HYOSUNG GT650 COMET (2004 - on) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 79 bhp |
| Seat height: | Low (30.7 in / 780 mm) |
| Weight: | Low (397 lbs / 180 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesIf the budget 600cc class is your thing then the Hyosung GT650 Comet is worth considering, but as it costs about £4000, it's not as cheap as you might expect. On paper the Hyosung GT650 Comet has more power than the Suzuki SV650, but in reality, it’s still a little bit crude and outdate, compared to the later SV650 or even the Ducati Monster 620, Aprilia Pegaso 650, BMW F650GS, Kawasaki ER6 etc.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineFor a low cost commuter/leisure bike, the Hyosung GT650 Comet is a decent handling bike, with multi-adjustable front forks. But the monoshock on the Hyosung GT650 Comet only has preload adjustment and so the overall ride isn't quite as good as it might be, plus the brakes are Korean made items which lack the feel and sheer stopping power of the SV650 Suzuki brakes.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityYou can't say Hyosung haven't tried hard with the GT650 Comet, squeezing a claimed 79bhp from the V-twin motor, which uses old school carbs rather than fuel injection. As the Hyosung GT650 Comet is closely based on the Suziki SV650 there shouldn't be too many question marks over reliability either, but riders with big feet might find that the gear lever is abit short on the GT650 Comet.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThe Hyosung GT650 Comet looks like a machine that's well designed to do the job of commuting, with some occasional fun riding at the weekend, but you have to wonder if it will prove as durable in the long term as the Suzuki SV650, which can handle being caned all day in Mini Twins road racing events. Hyosung are one of the better Far Eastern brands as regards UK importer and dealer network however.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe Hyosung GT650 Comet with a sporty full fairing, different headlight and mirrors, retails for about the same money as the naked GT650 Comet, and is argubaly better value. It just looks more motorcycle for the money. But either model is likely to suffer more rapid depreciation than mainstream Japanese of European brand entry level bikes. The saving on the new price of Hyosung GT650 Comet's isn't enough to offset that depreciation loss. Find a Hyosung GT650 Comet for sale.
Equipment
Basic clocks, mirrors, grab handles at the back of the motorcycle and an average set of brakes are about what most people expect on entry level bikes, but it would be nice if the Hyosung GT650 Comet had some little extras to justify its four grand price ticket. There is a bit of underseat storage on the Hyosung GT650 Comet however, which is an increasingly rare commodity on many motorcycles these days.
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 647cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 8v, V-twin, 6 gears |
| Frame type | Steel tubular |
| Fuel capacity | 17 litres |
| Seat height | 780mm |
| Bike weight | 180kg |
| Front suspension | Preload, rebound |
| Rear suspension | Preload |
| Front brake | Twin 300mm discs |
| Rear brake | 230mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 in |
| Rear tyre size | 160/60 x 17 in |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 45 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £93 |
| Annual service cost | - |
| New price | £3,599 |
| Used price | - |
| Insurance group |
9 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | - |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 79 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 50 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 130 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | 13.2 secs |
| Tank range | 160 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2004: Hyosung GT650 Comet launched.
2006: Hyosung GT650R sports version launched.
Other versions
Hyosung GT650R: Essentially same bike, but with full fairing.
Owners' reviews for the HYOSUNG GT650 COMET (2004 - on)
5 owners have reviewed their HYOSUNG GT650 COMET (2004 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your HYOSUNG GT650 COMET (2004 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
Version: GT650s
Year: 2007
Cracking bike, early issues hampered their reputation (long time ago now), good bargain buy.
Found the ride and brakes to be good, handles well, fun to ride, goes well enough. No issues with braking as was expecting them to be poor after reading road tests, but found them great when fitted with Carbon lorraine pads.
Really can't complain about the engine, it's been great.
Build isn't quite up to top levels, although if looked after it's fine. Known issue of reg/recs is a pain, although an easy fix, engines are great the early problems were sorted a long time back now. Mine's been very reliable and performs well, with normal regular servicing.
Value is excellent as a used buy, some real bargains to be had. Servicing is straight forward and painless good.
All functional here, nothing to flash just gets on with the job. Mine had Maxxis tyres which handled well even when close to worn.
cheap to buy second hand,difficult to sell privately,18 month old bike corrosion to bolts & discs,poor fueling on fuel injection,very heavy bike,nice torque. overall they look nice but are not up to jap standard spend extra.
I've had my 2010 EFi GT650 for 6months or so after trading up from the carb'd GT250 model (the bike is an ex press/demo bike) and I've been thoroughly pleased with it so far. Build quality is pretty good compared to older examples and seems to be getting better each year, though they don't like to be stored outside of a garage under a bike cover, as with mine corrosion is starting to show in some of the welds. The fuel injection on my bike (Mikuni throttle bodies) is ok but doesn't like to be under load at under 2,000rpm. Later models seem to be better though. Ride quality is pretty good with the adjustable forks and it holds the road pretty well in the twisties, but the seat is definitely sport bike hard and not great for touring on. After about 2hours solid riding on the highway I HAVE to get off and rest. Range is hard to gauge as probably the most annoying aspect of the Hyosung is the fuel gauges have never been very accurate, reading almost empty with over 4L left in the tank. It is a bit heavier compared with its contemporaries too and of course has a very limited steering lock which makes navigating slow speed obstacles challenging.
Mabye I'm just bitter - I owned one of these and it threw a piston and destroyed the engine after 12K miles, Also developed a problem with power surging and then cutting out for no apparent reason. Spent a fortune but no-one could find any problems with it. Got rid of it and lost a lot of money. Asi I said - mabye I'm just bitter
A very under rated bike. We have a 2005 and have thrashed it and it just keeps running. You can gain a great deal of performance by opening up the air box just a bit going to 140 mains and installing a Micron can. Replace the brake lines with stainless steel ones and the brakes pads with Carbone Lorraine and now you have a bike that goes and stops like a proper bike should!
Hyosung GT650 Comet motorcycle review - Riding
Hyosung GT650 Comet motorcycle review - Engine
Hyosung GT650 Comet motorcycle review - Instruments
Hyosung GT650 Comet motorcycle review - Engine
Hyosung GT650 Comet motorcycle review - Side view
Hyosung GT650 Comet motorcycle review - Side view
Hyosung GT650 Comet motorcycle review - Riding
Hyosung GT650 Comet motorcycle review - Riding
Hyosung GT650 Comet motorcycle review - Side view
Hyosung GT650 Comet motorcycle review - Brakes
Hyosung GT650 Comet motorcycle review - Suspension
Hyosung GT650 Comet motorcycle review - Instruments
