Hyosung GT650N

Hyosung have launched an entry level naked sports bike - GT650N Naked, this bike aims to create a new segment of naked bikes in India. Does it have the potential to do so? Let’s check out.

Design and Style

Give it a look and the bike leaves no doubt in your mind about its naked characteristic. It does look like most of the street bikes but it has the unique sense of styling which helps it to stand out of the crowd. It has an oval shaped headlight which has no visor and cowl and displays naked meter console just above it. The tiny clear lens indicators are placed on the either side of this bike while the black colored rear view mirrors are mounted on its handle bar. Most of the part of this bike is painted black in color which includes its front forks, alloy wheels, engine and front fender.

Hyosung GT650N has beefy front forks which complements its simple yet macho fender which covers its front tyre partly. Move to the side of this bike and you will notice it is one of its kind two horizontally placed circular bars just below its fuel tank which gives it a rugged look. The silencer placed in this bike is very similar to its other sibling with full fairing. Hyosung have also played with the design of its fuel tank and rear cowl. The bike looks more edgy and sharp with noticeable lines on it. The split seat is also different from its other siblings and adds sporty flavour to this bike with black colored split grab rail. Just below these grab rails, this bike features LED tail lamp which sits right on the top of its extended fender which complements its extremely fatty tyre at the back.

Instrument Console

Hyosung GT650N shares its instrument console with its fairing sibling, GT650R. It has a digital speedometer, odometer, 2-trip meter and fuel gauge which rest in a LCD while it has a circular pod for its analogue tachometer. All the essential LED indicators are also placed around its LCD which comes with brightness setting feature.

Engine and Gearbox

The bike shares its engine specifications with its sibling GT650R. It also breathes via V-twin 8 valve 647cc engine. This DOHC engine churns out a maximum power output of 72.68 bhp at 9000 rpm. The torque output produced by this fuel injected engine is of 60.9 nm which arrives at 7500 rpm. The six speed gearbox with gear shift pattern of one gear down and five gears up is equipped in this bike.

Acceleration and Performance

The bike has better power to weight ratio than its sibling as it loses the additional weight of a full size fairing. Apart from this, there is not much difference in the performance of this bike. Instant throttle response is still the best part about this engine. The bike gets off to a flying start and does 0-100km/hr in less than 8 seconds. We won’t say it’s the best available 650cc engine in the market but it’s certainly impressive especially between 3000-7000rpms. The refinement and calmness of this DOHC engine is also commendable. The bike lacks the high speed grunt but to compensate it features an exceptionally well matched six speed gearbox. It offers butter smooth transitions and frequent gear shifting is also not a matter of concern. It can easily go pass the speed of 180km/hr and makes least complain when rev really hard.

Mileage

The bike is expected to return a fuel efficiency of around 22km/ltr on highways while these figures may reduce by 2-3km/ltr in city conditions.

Comfort while Driving

Hyosung GT650N is still very comfortable while driving but you will surely miss the seating comfort of 650R. This new split seat is on the harder side and feels a bit strong on long journeys. Apart from this, you will enjoy the sporty riding posture offered by this bike with its rear set foot pegs. The handle bar is also short in length and offers firm palm grip. It has become easier to fix your knees around its redesigned fuel tank which gives you good hold of this bike.

Storage Space and Safety Features

Apart from storage space, this bike has everything including vital safety features like 4-piston brake callipers at its front and bright headlight for clear vision at night.

Suspension and Brakes

Adjustable front telescopic forks and progressive linkage with hydraulic mono shock absorber at the back forms the suspension system of this naked street bike. As far as its braking is concerned, the bike has twin disc brakes of 300mm at its front while it has a single disc brake of 230mm at the back. It has a very capable braking system which enables you to stop this bike precisely.

Ride and Handling

Hyosung have used the same frame of 650R for this bike which means it has the best in class wheelbase of 1445mm which makes it best at high speeds. The bike also has the potential to go off road; it has a high ground clearance of 185mm which allows it to cross most of the obstacles easily. Moreover, the bike handles really well off road and the tyre grip is also magnificent. The suspension system also holds the bike well around corners and you always have the sense of control on this bike. There is no problem also while you handle this bike in city traffic as it steers accurately and can move through tight spaces easily.

Tyre Size and Variants

Hyosung GT650N is only available in one variant and comes with R17 size of tyres.

Shades

Hyosung GT650N Naked is available in three shades: Racy Red, Black Puma and Majestic White.

Verdict

The naked variant of GT650 is priced at INR 3.87lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi (approx., may vary). This variant is almost one lakh rupees cheaper than its full fairing variant and most importantly apart from fairing there is no difference between these two bikes. They share same engine, suspension and body frame. Moreover GT650N has the off road ability which gives it an upper hand. We feel it’s a complete value for money bike and one should not hesitate before buying it.

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