Reply To: Future rider looking for advice – GV300 Bobber as a first bike?
Ignore everything you hear about Hyosungs before 2020 online.
Unless they themselves have a GV300S , their opinion won’t matter, Hyosung has come a very long way from its 2001 early GV days. Because now it is an Euro 5+ bike, they have to take electronics even more seriously now.
Problems with GV300? = Not much , just take care of it, and it will keep going and it is Hyosung’s first 300cc liquid cooled motor ever. They did a good job.
The ONLY thing i would caution for reliability is NOT to use Lithium batteries (charging system designed for AGM battery) and upgrade to SHINGDEN Japan mosfet regulator. That’s the best electric upgrade for it. The OEM regulator is made in china , not in Korea anymore, so quality is hit & miss. I would put a japanese regulator there.
Ignition = Upgrade to NGK Japan caps because the stock caps can sometimes fail (it is made in china the OEM ones, it has plagued many motorcycles)
Coils = Uses Delphi Electronics, it is OK. 125 models were using carbs before 2018 and 300cc did not exist until 2019 , the EFi 125 sister joined in 2019
If you buy new, you still have a 5 year warranty , it is the first time Hyosung offered a 5 year warranty on a 125/300cc class machine in a long time.
300 would be a good balance to learn on it and keep it for a long time before you feel like upgrading to its GV650 sister. It is popular in europe now, there is also different GV300 versions , so choose the style that suits you (GV300R , GV300S, GV300X or GV250DRA-2025)
As you are learning on it, i would not worry about power, it will be there when you need it as you get more experienced. Chain Kits will be a future upgrade to change gearing (going faster etc)
I tend to fix a customer Hyosungs myself , it is always the older models before 2020 that need the most love and care but don’t worry too much on the GV300S , i can’t find much horrors of it yet (only stupid people blow up engines & blame the bike)
Tip = Use Motul 7100 oil every 1500 miles and use Motul Factory Line coolant and it will love you. (yes the Koreans do say in every manual that a commuter bike needs more oil changes than a seasonal rider, it helps it last longer)
Only downside i can think of is that it likes to eat brakes! – Expect to change pads often if its a commuter and it uses ABS so brakes will be engaged more , and it likes to eat clutch but fortunately we can throw away the stock chinese plates and use a beefier clutch kit (heavy duty plates) then its good to go.
Engine clearances = On the forum a member has done a guide about it already or your dealer will do it as part of warranty.
Tyres = They are OK in summer, winter can be sketchy but will be OK if you avoid ICE!, when budget allows get yourself Michelin or Bridgestone Tyres , I personally trust these two brands on my cold UK winters!
Just my random evening thoughts , hope that helps and go test ride it! – You might like it. 👍 – Hyosung has been around for a long time they made engine parts for Suzuki for years.
Excuse my grammar or spellings , i was typing fast before losing my train of thoughts!