Hyosung RT125D Reviews
Latest Reviews
★★★☆☆
“AVERAGE . . . COULD BE BETTER !!!”
Written on: 03/01/2013
Hello I am from Malta and I bought one of these bikes brand-new. My bike is only 2 months old, so I can't judge it that much. But I still have few pros and cons to comment about. Pros: - Cheap to buy and run. - Very economical. I calculated that I can easily make 100 mpg or 36 km/l or 3 l/100km. - Very easy to handle. - It has good torque and keeps the gears very well, even with a light passenger behind you. - Great looks and seems like a big bike. - It's a fun bike. It behaves good on... (read more)
★★★☆☆
“Not that bad.”
Written on: 05/11/2012 by jimmyjones
Hyosung 125rt Karion. The bike is good specially the preformance. I did max speed 78 MPH. And is good for a 125cc. But the tyres are dangerous specially in MALTA. They are like soap and bad on the roads specially when they get old. Nylon tyres are bad. I fitted new bridgestone tyres which now the bike handling is very good. Also the frame is rusty after a few years especially the swinging arm. The good think about the bike is that it looks like a big bike. (read more)
★★★★☆
“My 1st bike and I love it”
Written on: 01/07/2012 by Alvescrafter (1 review written)
Good reliable bike, if your wandering about speed I was behind a 1.4 Clio the other day and over took it with the Clio driver trying hard to stop me. So it has the power to do what you need to do in a city. I personally wouldn't take it on the motorway, it can do over 70mph, iv taken her upto 73mph. Acceleration is quite decent too, there are loads of yzf-r125's were I live and it's as fast as them, really depending on the rider who comes out 1st. I'd recommend any1 on a CBT to get this... (read more)
★★★★☆
“I bought this bike brand new and finally have decided...”
Written on: 08/09/2010
I bought this bike brand new and finally have decided to sell it cos wanna upgrade to a bigger bike. It's an excellent learner bike. It looks great, it sounds great and it rides great. The riding experience is superb.
The fuel gauge would be a nice extra but I worked out that I can go 140miles ish, until it runs out of fuel... just need to keep an eye on it & it's alright.
It hasn't let me down at all. I would suggest it to anyone, it's a great bike for such price.
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★★☆☆☆
“This is my first bike and for first few months I...”
Written on: 10/03/2010 by MacintoshPete (1 review written)
This is my first bike and for first few months I thought it was great. But then things started to go wrong the indicator relay has had to be replaced 4 times. Next to go was rear suspension, it took fives weeks for replacement to come. Now the timing screw has gone causing major damage to engine this has taken 4 weeks for replacement parts to come. (read more)
★★★★★
“A good little bike with very few faults ( flip up...”
Written on: 23/01/2010
A good little bike with very few faults ( flip up stand is a pain, and the decals are really awful ). reliability is first rate ( not one problem in a whole year ),and it goes well for a 125. most people think it looks like a 250 and are suprised it's only a 125.
not so sure I'd buy a new one because of the depreciation, but I would recommend buying a second hand one for around the grand mark. it does around 80 -90 to the gallon, cheap road tax and insurance, what more could you want out of...
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★★★★★
“The Hyosung RT125D bike seems to go well for a 125....”
Written on: 27/02/2009 by ian macree (2 reviews written)
The Hyosung RT125D bike seems to go well for a 125. the bike does more than 85 mpg, and as it's a 4 stroke you dont have to add expensive oil every time you fill it up with petrol, unlike the 2 stroke's.
I think for a little 125 it's a good bike, and in my opinion it's as good as the Yamaha TW 125 and nearly as good as the Suzuki Van Van. I think the Suzuki is a little better finished off and the paint work seems to be of better quality, but it's as well finished off as the Yamaha.
If you can...
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★★★★★
“The Hyosung RT125 is a good looking learner leagle...”
Written on: 02/09/2008
The Hyosung RT125 is a good looking learner leagle bike that hasnt let me down and gets me to work on time without any problems. Enjoyable to ride and looks bigger than a 125. Engine sounds good too! Obviously important to break the bike in as recommended. Stinks a bit as the engine is cooking in. This model is cheap to buy ( £1700), reliable, enjoyable to ride and I dont care if its not made by a Japanese manufacturer. Bottom line, its value for money. (read more)
★★★★★
“The engine, although still sounding a little rough...”
