Discussion / Comments / QuestionsComet PhotosComet MovieKorean Motor Bike LinksOverall ImpressionsOverall, I have to say I am completely satisfied with the Hyosung Comet. It performs well for what it is... a 250cc naked bike. If you're expecting it to be on par with larger japanese bikes you'll be disappointed. This bike is ideal for everyday riding. It performs well in the city, on the open highway and even in the dirt! In short, I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a cheap, good looking, comfortable and versatile bike.
Pros-Cheap: Around $2500 USD new (Here in Korea)
-Good on gas: My odometer has been broken from the start so it is hard to give any exact figures
-Good looks
-Comfortable
-Dirt cheap maintenance (Here in Korea)
Cons-It's only 250cc
-Really lacks any noticeable power-band
-The gearbox makes loud clunky sounds when shifting
-Electrical is a little shoddy (could just be my bike)
Personal BackgroundI've included this section because I feel it's important that you first understand the person writing this review. A persons age, experience and physical characteristics are all factors that undoubtedly bias a reviewers opinion. If you and I share many similar characteristics there's a good chance this review will be of more relevance to you.
Born: 1981 (24 years old at the time of writing)
Height: 6'4" / 193cm (Hence... tall, especially for asian bikes!)
Weight: 202lbs / 92kg
Experience: 6 years of year round riding / approximately 60,000km exp
Bike History: 1984 Suzuki GS 550 (Sept. 2000 - Sept. 2003)
2004 Suzuki DRZ 400s (Jan. 2004 - July 2005)
2001 Hyosung 250s Comet (Oct. 2005 - Present)
Riding Style:I ride this bike like it's stolen. It was cheep, it was used, and parts and maintenance cost close to nothing here. In the past I was my own mechanic but here in Korea I don't have the luxury of having my tools. My alternator has been shot for the past 6 months so every time I go riding I jump on, run, pop into second and ride away. These cold starts in -10* couldn't have been good for the engine. Still suffering from the loss of my Suzuki DRZ 400s dual-sport, I occasionally try to fill the void by venturing off road with my Comet. So far my buddies on dirt bikes have had trouble keeping up with me in the dirt. As soon as they have more than a few months riding experience I know this will change. What all this boils down too is the fact I am extremely hard on my bike. Surprisingly, I have had no major problems.
LooksThe 250 Comet looks good - click
here to see for yourself! The big round headlight nested into the copper shocks gives the bike a more bad boy, curser style look from the front. From the back and sides, she exudes more of a sport bike appearance. The silver cargo rack that came with the bike defiantly detracts from it's overall appearance... I can tell I'm getting old when practicality begins to out way what we in the army liked to call the LCF "look cool factor". The bikes best feature is its sleekly styled, oversized fuel tank and big, deep saddle.
PerformanceOnce again, if you're looking to buy this bike you'll have to seriously consider what riding expectations you have. Forget doing any wheel-ies or burn-outs right now. I seem to have done things bass-ackwards in my biking career. I learned on a 550cc, then stepped down to a 400cc and now find myself riding my smallest bike ever. I don't notice the lack of CCs at top speed, as none of my previous bikes were really capable of going that fast, but rather a lack of acceleration and power. But I really can't dwell on this too much as it's not like Hysoung is trying to conceal the fact the Comet is 250cc. Whenever I feel down about my bike being underpowered I just jump on my buddies 125 RXR for an hour and my bike feels like an 1100 CBR after.
Power / Acceleration / Top SpeedPower: I notice a slight power loss while carrying a passenger but nothing too significant. I can maintain a constant speed up hills but there is nothing left to provide that extra boost you want sometimes.
Acceleration: Acceleration leaves something to be desired. It's perfectly fine for day to day driving but I'd like to at least be able to get my front tire of the ground.
Top Speed: My spedo is broken so I'm guessing I top out around 150km/h but you wouldn't want to maintain this speed for any length of time. I average 110 or so on the highways.
HandlingThe bike handles nicely. The seat is cut in such a way that it lures me into shifting my wight in the corners, even if totally unnecessary, because it make me feel like a racer. As for the shocks, they are a little spongy for my liking. As mentioned earlier, I ride this bike pretty hard so it isn't uncommon for me to ground out now and then on speed humps and off road.
ComfortThe Comet is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. The seat is cut perfectly. I feel as though I am getting into the bike when I mount it because the seat is so deep. The tank is also positioned in such a way that it is comfortable to lean on and my long legs wrap comfortably around it. My only complaint would be that the bike isn't taller, my legs feel cramped after a half hour and my feet hang down so far off my pegs that I sometimes scrape my toes in the corners. The raised passenger seat is nowhere near as comfortable as the driver seat but I usually consider a little passenger discomfort a good thing.
QualityWhile the Hyosung Comet doesn't scream high quality craftsmanship it also doesn't look like it came from IKEA. I appreciate the simplicity of the bike and the fact that almost everything is accessible without special tools. The bike also made me appreciate what a feat of engineering my old Suzuki DRZ was. Japanese bike manufactures just package their bikes a little tighter, neater and cleaner while paying more attention to overall detail in my opinion.
Since I have owned the bike I've lost the alternator, speedometer and odometer. I'm suspect the alternator problem already existed when I purchased the bike and the salesman just charged up the battery prior to my test drive. The rear break disk is getting badly worn, why I'm not entirely sure, so the whole assembly will need replacing once the disc is on the verge of collapse.
I've been having some electrical problems in addition to the alternator. It seems if my rear running light is working than my front signals aren't and vice versa. Every-time I go to the shop to get the one fixed the other fails.
MaintenanceMaintenance is really cheep here in Korea, an oil change with filter runs around $10. A new battery cost me $40 and the shop estimated it would cost around $80 to replace my rear break assembly. A punctured tire only cost me $5 to have repaired. Very clearly, parts and labour are not a big issue here. Besides the day to day things like oil and flats I haven't had any major maintenance costs.
ConclusionOverall, I have to say I am completely satisfied with the Comet. It performs well for what it is... a 250cc naked sport bike. If you're expecting it to be on par with larger japanese bikes you'll be disappointed. This bike is ideal for everyday riding. It performs well in the city, on the open highway and even in the dirt! In short, I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a cheap, good looking, comfortable and versatile bike.
Should you have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to ask. If this review was helpful or could be improved upon let me know.
-Comatose
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