Hyosung COMET 125 2006 — Specifications

Looking at a Comet 125 in the eyes, you have a doubt. A real one. Hyosung built this roadster on the same steel double backbone as the Comet 250, and the resemblance to the 650 that reigns above in the range is disturbing enough to make an uninformed passerby hesitate. The Koreans played the family visual card to the end, and the result is there: a small displacement that refuses to look like it.

The 75° 124.70 cc V-twin, air and oil cooled, is the centerpiece of the proposition. It develops 15 horsepower at 10,500 rpm for a torque of 9.8 Nm at 10,000 rpm— figures that are correct on paper for the category. Except that the reality on the road quickly nuances the enthusiasm. Below 7,000 rpm, the engine struggles, gasps, hesitates. You have to twist its arm for it to really respond, which can surprise a beginner who is not expecting it. The five-speed gearbox does the job, as does the chain, and the maximum speed of 120 km/h is honest for an A1 license. But 150 kg dry weight is heavy for this engine, and the power-to-weight ratio is felt in every acceleration.

What the Comet 125 does better than many of its direct competitors is the styling. The 34 mm telescopic hydraulic fork, the wide tires— 110/70 at the front, 150/70 at the rear on 17-inch rims— and the overall finish give the whole thing a presence that machines like the Keeway RKS 125 or the Rieju RS2 cannot really match visually. The 17-liter tank is a real asset for long days on the road, and the dual-disc braking inspires confidence.

The flaws, however, are concrete and documented. The standard rear tire lacks grip and deserves a quick replacement. The chrome parts do not hold up well against humidity and begin to rust within timeframes that are heartbreaking on a motorcycle at 3,490 euros. Above all, the Hyosung distribution network in Europe has never been its strong point: ordering a spare part can turn into an exercise in patience, which is a deterrent for a daily motorcycle.

The Comet 125 is primarily aimed at young license holders who want a motorcycle that commands respect at the traffic light without going through the 50 cm³ visual box. It achieves this. But the engine, undersized compared to the chassis, the random after-sales service and the premature corrosion of certain components make it a mount that must be approached with lucidity. Beautiful to look at, honest on the highway, limited in real performance. The price of 3,490 euros remains the best version of its displayed tariff, because some years it approached 4,000 euros— and there, the pill became truly bitter compared to a Honda CBF125 or a Yamaha YBR 125, much less glamorous, but otherwise more reliable in the long run.