Hyosung GV 300 S Bobber 2020 — Specifications

Imagine that an A2 license doesn't necessarily condemn you to riding a high-set trail bike or a generic-looking roadster. The 300cc market holds a few surprises, and the GV 300 S Bobber is one of those that you wouldn't really expect from Korean manufacturer Hyosung. A bobber, therefore, with a genuine 60° V-twin engine, sold for less than €5,000. The bet is worth stopping for.

The first visual contact is straightforward: the motorcycle doesn't seek to imitate, it asserts itself. The 12.5-liter tank is carefully sculpted, the seat follows the line of the bodywork without overflowing, the footrests are exactly where they should be, and the side air filter box recalls American customs without falling into caricature. The whole thing is offered exclusively in matte black, which avoids any hesitation when configuring your order. The instrumentation follows this logic: an analog tachometer and an LCD screen for essential information. No color TFT or connectivity, and that's a good thing for a machine with such a defined spirit.

Under this worked bodywork beats an engine that differs from the usual choices in the segment. Where most manufacturers would have opted for a parallel twin out of economy, Hyosung has designed a 60° V-Twin with four valves per cylinder. The 296cc delivers 29 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 26.5 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. These figures do not set the spreadsheet on fire, but the V architecture guarantees a flatter availability at low revs than a nervous parallel twin. The six-speed gearbox does the job; we will just regret the choice of chain rather than a belt, more consistent with the aesthetic positioning of the machine. The announced top speed peaks at 135 km/h, which honestly corresponds to the intended use. The homologated consumption of 3.4 liters per 100 km is an additional argument for small budgets.

The steel double cradle frame correctly conceals the liquid cooling radiator, a technical detail that could have clashed with the general look. The contained wheelbase of 1,428 mm gives the motorcycle a maneuverability close to that of a compact roadster, which facilitates life in the city. The suspension, a 35 mm fork with 136 mm of travel at the front and a double 94 mm rear shock absorber, are correctly sized. Large bitumen deformations are to be avoided if you do not want to be abruptly reminded of reality. The cast aluminum wheels adopt atypical dimensions, 16 inches at the front and 15 at the rear, with generous flanks that correctly filter small bumps. The braking revolves around a 270 mm disc at the front pinched by a four-piston caliper, assisted by a 250 mm rear disc, the whole managed by an ABS. Nothing to say about the consistency of the whole.

At €4,990 with two years of warranty, the GV 300 S Bobber is aimed at a specific profile: the holder of an A2 license who wants to ride custom without spending the price of a Harley-Davidson Iron 883 or entrusting their check to an unknown brand. Hyosung has a fairly long history in Europe to reassure on this point. The result is an honest, aesthetically successful machine that keeps its promises without pretending to be what it is not. For a first custom or for relaxed daily use, it is a choice that defends itself without blushing.