is a Hyosung GT250R a downgrade from a 750cc Cruiser?

Johnny5

Johnny5

Well-known member
Forum Sponsor
I'm still new to riding, got my m2 and first bike last September and have about 3500kms under my belt so far. My first bike was an 84 Honda Magna v45 750. When i got it i was worried it might have too much power for a noob, as i had read a lot about them and how they were one of the fastest bikes on the road back in their day. Anyway it didn't take long to get used to it, and it does have a great wide power band.. but.. the bike is 28 years old now, and having problems with it this spring and so i'm thinking of getting something new.

I would love a larger cruiser but i can't afford one, and i generally don't like sports bikes, but i saw a Hyosung GT250R in person this week and they are very nice looking, and the price of a brand new one being the most impressive thing as they are under 4k for a 2012. However, i read they are only 27hp, and with a top speed of 108mph, vs. the Magnas 85hp and top end of 140mph. The Hyosung is far lighter though. So my question is would it be a huge downgrade in performance and power if i went from the 750 v4 Magna cruiser to a 250cc Hyosung sports bike? And could that bike even pull my weight? (i'm 6'0 and around 250lbs).

I have read a lot of reviews on the Hyosungs and they seem to be mixed in opinions. One spec i can't find is what is their max load? My magna is strong enough to pull me and a passenger. But i'm doubting the 250 Hyosung could. Any larger guys here have one? I'm thinking it's probably too small a bike for me and should be thinking larger rather than smaller, but they are just so nice looking.
 
Don't do it.

No power at all compared to what you have now. Get a newer used cruiser since that is your preferred style. Vulcan 1500 and V-star 1100's are cheap and plentiful. As are Shadows. None of these have the engine feel you are used to. I believe the 800/900 Vulcan is one of the best cruisers on the road. A friend picked one up for 9k brand new last summer.
 
Thanks guys. If i go used it would for sure be another and larger cruiser. That is what i want it's just that they are expensive. The only reason i considered the Hyosung is the low price and that it would be nice to have a new bike with a warranty, and when i saw one in person they are very large, i was amazed when i read the tag that it was only a 250, so thats what got me to thinking they might be ok for my size. But yeah the power seems way too low.

I would prefer a new bike but am limited to about 5 grand so there are not a lot of brand new bikes for less than that, certainly no cruisers over 750cc which is what i want. And i really don't want to spend 5 grand on something used either. It's a catch 22 lol
 
Last edited:
I had a 85 V45 Sabre...same engine....and a CBX250 at the same time. I'd never compare the two. The GT250 probably has more power than my CBX did, but I would not choose the 250 as a replacement for the V45. The 250 had it's uses, just very different from the V45. ...and I'm almost half your weight.

Nothing wrong with an older cruiser. A good condition one would usually never need anything a warranty would cover. I haven't had any warranty on bikes for the last couple of decades.
 
There are so many garage queens for used cruisers, you can find plenty of good used bikes, well cared for, plent of bling and extras for 5k. Just be patient.

I'd pass on the Hyo. JMO...
 
What about a 94-03 second gen Magna?
 
Johnny5 said:
However, i read they are only 27hp, and with a top speed of 108mph
Click to expand...

A 2008 GT250R was my first motorcycle. I rode it for two years. Nowhere near 172 kph top speed. Closer to 155 at the most. The carb one might get a bit higher but not much. And it would take a lot of effort to get it up there.

Plus, it's got the clip on bars and has a very sporty riding position. Very different from your first bike.
 
jonpurdy said:
A 2008 GT250R was my first motorcycle. I rode it for two years. Nowhere near 172 kph top speed. Closer to 155 at the most. The carb one might get a bit higher but not much. And it would take a lot of effort to get it up there.

Plus, it's got the clip on bars and has a very sporty riding position. Very different from your first bike.
Click to expand...
i was able to do 175 on the FI engine (on a closed course ofcourse). took a long while to get there though..
 
In a word, yes. For 5K you can get a nice cruiser that is a lot younger than what you have now. I don't want to hear your whining about not wanting to buy used. Cruisers are not normally abused, we save that for the GSXRS hee hee. Go take a look at the used cruiser market.
 
silent_vik said:
i was able to do 175 on the FI engine (on a closed course ofcourse). took a long while to get there though..
Click to expand...

Oops, I meant to say the FI one might get a bit higher but not much. I wouldn't have guessed all the way to 175 though! Is that 175 according to the speedo or GPS? The Comet is known for it reporting speed values 10% faster than actual.
 
invictus43 said:
Including this one...
bigwheel.jpg
Click to expand...

And some cruiser riders think tassles are cool and manly. They forget that the idea comes from these things, built to amuse a 3 year old. LOL
 
jonpurdy said:
Oops, I meant to say the FI one might get a bit higher but not much. I wouldn't have guessed all the way to 175 though! Is that 175 according to the speedo or GPS? The Comet is known for it reporting speed values 10% faster than actual.
Click to expand...

speedo.. :(
 
You should check out the hyosung 650 cruiser. Last time I looked it was the most powerful mid size cruiser. Nice to look at too, and cheap.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom