Cometh O Comet : Kinetic Hyosung Gt250 - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

Sunny · 09-20-2008, 12:58 PM

Cometh O Comet

God forgive all those who swore and did unthinkable things to their bikes just to get get that speedo needle one notch up. In a country where real performance sports bikes dot the land as sparsely as the green grass in the vast empiness of Rann of Kutch, any bike with decent power was to be welcomed with a red carpet and flowers from the power hungry bloodhounds. I have never been a big fan of naked bikes, but that was about to change. Before I saw the Kinetic's imported Hyosung Comet, I knew that it was big and that it was naked, but wasnt too eager to max it's engine out and review it. You see, ignorant men like me with a negative mindset can be really dangerous to the product review of a new bike. But at the end of the day when a new bike manages to harvest all the ignorance and negativity in you, its understood that its not just another new kid on the block.

It was not the first time I was going to ride a 'big' bike, earlier being the Fireblades and Blackbirds. But this one had a feeling of being attainable - the kind of bike which you can afford to keep in your parking lot and thrash around without fearing involuntary front wheel liftoffs.

My initial response after seeing the red Comet for the first time in flesh was - ITS HUGE! Make no bones about that. And its damn good a looker too. One can stare without getting bored at the huge and gracefully sculpted tank with awe. Once you sit on the bike you just see the tank below - nothing else! I had this kind of feeling when I first rode the Fireblade. It definetely renders you as a new confident man! The next thing which strikes you is that you have sunk into the bike with its huge tank and rear step up seat. It gives a cosy and well planted kind of feeling, same as in the big superbikes The dials are a bit too outdated, but they also dont demand any digital gadgetry, even the Hayabusa didnt use to have any digital consoles! Still, i reckon the dials could have been better, i would have preferred them to be matt black rather then chrome. The best part for many individuals would be its meaty front ( 110 ) and rear tyres ( 150 ) with a superbike profile (17"). The only other bike I have ridden in the same engine capacity enough to better these figures is the 4-stroke 4-cylinder inline 250 CC Honda Hornet with its 130 front and 180 rear ( borrowed from the Fireblade series).

This coupled with the rear monoshock and the trick looking golden colored USD forks giving it a big bike look, which belies its 250cc capacity.. Finally, methinks, some people can get away by writing DUCATI in big fonts on their bikes!

The exhaust is a little small for my liking but its gives the impression that the bike is bigger when evaluating it as a package. There is a warning engraved on the exhaust which is says "DO NOT TOUCH MUFFLER BECAUSE HIGH TEMPERATURE", and you bet! The only thing they forgot is to paint the warning in a flashing red as the exhaust gets really, really hot. I shudder to think about the poor dog even gets his wandering nose even close to the exhaust of a just parked-in bike!

As the next step after admiring the bike and checking it 360 degree, I reached out to the electronic starter button on the right side and pressed it a couple of times before the engine came to life. If one has heard how Superbikes start then they will know that the Comet starting routine sounds very similar and healthy. But the similarities end there and then. The original Comet 250 has a well tuned 2 into 1 header with a short megaphone and is very good at getting the most out of the engine but the exhaust note is very timid and sounds like someone's really trying really hard to get the cold out of the nose. I said 'original' because the Comet homologated in India under ARAI has been made to shed 3 odd BHP. You can supposedly reclaim what is yours by removing the catalytic converter fixed on the Indian version.

The 250 shares a lot of stuff with its bigger 650 counterpart and as a result looks quite huge and massive for a 250. Infact on many occasions , i found people asking me if it was a 600cc machine! The inverted forks are a first in India and so is the rear disc brake, these features combined with the mono-shock,fat rubber,massive tank and muscular body give it a very purposeful look. The only things i found out of place were the rear-view mirrors and the switch gear quality which are certainly not upto the mark. The 250 engine is also shared by its cruiser counterpart - the Kinetic Hyosung Aquila. The Aquila, having a longer wheelbase is a little laid back as compared to the Comet. The Indian versions of Comet and Aquila have 27 and 26 Bhp respectively.

Hyosung has worked with Suzuki very closely in the past and its influence can be seen in the engine and the frame. The engine comprises of two cylinders placed in a 75 degree V - arrangement with DOHC 4 valve per cylinder, with twin downdraft Mikuni carburettors providing good carburation. The engine has been kept simple with air-cooling coupled with an oil cooler aimed for reliability. Many people mistake the oil cooler to be a radiator. So the cooling system is still air based. The engine is high revving and will attain 9000 + rpm quite easily. The engine is mounted firmly in a steel double - cradle chasis. Some might find it familiar to the Kinetic GF series frame.

The downside of the bike being so big is that most bike enthusiasts invariably start expecting some really out of the world stuff, they forget that its only a 250 CC V-twin engine which manages to churn a respectable 30 odd horses. Once you keep in mind this abberration, go ahead and sink yourself into it, everything gets clear about the nature of this bike. If you zero the throttle and then pull it wide open suddenly then it seems to hesitate a little in accelerating, but if you roll it gradually then it will mass on the speed figures steadily.

The Comet handles really well except while nearing its speed limit of around 140 kmph. This is primarily because of the factory set soft - suspension, you will rebound like a baby on the belly of laughing buddha! The suspension is adjustable but is a real pain to do so. You wil have to open up quite a little bit at the back to reach the adjustment mechanism. However, for the Indian roads it is recommended that you leave the suspension as is if you do not intend to push it real hard, and if you dont think the Indian roads and testing tracks. The Comet offers an option for dual disc brakes up front ( it comes with a 300mm disc up front ). Besides this a 220 mm disc break at the rear complements the front while breaking hard. In sport bikes like the Comet one ideally should press the front breaks first ( barring loose gravel or very wet conditions ) followed immediately by the rear brakes, a kind of manual CBS ( Combined Breaking System ). The brakes are made by Daesung in Korea and do the job well, bite like a snakebite. The rear 150 and the front 110 add to the confidence while cornering hard, even in the wet.

The bike is big enough. Even the 6" + hunks will find it comfortable, thanks to the 650 chasis. Anyone less than 5" might have to practice a little bit of yoga before they attempt to take U-turns et al. The humungous tank makes it very easy to rest on the bike while doing high speed runs, which somewhat makes up for the lack of fairings ( naked bikes arent supposed to have one anyways ). If you are the owner of any Indian production bike and want to upgrade to an attention harvester and a performace two - wheeler in one - go for the Comet. It's just the matter of seeing the bike, sitting on it and having one high speed run on a good road - you'll book it.

Once you get the feel of the bike it is a matter of time that you will discard any respect for other two - wheelers on the road with the mountains of confidence which this bike imparts to its rider. Barring other high capacity imported bikes, no other Indian production bike can beat you on the Comet, rarely in traffic if you are a good rider and never on a straight. You will just find overtaking with incredible ease and braking harder wthout the fear of losing any of the wheels. For stunt freaks this is the best bike they can get to show off their love for saving the one wheel. The incredible big bike feel coupled with the naked agression that this bike exudes renders the stuntesmen to a new level of capability and possibility.

Kinetic deserves a big pat on the back for bringing the Comet here even if it is for a limited run only. I'm sure it came at the expense of quite a few headaches for them (homologation etc). Getting any thing done in this Red Taped and custom mad country of ours is not an easy task. And I'm sure when u keep this in mind that the 1.7 lakh price tag is a very decent one. Kinetic didn't need to do what it did, but I'm sure glad it did and bought us that one small but significant step closer to the liter class monsters.

Comet Gearing

Gear 1 47
Gear 2 74
Gear 3 97
Gear 4 121
Gear 5 138

Hyosung Comet 250
Category Naked bike

ENGINE
Type 249 cc, oil/air cooled, 75Â° v-twin, 4-stroke Valves DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Power 30 hp (22.4 kW) @ 10500 rpm
Torque 20.6 Nm (15.2 ft. lbs) @ 9500 rpm

TRANSMISSION
Gearbox 5 speed Final drive Chain

WHEELS
Front tyre 110/70-17 Back tyre 150/70-17

Front brakes single 300 mm disc with 2-piston calipers Rear brakes single 220 mm disc with 1-piston calipers

DIMENSIONS
Overall length 2065 mm (81.3 inches)
Overall width 770 mm (30.3 inches)
Overall height 1115 mm (43.9 inches) Seat height 780 mm (30.7 inches) Wheelbase 1430 mm (56.3 inches)

Fuel capacity - reserve 17 l (4.5 gallon US)

Dry weight 135 kg (297.6 pounds)

Stuff you can get for your comet:

1. Hyosung at S&T Motors . has a center stand in the works for the Comet, but points out a big ¡°WARNING¡± that due to the small footprint of a Center stand, great caution should be used if one is installed. We say that it has to be better than the almost vertical angle provided by the stock side stand.
2. HSRC at HSRC has an aftermarket muffler for the Comet GT250.

4. more stuff at Index

Pictures

The tank is humongous and gives you a true feel of riding a big bike.

The primary colors don't overshadow the Comet's muscular features.

The meaty rear ensures enough grip even on tight turns.

The Comet can be a perfect tourer, thanks to its minimal plastic. But sometimes the tank
can prove to be a bane if the bike falls.

Ansh_a.k.a_Razor · 11-16-2008, 07:42 AM

Hey Sunny! Can Comet be a good choice if replacement needed for P220? I think ninja is making a huge late to launch.
Also , what's upon the resale value if needed to resale for Ninja?

Thanks In Advance..

Sunny · 11-16-2008, 07:47 AM

Either of the Comet or the Ninja would be a good upgrade from P220 (performance, handling, styling). The Comet still retains good resale value and is in demand. The Ninja should also have terrific resale value. Go for a Ninja simply because of more power (if its not detuned like the Comet sold here), sportier looks (which will further aid resale), insurance, warranty and a big company backup. However it will easily cost at least 1 lac over a sub 5000kms done second hand Comet (which should come around for 1.3 lacs).

satyenpoojary · 11-16-2008, 07:50 AM

Hey! Are they coming back?

Ansh_a.k.a_Razor · 11-16-2008, 08:02 AM

Have emailed to kinetic for availability and booking options.
Lets see if they have any stock.
I think ninja will be delayed till march 2009 due to market position now these days.

kriss · 11-16-2008, 09:07 AM

sunny... What camera was used ?? Digi cam ?

sam92 · 11-16-2008, 01:58 PM

hey wonderful write up + pics
just one doubt
is comet still up for sale ?
or are they coming back ?

gd76 · 11-17-2008, 09:31 AM

Is it coming ? I just bought one about 3 months ago, the bike is really good. It's a very practical bike, but power actually kicks in only after 6000 rpm, that's why it becomes all the more easier to ride in the city. During the week I ride my P 180 classic & the COMET for the weekends.

CHEERS,
G D

crazy_NJ · 11-18-2008, 09:55 PM

Even I was about to open a thread on Comet. I am very much interested on this bike. But I want the new Comet GT250 EFI(2009 model with FI).

Sunny, can you please tel me how much will it cost to import the bike to India (Total price)??

Also please let me know about the Comet GT650 EFI (Total cost to import)??

ravi@17bhp · 11-18-2008, 10:01 PM

Nice pics Sunny.

