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I bought my 2nd hand Hyosung Aquila about 3 months ago now, and what with 6 or so weeks off riding due to my back, finally clocked up a couple of thousand ks, so I thought I might write a review. Sure, most of you won't be interested and will just take the piss, but I am happy to amuse the simple minded reader. And maybe it just might help someone in their search.
So, I bought her with 3500kms on the clock, for $7700. Excellent condition at the time (as to be expected I guess). I test rode a Honda shadow at the same shop which had about 10000kms on the clock and from memory was a few hundred bucks dearer. Two main reasons I chose the Hyosung are the looks, which I know most don't like, but I love, and the power. And I know it doesn't have that much power, but it IS a 650cc cruiser. It did however have a lot more go than the Shadow.
I found the forward controls a bit weird to start with (my old Honda 200 Shadow had the controls much further back), but am now finding I like the fit. Most ks in a day is 565, and the seat was fantastically comfortable, the bars come back perfectly to my arms, and I reckon I could do a lot more in a day and still walk.
I ride almost every day 30ks each way to work, mainly on Armadale Rd, all weathers. The bike handles well, power to weight is pretty good for what it is. Bit of a problem is the power to height (like all cruisers I guess). First time I got my heel down on a corner (or a long sweeping curve as sports riders would probably call it) was a bit hairy, but getting used to how fast I can go and how far it can lean.
Top speed is in the definitely capable of losing your licence and vehicle in a 110 zone, fast enough to make the local news if you were caught flat out, probably not fast enough to make national news.
So what don't I like about it?
The mirrors, while nice and big and round and offering a fantastic view of the road (rather than my shoulders like on my Shadow), are to put it bluntly, made out of shiny shit, the reflective surface is peeling already, will have to see about replacing them under warranty, or better yet, ripping them off and getting a better looking after market set.
Not sure how long the fancy digital speedo etc will last, but more riding will tell.
Doesn't start first go in any weather like the old Honda did after 35000kms, but I was spoiled back then.
Stupid bloody shiny metal bracket with shiny metal bolt at the back of the BLACK seat, attaching it to the BLACK rear mudguard??? Why couldn't it have been a black bracket and bolt? (And yes, I will just fix this myself with a little black enamel paint and a new black bolt.)
Like I said, its only 2000kms, and a lot more will show up a lot more things. Got a 8 day ride throughout the south coming up in September, have to see if anything falls off then.
Oh, and before anyone asks if I would have preferred the 2010 EFI version, I have no mechanical knowledge and don't have a clue what difference it would make. I like mine cos its black and red and shiny, mmk?
So, fire away .....
So, I bought her with 3500kms on the clock, for $7700. Excellent condition at the time (as to be expected I guess). I test rode a Honda shadow at the same shop which had about 10000kms on the clock and from memory was a few hundred bucks dearer. Two main reasons I chose the Hyosung are the looks, which I know most don't like, but I love, and the power. And I know it doesn't have that much power, but it IS a 650cc cruiser. It did however have a lot more go than the Shadow.
I found the forward controls a bit weird to start with (my old Honda 200 Shadow had the controls much further back), but am now finding I like the fit. Most ks in a day is 565, and the seat was fantastically comfortable, the bars come back perfectly to my arms, and I reckon I could do a lot more in a day and still walk.
I ride almost every day 30ks each way to work, mainly on Armadale Rd, all weathers. The bike handles well, power to weight is pretty good for what it is. Bit of a problem is the power to height (like all cruisers I guess). First time I got my heel down on a corner (or a long sweeping curve as sports riders would probably call it) was a bit hairy, but getting used to how fast I can go and how far it can lean.
Top speed is in the definitely capable of losing your licence and vehicle in a 110 zone, fast enough to make the local news if you were caught flat out, probably not fast enough to make national news.
So what don't I like about it?
The mirrors, while nice and big and round and offering a fantastic view of the road (rather than my shoulders like on my Shadow), are to put it bluntly, made out of shiny shit, the reflective surface is peeling already, will have to see about replacing them under warranty, or better yet, ripping them off and getting a better looking after market set.
Not sure how long the fancy digital speedo etc will last, but more riding will tell.
Doesn't start first go in any weather like the old Honda did after 35000kms, but I was spoiled back then.
Stupid bloody shiny metal bracket with shiny metal bolt at the back of the BLACK seat, attaching it to the BLACK rear mudguard??? Why couldn't it have been a black bracket and bolt? (And yes, I will just fix this myself with a little black enamel paint and a new black bolt.)
Like I said, its only 2000kms, and a lot more will show up a lot more things. Got a 8 day ride throughout the south coming up in September, have to see if anything falls off then.
Oh, and before anyone asks if I would have preferred the 2010 EFI version, I have no mechanical knowledge and don't have a clue what difference it would make. I like mine cos its black and red and shiny, mmk?
So, fire away .....
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