Written on: 11/08/2008 by Paul Fry (2 reviews written)
The engine, although still sounding a little rough round the edges at max revs has loosened up considerably. Front forks have held up good with no leakages and the chrome has stabilised since being dressed with WD40 after chrome polishing. The bike still looks good, and although described as an easy bike to ride, I would say it feels a little `top heavy' and requires the rider to learn to read the feedback from the bike more than other bikes I have ridden effortlessly. It still represents... (read more)
★★★★★
“From day one the bike has been extremely reliable and...”
Written on: 18/08/2007 by Paul Fry (2 reviews written)
From day one the bike has been extremely reliable and great fun to ride, on and off road. The initial 'shakedown' period is catered for in the owners manual in terms of quarter and half throttle openings in the first 1600 kms use, after which you can use the machine without restriction. As mentioned previously, it rides and feels like a much larger bike, and from the back appears larger especially with the massive tyre! It makes cornering a dream, and adds a feeling of total security and... (read more)
Skibumscot's Response to Paul Fry's Review
Written on: 16/09/2007
Looks a cool bike, though wondering what the performance is like. Better than Van Van Suzuki?
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Paul Fry's Response to Paul Fry's Review
Written on: 17/09/2007
Hi SkibumScot! Well, I was trying to figure out how to add/update my review to let others see how the bike is progressing, but you have given me the opportunity in answering you! The bike is certainly a head turner, there have been almost accidents caused by drivers craning their heads to see what the bike is, because it looks so attractive and sporty. Now, the performance; Don't expect a motogp ride - it has some grunt, even though the engine is only just run in, it is definitely loosening up, it takes at least 1600 kms (1000 miles ish) to shake loose the new cobwebs, harsh feel and sound, and according to the handbook, have no restriction on throttle opening. I have reservations about how particular mechanics are here in Spain regarding small but vital things essential to smooth and efficient running, like correctly gapping the spark plug, and using top quality engine oil, etc, which for smaller engines is of prime importance but as yet I have not got my fingers dirty as its only just had its first service. What Bike report the RT125D as having a keen responsive engine and being a cool commuter, but it does need working hard to get the maximum performance out of it. There is no rev counter so you have to listen to the engine to judge stepping up a gear, but it handles very well with those massive tyres and ground clearance is good. What Bike mag describe the VanVan as being designed for the `strap on a campervan market' , its very slow and quiet with low emmissions, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the RT125D houses a similar ex Suzuki engine anyway, both machines marketed as being fun to ride on sand. The RT125D feels good to ride and the frame really could do with a 250 slung in it, then you would feel you are really in business, but considering its only a 125, its a good economically priced package. Now the things I wanted to update on my original review: At only 1500 kms the rear shock absorber has failed and is leaking, and is to be replaced, I want to put an Ohlins one on, but I know Hyosung will say it invalidates the guarantee if that happens so it is going to have to be another original, and see how long that one lasts. The second problem is that on my machine, not sure if its on every one, the neutral light lies!! Several times now I have left it parked in neutral, gone back to the machine turned ignition on, green light on, pushed starter and it leaps forward, most times with me sat on it. The other day I stood beside it and started it with the green light on and sure enough it leapt forward, slipped off its side stand and fell onto me, throwing me into a rock garden with cacti in it, very painful and pride bruising but a learning experience!! This incredibly only resulted in the ball of the clutch lever being broken, no other damage as the foot peg took the weight of the bike, as did my thigh, mind you! Hyosung Spain have accepted this could be a neutral sensor fault in the gearbox and I am off to the dealer today to get these faults checked and rectified, and clutch lever replaced. To guard against the bike falling onto the clutch /brake levers, I am considering fitting scrambler type lever guards. Hyosung Spain recommend that every time you start a bike, you should get into the habit of pulling the clutch in anyway, which I have never had to do but appreciate some modern bikes won't start until you do. Additionally, fine rust was detected on the upper forks but polished off as new with metal polish/protector, but I have bought some fork gaiters to protect the lower forks, which have no stone/chip guards, yet it is recommended for light off road work. Oh, nearly forgot, the classic style three way fuel lever control is getting harder to turn and is there mainly because the bike has no fuel gauge, which is annoying, so out will come the WD40 in a minute! Its still looking good, for the price it gets you a really cool looking head turner on which you can have a lot of fun, and placed beside the Van Van, there is no competition at all yet they are virtually the same price, hope this helps you and others considering buying this model, cheers, Paul Fry - Spain
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317654_Gabriel8's Response to Paul Fry's Review
Written on: 15/10/2007
sounds like a really good bike, though i want to know if you get used to the bike not having a fuel gage because it sounds quite annoying. also i was wondering how accesible extra parts are for the bike?