09-20-2008, 12:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sunny SlowMotionInfinity Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Delhi Posts: 7,292	Cometh O Comet : Kinetic Hyosung Gt250 Cometh O Comet God forgive all those who swore and did unthinkable things to their bikes just to get get that speedo needle one notch up. In a country where real performance sports bikes dot the land as sparsely as the green grass in the vast empiness of Rann of Kutch, any bike with decent power was to be welcomed with a red carpet and flowers from the power hungry bloodhounds. I have never been a big fan of naked bikes, but that was about to change. Before I saw the Kinetic's imported Hyosung Comet, I knew that it was big and that it was naked, but wasnt too eager to max it's engine out and review it. You see, ignorant men like me with a negative mindset can be really dangerous to the product review of a new bike. But at the end of the day when a new bike manages to harvest all the ignorance and negativity in you, its understood that its not just another new kid on the block. It was not the first time I was going to ride a 'big' bike, earlier being the Fireblades and Blackbirds. But this one had a feeling of being attainable - the kind of bike which you can afford to keep in your parking lot and thrash around without fearing involuntary front wheel liftoffs. My initial response after seeing the red Comet for the first time in flesh was - ITS HUGE! Make no bones about that. And its damn good a looker too. One can stare without getting bored at the huge and gracefully sculpted tank with awe. Once you sit on the bike you just see the tank below - nothing else! I had this kind of feeling when I first rode the Fireblade. It definetely renders you as a new confident man! The next thing which strikes you is that you have sunk into the bike with its huge tank and rear step up seat. It gives a cosy and well planted kind of feeling, same as in the big superbikes The dials are a bit too outdated, but they also dont demand any digital gadgetry, even the Hayabusa didnt use to have any digital consoles! Still, i reckon the dials could have been better, i would have preferred them to be matt black rather then chrome. The best part for many individuals would be its meaty front ( 110 ) and rear tyres ( 150 ) with a superbike profile (17"). The only other bike I have ridden in the same engine capacity enough to better these figures is the 4-stroke 4-cylinder inline 250 CC Honda Hornet with its 130 front and 180 rear ( borrowed from the Fireblade series). This coupled with the rear monoshock and the trick looking golden colored USD forks giving it a big bike look, which belies its 250cc capacity.. Finally, methinks, some people can get away by writing DUCATI in big fonts on their bikes! The exhaust is a little small for my liking but its gives the impression that the bike is bigger when evaluating it as a package. There is a warning engraved on the exhaust which is says "DO NOT TOUCH MUFFLER BECAUSE HIGH TEMPERATURE", and you bet! The only thing they forgot is to paint the warning in a flashing red as the exhaust gets really, really hot. I shudder to think about the poor dog even gets his wandering nose even close to the exhaust of a just parked-in bike! As the next step after admiring the bike and checking it 360 degree, I reached out to the electronic starter button on the right side and pressed it a couple of times before the engine came to life. If one has heard how Superbikes start then they will know that the Comet starting routine sounds very similar and healthy. But the similarities end there and then. The original Comet 250 has a well tuned 2 into 1 header with a short megaphone and is very good at getting the most out of the engine but the exhaust note is very timid and sounds like someone's really trying really hard to get the cold out of the nose. I said 'original' because the Comet homologated in India under ARAI has been made to shed 3 odd BHP. You can supposedly reclaim what is yours by removing the catalytic converter fixed on the Indian version. The 250 shares a lot of stuff with its bigger 650 counterpart and as a result looks quite huge and massive for a 250. Infact on many occasions , i found people asking me if it was a 600cc machine! The inverted forks are a first in India and so is the rear disc brake, these features combined with the mono-shock,fat rubber,massive tank and muscular body give it a very purposeful look. The only things i found out of place were the rear-view mirrors and the switch gear quality which are certainly not upto the mark. The 250 engine is also shared by its cruiser counterpart - the Kinetic Hyosung Aquila. The Aquila, having a longer wheelbase is a little laid back as compared to the Comet. The Indian versions of Comet and Aquila have 27 and 26 Bhp respectively. Hyosung has worked with Suzuki very closely in the past and its influence can be seen in the engine and the frame. The engine comprises of two cylinders placed in a 75 degree V - arrangement with DOHC 4 valve per cylinder, with twin downdraft Mikuni carburettors providing good carburation. The engine has been kept simple with air-cooling coupled with an oil cooler aimed for reliability. Many people mistake the oil cooler to be a radiator. So the cooling system is still air based. The