The 250cc V-twin Hyosung GV250R Avantgarde | Its unique design and high level of perfection are its charms

The Hyosung GV250R Avantgarde is a cruiser model equipped with a water-cooled V-twin engine. This machine, made in Korea, is characterized by its comprehensive equipment and unique design. In this article, we would like to share our impressions of the Hyosung GV250R Avantgarde, focusing on the street, to see how it performs.

A 250cc cruiser made by the new Hyosung

Hyosung is a Korean motorcycle brand. When Hyosung Machine Industry was founded in 1978, it began licensed production of Japanese motorcycles as one of its divisions. It subsequently developed a variety of motorcycles on its own. In 2003, it separated from the Hyosung Group and became an independent company. It was later acquired by the S&T Group in 2007 and then by LVMC Holdings in 2014, changing its name to Jinan Qingqi KR Motorcycle Co., Ltd., but the Hyosung brand name remains.

Recently, the manufacturer has been steadily gaining strength, exporting a variety of models to Europe and the United States.

The GV250R Avantgarde introduced here is a model that went on sale in Japan in October 2024. It is equipped with a 248.4cc water-cooled V-twin SOHC engine with a short stroke, based on the company’s GV300S engine.

The exterior is very unique and has a presence that makes it hard to believe it is a 250. It is also well equipped with features such as inverted forks, belt drive, rear mono shock, smart key system, and a removable pillion seat.

It will be interesting to see what kind of feeling the V-twin will have, which is rare among the 250 class bikes currently on the market.

Smooth and complete engine

I rode a Hewson bike a long time ago. At the time, the engine was rough and not very powerful, and I wasn’t very impressed with the suspension and other aspects. I was curious to see how much it had improved in the latest model, and it turned out to be a surprisingly well-made bike.

The V-twin engine is very smooth and effortless. It doesn’t have the rough feel of the old days. The engine isn’t particularly punchy, but it produces torque flatly and runs smoothly up to high revolutions, making it easy to handle, and it’s fast enough when you rev ​​it up. It has the characteristics to make it fun even when riding in a sporty style.

Although it doesn’t have the power of a single-engine, it has enough torque for riding on the street, and even when using low and medium speeds, you rarely feel a lack of power. Even when cruising uphill, I was able to climb it without downshifting.

Vibration was only slightly felt on the footpegs and tank at high rpm. At low and medium rpm, there was almost no vibration. The V-twin exhaust sound was well muffled, yet produced a rhythmic and pleasant sound.

You can also drive sportily

The handling is neutral from low to high speeds. Even when banking at low speeds, the handlebars do not cut in, making it very easy to ride. The suspension has stiff springs and damping, so much so that it feels as hard as a supersport bike. However, this setting is probably intentional. With cruisers that have a short suspension stroke, the rear suspension can bottom out or your buttocks can be pushed up over small bumps, but this rarely happens with the GV250R Avantgarde. The ride is not particularly comfortable, but you won’t get tired even on long distance rides.

With such handling and suspension, even though it’s a cruiser, it can take corners at a considerable pace. The banking angle is so deep that it’s hard to believe it’s a low-profile cruiser. In addition to the effective braking, the forward-leg position allows you to hold on tight even during hard braking, making it possible to dive deep into corners. I don’t think many people will buy this machine and take it to corners, but that just goes to show that the machine itself has that kind of potential.

The GV250R Avantgarde is priced at 737,000 yen (tax included). It’s not cheap, but once you’ve actually ridden it, you’ll realize that it has quality and performance that’s worth the price. I felt the same thing when I test rode the CF MOTO the other day, but Chinese and Korean motorcycle manufacturers are definitely gaining strength. I got the impression that they are determined to catch up with Japanese-made motorcycles.

Position & foot reach (height 178cm, weight 75kg)

The handlebars are flat, so your upper body naturally sits upright. The footpegs are in front, so your feet feel like they’re thrown forward.

The seat height is 700mm. The body is low, so it is easy to reach the ground with your feet on the ground. You can bend your knees a lot with both feet on the ground.

detail

detail

●Engine

●Transmission

Chassis

●Dimensions and weight