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Looks like the Hyosung GV700i is official, only it will be called the ST7. The Hyosung ST7 should be on boats to dealers now and will be available in two models.  Hyosung Motors parent company S&T Motors Korea explains it this way:

At the last EICMA 2009, the most popular model ST7 was the traditional cruiser motorcycle which is more perfect for long distance cruising than the sports cruiser Aquila 650.

The name ST7 is derived from the initials of ‘SUPER & TOP’, ‘SAFETY TRAVEL’, ‘SATISFACTORY TOUR’, ‘700cc engine solely developed by S&T Motors R&D departments’ and ‘symbol of lucky’. So the ST7 represents safe travel, and that is what brings lucky driving to you. And the ST7 is stresses the best performance and top quality in its class.

ST7 has the unique appeal of a mixed classical and sports style. Installed is a DHOC 8valve 90° V-TWIN engine with expanded displacement from 650cc to 700cc. This gives impressive low and mid-range performance fit into the theme of tour/cruising.

The frame of a traditional cruiser will give a comfortable riding position, neutral handling with a powerful engine.

Twin muffler, multiple LCD meter on fuel tank (17L), clear lens multi reflector headlamps, LED etc gives ST7 a combined style of modern functionality with a classical image.

ST7 will be released and will begin exporting at the end of January. There are two type of models; Standard and Deluxe (Deluxe comes installed with full accessories), and both come in black, red and white color.

Hyosung ST7 Specifications:

Seat height: 690 mm (27.2 in)
Length: 2479 mm (97.2 in)
Wheelbase: 1675 mm (66 in)
Tires (front): 120/80 16 60H
Tires (rear): 170/80 15 77H
Dry weight: 244kg (537 lbs)
Fuel capacity: 17 l (4.5 gal)
Engine: 678.2cc

Source: S&T Motors via: Korider

2010 Megelli 250R

The market for small displacement street motorcycles is slim pickin’s in the States. Models such as the Honda Rebel, Ninja 250R, Kawasaki Eliminator 250 are somewhat exciting but sometimes go decades without redesign or major updates. They are great, proven bikes but are kind of lacking in the looks department.

About 4 years ago Hyosung showed up in the states under the Alpha Sport badge with a 250cc cruiser and fully faired sportbike. Both bikes looked good but the big story was the GT250R which looked more like a middle weight sportbike than a dated learner bike. A few years later Kawasaki redesigned the Ninja 250R. I personally doubt this was a coincidence. The Hyosung no doubt took a small bite out of the little Ninja’s sales.

For 2010 the bar has been raised by Italian manufacturer Megelli and US importer QLINK. QLINK quietly rolled out 3 liquid cooled 250cc single cylinder street bikes that bring ¼ liter styling to a new level. Steel trellis frame and swingarm, under seat exhaust, 31.4 inch seat height all delivered in a dirtbike light 248 lbs. These bikes look incredibly sexy and on paper sound silly fun to ride. A fully faired sportbike, a naked street fighter and a supermoto version is available.

2010 Megelli 250S

Compared to the 330 lb vTwin powered Hyosung GT250R’s 28 HP and 16.7 lb-ft of torque, the Migelli may be lacking in overall power with 16.2 HP. However, 17.8 lb-ft of torque coming from the SYM built motor combined with it’s light weight should provide for some great launches from the line and serious front wheel lofting. SYM, a powersports company out of Taiwan is known for building powerful engines with durable ceramic coated cylindar walls. The 2 year warranty puts the two bikes on par for coverage.

The price of the Megelli 250R sport bike is $3499 saving you $500 over the solid colored Hyosung models which could buy a good amount of safety gear for a learner rider. The 250S Streetfighter costs $3199 saving $300 compared to the Hyosung GT250 naked which is also a substantial amount of cash.

2010 Megelli 250M

The model that may have the largest sale potential is the 250M supermoto. It comes in at $2899 making it one of the best values in the US motorcycle market today. Comparing it to the Yamaha WR250X you loose some torque and a little HP but your also saving a staggering $3600. It remains to be seen how much you loose in fit and finish and component quality compared to the Yamaha but many flaws can be ironed out with 3 and a half large.

If you want all the details on how these bikes are engineered check out the Megelli Parts site for complete microfiche for the bikes.

