Possible Newbie

Hi Folks,
New signup and looking for advice!
Passed my test some 4 years ago and for one reason or another haven't ridden since, now looking to get back into the saddle and been looking at the Thundercats, saw one on Saturday and was almost sold, until I clocked a Hyosung 650 in the corner, and there's my dilemma.

Am I going for the trusted old bird who's great in the bedroom when required, or the younger model who hasn't been about the block and could well be a damp squib?

Annoyingly I didn't get to take the old dear for a test ride, but given I should be heading back, what should I be looking out for? (cosmetics aside as she looks in good nick for her age) Should I be worried about the gearbox in 2nd issue too much as a new rider?

Thanks in Advance!

Hi, welcome.

Possibly a biased opinion asking Thundercatters' but I'd give the trusted option a go.
2nd Gear isn't as bad a problem as the internet makes it out to be. Think it's been perpetuated by the ebay write up - not saying it isn't an issue, but reasonably rare. The gear change is more a technique than the box.
Normal culprits of that problem have been a loose chain and engine oil needing changing

Do a HPI check, look for rust, exhaust headers can go easily, if you can check the rear shock. Tyre condition, hopefully they are both the same - squizz at the brake pads if you can, colour of the brake fluid - all gives an idea of how it has been serviced. If the sellers tells you up front it hasn't been done, then you know you should set some money aside to have one done.

Been lots of threads on the subject - here's one of them

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Don't be put of by high mileage, provided there is evidence that it has been serviced. Unless you are planning on putting big miles on, the 'more experienced' high milers are worth a look.
I have long been of the opinion that a very low mileage bike is not first prize. It has been sitting doing nothing for long periods of time and could be corroding and getting gunged up.

All the best in your search.

I don't want to be a turncoat, but if the Hyosung looks anything like the photo below, I would be tempted to jump aboard the South Korean beauty.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Hyosung began producing Japanese Suzuki motorcycle designs under license for the South Korean market, so I would hope that they don't have any reliability issues. As far as the Thundercat is concerned, are you going to be willing to get the spanners out and get your hands dirty while repairing any age related problems ?

If bikes could speak, the Thundercat might occasionally say "Not tonight, dear. I've got a headache", but the Hyosung would say "Me so horny, me love you long time".

I'd have trouble deciding which to choose, it's just 'too close to call'.

Might just be an unfortunate place to park, but that Hyosung looks as incontinent as my 'cat is at the moment.

V-twin or 4 in line, ummm

Tee-Forty wrote: If bikes could speak, the Thundercat might occasionally say "Not tonight, dear. I've got a headache".
But the Hyosung would say "Me so horny, me love you long time".

Only for ten Dollar more

Tee-Forty wrote:I'd have trouble deciding which to choose, it's just 'too close to call'.

Depends if you'd want a chippy dinner after ? $10 go long way soldier

Cheers for the replies, looks like the above but in red (spits) rather than orange. My head is screaming to go with the cat, but there's just something about the Hyo that's luring me!

Hi Spaniard and welcome to the forum, for my two penneth (and some my say I'm fast and loose when it comes to opening my mouth) as a new rider a couple of years ago I bought a Thundercat and to be honest never looked back, brilliantly compliant, looks after you, fast as €%*# when you open her up, great around town, super comfortable on a commute, just ticks all the boxes for me. Bullet proof as long as looked after and easy to work on if you fancy turning your hand to it.

As for the other one I personally wouldn't bother.

Also notice your based in Manchester and if you want I'd be happy to accompany you to look the cat over if it'll set your mind at rest, I'm pretty mechanically minded and through having various bits of my cat in bits (mainly for cosmetic not mechanical work I might add) I know my way round one pretty well.

The offer is there if you want it anyway

Stay away from the Hyosung. I have moved on from Thundercats but would still 100% choose a Cat over a Hyosung. In 10 years time maybe hyosung will be worth looking at, but for the moment, give em a wide birth.