engine is high revving and will attain 9000 + rpm quite easily. The engine is mounted firmly in a steel double - cradle chasis. Some might find it familiar to the Kinetic GF series frame. The downside of the bike being so big is that most bike enthusiasts invariably start expecting some really out of the world stuff, they forget that its only a 250 CC V-twin engine which manages to churn a respectable 30 odd horses. Once you keep in mind this abberration, go ahead and sink yourself into it, everything gets clear about the nature of this bike. If you zero the throttle and then pull it wide open suddenly then it seems to hesitate a little in accelerating, but if you roll it gradually then it will mass on the speed figures steadily. The Comet handles really well except while nearing its speed limit of around 140 kmph. This is primarily because of the factory set soft - suspension, you will rebound like a baby on the belly of laughing buddha! The suspension is adjustable but is a real pain to do so. You wil have to open up quite a little bit at the back to reach the adjustment mechanism. However, for the Indian roads it is recommended that you leave the suspension as is if you do not intend to push it real hard, and if you dont think the Indian roads and testing tracks. The Comet offers an option for dual disc brakes up front ( it comes with a 300mm disc up front ). Besides this a 220 mm disc break at the rear complements the front while breaking hard. In sport bikes like the Comet one ideally should press the front breaks first ( barring loose gravel or very wet conditions ) followed immediately by the rear brakes, a kind of manual CBS ( Combined Breaking System ). The brakes are made by Daesung in Korea and do the job well, bite like a snakebite. The rear 150 and the front 110 add to the confidence while cornering hard, even in the wet. The bike is big enough. Even the 6" + hunks will find it comfortable, thanks to the 650 chasis. Anyone less than 5" might have to practice a little bit of yoga before they attempt to take U-turns et al. The humungous tank makes it very easy to rest on the bike while doing high speed runs, which somewhat makes up for the lack of fairings ( naked bikes arent supposed to have one anyways ). If you are the owner of any Indian production bike and want to upgrade to an attention harvester and a performace two - wheeler in one - go for the Comet. It's just the matter of seeing the bike, sitting on it and having one high speed run on a good road - you'll book it. Once you get the feel of the bike it is a matter of time that you will discard any respect for other two - wheelers on the road with the mountains of confidence which this bike imparts to its rider. Barring other high capacity imported bikes, no other Indian production bike can beat you on the Comet, rarely in traffic if you are a good rider and never on a straight. You will just find overtaking with incredible ease and braking harder wthout the fear of losing any of the wheels. For stunt freaks this is the best bike they can get to show off their love for saving the one wheel. The incredible big bike feel coupled with the naked agression that this bike exudes renders the stuntesmen to a new level of capability and possibility. Kinetic deserves a big pat on the back for bringing the Comet here even if it is for a limited run only. I'm sure it came at the expense of quite a few headaches for them (homologation etc). Getting any thing done in this Red Taped and custom mad country of ours is not an easy task. And I'm sure when u keep this in mind that the 1.7 lakh price tag is a very decent one. Kinetic didn't need to do what it did, but I'm sure glad it did and bought us that one small but significant step closer to the liter class monsters. Comet Gearing Gear 1 47 Gear 2 74 Gear 3 97 Gear 4 121 Gear 5 138 Hyosung Comet 250 Category Naked bike ENGINE Type 249 cc, oil/air cooled, 75Â° v-twin, 4-stroke Valves DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder Power 30 hp (22.4 kW) @ 10500 rpm Torque 20.6 Nm (15.2 ft. lbs) @ 9500 rpm TRANSMISSION Gearbox 5 speed Final drive Chain WHEELS Front tyre 110/70-17 Back tyre 150/70-17 Front brakes single 300 mm disc with 2-piston calipers Rear brakes single 220 mm disc with 1-piston calipers DIMENSIONS Overall length 2065 mm (81.3 inches) Overall width 770 mm (30.3 inches) Overall height 1115 mm (43.9 inches) Seat height 780 mm (30.7 inches) Wheelbase 1430 mm (56.3 inches) Fuel capacity - reserve 17 l (4.5 gallon US) Dry weight 135 kg (297.6 pounds) Stuff you can get for your comet: 1. Hyosung at S&T Motors . has a center stand in the works for the Comet, but points out a big ¡°WARNING¡± that due to the small footprint of a Center stand, great caution should be used if one is installed. We say that it has to be better than the almost vertical angle provided by the stock side stand. 2. HSRC at HSRC has an aftermarket muffler for the Comet GT250. 4. more stuff at Index Pictures The tank is humongous and gives you a true feel of riding a big bike. The primary colors don't overshadow the Comet's muscular features. The meaty rear ensures enough grip even on tight turns. The Comet can be a perfect tourer, thanks to its minimal plastic. But sometimes the tank can prove to be a bane if the bike falls. Last edited by MG; 09-20-2008 at 01:44 PM.

