Just as the name suggests, a motorcycle superstore has everything you could possibly want your your motorcycle, including well, a motorcycle. A motorcycle superstore is not just one dealership or manufacturer. A Motorcycle superstore has many advantages.

Many manufacturers

A motorcycle superstore has the advantage of offering a wide variety of manufacturers. The best thing about a motorcycle superstore is that if you are unsure of what motorcycle you want to buy, you have the advantage of being able to try out many different motorcycles until you find the one that is perfect for you. With a wide variety, that means if you try a bike and don’t like it, try another one. Keep trying the motorcycles at a motorcycle superstore until you find the one that just makes you feel like you are flying while you are riding it. With traditional manufacturers and dealerships, you may get to test three motorcycle manufacturers if you are lucky, but a motorcycle superstore will have many more major manufacturers.


Accessories and Customizations

Once you have chosen a motorcycle from the motorcycle superstore, you can customize and accessorize your new motorcycle. With a motorcycle superstore, you have the options of choosing the perfect saddlebags, and sissy bar bags, and grips and anything else you can think of to make your motorcycle the best motorcycle ever. With a traditional motorcycle dealership and accessories store, there is a limited amount of accessories to choose from, but a motorcycle superstore has a wide selection and many choices.

Everything under one roof

Dealerships usually have a few motorcycles to choose from, but very limited when it comes to accessories that do not go directly on the bike. Accessories such as motorcycle pants and boots usually have to be purchased somewhere else. With a motorcycle superstore, you can generally purchase everything under the same roof. This includes any motorcycle parts, accessories, maintenance, and even design decals to personalize our motorcycle. A motorcycle superstore has the convenience of having many stores in one.

Great Deals

Motorcycle superstore is like the discount store for motorcycles. They can have great deals. They can offer some of the best prices and sales. They offer something for someone without draining the checking account. Some motorcycle superstore locations have only accessories, or only motorcycle parts, but the one thing in common is that they carry items for just about every motorcycle there is, making a motorcycle superstore literally a one stop shop.

Location, location, location

The best thing about a motorcycle superstore is that you can find an actual physical location, or if you are no where near a physical motorcycle superstore, you can always find one on the Internet. This allows you to shop for everything you need for your motorcycle to be done from the comfort of your own home. There are many different motorcycle superstore locations, if you can’t find what you are looking for, check another motorcycle superstore. A motorcycle superstore is known for convenience, not only in merchandise, but also in location.

With bikes like this Hyosung GT650 Comet prowling the streets for just under eight grand, I reckon alarm bells in Japan are ringing - and so they should be. Introduced late in 2003, the Comet was Korean manufacturer Hyosung’s first ‘big’ bike released on the Aussie market, and it made quite a splash - even if that splash was more to do with what the bike represented, rather than what it actually was.

For the majority of the last 50 years the non-Japanese Asian motorcycle manufacturers have been sleeping giants, but now those giants are starting to wake up. Also, until recently, these companies had focused on small commuters, providing budget transport for Asia’s considerable masses. With cheap labour and the sheer economies of scale at work here, the Chinese and the Koreans can now build increasingly sophisticated products far cheaper than their western counterparts, and when it comes to motorcycles, that’s a problem the Japanese manufacturers in particular are going to find difficult to combat.

Still, enough of the crystal balls - let’s get back to the bike that sent me off on this tangent in the first place. When we’re so used to names like Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki, it’s understandable that the market might be a little cautious of something like the GT650 Comet, given its country of origin and that super-low price. Only one thing can allay those fears, and that’s a test ride - and you’ve only got to ride one of these for a short period before you start dreaming of what you can buy with the cash you’ve saved through buying one of these over a Japanese competitor. Plenty of people have been snapping up Hyosungs too - over 2000 were sold last year, covering scooters, roadsters and cruisers, and that represented over a 100 per cent increase from 2005.

After getting around on a Comet myself for a couple of weeks, I can see why it’s rapidly gaining in popularity. Admittedly the name doesn’t exactly scream ‘allure’, but this really does feel like a good, solid machine. The liquid-cooled, eight-valve, 90-degree V-twin is actually built in Japan, and although not identical shares a very similar design to that found in Suzuki’s popular SV650. This is no coincidence, for historically the two companies have shared a collaborative agreement that goes back decades.

The engine offers plenty of low and mid-range punch, yet pulls quite strongly to its indicated 11,500rpm redline in the majority of its six gear. This zippy performance is aided by a decent frame, reasonable suspension and brakes that are more than up to the task at hand. In fact there’s even the odd surprise here - like the inverted forks, which come complete with rebound and compression adjustment, yet strangely no preload adjustment.