Took my daughter's SV650 out for a spin this afternoon. Really sweet bike, but....just doesn't have the get-up-and-go of the 'Cat. And the brakes are carp (or were, until I fitted HH pads - now they're just about tolerable).

And from reading the magazine reviews, the general opinion is that a secondhand SV is a better bet than a new Hyosung for the same money.

So although I haven't actually ridden a Hyosung, for me it would be no contest - I'd take a good example of the 'Cat every time.

yes a cat is much better than an sv and an sv is cheaper and better than a gt650 so its a no brainer imo. im sure whatever you choose you'll have fun anyway mate, so just pick one and get out and enjoy summer!

Cheers to everyone for the feedback - as an update, now the proud owner of aforementioned Cat, took her out for the first proper ride last night, after 15 minutes or so settling myself in and getting a bit of confidence up, hit a quiet bypass and couldn't stop grinning!

nice one on getting the cat, made a good decision there! glad your enjoying yourself on it  

Good choice, enjoy

wise decision. good luck and im sure she will take care of you. the cat is an immensely capable bike and my skill level is far less than that of the cat so its a good choice for people like us. so capable yet such a forgiving bike.
( I passed test in 08, got cat in jan this year) come on a few ride outs and get a few miles and a bit of confidence. you wont regret it mate, im well pleased for you.

Hi Spaniard

Welcome aboard.
Great decision....We look after our own on here so you're one of the gang now
How are the guys on the Hyosung forum taking the news??

Cheers
Rosco

Spaniard wrote:...hit a quiet bypass and couldn't stop grinning!

Just remember to ride it like a 2-stroke, rev the wotsits off them and you'll be rewarded with a big grin every time.

Rosco wrote:Hi Spaniard

Welcome aboard.
Great decision....We look after our own on here so you're one of the gang now
How are the guys on the Hyosung forum taking the news??

Cheers
Rosco

I couldn't find one!  

Looking forward to my next play now, after over an hour of delays getting into Piccadilly this morning, considered sacking the trains off and getting her out before realising I'm probably not setup for a commute just yet!

Whereabouts are you Spaniard, there's a couple of forum members in Manchester/Oldham area if you ever fancy a meet up and ride out

I'm on the wrong side of the tracks (Wythenshawe!) so only a 15 minute bomb Oldham way!

not far at all mate, and there is a great route I did in Derbyshire the other day. dead easy for you, quick trip down m60 and m67 starting in Glossop. its on best biking roads called "Macclesfield roundabout". have a look and if you can get out sometime put it on here, maybe one or more of us can join you.

Oh dear, forced myself out in the wet tonight and called at a relatives to show her off.....the bleeder wouldn't start again after a 40 minute jaunt, nothing from the lights either, battery seemed to be charged too....any ideas??

(Knew I should have gone Hyosung!  )

Bad contact on the battery is the first thing most of us would check, the bolts can work loose if not properly tightened and it doesn't take much for it to look like the battery is totally dead.

Loose battery connection perhaps.....Fairly common - happened to me once or twice.
Fuse?
Does the green Neutral light come on when in neutral?

Good Luck
Rosco

Wooster wrote:Bad contact on the battery is the first thing most of us would check, the bolts can work loose if not properly tightened and it doesn't take much for it to look like the battery is totally dead.

We had a look at that and all 'seemed' ok, bar a couple of disconnected heated grip wires and the adapter.

Rosco wrote:Loose battery connection perhaps.....Fairly common - happened to me once or twice.
Fuse?
Does the green Neutral light come on when in neutral?

Good Luck
Rosco

Fuses seemed intact too, but there wasn't too much light and in the absence of a torch I've left it in their garage overnight!

The neutral light did come on briefly, there were a few signs of life for a few minutes prior to it completely going on me where lights came and went, but no ignition.

Hopefully get to take a look at it tonight with a bit of light and my bro - he's no mechanic but has a damn site more experience/knowledge than me!

All is good with her again now, wouldn't start on the button until we pushed her down the road a bit, got her going and managed to ride her back home, rested for half an hour or so and she started on the button again....very odd but I'm assuming it's just a bit of water/short somewhere?