HYOSUNG GT650 COMET (2004 - on) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating:	3.4 out of 5 (3.4/5)
Power:	79 bhp
Seat height:	Low (30.7 in / 780 mm)
Weight:	Low (397 lbs / 180 kg)

Prices

New £3,599

Used N/A

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes

3 out of 5 (3/5)

If 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: Engine

3 out of 5 (3/5)

For 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: Reliability

4 out of 5 (4/5)

You 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: Value

3 out of 5 (3/5)

The 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: Equipment

2 out of 5 (2/5)

The 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

3 out of 5 (3/5)

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	£117
Annual service cost	-
New price	£3,599
Used price	-
Insurance group	9 of 17 How much to insure?
Warranty term	Two year unlimited mileage

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:	3.4 out of 5 (3.4/5)
Ride quality & brakes:	3.6 out of 5 (3.6/5)
Engine:	3.6 out of 5 (3.6/5)
Reliability & build quality:	3.4 out of 5 (3.4/5)
Value vs rivals:	3.8 out of 5 (3.8/5)
Equipment:	3.6 out of 5 (3.6/5)

4 out of 5 Good budget bike

24 February 2018 by Carty

Version: GT650s

Year: 2007

Cracking bike, early issues hampered their reputation (long time ago now), good bargain buy.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

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.

Engine 5 out of 5

Really can't complain about the engine, it's been great.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

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 vs rivals 5 out of 5

Value is excellent as a used buy, some real bargains to be had. Servicing is straight forward and painless good.

Equipment 4 out of 5

All functional here, nothing to flash just gets on with the job. Mine had Maxxis tyres which handled well even when close to worn.

3 out of 5 gt 650r

03 August 2014 by paulw7281

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.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

Engine 3 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

Equipment 4 out of 5

4 out of 5 They're not as bad as people think

23 May 2013 by MatdNZH

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.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

Engine 4 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Equipment 3 out of 5

2 out of 5 2005 Hyosung GT650R

06 November 2008 by oggiemfc

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

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

Engine 2 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 1 out of 5

Value vs rivals 2 out of 5

Equipment 3 out of 5

4 out of 5 Hyosung GT650

18 November 2007 by cbxman

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!

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Engine 4 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Equipment 4 out of 5