Hyosung ST7

Hyosung ST7 is currently the most expensive bike of Hyosung available in India. This bike will have direct competition with globally famous Harley Davidson in India. Will this bike be able to prove its worthiness? Let’s find out.

Design and Style

Hyosung have tried to make this bike look royal and huge like any other cruiser bike. It looks majestic with its chrome finished long front telescopic forks and circular headlight when seen from the front. The round shaped rear view mirrors are mounted on its extremely wide handle bar which gives it a naked look. Side indicators are placed on its front forks which gel up well with its headlight. ST7 has a wide front fender which makes this bike look vintage with its strong alloy wheel and big disc plate. The bike looks explicit when seen from the side.

Its heavily chromed fatty twin silencers give it a nasty look and its chrome finished engine also complements the overall styling. The bike displays its name on its fuel tank which merges down with the rider seat. It has body colored side panel and rear cowl which has an angular chrome bar similar to its younger sibling, Aquila Pro. At the back, ST7 has a full size LED tail light and chrome surrounded clear lens indicators which are placed just below the rear seat. The bike lacks a separate rear fender and instead features an extended rear cowl which carries its tail light and number plate. The bike looks like a classic cruiser at the back with its extremely wide rear tyre and cowl.

Instrument Console

The instrument console of this bike is placed on its fuel tank and looks premium due to its chrome finish. Hyosung ST7 has a combined analogue digital instrument console which lacks a much needed Tachometer. The bike has a circular pod for its analogue speedometer which also houses a blue colored LCD inside it. This LCD displays digital odometer, clock, trip meter and fuel gauge. All the other indicators are placed below this circular dial.

Engine and Gearbox

Hyosung ST7 uses a 4stroke, V twin 678cc engine. This DOHC engine is exclusively designed for this bike. The maximum power and torque output of this 8 valve, water cooled engine is of 57.6 bhp and 57 nm which arrives at 8000 rpm and 6000 rpm respectively. Hyosung have mated this engine with a five speed manual gearbox with one gear down and four gears up-shift pattern.

Acceleration and Performance

The most interesting thing about this V twin engine is its power pulling at high rpms. The maximum power of this engine arrives at 8000rpm which means it gives you enough time to rev this bike unlike most of the other cruiser bikes which has short power band and utilizes most of their power initially. Certainly, it lacks refinement at high rpms but it’s not that disturbing either. The gear ratios are extremely well proportioned and feel on the taller side. The initial strong torque pulling of this engine allows this bike to move at slow speeds in big gears despite its heavy weight. The bike manages to do 0-100km/hr in less than 7 seconds but to do so you have to use its throttle effectively. Apart from negligible vibrations, there are no issues with this engine. The bike cruises really smooth around 130-140km/hr and can go all the way to 176km/hr.

Mileage

The bike may return a fuel efficiency of around 12-14km/ltr in city conditions while these figures may increase by 3km/ltr on highways.

Comfort while Driving

You have to be really comfortable to drive a bike of this size and ST7 does offer you this comfort. It offers a low seating posture which allows you to take the weight of this bike. Its heavily padded seat gives you nice support and you can sit on this bike for hours. The bike is best for short riders while tall riders will also find it comfortable with their knees relaxing on its front set foot-pegs. Its wide and upraised handle bar can be reached easily which gives you complete command over this bike which is much needed at high speeds. One thing which may bother you is its low positioned speedometer as you will have to take your eyes off the road to give it a look. Apart from this, everything is just fine.

Storage Space and Safety Features

The bike has no storage space. It has some vital safety features like powerful halogen headlight and 4 piston front brake callipers.

Suspension and Brakes

Hyosung ST7 has adjustable 41mm inverted front forks while it features swing arm with double hydraulic shock absorbers at the back. The bike comes equipped with disc brakes on its both wheels. It has front and rear disc brake of 300mm and 270mm respectively.

Ride and Handling

Hyosung ST7 loses out to its competitors in this department as it has certain flaws. Its rear suspension is a real disappointment as the bike finds it hard to stay stable around corners as a result of which its rear tyre also fails to hold this bike effectively. Things get better only when you cruise on highways thanks to its extended wheelbase of 1690mm which adds stability to this bike. It also helps while turning around corners at slow speed. One can easily handle this bike on highways but dealing with it in city traffic is a matter of concern. The braking system is quite impressive as it always manage to keep this hefty machine under control. Its big rear disc brake helps you to stop this bike precisely.

Tyre Size and Variants

Hyosung ST7 has 16 inches alloy at its front and 15 inches alloy wheel at the back. It is only available in one variant.

Shades

Hyosung ST7 is available in three shades: Red, Black and White.

Verdict

Hyosung have priced ST7 at INR 5.79lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi (approx., may vary)). We are not impressed by the ride and handling of this bike and we don’t think it’s a complete value for money bike. Hyosung have certainly overpriced this bike and there is no way that people will choose this bike over Harley Davidson which offers much powerful and refined engine with superior ride and handling.

Infographic

VIEW FULL SIZE