Hyosung needs a new model to rescue its aging fleet in Australia. And the GD250 could be just the bike to put the Korean company back on the shopping list.
Sales were down 30.6% last year to 992 in Australia, so something new is desperately needed to lift the jaded fleet of learner-approved 250cc and 650cc cruisers and road bikes. They are all well-built, nicely styled and well-priced, but there is little enthusiasm for a brand that doesn’t seem to be forging ahead.
However, Hyosung showed a few new models in Milan, mostly sub-250. The most obvious model to suit Australia would be the naked and faired DG250. It would be a serious contender here where the Kawasaki Ninja 300 is the top seller and the Honda CB250 is sixth.
The Korean-built bike will have more power than the CB and should come in at a cheaper price. So far only the India and Europe markets have been confirmed with deliveries starting in May. Mark Berger, national marketing manager for PS Importers who distribute Hyosung in Australia, is playing his cards close to his chest. “We have not yet confirmed if the GD250 will be entering the Australian market. I will keep you up to date as news comes to hand.”
The new GD250N naked and GD250R fully-faired sportsbike will be powered by a single-cylinder, 249cc engine producing 22kW of power similar to the GT250R but more importantly 25.1Nm of torque from 7000-8500rpm.
