Hyosung XRX125

You're probably wondering why the hell we'd bother putting a Korean built 125cc air-cooled four-stroke to the test when there are so many other kick-arse bikes on the market. Well, the short time we spent on this little trail bike convinced us that the XRX is more important to our sport than many other high profile releases this year. Snigger if you must, but these guys are gaining strength on the road and may well be a blessing for the dirt.

SHE'S GOT THE LOOK

First you have to get any shitty Korean small car stereotypes out of your head, because this is a well finished bike that looks more than its amazingly modest asking price of just $3999. At that price you'd expect to see dodgy workmanship or bad engineering but the XRX is clean from top to toe. Apart from being a little wide around the tank, and having a gear lever that's way too close to the tiny footpeg, the ergos are generally very good and shifting your weight around is not a problem. The standard bars, levers and controls are of good quality and the speedo is well placed and readable. As unbelievable as it seems at this price, you even get keyed electric start.

Hyosung keeps the sporty theme going by adding in a pair of fork protectors, and to add versatility, a rear mount for either a large carry rack for farm use ($199) or a smaller rack for commuter work ($99). The XRX comes with dual purpose tyres, a bash-plate and pillion pegs, although it's hard to imagine doubling on this bike, given its mild nature.

The only detracting feature is the goofy numberplate mount that hangs down off the back. It so big it'd wipe 10 kays off the top speed with drag alone. Do what most owners would do: remove the rear guard extender, put there for ADR purposes, and re-mount the numberplate on the rear guard.

THE LITTLE KOREAN THAT COULD (ALMOST)

The engine is the bike's single most limiting factor. It wouldn't pull the top off a meat pie. In pushing for great fuel consumption Hyosung have fitted a tiny 18mm carbie, thereby killing off more horse's than National Parks and Wildlife. Even in first gear the XRX can't cop shallow sand and needs a run-up to hills of even mild gradient. On the other hand, the little engine is so quiet we had to rev it at idle just to be sure it was still running. With the aid of the five-speed gearbox we were able to get the bike up to 90km/h on the road against a slight headwind, only to see it die off at the next hill.

In stock condition the XRX will forever be limited to a mild trail bike or moderate speed commuter - keep away from freeways - but for more experienced riders on a strict budget, the simple and cheap swap to a larger carbie (from a bike wreckers) and lower gearing would make the Hyosung more useful as a dual purpose bike.

For beginners, the gentle engine is the bike's greatest attraction and validates its existence. If my wife ever expressed interest in learning to ride, there's no other bike I'd choose to start her on, and that's really what the Hyosung is about.

Not only do you get upside-down forks on a sub-$4000 bike but they actually work, or as well as a fork this soft can work. The front end is stable on hard-packed and loose scrabbly surfaces. It tracks okay through small berms and handled average trails easily. We didn't jump the bike but it actually feels similar to the Kawasaki Stockman ag bike, which we banged over a 10m tabletop with little fuss. The rear end is the reason we didn't jump the bike. Set up very soft for beginners , it bottomed-out and kicked in the berms or any bump higher than a garden hose.

For anyone who'd find the rear drum brake a concern, don't worry about it, this one works flawlessly. And besides, it's not the only learner's bike with a rear drum. The twin piston front caliper has plenty of stopping power and a progressive feel and works okay on the trail or the road. 

WHAT'S IT ALL MEANS

For any sport to survive it must be accessible. Soccer is the biggest sport in the world because if you own a ball, you're a soccer player. Skateboarding is popular with kids because a 50 buck note will get them all they need to start. The top level dirt bikes today represent the best selection we've ever seen. It's impossible to find a dud bike out there, but motorsports carry inherently high start-up and running costs, and for some it's hard justifying the average ticket price on a dirt bike when you get so much more engineering value from road bikes of the same price.

The people yet to buy their first bikes ensure the long-term growth of our sport. We need bikes like this one that make it cheap and easy to get into trail riding. The XRX is the perfect bait for those yet to bite.

(Note: Thanks to Graeme Boyd (Suzuki Newcastle) who, as usual, went out of his way to help.)

WHO THE HELL IS HYOSUNG?

Established in 1952, the Hyosung Corporation, like many massive Korean companies, have their fingers in innumerable pies. They manufacture all manner of things from plastic soft drink bottles to powerful computer systems. You've probably worn clothes made from fibres produced by Hyosung. They're also the world's number one exporter of polyester cord fabrics used in the manufacture of radial car tyres.

None of this is of any relevance to us of course, because you can't build a bike out of drink bottles and polyester. What is important to us is that since 1979 Hyosung has been producing road and trail bikes, ATVs, and many related components for Suzuki. Finding it impossible to grow only by manufacturing for other companies, Hyosung struck a deal with Suzuki in 1986 to share some of the Japanese designs, add a little Korean know-how, and start producing Hyosung branded bikes. Their current production facility is equipped to produce 200,000 bikes annually, and as of 2000 that factory has been supplying Hyosung Australia www.hyosungmotors.com.au) with their machines.

That's all very impressive, but what about the bike?

WHAT DAMIEN LIKED

NOT SO MUCH

ENGINE
Type: 4 stroke SOHC air/oil cooled
Displacement: 124.5cc

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES
Rear suspension: Swingarm with adjustable preload
Front suspension: 41mm upsidedown fork
Front brake: Twin piston caliper
Rear brake: Drum

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed dry weight: 116kg
Seat height: 850mm
Fuel capacity: 8 litre

OTHER STUFF:
Price: $3999
Colours: Blue and Red
Best feature: Good learner's bike
Worst feature: To doughy for anyone else