Korean Job Discussion Forums

[earthbound14]

I just gotta say it, they suck arse. I know they are new and getting better, I know it's negative to say they suck.....I really want to like them, but I can't.

Here's why

Hyosung proclaims they wish to be a global company, they have been exporting their bikes for what, 5 years now? Yet there is still nothing available on the web about their products, they have failed to get their bikes reviewed significantly and they have failed to provide enough information on any of their web sites (they simply aren't taking the time to communicate). Kawasaki just released their Ninja 250R and within months the web was a wash in info about the new bike. You can find tons of info on the Kawasaki site, you can find great reviews, you can find out just about every single change and every single part used on the bike....the Come 250R....nadda, silch, bubkus.

They have yet to earn a reputation....they have none, none, and none, except for rude unhelpful after service and poor fit and finish (this is my impression from the few forums out their full of Hyosung riders and my experience first hand with their bikes). The 2007 model was completely revamped (at least in appearance) and nothing has been said about the two issues that needed to be addressed...did they fix the reliability issues? Have they put some work into their after sales service? I hope so, but no body knows, not even dedicated Hyosung riders and racers. They have no reputation and seem to be doing nothing about earning one....their lack of respect for riders means I have none for them.

They don't race....westerners race their bikes, but Hyosung doesn't. Korean riders don't even like Hyosung for this reason. They feel Hyosung is more interested in exporting bikes and has no real interest in the local race scene, a scene that would earn them plenty of local cred as well as experience making a fine product.

Hyosung bikes are over priced for what you get. Last I checked the new Ninja 250 R costs less than the the Comet250 R in the US. The Comet 250R costs the same in Korea as it would to buy a Honda VTR250 in Japan....with cheaper labour, a protected local industry, an inferior product and no reputation what so ever this is horrible. The only reason the VTR250 or the Ninja 250 aren't seen here is because the import tax raises the price of these bikes to about 6 or 7 grand (about 2-3 grand more than a new Comet R). A shame, these are far more worthy bikes, and I along with countless patriotic Koreans would buy either of these bikes en mass before we bought a Hyosung Vomet, no questions.

Hyosung has the local market by the balls. The only 250 in the country worth buying is the Vomet, the crappy Vomet. I hate this bike but feel compelled to buy one because it's the only cheap bike worth commuting any distance on (I wouldn't ride the Daelim Roadwin R either...at 125cc this bike is just too under powered for the highway...wicked as snot for the city, but not my cup of tea for intercity riding).

Daelim has the hearts of the locals and should have the hearts of the global community too.....if anyone actually knew about them other than the Greeks. Dealim has races here in Korea and has been patiently improving their craft. I can't say I love them over the Japanese bikes, but the Roadwin R (injected model) gives the Honda CBR125 (injected) a real run for it's money in all respects. It's a small bike, but I give Daelim props for this little feat. If there is a company you should support it should be Daelim.

But then again, I just hate this protectionist bullshite. Korean products are often of lower quality (I should know, I've bought enough of them), yet they get supported by a nation blinded by nationalism and protectionist policies that take advantage of the people. Policies that ensure the Korean people are stuck with second rate gear. I once thought that this was a good idea, that it would give the smaller companies a chance to catch up....Hyosung doesn't seem to care. They seem content to muck about it foreign markets because they have a cash cow sitting at home. They are lazy and if the policies of Korea would stop protecting them, just maybe we could all ride some kick ass Korean bikes instead of the Vomet.

please feel free to post any and all comments about Hyosung motorcycles here, good or bad

[kiknkorea]

I've never had one, but have only heard bad things about them. You need a keen eye to spot them, as they often have a Honda, BMW or Suzuki logo on them.

[IlIlNine]

... the good thing is that once owners realize how shitty they are, they are quite eager to sell, so resale prices are low.

Are you seriously considering buying a NEW bike? But something a year or two old and you can get it for a song.

I also don't like hyosung. I think it'd be pretty cool to work for them -- you know, help turn them around in the eyes of the global community. I honestly think all it would take is one person who has the ear of management and a sense of what foreigners want.

