Hyosung Comet GT650 Restricted: New licence holders often find, to their dismay, that the terms of a first provisional licence taken out after December 17th, 1999, mean that for the two years after passing the Driving Test, they are not permitted to ride machines producing more than 25 kW engine power, or a machine with a power-to-weight ratio of less than 0.16kW per kg.
The "knowledgeable" lads in the bar of the local pub will tell you this means you cannot ride anything larger than a 250cc machine. Others will insist the limit is 350cc. In fact both are wrong. There are even some bikes as large as 750cc which, under the power-to-weight provision, fall within the limits.
However, virtually all popular makes and models of bikes can be "restricted" in such a way that their actual power output is reduced. Many manufacturers offer factory restricted models. Because they are factory restricted, most insurers rate them in a lower category.
Almost any machine can be dealer restricted. Because, insurers argue, they could be easily de-restricted, insurers operating in Ireland rarely treat dealer restricted bikes any differently from the full power version.
In Europe and Britain things are somewhat better. There are properly recognised restriction kits, and a recognised certification process. These kits and the certification meet the very exacting German TUV requirements which are times more stringent than anything we are ever likely to see here. Irish dealers hope that our insurers will soon follow this European practice.
More to the point, and in the absence of the acceptance of a recognised form of certification in Ireland, no one can tell by sight whether or not a machine has been restricted, most people's main concern is what effect restriction will have on a bike's performance?
The answer, in real world terms, is surprisingly little. For example, the restricted version of BMW's F 650 CS has a maximum speed of 175km/h (109mph). The factory restricted version claims 147km/h (91.6mph). If the whole idea behind restrictions is to save us from killing ourselves or others then, it is plainly ridiculous.
You would be almost as incredibly lucky to walk away from a 147km/h accident as from one at 175km/h and, in any case, throughout the whole of Europe, save for some sections of the German autobahns, the maximum speed limit is around 125 km/h, appreciably less than the top speed of many a restricted machine.
Hyosung's GT650 is a good example of a popular all-rounder machine which is available in both restricted and unrestricted forms. The main, practical difference is that the restricted version which we tested is rated for insurance purposes as Group 5, whilst the unrestricted one is rated in Group 10. Depending on your age and location, that can make a huge difference in premium costs.
The bike is a fairly conventional, modern, naked machine with a good, comfortable and upright seating position for the rider. It would be not unfair to consider it a Suzuki SV650 clone. Hardly surprisingly since Hyosung and Suzuki have worked closely together for many years. The SV650 is slightly less powerful and a fraction lighter - but costs €2,400 more.
The pillion provision is minimal and cannot be taken seriously, making this essentially a solo machine just about capable of occasionally taking an intrepid passenger. The pillion seat covers a small luggage compartment, just about big enough to take a modest chain and lock.
The engine is a DOHC, 8-valve, liquid cooled V-twin of 647cc producing 78bhp at 9,000rpm and 50 lb.ft of torque at 7,500rpm. It has a 6-speed gearbox and chain final drive. Seat height is 780mm and the wheelbase is 1.435mm.
It has the usual 41mm telescopic front suspension and front twin disk brakes on a 120/60 tyred 17" front wheel. Swinging arm rear suspension with a single disk brake and a 160/60 tyred 17" wheel.
Fuel capacity is 17 litres and the bike's dry weight is 180kg. For many the attraction of this machine will be that it follows a well-trodden, tried and tested formula. There is nothing extreme about this bike. Although the technology is reasonably up-to-date it does not contain any radically new and not yet fully proven systems. In other words a sound, everyday bread and butter type of machine.
None of which means that it is dull, boring or unexciting. It is perfectly capable in the restricted form in which we tested it, of maintaining the maximum legal speed on motorways and can go well beyond that. . .
Acceleration is sufficiently brisk and it can out accelerate virtually anything on 4 wheels. The brakes are good, so too is the roadholding. The price is particularly attractive, normally €6,950, altho' there are a few bikes left at the €6,300 discount price.
It is a workhorse of a machine which is capable of tackling the daily commute, month after month; being used for recreational trips and even longer overseas tours. All it is not is the sort of machine that causes heads to turn or makes pimply schoolboys drool with envy.
Tech Spec:
ENGINE: 647cc ,DOHC, 8-valve, liquid cooled V-twin producing 78bhp at 9,000rpm and 50 lb.ft of torque at 7,500rpm. 6-speed gearbox, chain final drive
CHASSIS: Tubular steel frame, 41mm telescopic front suspension. Front twin disk brakes on a 120/60 17" front wheel. Swinging arm rear suspension, single disk brake and a 160/60 17" wheel.
DIMENSIONS: Seat height 780mm, wheelbase is 1.435mm. Fuel capacity is 17 litres and the bike's dry weight is 180kg.
INSURANCE: Group 5 restricted, Group 10 full power
PRICE: €6,300 limited period discount, normally €6,950