Hello! I'm new to the forums and I've been researching scooters/bikes for the last month trying to get ideas for a purchase. I'd appreciate any advice or information offered. Ok get ready for a loooong post! :smack:

I'm currently going through a settlement from an accident I had 2 years ago. When everything is complete I'll be able to pay all my debts and still have some money in the bank, so I thought why not buy a nice scooter or bike to enjoy. I'd use it to go back and forth to work on nice days, 11 months out of the year here in Florida!

I had originally thought of purchasing a scooter. I didn't like the majority of the styling on them, I'm kinda burned out on the Vespa look. I was considering a Honda Reflex, Suzuki Burgman or Yamaha Majesty. I went to the local shops this past weekend with a friend to compare the size of the bikes. I'm only 5'4" and about 175 lbs so I didn't want anything too cumbersome at a dead stop, worrying about teetering at a light and falling over. I wanted something low and stable, but with decent power to get through traffic in my small town.

While I was looking at the scooter shops this weekend my friend suggested visiting the Harley Davidson / Buell shop down the road. I had a pleasant experience at the HD/Buell shop and I got to sit on a few of the bikes at the encouragement of the salesmen, which I wasn't at the scooter shops. I actually felt comfortable on the HD Nightster. I walked away from the dealership feeling more positive and leaning towards a smaller displacement bike instead of a scooter.

So yesterday I went to a few bike shops in my area. I went to the local Kawasaki/Yamaha/Suzuki shop. I spoke to one salesman about my situation, at the time I was curious about the Kawasaki KLR650. I had read much about it and it looked like a good dual purpose bike for traveling and ease of maintenance. Upon seeing the size of the bike I immediately knew it was out of the question, the seat height was over my waist, too tall for me. I then went to look at the Kawasaki Versys, another bike which has been getting pretty good reviews.

It was a little lower than the KLR650, but again I thought it would be too hard to balance at a dead stop. The salesman tried to direct me towards a Ninja 250 but I told him that I wasn't interested in a Japanese Street Racing styled bike. So he then tried to steer me to another Japanese Street Racing bike, but a larger one! I repeated again to him that I wasn't interested in that particular style of bike, and that it was too big for me to ride comfortably. I told him I'd get back to him after my settlement was complete ... not likely!

I went to the local Honda dealership next, and after walking around there for 20 minutes with no acknowledgement whatsoever from them I walked out.

I went to another dealership who carried Kawasaki, Vespa and Suzuki. It was a nice dealership, but it was mostly geared towards offroad racing and ATV sales. I also notice they sold Altell Cellular Service there and Lingerie!? Ummm ok back home to do more research!

Last night I was scouring my magazines, Scoot!, Cycle World, All Metric RoadBike, Motor Cyclist, Motorcycle Cruiser, Rider, and Road Runner magazines. ( I always heavily research any serious purchase ) I kept coming across the Kymco Xciting 500 ad quite a bit, I remembered they had a good reputation for well built scooters at a great price. So I began looking away from the big 4 Japanese at towards the alternatives.

I continued to keep coming back to Hyosung and Kymco. I was lucky to find this page and a few other pages devoted to Hyosung, Kymco, and Vento bikes last night. I stayed up until 6 am reading about the Aquila 250, Venox and Colt. I've narrowed it down to these 3 bikes.

I went to the only local shop that carried Hyosung and Kymco, luckily he carried both. He didn't have the Venox in stock, he's waiting for new ones once Kymco has more in stock. The owner was the salesman and he let me sit on the Aquila to see how it felt. He talked casually about the bikes with me, no sales pitch or pressure. If anyone is in the Lakeland Florida area I'd recommend looking up Charlie Dyches Powersports. A small shop, but really friendly.

I had wanted to compare the Venox and the Aquila side by side to see what one I liked. The owner tended to prefer the Hyosung himself. From what I've seen of the photos I like the styling of the Venox a little more. But again that's me.

That's why I'm posting here for advice. It's been 20+ years since I last rode a bike. I know I need to retake the safety course to feel a little more confident on the bikes again. If it's possible I'd like some opinions on the bikes, good and bad. I'm not looking for a road rocket or street racing machine. I just want a comfortable and reliable bike to ride back and forth to work on nice days and to enjoy on my off days. Something more casual for me and my fiancée to ride and enjoy together. Again any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerley,

Gino

:old: Welcome to the site, Either 250 is a good ride. I own a Venox and highly recomend it. The Aquila 250 is a good bike to had I seen a marron and creame one before I got the Venox I might have bought it. But I have worked on both and lean to the Venox again. They both have their pros and cons but I would still buy a Venox. Good luck I hope this helps some. Feel free to contact me if I can be of more help.

WELCOME !!!