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John Thompson's Response to Paul Fry's Review
Written on: 23/10/2007
Don't ever compare these machines with Japanese brands.
<br/>
<br/>The difference in quality is like McDonalds and a top London Restaurant in my opinion.
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Paul Fry's Response to Paul Fry's Review
Written on: 23/10/2007
Hi Gabriel, thanks for your question which I can incorporate into my update on my own Karion ownership. Yes, its annoying not to have a fuel gauge. Yes, Hyosung should have fitted one. Yes, its dangerous to rely on an ancient traditional outdated means of metering fuel to the carburettor. If you are not familiar with the technique, there are two tubes leading from the fuel tank, via the fuel cock/tap/valve into the carb. One is long, and when the fuel level drops below its mouth, you switch to the reserve (shorter pipe) which by having to do so signals you to refuel when next you come to a filling station. What this type of fuel control system does not do is guarantee that it won't run out when you are keeled over at 45 degrees on a roundabout when the main fuel feed goes because you are not going to have time to switch to reserve. Likewise when you are overtaking. The reason simply is cheapness of manufacture, a simple three way, On/Reserve/Off fuel tap costs about a 10th of a fuel guage, end of story. Shame, it spoils a good spec for the sake of a small outlay. In reality, I try not to let it get to the point of going into reserve, and resort to unscrewing the fuel cap, and checking that when I rock the bike, I can see fuel splashing over the central divide inside the tank. When I can't, I refuel, victorian, yes, unnecessary, yes, but life as we know it!
<br/>Parts for the bike. OK, having searched Ebay and local Hyosung dealers, I am reasonably confident that here in Spain, no-one stocks spares off of the shelf. My reason for this statement is that 5 weeks ago I was going over a speed hump, I hasten to add, slowly, when I became aware of the rear of the bike still bouncing up and down as I was entering the little Spanish village where we are renting. It felt strange so I stopped. I bounced up and down on the saddle, and it seemed like 2 minutes later the rear of the bike was still bouncing! Yes, after 1550 kms (the recommended running in period is 1600 kms) the rear shock absorber had failed, and was leaking. This was after mostly on road careful usage, and my wife who acts as pillion sometimes is really not that heavy! Additionally, when I had parked the bike on its annoying flip back sidestand and later returned to it to ride it round to the rear of the house to park it, this is what happened. I turned the ignition on, the green neutral light was on, and I pressed the starter button. I was at this time standing beside the bike next to a rockery garden with lots of Cacti in it. The bike, although indicating that it was in neutral, wasn't and it leapt forward, falling onto me as it deftly flew off of its supporting sidestand, pushing me into , yes you guessed it, the cacti plants (stop laughing , now) Miraculously, when I managed to extricate myself from the cacti and nursing my pride, and on picking the bike up, the only damage was a broken clutch lever.
<br/>I took the bike to the supplier on the 17th September, and it has taken them 5 whole weeks to obtain a replacement shock absorber, new neutral gearbox sensor, and correct a twice binding rear brake drum problem. So, in answer to your question, I don't thinks its easy to get parts, at least if you live in Spain, but then Spain lives its daily life like we did in the UK, 20 years ago, bless them. Sometimes thats a good thing, but not when you want your bike back!
<br/>The bikes fork chrome has once again started to deteriorate and needs another treatment of metal polish. Whilst it was in for repair, I purchased (because they found it incredibly difficult to find any) a set of fork gaiters in another local bike shop, and had them put them on. It looks more the bizz, now, my next move will probably be too rub the rest of the chrome down on the upper forks, treat them, then spray them black. I also will do the same for the unprotected ironwork on the exhaust cylinder outlet which is susceptible to flying road debris and granite chips, and corrodes easily. I may even fit a small deflector.
<br/>The other thing I have done which neither Hyosung or its Spanish dealers appear to have been able to help with is I have fashioned an oil cooler cover protective grill out of a piece of sports radiator mesh. The oil cooler is now fully protected. (see my comments in first write up)
<br/>Since the bike ran off of its stand and broke its clutch lever, I have bought a pair of control lever handguards to fit.