The ride position is relatively upright, as you’d expect of a ***** like this, and it’s really ideal for nipping through heavy traffic, although its steering range is a little limited for a bike of this style. At 100km/h in sixth gear you’ll be pulling 4000rpm, so it’s relaxed enough for long distance work if you feel up to braving the wind blast for extended periods, while if you’re really in need of a bit more protection you can always opt for the GT650S tourer, with screen and upper fairing, or the GT650R sportsbike, complete with full fairing. Each will set you back an extra $1000 over the ***** bike’s $7990 price tag.

 

The black marks against the GT650 Comet are relatively few. You notice the lack of electronic fuel injection in it requires a little bit of choke before it’s warmed up, but that’s no great problem - it wasn’t too many years back that this was the case with every bike. Its overall finish isn’t quite up to the standard of say a Suzuki SV650 - and its clocks in particular I thought looked a bit cheap and chunky - but it’s not too far behind. And remember, the Comet is $1900 cheaper than an SV. This paint scheme didn’t set my pulse racing either. This test bike was classed at being ‘Midnight Black’, but when you looked closely in strong sunlight it was actually a very deep metallic blue. Still, this is just a cosmetic aside, and when it comes to what counts - its handling, its stopping, its engine and its outright value for money - it’s smiley face stamps at every turn.
I have a feeling we’ll be seeing increasing numbers of Hyosungs on the road in the coming years, and if the Korean heavyweight manages its western expansion well, it might not be too outlandish to think that five or 10 years from now this foreign name will be rolling off the tongue a whole lot more easily.

 

 

Hyosung GT650 Comet

Engine: 647cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, eight-valve, 90-degree V-twin

Bore and stroke: 81.5 x 62mm

Compression: 11.4:1

Fuel system: twin Mikuni downdraft carburettors

Power: 79bhp @ 9000rpm

Torque: 68Nm @ 7200rpm

Transmission: six-speed

Frame: aluminium alloy double cradle

Front brake: twin 300mm discs with twin-piston TCIC calipers

Rear brake: single 230mm disc with twin-piston TCIC caliper

Front suspension: inverted 41mm forks, adjustable for rebound and preload

Rear suspension: monoshock, adjustable for preload

Wheels: three-spoke alloy

Tyres: Bridgestone Battlax BT56; 120/60-17 front, 160/60-17 rear

Seat height: 780mm

Wheelbase: 1435mm

Claimed dry weight: 180kg

Fuel tank: 17lt

Price: $7990 plus ORC

Colours: Midnight Black, Deep Blue, Mango Yellow or Signal Red

Warranty: 24 months/unlimited kilometres

Contact: (03) 9381 9730

Web: Hyosung Motors

A decade ago motorcycles had speed, looks, and style. They have certainly improved with each passing year. Year after year motorcycle manufacturers get more innovative, produce faster, lighter and more comfortable motorcycles, and learn what works and what doesn’t. What are the favorites from 2007?

- Yamaha V Star 1300 Tourer.

These motorcycles have a V2 engine with an electric starter and a liquid cooling system. The seat was 28.1 inches and the dry weight was 668 pounds. It was made with a double cradle frame and a telescopic fork front suspension with a swingarm rear suspension. These motorcycles had single disc rear brakes and double disc front brakes. They have a fuel capacity of 4.88 gallons.

- BMW R1200GS

These motorcycles have a two cylinder boxer engine. They also have an electronic fuel injection with an electric starter. These motorcycles had oil and air cooled engines and a 6-speed gearbox. At 438 pounds, they were meant for speed. These off road motorcycles came in desert yellow metallic, rock red metallic, ocean blue metallic, or granite gray metallic. Though the fuel capacity is a whopping 5.28 gallons, the consumption is 1.45 gallons for every 6.2 miles.

- Yamaha WR 450 F

These are also off road motorcycles. They have a single cylinder engine, with a liquid cooling system. At just 246 pounds, it is nearly two-thirds the weight of the BMW R1200GS motorcycles. The front suspension is a telescopic fork, the rear a swingarm. The fuel capacity on these motorcycles is a mere 2.10 gallons. These motorcycles had single disc brake systems for both front and rear.

- Yamaha FZ1 Fazer

These ***** motorcycles had in line four engines with an electric starter. They also had a liquid cooling system, a final drive chain transmission, and digital ignition. Like the BMW R1200GS, these Yamaha motorcycles weighed 438 pounds. The frame was aluminum die cast and the front suspension was telescopic upside down forks. The rear a swingarm suspension. These motorcycles had double disc front brakes and single disc rear brakes. Fuel capacity on these motorcycles is 4.76 gallons.