My opinion is you can't go wrong with either the Kymco Venox or Hyosung GV250. Both are great bikes and you WILL find the owners pasionet toward the brand they ride.

Both have basicly the same seat hieght and riding position and there are members here who are the same hieght as you. Not sure right off who on the GV250 BUT pops and Murs both ride a Venox.

As to the dealer who carried both:

'' he let me sit on the Aquila to see how it felt.''
''He didn't have the Venox in stock''
The owner tended to prefer the Hyosung himself''
]The owner was the salesman

Hes trying to pay the bills.

Pops knows quite a bit motorcycles/scooters , has been rideing a :old: time even works at a dealership as a mechanic who carries both.

I really thinks it comes down to which styling you prefer.
It will be YOUR BABY .

I think that says it all Gino!

Thanks for the input! I truly appreciate any comments, good and bad. I left my info with the owner of the shop to give me a call when the Venox is back in stock. I just want to compare it to the GV250.

I'm still leaning towards the Venox personally, I just like the look a little better. I've been researching different places for accessories to the bike, whichever one I choose.

I have to go through a list of vendors to see what's offered. Hopefully I'll have the bike before the end of next month, it all depends on how fast my settlement goes through.

I think my first accessories I'd want to get for the Venox would be a Tachometer and possibly some new wheels. Mulling over spoked wheels or something solid to match the rear in the Venox.

Any suggestions on a place that has a bit of accessories to see what's available?

''Any suggestions on a place that has a bit of accessories to see what's available? ''


Not very much out there here in the states from the accessories manufacturers listed as made for the Venox. :rant:

Its more a matter of finding something you can add that fits. As the Venox is basically a updated Honda Magna 250 (was never in the states) suggest you look for things from Honda that might work.(?)

I suggest you start a new new topic on the Venox GENERAL DISSCUSION board so it will be more noticed by those riders . :ok:

Hello and welcome. :welcomespin: :WelcomeWave: :WelcomeWave: :welcomespin: You guys had to know that I would pop up here. :rolleyes: I have never ridden the Venox but I really like the looks of the bike. I know that a lot of people are very high on this bike. Especially people with some experience riding. I own the GV250. I was in the same boat as you, I hadn't ridden in probably closer to 25 years so it was a lot like starting over. I test rode several of the "smaller" bikes like the Rebel, ect. I liked their looks but they just felt too small. I didn't see the Venox when I was looking. Good thing, it would have made my decision a lot harder. When I walked into the shop and saw the cream and burgundy GV250 I knew that it was the bike for me. I am 5'11" tall but I have short legs. The GV fit me perfectly. I now have over 1200 miles on her with no complaints. It has plenty of power. I ride it to work on nice days with everyday rides to local state parks. Once a month I ride to a neighboring town for a doctors appointment which is about 20 miles one way. I weigh 200+ pounds and it has plenty of power for myself, the bike and the steep hills I ride up. It is a very stable bike weighing just over 370 lbs. but has wide tires which I feel helps with stability. I get between 60-70 miles to the gallon and feel confident enough to take it on long road trips. There are a lot of accessories out for the GV250. Just look at Richard Jordan's site, Asian Iron, Hard Parts, ect. We also have builders on this forum who design accessories for the bike such as mufflers, and some hard to find parts. Check out Amishcrackdealer's mufflers and Larry Cook's accessories. Amish is working on a new muffler set-up for the GV250 that should sound awesome. I bought the bike first, practiced in a parking lot and some side roads, then took the course. I strongly recommend the course. Price wise, you can't beat this bike.

One thing I didn't do, was allow for purchase of safety equipment. Now I'm scrambling to get my gear together. I have learned a lot from the people on this forum. I wasn't even sure what to look for. Last time I rode, I was young and didn't think much about safety. Make sure that you allow for gloves, a good helmet, boots and riding clothes.

I really don't think that you can go wrong with either of these bikes. Make sure that you make your own mind up. Don't let someone who has never ridden one tell you what these bikes are about. I had a few people tell me that they didn't like these bikes, when I asked them if they owned one, most didn't even know what they were. Part of the fun is seeing the expression on there faces when you tell them that it is a 250. And some will even say, "A Hyo-Whut???" :Ack!!!!!: .

Well I hope this helps a little, sorry for being so long winded. :blowjob: Ask anyone on here, once I get started I just keep going and going and going. I have a lot of pride in what I ride!!!

