Bike review: Hyosung Aquila Pro

Faisal Ali Khan of Motorbeam.com believes that Hyosung GV650 Aquila Pro isn't cheap but is the most affordable big cruiser in the market today.

Cruiser motorcycles are not very popular in India as most buyers prefer to opt for something sporty. One can't really blame buyers as there are very few cruiser alternatives in our country.

While at one end is Royal Enfiled which offers entry level cruisers, at the other end is Harley-Davidson, which offer more expensive alternatives.

Now Hyosung is trying to sit right between the two with the launch of the Aquila motorcycles.

The first Aquila to hit Indian shores is the GV650 Pro. The Korean company will bring out the 250cc Aquila later this year, which will be priced around the Rs 2 lakh mark.

DSK Motowheels is trying its level best to offer products in new segments, but does it succeed? Let's take a ride in their latest offering to find out.

On the styling front, Hyosung has got it all right with the heavy dose of chrome and muscle surrounding the GV650 Aquila Pro.

The paint quality is good while the chunky body and large dimensions further accentuate the appeal of this motorcycle.

The retro headlight looks cool while the chrome treated mirrors and exhaust are tastefully done.

Sit astride the Hyosung Aquila Pro and you will realise how comfortable this motorcycle is for long journeys. The seat has good cushioning and the upright handlebars make it easy to cruise all day long without breaking into a sweat.

The pillion rider is not so welcome with little to hold on for dear life (more on that later). DSK does offer backrest as an optional accessory to make it more comfortable for the pillion.

While the quality of the body and panels is good, the same can't be said about few of the plastic parts. The switches feel a bit cheap and not up to the level you would expect from a bike that costs this much.

The instrument cluster has a thick layer of chrome surround with an all digital display. This console houses an array of data including trip meter, odo meter, speedometer, temperature meter and fuel meter. There are the usual tell tale lights too.

Depress the clutch and start the GV650 and it roars to life. Powering this beast is a 647cc, V-twin engine which uses 8-valves and DOHC to produce a modest 74 BHP of power at 9000 RPM and 62.1 Nm of twisting force at 6500 RPM.

This engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Power delivery is urgent and a small twist from your wrist is enough to make the GV650 move forward with urgency and gusto. There is so much power resulting in a definite shove as you hit the mid-range.

The V-twin motor is a bit loud and makes it presence felt as the revs build up.

The GV650 accelerates quickly enough to touch the ton in 6 seconds. Top speed is slightly shy of 200 km/hr. The only issue we found with the GV650 is the high amount of vibrations near the redline, which is felt through the handlebar and footpegs.

A mileage of 20 km/l is expected from this motorcycle.

Dynamics of the Aquila are quite good too. The motorcycle feels comfortable to be pushed around corners, although make no mistake, this is a cruiser and not a track bike. Despite its weight of 240 kgs, the GV650 feels easy to manuvere and never imposes you with its generous dimensions.

Ride quality is good but a bit stiff for our liking. However this Hyosung does excel when it comes to straight line stability. It feels glued to the road even at triple digit speeds. Brakes are confidence inspiring although ABS would have sweetened stopping power even further.

So the Hyosung GV650 Aquila Pro comes across as a very capable machine, while its price of Rs 5.46 lakh (on-road) isn't cheap, this is the most affordable big cruiser in the market today.

The GV650 impresses with its performance, styling and dynamics. It is easily the best Hyosung motorcycle you can buy in India today.