Unfortunately, it seems to be run by a Chung-mong-gu (guy who runs Hyundai) wannabe with far less actual ability who needs a big office because otherwise there'd be no room for his arrogance and ego... so I don't see any way in which anything will change.

I mean, my friend has this Mirage 650. It's not such a bad bike, actually... a little rough around the edges perhaps. A few months after buying it new, the screws started rusting! They were too cheap to use galvanized ones (price difference = 5c a screw). All replaced under warranty, but still...

[john]

Honda 3000 kilometers

Korean Bikes 500 Kilometers

Need I say more.?.

[justaguy]

[Bibbitybop]

I wish Daelim made a 250 or 600 (or so) bike.

To be fair, my year 2000 Hyosung Mirage 250 has gotten me to all corners of Korea in the last year. I'm planning on a Honda cruiser in the spring as I never though I'd ride anything smaller than 600...then I came to Korea.

[GoldMember]

Hyosung is a textile company that dabbles in bikes. If you want to buy fabric to make a rain coat go to Hyosung. If you want a bike try Honda.

[earthbound14]

[earthbound14]

[Cheonmunka]

I saw a cruiser as was browsing for when I go back to NZ. There was a fancy sky blue GV650 cc. I was surprised it was nearly as expensive as a Honda. Anyway, my reaction is to immediately skip down to the next bike for sale.
No thanks.
Maybe they sell well in China. But heck, who wants to buy very similar to Chinese made for back on the open highways at home.
Same goes for Hyundai. Rather have my Volvo thanks.
I can't trust the brand of cars and bikes here especially when I was once told by a Korean engineer, a middle aged man, that Hyundai woud use second hand parts within the engine - as regular buyers can't see what goes in there. I mean, how do you explain loose big end bearings on a six month old car????

[DCJames]

I was once the not-proud owner of a Hyosung Mirage 125. It was an absolute piece of shite. Looked great, but what good is simply looking good???

A week after I bought it, the battery died. This happen at the worst possible time, when I was at least an hour and a half ride from home.

I replaced the battery and less than a week later the battery died again. I said screw this and sold it.

It's just not worth the trouble buying inferior Korean products. Riding a motorcycle is risky enough with a reliable bike, why the hell would you take an extra risk with the POS bikes Hyosung makes.

Get a decent Honda 400 cc bike here. They are good reliable bikes.

[earthbound14]

I agree with those who said Korean quality isn't so good. In other countries though Hyundai and Kia have to build to the regulations in that country. As such Korean cars made for the Korean market cannot be exported. I know someone who works for Kia and he told me (a first hand account from the assembly lines) that the cars in Korea just aren't as good as those in the US or Canada. I was curious about buying a Kia here and bringing it home so I wrote letters to the company to confirm....still waiting for the reply. Geuss it's true.

Sad, the Korean people are so patriotic but their companies really do fleece them.

Here's another great example HJC helmets. Good company over all, at the moment the world's number 1 selling helmets, but in Korea....their site sucks and the variety of helmets are less than on the English site for the US and Canada. Prices are the same too, no savings for the Korean people for buying local...which is a little surprising considering it isn't imported. KBC helmets are similar in price here and I'm leaning towards their helmets in terms of quality. KBC for me next time.

Another example, Shinko tires. Not bad, I've ridden Shinko tires for 3 years on my CB400. They do what they need to do, last a long time and are pretty cheap, however a similar pair of tires from IRC imported from Japan are actually cheaper (of course they have factories here, but at least the foreign companies in Korea are giving the locals good deals, Giant and Trek I think are also giving the locals good deals). While Pirelli Diablo sport tourers are not much more expensive. The Shinko site is one of the worst sites for any motorcycle product I've seen so far, Shinko tires have no reputation (they are generally hated by everyone except American drag racers who like the cheap tire....cause they burn tons of rubber and can't be fuct with fancy tires)...I don't need to tell any of you about Pirelli.... and IRC...well look them up on the net, good tires all round. As for Shinko, you have only me to trust. I think I'm the only person who likes their tires....but will no longer be supporting them...sorry Shinko, I'll be switching to IRC.