjoy the pressure of the headwind. In fifth gear at a speed of 140 km/h, the tachometer is approaching 11 thousand, but has not yet entered the “forbidden” zone. At the same time, it is felt that this speed is already higher than cruising speed, by at least 10-15 km/h. This feeling arises, rather, from the excessive softness of the front fork - it does not have time to work out the unevenness of the asphalt and a certain discomfort arises. Perhaps if you were driving on the German Autobahn, the cruising speed would be much higher. But on our roads I had to drop to 110-120 km/h - the speed at which I felt the comfort and ease of driving this motorcycle. It is this speed that should probably be considered cruising when driving on the highway.

The angle of inclination of the front fork corresponds to the parameters accepted on sports and classic road motorcycles. The short wheelbase and high seating position give the car maneuverability - a “snake” laid between potholes on a country highway gives the feeling of a wonderful drive. In general, the suspensions behave quite stable, making the trajectory quite predictable. However, there is often a desire to add rigidity to the front fork, especially when you have to move from asphalt onto a country road or cobblestones. But perhaps the weight of the driver also plays a role here - under lighter drivers the fork would work much more clearly. When braking sharply, a rather unpleasant “peck” occurs. However, breakdown of the shock absorbers was never achieved.

The front fork is of an inverted type, unlike models with a 650 cc engine - without adjustments, which is understandable - budget! At the rear there is a monoshock absorber with 7 degrees of stiffness adjustment. This model has a front single-disc brake with a two-piston brake unit. The front brake system is equipped with some kind of ABS that controls braking force. The sports model (R version) has two front disc brakes with similar calipers.

The rear brake is single disc. In general, the braking force is dosed well. If the riding style is not too extreme, one disc is enough to stop this not too heavy bike, although two discs are always better than one.

But you begin to feel all the advantages of this motorcycle only in heavy city traffic. It’s not for nothing that a naked bike is positioned as a motorcycle for “close combat” in a modern city. And the high ground clearance of 180 millimeters allows you to easily cross both a standard road curb and several steps of a gentle pedestrian staircase. But to demand from a naked bike the capabilities of a motard would probably be too bold. Although this is already a matter of individual tuning and economics. The engine power is quite enough to leave all the cars behind you at the intersection, breaking away from the flow and going far ahead. The small width of the device, not exceeding 80 centimeters, and its nimbleness (remember the short wheelbase) turn it into a real street slicker - you can squeeze into almost any gap between cars in a traffic jam. And if necessary, by carefully crossing the curb, you can easily get around the traffic jam on the sidewalk.

In conditions of many hours of traffic jams and summer heat, the motorcycle performed simply excellent - the engine did not show a single sign of overheating.

Despite city traffic, the needle on the fuel level indicator in the tank dropped very reluctantly, which is certainly pleasing. After all the measurements and calculations, the figure we got was 3.5 liters (combined cycle). An excellent indicator, taking into account the rather aggressive driving style during the test!

If we talk about general impressions, then in short the Komet naked bike can be described as a comfortable motorcycle for the city. I gave the subject the name “Cork Man”, meaning his phenomenal adaptability to crossing the urban jungle. The engine is quite powerful for this volume, excellent handling, high ground clearance and compactness turn it into a completely utilitarian city bike for the city, where 80% of the time is spent on overcoming traffic jams. Moreover, unlike many older models, the GT250 is also quite suitable for driving on light off-road conditions, which turns it into a truly universal car. By the way, on some Internet sites you can find other data on engine power - 33 hp. I think that with direct flow and, naturally, other toxicity indicators, it is able to confirm this figure. By and large, the similar Hyosung GT250, after running 10,000 km (with regular maintenance), had nothing to complain about. Although there were some unpleasant little things: the screw holding the steering switch block was constantly loosening, which was eliminated by seating it on thread sealant. The rear view mirror hinges also turned out to be too weak, which also required some work. In addition, slight oil staining appeared on one of the fork legs, but the performance of the shock absorber did not deteriorate. Considering that the front fork deserves priority tuning, this problem can be considered insignificant.

In parallel with this model, we tested the GT250R sportbike, which, in addition to the double-disc front brake, differs from the described motorcycle in the presence of a full fairing, different optics and, of course, a sporty low, adjustable handlebar. In terms of dynamic characteristics, this motorcycle is completely identical to the one described above. In addition to these two models, dealers in Europe also offer a modification of the GT250S, equipped with a semi-fairing and with a classic steering wheel similar to that installed on the Comet.

Taking into account their technical characteristics, and, most importantly, the retail price in Ukraine, we can talk about the presence of a future for these models. In the price lists of European sellers (and the brand is sold throughout Europe), the price of the Hyosung GT250 is indicated in the region of 4-4.5 thousand euros. In Ukraine, the retail price for this line of motorcycles is somewhat lower and fluctuates around 21-24 thousand hryvnia, depending on the model. Is this a lot, considering the high-quality South Korean motorcycle, which has its roots in Suzuki? I think the price is quite competitive...

Author: Valery Vorotnik ( [email protected] )

Photo: provided by the author