And you thought you had a lot to say. I'm like this most of the time. :smack: :smack: :smack:

Have a good one and ride safe. :D :biker1:

Wow! I appreciate all the hospitality here, I truly do. This has been the friendliest sight so far, and I've joined tons of other sites to ask questions on lots of different motorcycle brands. I don't mind long winded replies, it just shows enthusiasm for what you love. ( unless it's me and I'm coffeed up :woohoo: )

I did notice that there are a bit more aftermarket accessories for the Hyosung bikes, than the Kymco. This is always weighing in on my decision. I'd like to do a little customization, nothing drastic though. I think for what I'd like to do I can find alternatives that would work for the Kymco, if I do eventually go that way. I'm still trying to gather as much info as possible while I wait for my settlement to be complete.

I did notice the exhaust pipes and the 5th gear sprocket for the Kymco, they'd be high on my aftermarket purchase list. I'd probably add some saddlebags, a tach and a security alarm. As for the wheels, I like spoked wheels but I would have to do more research on if there is anything compatible out there for the Kymco. This is what my sway me to the Hyosung GV250.

I know what you are talking about for safety equipment Dragonryder. I have a nasty scar on my head ( I look like a lobotomy patient or an escaped mental patient, you don't want to see the accident pics! ) hence my settlement. With the purchase of my bike, I'd get a complete kit of safety gear, head to toe. I've already got some items scouted out, so I'll be ready when I do make my purchase. I'm eager to take the riders course, it's just a matter of coordinating my work schedule to take the class.

If you have been looking at the 650 kawasaki then may I suggest that you serously look at the Hyosung GV650. Although I am 6' 1" tall I only have stubby little legs, even so I can still sit on my 650 with both feet flat on the ground very comfortably. The centre of gravity is fairly low so although the bike weighs a bit more than the 250 it is very easy to handle. It also gives you a bit more grunt if you need to get out of trouble. There are also plenty of accesories available. I have added the following after market accesories to my bike, driving lights, windshield,air horn,rear rack/sisssy bar, soft saddle bags and a camera mount. I am waiting for a top box and sheepskin covered gel-pad to arrive and then I think I will be almost complete!!!!!

I really love the looks of the GV650, the Orange and Black looks sweet! I had looked at one at the local shop who carried Hyosung and Kymco bikes. I fit on it comfortably, surprise! surprise!, especially since I'm only 5'4".

I think for the moment I might go with either the GV250 or the Venox, a smaller displacement bike to re-learn on. Who knows if my fiancée likes it maybe I'll pass it on to her? Or I'll just buy the GV650 anyway so I can have both?!

:banana:

Have a look around here, and you will find lots of places for your accessory needs for both bikes.

I own the GV650, and have bought a couple things from Richard Jordon, the guy Dragonryder mentioned. Just click here! to go to his site! I live in Australia, and it was heaps cheaper to buy what I wanted from him, than my local dealer!!

Ugghh! You guys are making it difficult for me to decide! :rolleyes:

I guess I'll have to wait and take the drivers course first, then see if I can try out the bikes to determine what I'm comfortable with. Still kinda leaning towards the 250cc bikes.

:WhatWeAllDo!: Hey Homer / Big Tone .... when does AFL season start up?!

Well I too looked at the GV250. I had never ridden a bike on the road before, so at first I was leaning to the GV250 due to it's smaller size. But, I did feel more comfortable on the GV650.

In the end I went for the GV650, as I decided with the large displacement, I would stay happy for longer. (I was a little concerned that I may get sick of the smaller amount of power.) And like I said, it seemed to fit me better.

I have never regretted buying the GV650. Have had a couple issues but were cleared up through the warranty process.

I'm an NRL man. Nothing against AFL, just not physical enough for me! :murs&girlfriend:

:buw: aawwwwww.... :wub:

Hey GinoXB,

AFL kicked off on Thursday night, Results so far
Geelong over Port adelaide in adelaide
St kilda over Sydney in Melbourne
Collingwood over Freemantle in Perth
Richmond over Carlton at The MCG.

*cries* I missed the first week! :bawl:

There is nothing like having the extra grunt of the additional 400cc in the GV650 when you want to head out on the open road with a heap of camping gear. Some here are veteran tourers where I have only done 1 5000km trip, I have a 6500km run coming in May. The GV650 is great for the long haul, I wouldn't even look at hauling my fat arse interstate on a 250. (Sorry Serp but my bum is a bit fatter and heavier than yours.)
I'm currently playing with a pair of hard side opening panniers I am adapting to the GV650 for the next long trip, rather than pull the trailer again.

I do LOVE the styling of the GV650 a lot, even more so than the Venox. I still might lean towards the Venox for a good beginner bike, then maybe later towards the end of the year I might go for the GV650. I can take lots of back roads to get where I need to go, and it's nice enough weather here most of the year that I don't mind taking a longer route. Except maybe when Lovebug season starts up! :barf:

Everything depends on my fiancée and her job. I'll know something better by the end of the year if I stay here in the States and she comes here to live and work or I'll go to Brazil to be with her to live and work.

hi - it's been a while since i was last here

i have clocked up 30,000km on my GV250 -- hasn't missed a beat in the 20 months that i have been riding it. I ride through traffic, motorways and back roads.

