Hyosung COMET 125 2007 — Specifications

When Hyosung introduced the Comet 125 to the European market, the immediate question arose: what is a small Korean motorcycle doing with a 75° V-twin engine and a steel double-spar frame worthy of a much larger displacement? The answer lies in a clear strategy. The Seoul-based brand designed a whole family around the same skeleton, the 125 literally sharing its frame with the 250, itself a close cousin of the 650. The visual result is striking: viewed from afar, parked on its center stand with its 17 liters of well-rounded fuel tank and wide 150 mm rear tires, the Comet does not look like a small displacement motorcycle. It plays in a different league.

The engine, air and oil-cooled V-twin, peaks at 15 horsepower at 10,500 rpm for 9.8 Nm of torque. These figures are correct on paper, but they have to pull 150 kilograms dry weight, which quickly relativizes the enthusiasm. Below 7,000 rpm, the V-twin proves frankly sluggish, almost indifferent to demands. You have to rev it high to feel the motorcycle come alive, and even then, "come alive" is a big word. The 120 km/h top speed remains accessible on a clear road, but you brush the ceiling fairly quickly. Compared to a CBR 125 R or a RC 125 KTM that prioritize lightness and responsiveness, the Comet focuses on style rather than liveliness. It's a choice, not an accident.

This stylistic choice defends itself honestly. The finish is refined for the category, the proportions are balanced, the 34 mm telescopic fork with its 130 mm of travel gives the front a serious look. The braking, a strong point often cited by owners, lives up to the machine's road ambitions. With 17 liters of fuel, weekend getaways are stress-free in terms of range. The target audience is clearly the young A1 license holder who wants a motorcycle that commands attention without looking like a beginner, even if it means accepting some dynamic compromises.

These compromises must be faced head-on. The original rear tire lacks grip on wet surfaces, which becomes a real concern in everyday use. The chrome parts show their limits from the first winters, rust settling in with disconcerting speed for a motorcycle at €3,490. And if a part fails, the logistics of imports from Korea turns the repair into an exercise in patience. These after-sales service problems have long hampered Hyosung's reputation in Europe, and the Comet 125 is no exception.

At this price, Japanese or Austrian competition offers more lively machines and is better supported by an established network. Yet, the Comet 125 retains a unique place for those seeking the image of an adult roadster without the budget of a 600. It does not claim to be what it is not, except perhaps visually, and that is precisely its main argument.