New Hyosung GT250R first ride

What is it?

Back in 2004, Kinetic Motors sold the Hyosung Comet in limited numbers in the country, which was the naked version. For now, Hyosung will be launching the fully-faired version of the same motorcycle, although over the years, the Comet has undergone some tweaks. In form, it looks identical to its elder sibling, the GT650R. As a result you have the same vertically-stacked projector headlamps, along with the very same fuel tank (which feels way too large for a 250). The frame too, is similar to the GT650R, and is larger than needed on a 250cc motorcycle. 300mm twin discs and a 110/70 front tyre upfront add to the big-bike' feel, as do the step-type seat and body panels. The rear tyre is a 150/70 section (as compared to the GT650R's 160-section) and the exhaust pipe is slimmer than the GT650R. Overall, its styling package gives the Comet the appearance of a full-blooded sportbike, and it looks much larger than a 250cc motorcycle. That's what exactly this bike tries to do - impress those looking for a flashy-looking motorcycle. Fit-finish levels fail to impress, and panel gaps are uneven. Paint quality is decent, though, and the two-tone, red-white paint job our test bike wore sure looked nice, catching the attention of almost everyone on the road.

What does it have?

Sitting under the fuel tank is the air/oil-cooled 249cc, 75-degree, V-twin engine that runs an eight-valve, DOHC set-up. Peak power produced is 27.88PS at 10,000rpm, while the maximum torque rating stands at 22.07Nm at 8000rpm. On paper 27.88PS sounds impressive, but power delivery feels sluggish, and even though the revs climb eagerly, the bike does not accelerate as quickly you would expect. The engine feels smoother as compared to the larger GT650R, but still feels strained at the top, which is where the engine makes most of its power. Redline is at 10,500rpm, but the bike continues pulling beyond, before hitting the rev-limiter at 11,500rpm. Gear ratios feel adequate for the city and highway, without the need to shift down too often. The bike is heavy for a 250, and kerb weight stands at a hefty 188kg. The front end feels heavy, and when tipped in around a corner, the bike is not eager to come up, or change direction. Grip from the Shinko rubber at both ends is impressive though. The heavy front end also robs the bike of the agility you expect in the city, while the super-committed riding position makes for a really large turning radius.

So what do we think about it?

The GT250R sure comes across as a potent entry-level sportsbike, but in its current form feels apt for a beginner upgrading from a smaller machine. To appeal to the serious enthusiast, Hyosung need to smoothen out the rough edges on the motorcycle, apart from improving power delivery. We have no word on the pricing yet, but the showroom guys tell us the bike will be priced between Rs 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh. That is a huge premium over the Honda CBR250R, and closer to the expensive yet highly capable Kawasaki Ninja 250R. In looks and feel the GT250R comes across as an impressive looking motorcycle and resembles most current generation 600s or litre-class bikes in that regards. It will definitely appeal to that segment of motorcyclists who want an impressive looking motorcycle. However, to the serious enthusiast, the Kawasaki Ninja 250R offers a lot more in terms of performance, handling and almost everything else at a similar price point. The KTM 200 Duke on the other hand is a motorcycle that looks a lot smaller with its compact, street-smart styling and may not give you a big bike feel, but packs in a serious punch in comparison. Final pricing then will be crucial to the GT250R's success.

Catch the complete road test of the Hyosung GT250R and its comparison with the Ninja 250R in the June 2012 issue.