Hyosung GV 300 S Bobber 2022 — Specifications

When discussing affordable custom bikes accessible with an A2 license, the trail segment dominates. Trails proliferate, pile up in catalogs, and end up looking like a dense forest where it’s easy to get lost. For those who want something different, a more compact riding position, a more narrative silhouette, the choice quickly narrows. This is precisely where the Hyosung GV 300 S Bobber plants its flag.

The Korean manufacturer didn't simply dress a generic twin with a trendy fairing. It opted for a 60-degree V-twin, an architecture dear to the great American bikes, declined here in 296 cc. On paper, 29 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 26.5 Nm at 6,000 rpm don't set the crowds trembling, but this V configuration guarantees a frank availability from the mid-range, which a classic parallel-twin does not offer. The 6-speed gearbox manages the whole thing cleanly, even if the use of a chain in the final transmission is a little disappointing: a belt would have better served the ambiance and reduced maintenance chores. The 135 km/h top speed won't appeal to fans of long highway journeys, but that's clearly not the target.

What strikes you first is the care taken with the silhouette. 12.5-liter tank with well-rounded flanks, low seat integrated into the overall line, compact black matte front light, airbox housed laterally in the style of true American customs: the GV 300 S doesn't betray its 300 cc at first glance. Hyosung chose to offer it only in matte black, total aesthetic consistency. The instrumentation follows the same logic, with an analog tachometer and a basic LCD for speed, gauge and temperature. No color screen, no superfluous connectivity. The engaged gear is displayed as an option, and a USB socket completes the picture. Understated, assumed, consistent.

The steel double cradle chassis cleverly conceals the radiator of the liquid cooling, a detail that could have harmed the style. The wheelbase of 1,428 mm remains short for the genre, which facilitates maneuvers in the city, the natural terrain of this bike. The 35 mm fork offers 136 mm of travel, the rear shock absorbers manage 94.3 mm. It's not a fortune in terms of filtration, and very degraded roads risk reminding you a little abruptly. The cast aluminum wheels, 16 inches front and 15 inches rear, contribute to the visual character of the whole ensemble. The announced weight of 172 kg, combined with a seat height of 710 mm, makes it an accessible machine for average builds.

At €4,990, the GV 300 S Bobber positions itself boldly against the Royal Enfield Meteor 350, available around €4,000. The Royal Enfield can boast a solid commercial presence in Europe and recognized finishes, but aesthetically, the Korean plays in a different league. Compared to a Harley-Davidson Iron 883, which it borrows the visual codes with a certain conviction, the price difference remains abysmal. Hyosung benefits from sufficient seniority to reassure where recent Chinese brands still struggle to convince when it comes to signing.

This 300 Bobber is aimed at a specific audience: the young A2 license holder who refuses the omnipresent trails, seeks character without a grand tourer budget, and wants to ride something that looks like a real stylish motorcycle. For this urban and suburban use, the proposition holds up. We would have liked a belt, a few extra millimeters of travel, and perhaps an alternative color for those who are put off by the all-black look. But Hyosung understood that in this segment, the look of others counts as much as the technical specifications.