Founded in 1978 as a division of the massive Hyosung Group, Hyosung Motors & Machinery Inc. began producing motorcycle designs under license for the South Korean market in 1979. In 1986, Hyosung established its own research and development centre in Japan and, the following year, began mass production of its own designs.

Hyosung was the official motorcycle supplier for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. In 2003 Hyosung Motors & Machinery Inc. was spun off from the Hyosung Group, and remained its own corporate entity until it was recently absorbed into one of the biggest companies in South Korea – S&T Machinery. Accordingly, Hyosung Motors & Machinery Inc. has now been renamed as S&T Motors Co. Ltd, but the Hyosung brand name remains unchanged.

S&T Motors Co. Ltd’s goal is simple: to become one of the major players in the global motorcycle industry. The massive company is committed to strengthening its international competitiveness through a vigorous research and development process.

In just 20 years, Hyosung has made a highly successful transition from producing simple, efficient bikes for commuting into the highly competitive recreational market. It’s also expanded into developed export markets such as Australia, Europe, America, Brazil and China.

Hyosungs have been sold in New Zealand since 2001. The distribution rights for Hyosung were bought by Ken Dobson and Richard Scott in July 2008. Ken and Richard ( Scotty ) have a long association with the motorcycle world and a history of motorcycle road racing in New Zealand, Australia and Europe.
Scotty is best known for his 2 x Castrol Six Hour victories (1985/86), 2 x Australian 250cc Road Race Championships, lap record holder for many years at Wanganui and being chosen by Kenny Roberts to ride for his 1987 500cc Grand Prix Team. He is regarded by many as the best production rider in the world in the mid 80’s.
Ken competed on Production bikes in NZ, Australia and England with many wins in the British Production Championships, a Silver Replica from 5th place at the Isle of Man 750cc Production TT in 1983, 3rd in the Ulster Grand Prix Super Stock race, and being in the winning team of the 1987 Le Mans 24 Hour Super Bike class.
Our race history had a very memorable moment at Donnington Park in 1986 where we both debuted the new Honda VFR750 to the world in the British Championship. We swapped the lead on a wet and very slippery track until a “momentary lapse of reason” (by Ken) had us both sliding off the track to let a Suzuki through for the win. This could have been a very negative event for our relationship but in fact brought us closer as competitors and friends. After all we were just a couple of Kiwi boys trying their best to win on the other side of the world.
With the serious side of our racing career’s over we returned to New Zealand in 1987/88 and set about our own business’s and starting families. With petrol still in our veins we both ventured into the Targa Rally and circuit car racing scene. Scotty in his Subaru WRX and Ken in his Classic Porsche 911. But once a biker, always a biker and the opportunity to buy Hyosung New Zealand was just the tonic for us both. We both have vast experience riding and racing bikes of all kinds and using this experience we will be helping the Hyosung factory to further develop what is already a great range of bikes. Hyosungs future is very bright indeed with new models in the pipeline, and a professional, nationwide dealer network to offer the highest level of sales, service and spares back up.
Thanks for reading our story and you can be assured if you buy a Hyosung your dealer has the best of support and service from us at Hyosung New Zealand.