11-16-2008, 07:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ansh_a.k.a_Razor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ranchi Posts: 312	Hey Sunny! Can Comet be a good choice if replacement needed for P220? I think ninja is making a huge late to launch. Also , what's upon the resale value if needed to resale for Ninja? Thanks In Advance.. __________________ Add me On Orkut ---> http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Profile....81989635447210 JOIN :- WWW.AIFBA.COM . ALL INDIA FREESTYLE BIKERS ASSOCIATION

11-16-2008, 07:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
satyenpoojary Sports CommuTOURer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On road Posts: 6,469	Hey! Are they coming back? __________________ Super CommuTOURer™ - Talk less, Ride more *.: Facebook :.\|.: iTweet :.\|Do Not Click!\|I* follow PowerToTheRider:. #Give thy opinion, write em, dont throw em #Everyone errs, accept it, defending/cribbing about it only makes it worse #Dont defend a manufacturer as if you work for them #Write. Think. If relevant hit submit. If not hit yourself #Be kind in your choice of words, you never know who would make you gulp em ™ Satyen Poojary

11-16-2008, 08:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ansh_a.k.a_Razor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ranchi Posts: 312	Have emailed to kinetic for availability and booking options. Lets see if they have any stock. I think ninja will be delayed till march 2009 due to market position now these days. __________________ Add me On Orkut ---> http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Profile....81989635447210 JOIN :- WWW.AIFBA.COM . ALL INDIA FREESTYLE BIKERS ASSOCIATION

11-16-2008, 09:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
kriss Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: City of biriyani Posts: 1,380	sunny... What camera was used ?? Digi cam ? __________________ There are Bikers There are Super Bikers... And Then there's KRISS click here for Click here to subscribe SMS alerts for all upcoming Xbhp- Hyderabad G2G's and Rides.

11-16-2008, 07:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
Sunny SlowMotionInfinity Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Delhi Posts: 7,292	Either of the Comet or the Ninja would be a good upgrade from P220 (performance, handling, styling). The Comet still retains good resale value and is in demand. The Ninja should also have terrific resale value. Go for a Ninja simply because of more power (if its not detuned like the Comet sold here), sportier looks (which will further aid resale), insurance, warranty and a big company backup. However it will easily cost at least 1 lac over a sub 5000kms done second hand Comet (which should come around for 1.3 lacs).

11-16-2008, 01:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
sam92 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: padmaraonagar , secunderabad Posts: 1,915	hey wonderful write up + pics just one doubt is comet still up for sale ? or are they coming back ? __________________ FACEBOOK HYDERABAD XBHP VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTMF0soJCI8 The fast became faster[RTR] and now is the FASTEST[220] !!

11-17-2008, 09:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
gd76 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 423	Is it coming ? I just bought one about 3 months ago, the bike is really good. It's a very practical bike, but power actually kicks in only after 6000 rpm, that's why it becomes all the more easier to ride in the city. During the week I ride my P 180 classic & the COMET for the weekends. CHEERS, G D

11-18-2008, 09:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
crazy_NJ Ride hard or Go Home... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Assam --> Bangalore Posts: 329	Good to c something on Comet Even I was about to open a thread on Comet. I am very much interested on this bike. But I want the new Comet GT250 EFI(2009 model with FI). Sunny, can you please tel me how much will it cost to import the bike to India (Total price)?? Also please let me know about the Comet GT650 EFI (Total cost to import)?? __________________ One & Only, NJ... Last edited by crazy_NJ; 11-18-2008 at 09:58 PM.

11-18-2008, 10:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
ravi@17bhp The Explorer Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 3,875	Nice pics Sunny.

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