I have done quite a lot of group rides and can always keep up -- unless the road is long and straight and thats when the bigger bike open up and get a ahead of me.

anyway if you are a new rider the GV250 is a good option - looks good - large fuel tank -- very forgiving in what you can get away with.

however after 12 months you will probably want a bigger bike -- so depending upon how confident you are you may be better off starting with the 650 -- if you are not that confident then the GV250 is a great bike

QUOTE
''I can take lots of back roads to get where I need to go, and it's nice enough weather here most of the year that I don't mind taking a longer route. Except maybe when Lovebug season starts up!''


RIDING :chopper:

Its all about the journey....not the destination.

And the extra protein the Lovebugs offer! :smalltounge

Okay I am a bit late in coming in on this but... ( we havent got a connection at home at the mo) anyway welcome :WelcomeWave: from way downunder.

I have a GT250 Hyosung which I have had for 19months and done 62000km on, I had two problems with it right at the start but apart from that it hasn't missed a beat

Wow! Lots of Aussies .... :banana:

Yeah I like the styling of the bikes so much, it's just a waiting game at the moment. It's a good thing though, it gives me time to really look at all the bikes. So many choices, for once it's a good thing to have the time.

G'day Gino, whatever bike you decide on in the end mate will be the right one as they are all good bikes. You cant lose no matter which way you go. :evilgrin1:

Results and discussion can be found here http://www.realfooty.com.au/

FWIW, Hawthorn demolished Melbourne :)

Hi Gino,
I have the Aquilla GV250 & my husband has the 650. As the lone female chiming in here one statement jumped out at me: you plan to have your financee ride on the back. I've never sat on the back of a Venox, so I've no idea how comfy it is. The 650 is only good for max 30 minutes. Ask Dave, Pat and a few other guys how happy their spouses are to ride on the back of their 650s!
Here's a suggestion: BOTH of you sit on the bikes to see if any is much better than another. Perhaps one of them may not be so comfortable for you w/a passenger. (After riding behind Gary for 1.5 hours - w/a break! - I got behind someone whom I'd only met that morning for the remainder of the day. He had an old Honda w/a big comfy seat . . .)

Good point Jo, my wife is not overly fond of the pillion seat. Actually she hates it, but on a good note purhaps I can convince her to do the same as Jo has done by getting another bike for her to ride. (and it has to be another Hyo, we dont have the Venox over here.) :evilgrin1:

:smalltounge Actually, 'we' already had one bike when Gary bought his - it was MY Suzuki!!!

The feedback I too have rec'd about the comfort level for the pillion seat of the GV650 has been very -ive.

All of the bikes...GV250...GV650...GT250...GT650...VENOX....from EVERYTHING I've heard from owners is

...great riding bikes...poor passenger bikes.

Don't know about my GV250 pillion, Gary flat hates to ride my bike so much he takes off the passenger seat if he's going further than up the street & back. Never thought about riding 2-up on my bike. (Though we did on my Suzuki 250GT since it was the only bike we had.) Do not think that is an option, though!

Maybe I'll wait until my fiancée enters the country in May to see how comfortable she feels sitting on the back of a bike. Hmmm more decisions .....

Two words...

Seat Mod.. :okthumb:

Or how about Her OWN bike?! :biggrin:

:okthumb:


:chopper: His

&

:moped: Hers....

My wife keeps saying that if she is going to ride, she will be on her own bike!!! I think that is the way it ought to be. Those back seats are murder on the back side!!! :smack:

I think, short of a touring bike, you're going to have a hard time finding a bike that anyone would want to ride on for more than half an hour. Have you looked at the pillion lately, a strip of foam down the middle. I think they are made for cruising down main street only, not traveling long distance on. Besides, the world needs more bikers, they should get there own.

Just my two cents worth, maybe not even that. :2c: :rolleyes:

Now I'm seriously going to have to rethink my purchase. I started a new job this week 15 minutes from my house. On the second day of work someone hit my car in the parking lot and drove off!! :crap:

Someone hit my passenger side front fender. I find it really hard to see how they did it since I was parked next to a curb on the passenger side and by a tree. They had to go over the curb to hit my car where they scraped it.

I'd have to find a decent place to park the bike if I decide to ride it to work. I'd be afraid someone would either hit it and knock it over or steal it. Now I'm going to really think things over.

:oops:

The sad thing is that I don't care that someone hit my car. I'm angry because they just drove off, they had to know they hit my car, to go over a curb and back into my car. This might even delay the purchase of my bike for a month or so because now I have to get my car repaired. :crap:

Probably a uninsured driver...or even no license !!