650 Aquila with tour package

A trio of Hyosung Aquilas are dressed up for the '08 model year.

The Aquila 250 and 650 Special Edition models are set up with touring gear by the importer, National Motorsports, just for the Canadian market. Both are carbureted V-twins with cruiser styling (with obvious homage to Harley's V-Rod).

Windscreens, floorboards, backrests, and saddlebags – soft for the 250, hard for the 650 – give the Aquilas some long-haul capability. The 650 is designated by National Motorsports as a 30th anniversary model, though the factory seems unaware of the marketing usefulness of its birthdays.

650 Aquila Limited

The tour package adds $1,000 to the standard Aquila 250 price, and $1,500 (presumably, the difference is in the hard bags) to the 650 standard's price. MSRP for the two touring models is $5,295.00 for the 250 and $9,395.00 for the 650.

Hyosung has also gussied up a 650 Limited Edition Aquila with black engine, tank and accents, and red frame and wheels. It sells for $8,195.00.

A Hyosung Monster?

Hyosung's GT650X is based on the company's V-twin DOHC motor, but adds EFI (new for all 650 models) and a new oil cooler. The new motor will produce 82 hp – about 5 hp more than the carbureted version.

It's an aggressive looking model with a small chin fairing, a sportbike style high rear seat, and handlebars above the triple clamp. The GT650X uses a new 'Monsteresque' tubular frame, composed of chrome-moly and aluminum, and light five-spoke wheels. Radially-mounted four-piston calipers grip 300 mm discs up front.

We were originally expecting the GT650X to arrive in Canada sometime in 2008, but it now looks like it won't be until 2009. Also, no price announcement as of yet.

RX450 super-moto

The RX450SM brings a new motor to the Hyosung line, a liquid-cooled 450 cc single that should produce 50 hp.

It's a super-moto style bike with a chrome-moly frame that incorporates an oil reservoir, 45 mm inverted forks, fully adjustable suspension front and rear, and Brembo brakes with a wave-style 260 mm rotor up front. Dry weight is 120 kg.

The Korean manufacturer will also preview a 125 scooter with large wheels and disc brakes.

We'll see the RX450 in Canada, but not likely before the fall. Prices are not yet determined.