Kellerman closes on Alter's #21 SV650

For Immediate Release

Encore Performance Racing Starts New Year With Multiple Wins

Firebird Raceway, Phoenix AZ, Jan. 17, 2010: The new year brings a new hope and a general sense of optimism for most people, and the beginning of 2010 was no different for the EP Race team and their Hyosung GT 650R. A fuel injected engine arrived over the short winter break and spirits were high that the new powerplant would help propel the team to the top step of the podium. However, as with most new projects, you have to jump a few hurdles to get to the finish line and this one was no different. It requires many additional components to switch from a carbureted engine to a fuel injected engine and as the first race weekend of the year drew near it became apparent that the swap would not be done in time. Undeterred the team went into the weekend knowing they would give it their all and hope for the best, after all it is a new year!

It looked like it might rain on Sunday, but the forecast predicted it would hold off until Monday and for once the weatherman would finally be right, as it stayed dry all weekend. The sun peeked out off and on throughout the day and pushed the temperatures into the low 70’s, not a bad day for racing. The team had skipped Saturday practice and waited until the second session to hit the track Sunday morning. With new Dunlop 211’s spooned on by Jim Cox Racing, the bike was feeling good and the grip provided, even on the cold track, was outstanding. The optimism returned and the EP Race team was looking forward to a great day of racing

Usually, each race has a different ebb and flow to it. Sometimes the results are the same, but how you get there can be dramatically different. This weekend was different, as each race for the team was eerily similar. Matt Kellerman (#63) did not get the best starts and found himself behind Kerry Alter on the #21 SV 650 going into turn one of each race. Matt followed the #21 around the track for a lap or two, judging where best to set up his pass. He was able to pass Kerry in each race and then set a couple of quick laps to pull a comfortable gap. All four races for the team seemed nearly identical, and the EP Race team was able to sweep the weekend and bring home 1st place in all four classes (Lightweight Superbike, Lightweight GP, Thunderbike, and Ultra Lightweight Superbike).

This was the first race win for the team since Las Vegas in 2006 and they were ecstatic to be back on the top step and start the 2010 season on such a high note. The team looks forward to being back on the track on February 6th in Phoenix AZ. EP Racing would like to thank all of its sponsors, PowersportsOutlet.com, Hyosung.Biz, Hyosung Motors USA, Jim Cox Racing, Dunlop tires, EBC, Silkolene, and Pit Bull for making such a great weekend possible. The EP Race team is looking forward to a very successful 2010. If you are interested in the unique sponsorship opportunities the team can provide your company don’t hesitate to call.

EP Racing is based out of Prescott, AZ and have been racing the Hyosung GT650R since 2006. They have achieved multiple victory’s, countless podium finishes, a LW GT title, and other honors, in both the CCS, and SMRI race series. For more information you can contact the team at 928-778-7910 or email: shop@epfguzzi.com

Zhejiang Yongkang Easy Vehicle Company took the Bombardier Spyder reverse road trike concept and brought it to the dirt with the TF110. Being familiar with the Spyder I’m not sure why this reverse trike atv caught me off guard. It seems part of the benefit of having two wheels in the back when off road would be additional contact patch with loose dirt and rough terrain. Maybe in deep ruts the centered rear wheel would hook up on high, dry ground? The rider would be in a rather uncomfortable forward leaning position with the front wheels in ruts and rear wheel not.

The concept is interesting and there must be some situations where this 3 wheeled ATV shines. Anyone have any experience riding this Chinese creation? Have any thoughts on terrain it might handle well? Please leave a comment and let me know.

TF110 Specifications

Source: Yongkang Easy Vehicle Co.

This weekend Kymco will unveil the KR Naked 125 sportbike at the Carole Nash NEC Bike Show in the UK. The bike goes by the name Kymco Quannon 125 Naked in other parts of the world.

The KR Naked 125 features an air cooled, 125cc single cylindar engine housed in a lightweight aluminum beam frame. It has aggressive lines and a digital dashboard to give the entry level commuter a modern look that is rare at that displacement level in the UK and US where litre bikes get most of the attention.

If you are at the NEC show this weekend be sure to stop by the Kymco booth and snap some pictures. I would love to hear your comments on the bike.

ChinaV's Galaxy XTR250

Galaxy Motorcycles (Foshan Galaxy Vehicle Co.,Ltd) is based in southern China, near GuangZhou, a province of GuangDong. Galaxy is a division of Yinhe (Guangdong Yinhe Motorcycle Industry Co.,Ltd).  As with most Chinese motorcycle manufacturers the lineup consists of small displacement machines, the largest being the Galaxy XTR250 dualsport. The 223cc air cooled four stroke appears to be well suited for dirt use but it has a headlight and turn signals.

