Hyosung presents its renewed Aquila GV 125cc custom

The Korean brand Hyosung completely redesigns its 125cc custom model, retaining only the V-twin configuration of its engine, with a more “Sportster”-inspired orientation featuring “low&long” lines instead of the classic silhouettes of its predecessors. After a long absence, Hyosung returns to the 125 cc displacement with its most successful model: the Aquila GV custom. But this is not a restyling; it is a completely different model, conceived from scratch without reusing anything from its predecessor.

Even so, although it is still a custom, it abandons the classic style and ventures into the more radical and sporty “Sportster” with “low&long” (low and long) lines, following the strictest canons of this purely American trend. In fact, to distinguish this new Aquila from its predecessors, the “surname” S has been added to its name.

The only thing it retains is the “V” configuration of its twin-cylinder engine, the only one with these characteristics on the market for motorcycle-to-car license conversion, although it shares no common features with the previous engines. In fact, the “V” angle is narrowed from the previous 75º to 60º in order to achieve a more compact and lighter engine. The cooling system also changes, now liquid-cooled instead of the previous mixed air-oil system, as well as the OHC valve train with three valves per cylinder head (two intake and one exhaust), long-stroke internal dimensions to achieve greater torque from very low revs, and electronic fuel injection in place of the traditional carburettor to achieve the best efficiency while complying with the Euro 4 emissions directive. The engine is completed by a 2-into-1 exhaust system ending in a single silencer running along the right side of the motorcycle.

Its crankcase is now much smaller and houses a five-speed gearbox, although with different gear ratios. This same engine base will be adapted in the near future to a 300 cc displacement, which already gives an idea of its mechanical robustness.

The same philosophy of achieving a more compact and lighter powertrain has been applied to the frame and overall dimensions in order to achieve optimal performance for its displacement, with remarkable capabilities. Its maximum length is 2,083 mm (20 cm less than its predecessor), with a wheelbase reduced from 1,515 to 1,428 mm, characteristics that favour its agile use as an urban vehicle. As for the seat height, it remains at a very modest 710 mm, allowing riders of any height to reach the ground.

A new double-cradle frame is also debuted, with the special feature of a removable rear subframe that makes mechanical access easier for maintenance tasks.

The suspension is also all new, with a centred-axle fork at the front with rubber gaiters protecting 35 mm diameter stanchions, and two inclined rear shock absorbers with variable-rate springs and preload adjustment.

The differences from the new 2018 Aquila (the year referenced on its number plates) are most noticeable in the brakes, since the classic drum-brake system is abandoned in favour of discs on each wheel. At the front, a 270 mm diameter disc with a three-piston floating caliper is adopted, and an oversized 250 mm disc with a twin-piston caliper at the rear. Both discs work together in a CBS system operated through the brake pedal. Although the wheel diameters remain 16 and 15 inches for the front and rear wheels respectively, new 12-spoke alloy wheels painted black are fitted, with wider tyres: 120/80 on the front wheel and 150/80 on the rear.

Completing the equipment of the new Aquila S is a comprehensive instrument cluster positioned asymmetrically in front of the handlebars on the left side, combining an analogue rev counter with a red zone from 10,000 rpm and a backlit LCD display that provides a lot of information (speedometer, two graphic gauges for coolant temperature and fuel level, and total and trip odometers), plus five indicator lights.

The Hyosung GV Aquila 125S will be available from September at all Hyosung Authorised Dealers in two colours (black and green) at an estimated launch price of €3,795 (VAT included).