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I purchased this 2008 Hyosung GT650S new on Feb. 10, 2009. For a machine with such an attractive price tag the GT650S has an amazing array of desirable features, including:
Interestingly, there is no engine oil pressure (or oil level) switch, so engine oil pressure or level is not automatically monitored. Manufactured in South Korea, similarities with the Suzuki SV650 are undeniable however the GT650 is very much its own unique machine in design and construction, this includes the engine. The GT650S is pictured above at an elevation of about 3231 meters (10600 ft) on Colorado Route 103. Despite what you may have read or heard about Hyosung or Korean motorcycles in general, overall fit and finish and assembly quality in particular looks to be very good indeed. After a close inspection of the entire machine the worst "fit and finish" issue I can find is the right front corner of the rear seat does not fit down tight against the frame rails, resulting in a larger gap at the front right side of the rear seat compared to the front left side. It is visible in the photos if you look very close. I can find little else wrong with the fit and finish and am quite surprised and pleased with the overall attention to detail. Even the tools in the tool kit are of acceptable quality! ![]() The half-faired GT650S is a beautiful machine which is also offered in a "naked" GT650 version and fully-faired GT650R version. As is my style, I plan few, if any, modifications for the GT650 - no aftermarket exhaust cans, windscreens, rear fender eliminator, LED turn signals, etc. The pics below are from recent rides on this fine machine. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() For more pictures of the GT650S I invite you to visit my Mt. Evans Springtime Ride photo essay and my All This..... On A Hyosung photo collection. Total kms traveled so far is 18093 (11238 miles). My thoughts and impressions about the GT650:
The Hyosung has been a reliable and consistent performer even at elevations of over 4000 meters (13123ft). For photos from 2 of these rides I invite you to view my Mt. Evans Springtime Ride photo essay. I have performed all scheduled maintenance myself. Oil and filter changes are simple and straightforward. A valve clearance check at 979 km (608 miles) showed all clearances to be within specification. Readings obtained during a subsequent clearance check at 6500 km (4037 miles) were for all practical purposes identical to those obtained earlier. Judging from this machine I would not hesitate to purchase another Hyosung and certainly would not hesitate to purchase another GT650 - it has many fine qualities and I very much enjoy riding it. Plus, it seems to be getting better (transmission operation, engine performance, braking) with every ride! For more information on Hyosung motorcycles you might like to visit Hyosung Motors America, Inc. or korider.com with its active riders' forum. As with other machines in the collection, the GT650 is not offered for sale at this time. ronh.org Triple V-Twins!
Are you an afficionado of motorcycles with 90° V-twin (L-twin) engines? Here are three with that engine configuration but in other aspects are quite different. L-R: 2006 Ducati S2R1000 - 2008 Hyosung GT650S - 1990 Honda VTR250. Regardless of their differences, all three are fine performers! Click the image to supersize! ronh.org Four 650s!
Here's a shot of the GT650S with three of its like-size stablemates: Two of them V-twins, two of them inline fours, two of them shaft drive, two of them chain drive, two of them with air-cooled engines, two of them with liquid-cooled engines, all of them fine performers! L-R: 1990 Honda NT650 Hawk GT - 1982 Yamaha Seca 650 - 2008 Hyosung GT650S - 1982 Suzuki GS650G Click the image to supersize! |
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| Revision history: | |
| 2009-02-10 - Live on the web 2009-02-14 - Update description 2009-02-16 - Revise photo and description 2009-02-20 - Revise photo and mileage 2009-02-23 - Add ride photos 2009-02-24 - Update mileage 2009-02-25 - Revise ride pics 2009-03-03 - Update mileage, revise description & pics 2009-03-05 - Update mileage & description 2009-03-13 - Update description 2009-04-07 - Update description & mileage 2009-04-15 - Add Triple V-Twins image 2009-05-02 - Update description & mileage 2009-05-23 - Update mileage 2009-05-30 - Four new ride pics, reduce font intensity 2009-06-06 - Update mileage and description 2009-06-16 - Add Mt. Evans Springtime Ride info 2009-06-17 - Add breadcrumbs 2009-07-07 - Update mileage & description 2009-07-18 - Update mileage & description 2009-08-17 - Five new ride pics 2009-09-05 - Update mileage 2009-09-06 - Add valve clearance info 2009-10-18 - Update mileage |
2009-11-28 - Misc updates 2010-01-24 - Update description 2010-06-26 - Update mileage & description 2010-07-02 - Add four 650s image and link 2010-09-04 - Revise photos and description text 2010-09-17 - Add All This link 2010-10-05 - Description & mileage updates Update mileage, add 2011-04-17 valve clearance info 2011-04-22 - Add _2 photo 2011-10-04 - Update mileage |