<br/>The strange thing is that when I collected the bike, and started riding it, it felt really good, again, just to have it back. It is fun to ride, but its taken 1500 kms (about 900 miles) for the engine to loosen up enough to be able to feel power really getting through on demand of the throttle. Yes, its a 125, you cannot expect the world, but it is simply a great bike. If you understand that they are built to a budget, even when you add parts you make yourself or fashion from other readily available ones, it makes owning it fun, because you have to use your imagination to ensure it runs to peak efficiency and keeps looking good. You end up with a unique bike no-one else has. When I picked it up today (23rd October) it was covered in dust, looks grubby, but it still gets the craning necks in traffic, and cars pulling alongside have inquisitive occupants. It is different, I have tremendous patience but I know that other owners may well have let rip a load of expletives at the supplier for not getting repaired fast enough. My simple problem is that I don't speak Spanish well enough! I believe the engine unit is a Suzuki one, (but no markings) and Suzuki have a name for not finishing their bikes well, and I love Yamaha's , but the XJ900 I had had to have its chrome constantly monitored for corrosion, so its not just the fact its a Hyosung, it just needs maintaining in good health with an eagles eye. Incidentally, neither the supplier where I got the bike (where one of the employees speaks pretty good English) nor the regional distributor from whom the parts were ordered have actually told me what was wrong with the parts that failed, I guess they just , well, failed, but something to look out for. If the rear shock goes again, I won't bother taking it back, I will simply buy an Ohlins unit, instead, all part of the fun of owning this kind of bike. Hope this helps. Take care, and good luck with your next motorbike purchase, whatever you choose. Paul Fry in Spain.
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Paul Fry's Response to Paul Fry's Review
Written on: 24/10/2007
Hi John!,
<br/>Thanks for your comments, but nevertheless interesting that you are looking at a Hyosung review, are you a double agent or just hunting for a bargain, because Japanese comparison or not, this Karion is a bargain and make no mistake about it! Of course, when you have a shopping list to adhere to but you pick lower quality substitutes instead, to save money, the end result is going to have to be a compromise. That compromise comes with a price tag somewhere between half and three quarters the price of an equivalent Japanese machine. With an element of self preservation in mind, all these Hyosung bikes need are a little more attention to prevent corrosion, after all, they come from somewhere that does not normally have the rainfall and winter weather associated with western Europe, nor the excessive roadsalt usage. (of course in Spain they don't need to use salt, yet, they just bag it and export it!) I mentioned my Yamaha XJ900 corrosion problems in my reply to Gabriel, and even my Honda Pan European which I bought from new had areas which, if not treated, tended to corrode, even the front brake disc. Yes, I do agree with you to an extent, but the comparisons do highlight the extremely inflated price we have had to pay for Japanese machines for a long time. As the competition sell more, the Japanese are going to have to rethink their sales strategy, and part of that might well be sourcing cheaper parts to stay ahead of the competition but still make a reasonable profit, only time will tell. I don't personally like MacDonalds food, but can't afford to eat in an expensive restaurant , so Joe's cafe on the corner suits me fine, in line with your example! best regards, Paul Fry
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Asharin's Response to Paul Fry's Review
Written on: 27/10/2009
Nice review. I've just bought one of these karion's a late 2006 model.
<br/>I see in your review you mentioned there were manuals available on CD on ebay, well on searching www.ebay.co.uk I couldn't find any available, if it's just PDF's any chance you could mail me a copy..or failing that do you know where I can buy one?
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Vestru's Response to Paul Fry's Review
Written on: 04/01/2013
Hey man
The fuel system is quite simple. The bike has a fuel valve which you can adjust on three modes; on, off and reserve. When the bike is turned off, you simply turn the valve on the off-position. When the bike is on you simply turn the valve on the on-position. And when you're on the road and the bike feels like choaking (meaning that it is not sucking fuel), then you simply turn the valve on the reserve position. You now have 1.5 litres of fuel left in the tank, which gives you ample distance to find a fuel station and re-fill the tank.
I hope that was helpful. As regards to the parts, I am convinced that you'll find a lot with cheap prices as well.
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Chazzmeister's Response to Paul Fry's Review
Written on: 22/12/2009
I found this review very helpful because...it was written in a real and practical way by a real owner who understands that some of us DO service our bikes ourselves and DON'T have bottomless wallets! Good effort, much appreciated :-)