2012 Hyosung ST7 Review

The Hyosung ST7 motorcycle is a mix between a cruiser and touring model with the style of a cruiser but some additional features that add the comfort of a touring bike. The first thing that the rider will notice when hopping onto this Korean made bike is how big it is. The bike is very long at a total length of 97.2 inches, wide handlebars, and footrests making for a commanding position when seated. There is a plethora of chrome that accents most of the bike including the engine, radiator shroud, cam covers, crankcase, and even the dual silencers on the exhaust tips. The rear view mirrors are chrome as well and optimally placed for a wide and telling view of the rear.

The Hyosung ST7 uses a two-cylinder, four-stroke V-Twin with a total displacement of 678.2cc. This engine pumps out nearly 62 horsepower at 8000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and 47 lb-ft of torque at 7500 rpm. The V-Twin has loads of power for this cruiser however there is a noticeable difference in between different stages of the power band. The lower portion of the range has moderate levels of power and torque but the really noticeable power comes late in the power band with quick and strong power when you rev the engine hard. The liquid cooling system ensures that this beastly amount of horsepower doesn’t overheat the engine block. The five-speed overdrive transmission uses a belt drive to transfer the engine power to the wheel with minimal noise and heat. The clutch is slightly heavy when shifting gears but the overall gearshift action is relatively easy and smooth, becoming completely comfortable with the action after just a few minutes of riding.

The ST7 does weigh a bit much with a wet weight of 538 pounds however the overall feel of the bike doesn’t feel that much. The double cradle steel chassis does a good job at evenly distributing the weight across the whole body while the front telescopic fork and rear twin sided swing arm with dual shock absorbers cushion the rider and passenger from the bumps and dips of the road. The Korean Shinko tires do a moderately good job at gripping the road so when the road conditions are wet or less than optimal, it is important to ride with concern. The four-piston caliper in the front and the two-piston caliper in the rear have a decent amount of bike when the brake levers are gripped forcefully however the rear can lock up if engaged too much.

The 2012 Hyosung ST7 is the ideal motorcycle for novice rider looking for a big cruiser style bike with touring comfort, good handling around corners and turns and more than enough power to stay ahead of the pack.