The USD forks on the XTR250 is adjustable for compression and rebound have 10.5″ of travel. The rear shock has 10″ of travel and is linkless as most KTM’s have been in the past. This is great for simplicity but without a quality rear shock dampening will not be as consistent as a suspension system with a linkage.

Nice features include electric start, red anodized hubs and two positions to mount the handlebars. ChinaV on MyChinaMoto.com mentions the fit and finish is not up to Japanese standards but above average for a Chinese motorcycle. He also took a video of the bike in action which you can see below.

In 2008 Galaxy entered two bikes in the Taklimakan Rally, the Dakar of China, and finished 5th overall and first in it’s class.

If you are in the UK check out Southern MotorCycle (SMC) and in South Africa you can find them under the Puzey name.

Galaxy XTR250 #1 from China V on Vimeo.

Source: MyChinaMoto.com, Foshan Galaxy Sport Vehicle Company

Hyosung GV700i Aquila

We have not received confirmation that S&T Motors will have the new GV700i Hyosung in the 2010 line up but judging by the pics our friends at Asphalt And Rubber sent me bike is looking very production ready. The classic styled liquid cooled vTwin is based on the flexible 650 that sits in Hyosung’s GV650 cruiser and GT650 sport bike line. The engine block is painted black and the valve covers and engine cases receive a chrome finish. A red GV700i with leather side bags with red stitching, windshield and case guards showed off Hyosung’s potential to accessorize the line. Dual exhaust pipes, chrome wheels, full coverage fenders and a tank mounted speedometer further differentiate the classic Aquila from it’s sporty cousin, the gv650 Avitar.

More pics after the break…

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Rieju unveiled the 2010 RS3 in Milan last week. It is powered by a Yamaha YZF-R 125 motor and designed by Xenophya. Here are a few images from the show.

Rieju posted this picture on Facebook…

2010 Rieju RS3 125

Motorcycle News posted this picture of the bike…

Rieju RS3 at 2009 Milan Show

Source: MCN, Facebook

Dale Franks is reporting that US based ATK and South Korea based S&T Motors have entered into an agreement where ATK badged Hyosungs (owned by S&T) will be built in the USA by ATK and sold by select Harley dealerships. The company Harley Davidson is not involved in the deal, the dealerships are taking it upon themselves to work with Frank White, one of ATK’s owners.

The press release on Dale’s site is vague about what models will come out of the agreement but it mentions ATK will leverage Hyosungs street bikes and S&T will leverage ATK’s dirtbike knowledge. Frank White explains:

By joining forces, we believe, we believe we can strengthen our distribution network, reduce our production co sts, spread development costs and substantially accelerate our entry into the street bike business. We also look forward to sharing some of our off-road technology with S&T.

Dale goes on to mention that his sources say a plan is being considered for ATK to restyle and rebrand the GT and GV series of sport bikes and cruisers including the classic styled GV700 introduced this week at EICMA. This would not be a big strech for S&T.

Hyosung is known to be more than willing to allow other companies to rebrand their bikes. The flexibility and quality of the Hyosung products and engines makes it a great option for a marque to leverage for breaking into new markets without the cost of tooling up and staffing production.

United Motors sells most of the Hyosung product line in the US with it’s own graphics and has long term agreement to build it’s own bike around the 650 and 250 cc Hyosung vTwins. Italjet was working on a new version of the Griffon which was a restyled Hyosung GT650 and Fischer Motors uses the GT650 engine in it’s MRX650.

This partnership is a win for all groups involved. ATK may be able to diversify from being a low production niche dirtbike manufacturer and add sport bikes and cruisers to it’s lineup. Hyosung will increase sales using a brand agnostic production driven formula they are very comfortable with. S&T Motors displayed 450cc prototypes of supermoto and dirt machines which were well received by enthusiasts. I’m sure ATK would do a great job helping them make the bikes a reality.

This will be an interesting development to watch unfold. Follow the source link below to Dale’s site to see the press release.

Source: Dale Franks

It appears the recession will not stop motorcycle manufacturers from introducing new models in Milan. Reiju will be unveiling the all new RS3 at EICMA on November 9.

The RS3 was designed by Xenophya Design who was also involved with the Fischer MRX650 and other clients include Bajaj, Derbi, Aprillia and others.

Reiju will also unveil two Yamaha powered dirtbikes the MRT 250 and 450.

Sketches, renders and press release follow the break.

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