Korean Job Discussion Forums

Raptorboy0 · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Location: Daegu

I'm a total bike newbie (I've owned a scooter before but never an actual motorcycle), but lately I've been thinking about getting one...mostly just to bum around town on (a couple of friends have bikes as well) but I'd also like to take it on occasional weekend trips as well.

Anyway two bikes that I think are cool and that are also within my price range are the Troy and Roadwin. Which would be better for a totally new rider? Does it matter? Any other suggestions for newbie bikes? Thanks.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Get a scooter. Life is so much easier when you don't have to shift (in Seoul, anyway).

The evil penguin · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:41 pm Post subject:

SHANE02 · Joined: 04 Jun 2003

I saw a guy on a roadwin today. If you want to keep the wind/weather off you or you are a first timelearner rider, the Roadwin is probably better. But you will maybe get bored with it later and want a Troy or better yet the new Rx125.

RedRob · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Location: Narnia

How 'bout some pics?

Raptorboy0 · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Location: Daegu

That's the Troy and here's the Roadwin:

The Troy's got a cool mad max look to it, like it would only get cooler the more beat up it got, but the Roadwin is pretty sleek and sexy, IMO.

earthbound14 · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Location: seoul

The Troy and the Roadwin are both different styles of bikes made by two different companies in Korea. The Troy is made by Hyosung while the Roadwin is made by Daelim.

A good comparison would be The Daelim Roadwin to the Hyosung Comet 125. Both are race styled naked bikes with 125cc. They both can hit about 115 KM/H and handle about the same. Where they differ is quality, the Daelim bikes are better quality and you'll see lots of Daelim Roadwins on the road. Hyosung has made it's place in the market by selling bigger (the Comet 250 and 650) and different looking (the Troy for example). Daelim has focused on racing bikes (they hold lots of scooter and Roadwin races each year) and quality (they make the best 125cc bike in the country, the Roadwin R, which has fuel injection and can hit 130KM/H). In this case Daelim would be the better bike.

I own the Troy, and for different reasons than above. The Troy looks cool for one and it is an Enduro bike, which means it has some off road capabilities. It is pretty good on the street, although not has good as the race bikes or nakeds and it's pretty good off road, although not as good as a full fledged dirt bike. It is a really fun little bike that can drop curbs, get up over curbs if you need to, and rip down dirt roads filled with pot holes, or even up some cool mountain single track (nothing too technical, it lacks the torque needed for steep hill climbs). It's the most fun I've had exploring the lesser populated areas of Korea, as well it's great for kickin around the city, not scared of any curbs.

Of course at the end of the day, I really wish Daelim made it....actually I wish it was a Honda and had 250cc instead of only 125cc. But at the price I paid for it, it couldn't be beat.

Raptorboy0 · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Location: Daegu

So in your opinion earthbound, which would be the better choice for a novice rider? Quality issues aside, is there something about one or the other that would make it easier for me to learn to ride?

At first I thought the Troy looked really tall compared to the Roadwin, but then I went to motorcycle street here in Daegu and it turns out the seat height is almost the same, although the riding position seemed to be a bit more front-weighted on the Roadwin. Does this matter at all?

I really like the idea of being able to drop off curbs and take my bike out exploring on dirt roads, so that makes me lean towards the Troy a bit more...

superdave · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: over there ----->

go the troy ... they're kickass!!

IlIlNine · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Location: Gunpo, Gyonggi, SoKo

Like earthbound alluded to - I think you have the wrong two candidates.

If you want a sporty sort of 125C Korean bike - it's only the Roadwin VJF-i (main competitor: Honda CBR 125, also fantastic - but sized a little smaller)

Hyosung Roadwin VJF-i (new, about 3 mil)

Honda CBR 125R

http://www.motorclub.ro/admin/_files/newsannounce/honda_cbr125r.jpg

Or, if you like the Troy (not a bad bike, by any means), the RX125SM from Hyosung:

Seems a litle sleeker.

Qualiy-wise, Daelim, since it's affiliated with Honda, seems to be a little better. Still, Hyosun isn't so bad and fixing both of them is still pretty cheap.

Just depends on the style of bike you're looking for. For my money it'd be the Hyo 125SM

Raptorboy0 · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Location: Daegu

Actually at this point, I'm wondering more about what kind of bike will be easier for a beginner to ride? The racing style bikes put you in a much more forward-leaning position, so that much of your weight is on your hands right? While the cruiser style bikes have you sitting straight up with your hands hanging from the handlebars. I guess the Troy is somewhere in between. Will I find one or the other easier to control on the road?

SHANE02 · Joined: 04 Jun 2003

Right, the Troy will be more comfotable. Why not test ride both?

Raptorboy0 · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Location: Daegu

Going for a test ride sounds awesome, but at motorcycle street in Daegu there didn't seem to be any used Troys or Roadwins, and the shopkeepers wouldn't let me do anything but sit on their new bikes. Any ideas about where to buy good used bikes in Daegu, or is the internet the best bet?