Mirrors cracked mysteriously (it was parked).
Rear brakes shot after 2,000 miles (replaced with EBC HH pads).
The bike is very torquey. Run it about 3g's on the tach, then give the throttle a good twist and it's like getting shot out of a cannon with the front forks wobbling at each gear change, because they're barely touching the ground.
The bike is definitely heavier than the SV650, but the trade-off being the bike is very stable even at low speeds (can easily get a knee down at only 25mph, and it self rights with ease).
I'm 5'5" at 135lbs, and the suspension seems to be just right, and the rear shock is a bit stiff, but that's how I like it; nose down tail up in the twisties.
I've replaced the air box with 2 K&N 40mm pod filters on 2 molded rubber hoses, and ran them slightly out of the forward fairing holes (created a short RAM for a carburated bike) I.E one short ram per carb ran out the fairings on the same side as the carb. Bike required a Stage 3 re-jetting due to all the air being shoved down the carbs. Also has a Scorpion stainless oval slip on. AiS has also been blocked off to stop the engine from sucking in hot exhaust gases.
Bike was recently dynoed on a dyno jet from our local race teams HQ Speedwerks in DE. They specialize in Ducati and SV650 race bikes and manage to squeeze out 89.5 HP on a stock block GT650R. The little bike freaking roars and walks the dog VS. a CBR600rr from a stop. Upgrading to stainless steel braided lines and EBC HH's all around.
Summarizing the bike is a great platform, great engine with a mediocre suspension, and poor but easily upgraded brakes. If Brembo made a retrofitted brake calliper kit for the bike, I bet they would fly off the shelves, and the Hyo will build up a lot of cred for being a good bike.
The bike handles well, even with its heavy weight. It needs a little bit of effort for the turn in, but the extra weight keeps it planted to the ground reaching max lean angle with no complaints at speeds nearing 50-65 mph on tight cornered back roads. And on the track requires a noticeable tug on the handle bars, coupled with body movement to turn the Hyo, but in the turn the bike keeps its line like it's on rails.
The engine has been very good engine that has soaked up a lot of abuse on track days and random bouts of hooliganism on public roads (not stunting, but a lot of hauling ass and knee dragging).
The GT650R could definitely be put on a diet; light weight wheels would drop the weight to a comparable size with the SV650. Maybe later drop the heavy steel trellis for an aluminum frame. Or make a trellis on par with Ducati (since their benchmark is Ducati, so why not?).
The fairings could be updated to fit flush with the frame for a more Ducatiesque look. Would also help in the fit and finish department, which is a weak area for the Hyo's. Some apparently having rust problems, and the really cheap looking plastic surround on the LCD dash could be replaced with a better LCD gauge cluster and a more form fitting plastic or a carbon fibre look dash.
I saw on the 2009 models they updated the triple tree from the "Silver Brick" of the older models to a much slimmer triple tree, much like that of the "Big 4".
Great all around bike for the price with potential to become a super sport bike when tuned properly, or when Hyosung decides to hook the bike bike up with some serious quality parts (Ohlins cartridge forks/Rear shock, Brembo brakes,). Drop the bike's rather porky weight to around 395lbs dry and you'll have a winner.
O.K update on the review July 16th 2009.
Rear master cylinder failed. Locking the rear brake caliper to the rotors frying the caliper, scoring and warping the rear rotor. Bikes in the shop getting the warranty work done. Beginning to lose faith in this bike.
Looking at purchasing a Triumph Daytona 675.
Bikes been in the shop for about 3 weeks. Company is apparently poorly prepared with replacement parts since they had to back order the rear master cylinder.. Unacceptable considering none of the other manufacturers would take this long to come up with parts. Bike will most likely go under the lemon law because it'll be in the shop 30+ days in one stretch.
Save yourself the trouble, go with an established brand.
Just received my bike back after the rear brakes failed.. 2 months in the shop waiting on parts. Apparently the warehouse had no inventory after an associate quit and hung them out to dry.
That being said, the 2 months waiting for just a rear master cylinder is still unacceptable.
Too bad that marks against the bike like this hurt the brand's name on an otherwise very good bike.
After riding a CBR 600f4i vs this bike (bought the CBR because I had no vehicle since my Hyo was my only way of getting around), I can say that the Hyosung is much more track oriented than the Honda. The low handle bars, and long reach with a tightly packed reach to the foot controls with a narrow waist, tells me that the Hyo could definitely be considered as an alternative to the SV650's used for track days.
Also it's not as beginner friendly as you would think. The Honda's silky-smooth power band makes the bike seem more user-friendly than the Hyo, even if the Honda is sporting considerably more horsepower (Hyo's "claimed 79 bhp vs Honda's 93 hp for the f4i).
But on the street the torquey vtwin puts the smooth inline four to shame until you get on a interstate and let the Honda stretch its legs out. Though the Hyo will still hit incredible speeds for its lower hp (130mph vs Honda's 150mph). Thanks to the hyos taller gearing using up every ounce of the vtwins powerband.
The Honda is also what I call deceivingly fast.. it doesn't feel like it's going fast; you won't know exactly how fast till you glance at your speedometer and realize you're nearing triple digits. The more raw Hyosung makes its attempts at high speed very pronounced, sometimes sliding the rider to the rear seat (I usually sit close to the tank because of my small size).
The Hyo's slimmer size makes using your body position in corners easier and more satisfying than the Honda with its seemingly much softer suspension.
But for the Honda, the softer suspension allows for easier maneuvering at slower speeds.
Had a lot of difficulty passing the MSF sport bike course on the Hyosung, and the Honda made the course a breeze with its higher handle bars and more compliant suspension.
But for high speed track days, I'd opt for the Hyosung with its apparently stout suspension and ease of body positioning (a necessity on any track day), which makes this bike seem more like the track day weapon between the two.
It enters high speed corners sharper then the Honda, but it also seems more nervous; a little weight on the footpegs makes the bike dive farther towards the pavement.
But the Honda stays locked at the same lean level. So keeping your body postion is key with this bike; any sudden movements could end in a get off with the Hyo, but other than that you'd have a blast.
I have a GT650 2006 model, and it needed a new tank, and a friend dropped it; it is silly how he did it, but anyway. I wanted get a new tank and side fairings. I also wanted to change the windshield.
After waiting 3 weeks, hearing everything was on back order (and I am in South Korea as well I might add), I finally took the trip to Seoul myself to the main parts place. Walked in and here was a warehouse full of parts, more than you could shake a stick at.
Told them what I wanted, told them what happened, waiting three weeks and such; they told me they were so sorry that they gave me the tank for free.
20 minutes later I was on my way home with everything I needed.
I hear of bad service in regards to the company. But just from my personal experience, they always seemed very honest in trying to make their customers happy.
I love the bike, had it for two years, never had a problem so far, other than normal wear and tear.
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