Hyosung GV650 Aquila Pro Review
Bike tested: 2013 Hyosung GV650 Aquila Pro
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 5,46,200/-
The Hyosung Aquila Pro has all the right ingredients to become a massive success in India.
When one talks about cruiser motorcycles, there are two brands which come to the mind immediately. One is Royal Enfield, which makes single-cylinder cruiser bikes, while the other is Harley-Davidson, which dominates the high-end cruiser segment. But what if you want something in between? There is an alternative, thanks to DSK-Hyosung who have now got the Hyosung GV650 Aquila Pro in the Indian market. The Aquila name is not new to us and almost 10 years back, Hyosung had launched the 250cc Aquila, which was one of the most desirable machines at that time. Can the Korean automaker taste the same success with the 650cc Aquila?
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Styling – If Hyosung gets full marks for something, it is for the design of their machines. The Hyosung GV650 Aquila looks terrific with the right use of chrome all around. It’s not dipped in chrome like its younger brother ST7 but still manages to look rich enough. The GV650 is a modern day motorcycle with custom cruiser styling. The front of the Hyosung GV650 sports a round chrome headlamp and the handlebars are extremely wide like you would expect from a cruiser motorcycle. The sharp styling on the tank blends well with the overall motorcycle and there is generous use of chrome on the exhaust too, which adds to the bling factor. The rear is well executed and sports 21 LEDs in the brake light. The overall appeal and presence of the Aquila Pro is so massive on the roads, that most people mistake it to be a Harley-Davidson bike.
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Instrument Cluster and Switch Gear – Get onto the saddle and you will be comforted by the well padded seats. The console of the Hyosung GV650 is all digital and features a speedometer in the centre, odometer and trip meters below it along with fuel meter, temperature meter and clock along side. There is no tachometer and the digital readout is surrounded by various malfunction lights and indicator lights. The console is surrounded by a thick layer of chrome, which keeps the premium appeal of the overall bike firmly intact. Switch gear quality is very good and so is the overall fit and finish, with only minor plastic parts not feeling up to the mark.
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Performance and Gearbox – Powering the Hyosung GV650 Aquila Pro is the same unit which does duty on the GT650R. This V-twin engine generates 74 BHP of power at a rather high 9000 RPM (according to cruiser standards) and 62.1 Nm of torque at 6500 RPM. The exhaust is quite audible through out, even at idle and only gets louder as you twist your right wrist further. The GV650 has good bottom and mid-range punch and surges forward with zest every time you open the throttle. There is plenty of power available for our roads and seldom does the Aquila feel at a loss of horses. However this V-twin powerplant has quite a few vibes at high revvs, which become apparent on the mirrors and on the footpegs.
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There is so much power on tap, that the Hyosung GV650 doesn’t feel out of breath till upper three digit speeds. It continues to pull strongly and boasts of a top speed of 195 km/hr. 0 – 100 km/hr comes up in just 6 seconds, while the 140 km/hr mark is done in just 11 seconds. The GV650 transfers power to the rear wheels via a belt and uses a 5-speed gearbox, which has different ratios than the GT650R. However the first gear seems to be the same as that of the GT650R and we could hit 87 km/hr in first gear, post which the revv-limiter kicked in. Make no mistake, the GV650 is a cruiser but can still give you a hair raising experience.
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Riding Dynamics – The Hyosung Aquila Pro is a comfortable motorcycle with forward set foot pegs, well cushioned seats and wide handlebars. There is no place for the pillion to hold on to but DSK is offering a back rest as an option. The handling is surefooted and the visual mass is easy to maneuver thanks to a light steering, rigid chassis and wide Bridgestone Battlax tyres, which offer tremendous grip. Straight line stability is splendid and even at high speeds, the GV650 simply doesn’t budge and stays well planted to the roads. Ride quality although on the stiffer side is quite good and the GV650 maintains its composure on the worst of roads. Braking performance is excellent with supreme speed shedding abilities on offer.
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Verdict – DSK-Hyosung are on a roll, launching new products in India quickly. The GV650 Aquila Pro does come across as the best cruiser for the money. While you can get a cruiser from a well known American company for slightly more, that too doesn’t come close to the sheer level of performance the Aquila Pro has to offer. The Korean company has offered an excellent alternative for cruiser buyers and the price, performance and styling mix is spot on, making the GV650 an excellent motorcycle in its segment.
The gorgeous styling and splendid performance makes the Hysoung GV650 look much more expensive than it actually is.
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What’s Cool
* Gorgeous Styling
* Performance
What’s Not So Cool
* Brand awareness
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2013 Hyosung GV650 Aquila Pro Specifications
* Engine: 647cc, V-Twin, DOHC, Water-Cooled, 8-valves
* Power: 74 BHP @ 9000 RPM
* Torque: 62.1 Nm @ 6500 RPM
* Transmission: 5-speed manual
* 0 – 100 km/hr – 6 seconds
* Top Speed: 195 km/h
* Fuel Consumption: 20 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Suspension: Telescopic forks (Front), Hydraulic double shock absorber (Rear)
* Tyres: 120/70/18 (Front), 180/55/17 (Rear)
* Brakes: 284 mm twin discs (Front), 144 mm disc (Rear)
2013 Hyosung GV650 Aquila Pro Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2330 mm x 840 mm x 1150 mm
* Wheelbase: 1670 mm
* Ground Clearance: 160 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 16-litres
* Kerb weight: 240 kgs