The Hyosung GV125X isn’t your typical beginner bike. Most 125cc machines play it safe—single-cylinder engines, lightweight frames, and a focus on practicality. But Hyosung had other ideas.
Instead of following the crowd, they dropped a 124.7cc, 60-degree V-twin into their latest cruiser, giving it a unique character in a segment dominated by thumpers.
Would You Buy a Baby V-Twin Cruiser Like the Hyosung GV125x?
If you’ve been around motorcycles long enough, the name Hyosung rings a bell. Since the late ‘70s, they’ve been churning out affordable, small-to-mid displacement bikes—never quite mainstream, but never disappearing either.
The GT650 Comet? A budget SV650. The GV650 Aquila? A bargain-bin cruiser with an actual V-twin. The formula was always the same: unique bikes at tempting prices. But reliability? That was a roll of the dice.
Now, Hyosung is back with the GV125X, a compact cruiser that ditches the old-school bobber look for something sharper, sportier. Bar-end mirrors, a floating license plate holder, and aggressive bodywork give it an urban edge. But the real story is that engine—a 124.7cc, 60-degree V-twin pushing 14 horsepower at a sky-high 10,000 rpm. Most 125s make do with a simple, bulletproof single-cylinder. Not this one.
Of course, there’s a tradeoff. A V-twin is complex. More moving parts, more maintenance, and at 172 kg (378 pounds), the GV125X is heavy for its class. And with a price tag of €4,899 (roughly $5,048 USD), it’s not the cheapest option out there. But what you get is a smoother powerband, a distinctive exhaust note, and something with a little more soul than the usual 125cc commuter.
Will it revolutionize the beginner bike segment? Probably not. The 125cc world thrives on simplicity and reliability—two things Hyosung has struggled with before. But if you’re in Europe, where A1 license laws keep you stuck in the 125cc bracket, and you want something that stands out, the GV125X could be worth a look.
And if Hyosung plays their cards right, maybe this is just the start. A bigger, badder V-twin could be waiting in the wings, ready to shake up the mid-sized cruiser world. One thing’s for sure—Hyosung isn’t done yet.
