Hyosung Aquila 250 review, test ride

A usual day for most, started off with fervour for me, as I woke up anxious to ride a refreshed version of the cruiser that Kinetic once imported into India as a limited edition offering, back in 2003. There have been options for bike fanatics in India when it comes to buying motorcycles, but few when buying a cruiser. Clearly those times have passed, as I stand outside Hyosung’s 6,000 square feet showroom, soon to open its doors to clients at Wakdewadi, Pune. You need a set of anti-glare shades to cope with the gleaming chrome on the Aquila, to gaze upon all the effort Hyosung has put into offering this cruiser bike experience.

Draped in acres of bling, Hyosung’s Aquila was launched at the 2014 Auto Expo in Delhi, and DSK Motowheels has received a whopping number of over 250 bookings across India since then.

Dressed in white exclusively for India, the Aquila is also available in black and red, a hefty, macho motorcycle that turns heads. The front houses a chrome finished halogen headlight that provides good visibility at night, with a pair of gills sitting on either side under the headlight casing, posing as air ducts. The instruments are chrome finished, with an analogue speedometer, tachometer and digital display including an odometer, twin trip meters, fuel-meter and clock, backed up by other warning indicators. The switchgear, grips and mirrors on the wide handlebar are all adequate feeling. The chunky fuel tank provided looks larger than it actually is, taking in 14 litres of fuel, and showing-off EFI logos. Split seats with a red border impart a rich look to the bike, and are comfortable too, with a strap for pillions to cling onto. A retro style tail lamp is provided as well, with clear lens turn indicators on the front and rear. Overall, Hyosung has ensured the Aquila 250 enjoys adequate enough build quality.

The latest gen Aquila is powered by a four-stroke, 249cc, oil-cooled, V-twin and fuel-injected engine, generating 26.2bhp at 9500rpm, with peak torque output 2.1kgm at 7000rpm. A gentle vibe sets in on the handlebars and foot pegs when the engine is stretched over 5500rpm mark, but that isn’t obtrusive, and the motorcycle feels responsive enough, and revs effortlessly as well. You don’t need to rev this 250 hard to find the business end of its power band, with strong grunt available from low-down in the powerband in any gear. Fuelling could however have been better, much better in fact, the Aquila not settling into a steady idle easily, and power delivery feeling a touch erratic at low rpm speeds. Once up and revving into its mid range, things settle down and the Hyosung feels more at ease, throat cleared and singing on song. The Aquila comes with a five-speed gearbox, shifted in the traditional one-down four-up system. Shift feel is notchy, calling for heavier than ideal effort and without as positive a nature as expected. Clutch feel could likewise have been better. Power shifts to the rear wheel via an exposed drive chain.

The Aquila 250 is held together by a steel cradle frame, with telescopic front forks and hydraulic rear shock absorbers supported on a box-section swingarm. The hefty 250cc cruiser provides good enough ergonomics, allowing riders to cover long distances in comfort, with the wide handlebars positioned for an upright, relaxed riding posture and footrests positioned ahead in typical cruiser fashion.

The Aquila’s front (110/90 x 16) and rear (150/80 x 15 inch) tyres offered decent grip as the bike went around corners. Handling is as good as expected from a cruiser, while ride quality felt firm. The Aquila comes with a single rotor, 275mm front disc brake and drum brake at rear that both worked well, with progressive feel at their levers.

The Hyosung Aquila 250 comes to India via the CKD import route, now priced at Rs 2.65 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) Rs 4,000 lower than the price it was launched at, thanks to the recent slash in current excise duty rates.

Karan Narsu