- Harley Davidson VRSCX

These custom or cruiser motorcycles have a V2 engine. They have an electronic sequential port fuel injection system and liquid cooling system. The seat is a mere 27.1 inches high and the weight 637 pounds. These motorcycles are 5-speed with a final drive belt transmission. The front and rear brakes are both single disc four piston. These motorcycles came in two tone mirage orange pearl or brilliant silver pearl. It has a 5 gallon fuel capacity.

- Victory Vegas Jackpot

Like the Harley Davidson VRSCX, these motorcycles are also custom or cruiser motorcycles. With a V2 engine, an air cooling system, and final drive belt transmission, it has many of the same features as the Harley Davidson VRSCX motorcycles. It has an electronic fuel injection system and a 6-speed gearbox. These motorcycles had an even shorter seat at 25.7 inches high. Though the seat was lower, they were a bit heavier weighing 659 pounds. The fuel capacity was 4.5 gallons and colors included black, orange crush, or sunset red.

Quill Exhausts Limited & JB Racing, offer a full range of motorcycle (motor bike) accessories (accessory), including the Quill EVO2, Quill T3, Quill Tri-Oval, in stainless steel, carbon fiber, titanium, in bolt-on or with a link pipes. Quill offer a full range bike accessories (accessory) including. Quill Exhausts / Quill headers / Quill Full systems. available in 100% stainless steel, with an exclusive range of 100% titanium silencers and full exhaust systems for performance bikes. JB Racing offer a large range of motor cycle accessories including the following products: Micron, Yoshimura, Arrow Exhausts, headers, Full Systems. Dynojet, Power Commander, K&N, K & N, Motad, Ohilns, PFM Brakes, DP Brakes, These quality products are available for the following motorcycle manufacturers: Aprilia, BMW, Benelli, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, Suzuki, Triumph, Yamaha.

JB Racing also supply: The Quill EVO2, Quill T3, Quill Tri-Oval, in stainless steel, carbon fiber, titanium, in bolt-on or with a link pipes. Quill offer a full range bike accessories (accessory) including. Quill Exhausts / Quill headers / Quill Full systems.

To meet demand, we have recently developed a new Quill exhaust silencer – the EVO2 - based on the same principle as the original full race silencer……but it’s just got bigger and better. available in 100% stainless steel, with an exclusive range of 100% titanium silencers and full exhaust systems for performance bikes.

A very picky motorcycle collector might say: “never anything used for me!” But to others, Used Motorcycle Engines are actually not so bad, provided you know how to pick them and know what you’re doing when you’re assembling your motorcycle with the used parts. Some Used Motorcycle Engines are in quite acceptable (sometimes, even excellent) condition so you would be getting a good deal, under those circumstances.

It also depends a lot on how and where you get your Used Motorcycle Engines. A very scrupulous motorcycle assembly hobbyist might not be satisfied with the promises of online suppliers (who, after all can only back up their promises with pictures until the real thing arrives at the client’s mailing address.) Such a careful motorcycle assembly hobbyist might want to look at Used Motorcycle Engines in salvage yards instead, because then he can inspect a host of Used Motorcycle Engines at his leisure until he finds acceptable ones.

Salvage yards are also better sometimes than online suppliers because they might have mechanics who can install your Used Motorcycle Engines on the motorcycle being assembled for you, and inspect the whole motorcycle for any safety issues or quality problems – sure, you may have to pay for this service (aside from the purchase price of the Used Motorcycle Engines) but at least you know you’re getting expert advice from very experienced mechanics. Hobbyists might not have as much experience as full-time mechanics (though, if you feel really confident about your assembly skills, go right ahead and assemble your own motorcycle yourself and see the results of your work.) You can always return to the salvage yard if things don’t work out.

Can Used Motorcycle Engines originally made by one motorcycle manufacturer be installed on the same motorcycle with parts from other motorcycle manufacturers? Some hobbyists would probably try this out at some time. But generally, mechanics would probably caution you against doing that, because each manufacturer has their own way of making motorcycles so you might come up with a working prototype, but the question then is: how long would that prototype function? You might have put a lot of effort making something that will last only for the short term. It is best to use Used Motorcycle Engines from one motorcycle manufacturer with parts from the same manufacturer to get consistent results.

Some salvage yards work in cohesion with one another, rather than against one another. This is great, because it means if you need a part that one salvage yard lacks, they can contact salvage yards friendly to them for assistance. Where on salvage yard is deficient, another salvage yard could be strong. It is like a marriage of convenience, with perks going to you (the customer) as well.

One downside of salvage yards is that they may have higher overhead than online suppliers. So do examine the price difference and see if it is worth it. Also, salvage yards may be limited by how far they can ship the goods you bought from them, unlike online suppliers who often have a global market. So ask if the salvage yard can ship the goods for you to your mailing address or if you have to handle that yourself.