Another n00b wanting advice

[nathanwhite]

After trawling thought the web and popping into the odd dealer or two, I finally settled on a Yamaha scorpio to get as my first bike. However in light of my having zero experience, it has been suggested that I get a 125 instead. As I will not be going on motorways or such for the duration of my L's, would this be a viable alternative? Upgrading when on a restricted?

Also what are low kms for a bike? I have heard half of what you would expect from a car, but also third as well.

[neels]

Scorpio should be fine, easy bike to ride and not a lot of difference between the 225 and a 125 in terms of weight, power etc.

Mileage is less of a concern than overall condition and having been serviced regularly, so ask for some records of what's been done.

[ducatilover]

Scorpio 225 will do fine, not a ball of fire, but a good wee bike. Don't bother with a 125, as already said the difference isn't that big.
Also how many bikes have you looked at? The amount of safe Km all depends on the bike and it's history, for example a Honda cbr250rr is usually good for 100,000km+ with good maintenance, whereas some have exploded earlier. I have Honda VT250 Spada and clocked it up to 154,000km before selling it on and it was still a great bike (Although the new owner had a cry when the radiator got blocked, because, no doubt he didn't service it... :facepalm:)

[The Everlasting]

the scorpio is a great learners bike,it will see you through your Learner period.

[nathanwhite]

Sweet thanks guys. I'll post back with what I get in a few days. (fingers crossed for a Scorpio)

Also the only one I can find at a dealer is at red baron. Has anyone had experience/past dealings with them? Good, bad, ugly etc?

[FJRider]

Sweet thanks guys. I'll post back with what I get in a few days. (fingers crossed for a Scorpio)

Also the only one I can find at a dealer is at red baron. Has anyone had experience/past dealings with them? Good, bad, ugly etc?

They've been around for a while ... they must be doing something right ...

There are a few Scorpio's on Trademe ... if you want to do the cash route ...

[Tink]

. However in light of my having zero experience, .

Zero experience.... stick to roads you know, car parks, slow residential areas, I learnt on a 400... around a car park, and when I jumped on my 250 it was easy. As they all say on here, stick to your own pace and comfort, and listen to advice!!! Hope the scorpio and you have a great time. I learnt on a XV260 Yamaha, great bike too.

[DrunkenMistake]

Zero experience.... stick to roads you know, car parks, slow residential areas, I learnt on a 400... around a car park, and when I jumped on my 250 it was easy. As they all say on here, stick to your own pace and comfort, and listen to advice!!! Hope the scorpio and you have a great time. I learnt on a XV260 Yamaha, great bike too.

exactly, ride your own ride and not somebody elses, As for low k's it depends on the bike, some have a fatality point of like 75k and others are like 100 - 100+, if its a 250, you shouldnt have to much of an issue with anything under 60,000

[kilgh]

Can recommend the Scorpio as an easy learner bike. Cause I'm learning on one. Easy clutch, smooth throttle, light weight, great fuel economy, easy start (with kickstart backup!), and cheap brand new.

[Edbear]

The Scorpio seems to have finally toppled the GN from top spot as best learner bike! They are as good as everyone says they are and I wouldn't recommend a 125 these days. Our tennant is still using his one as a commuter to work and has no plans to sell it.

They look good too.

[tigertim20]

After trawling thought the web and popping into the odd dealer or two, I finally settled on a Yamaha scorpio to get as my first bike. However in light of my having zero experience, it has been suggested that I get a 125 instead. As I will not be going on motorways or such for the duration of my L's, would this be a viable alternative? Upgrading when on a restricted?

Also what are low kms for a bike? I have heard half of what you would expect from a car, but also third as well.

ignore the kms, it means almost nothing. you want to look for a bike in good condition that has been looked after, and is tidy enough to reflect that. If possible a service history as well is a bonus.

Dont even bother with a 125, the difference between them is minor enough that screwing up wont make a difference whether youre on a 125 or a 250. just get the 225. The only time Id suggest someone get a 125, is if they lived somewhere where they would simply NEVER go on a road with a limit of more than 50km/hr. just my opinion. get the scorpio.

Of course if you insist on something smaller, you could look at an R15, for only a couple hundred bucks more brand spanking new, injected etc etc.

[Cayman911]

The Scorpio seems to have finally toppled the GN from top spot as best learner bike! They are as good as everyone says they are and I wouldn't recommend a 125 these days. Our tennant is still using his one as a commuter to work and has no plans to sell it.

They look good too.

the GN has always been a piece of shit.
scorpio is alright....

Honda NXR 125. the. best. bike. learner. or pro. love love love it.
and i have ridden all of them + more. NXR wins hands down

[nathanwhite]

Eyeballed the scorpio that I had my eyes on for a while today.

Overall not bad. There was a crack in the front mudguard, and bit of scraping on the right side, mainly on the headlamp and instruments etc. Headlamp is cracked also.
Also the right fork had been re-straightened. Seems that not only has it been dropped, its hit something pretty hard too.
Rust all over the handlebars, I suspect he used either old or doctored photos, because it doesn't show up in the ad at all. Said he keeps it outside and doesn't bother very often with a covering.
Produced the log, has done 15000k and it has been serviced every 5000k's very nicely.
Tire tread is worn in the middle, but not much at all at the edges. Will probably need new tires in a few months.

I brought my uncle along who has been riding for some 30 years (got most of the above info from him :innocent:) He reckons that A) its underpowered for a 225. Has only got marginally more go then some 125's. B) The brakes are quite weak. i'd be relying on engine braking for the majority of my stopping power.

Should I let this one go as its fork as been realigned/straightened? and that I could get just as much go from a decent 125?
then upgrade in 6 months when on restricted?

[JimO]

your uncles opinion may be influenced by whatever he rides, how much are you wanting to spend?? our vtr would be worth around 3k if i was looking at selling it, it would be a better bike than a scorpio imho

[Bonez]

The Scorpio is a good choice for a first bike. They scoot along fine and I found the brakes suit the bikes performance perfectly. A good bike to learn the ins and outs on general m/c maintinence as well.

[FJRider]

Eyeballed the scorpio that I had my eyes on for a while today.

Overall not bad. There was a crack in the front mudguard, and bit of scraping on the right side, mainly on the headlamp and instruments etc. Headlamp is cracked also.
Also the right fork had been re-straightened. Seems that not only has it been dropped, its hit something pretty hard too.
Rust all over the handlebars, I suspect he used either old or doctored photos, because it doesn't show up in the ad at all. Said he keeps it outside and doesn't bother very often with a covering.
Produced the log, has done 15000k and it has been serviced every 5000k's very nicely.
Tire tread is worn in the middle, but not much at all at the edges. Will probably need new tires in a few months.

I brought my uncle along who has been riding for some 30 years (got most of the above info from him :innocent:) He reckons that A) its underpowered for a 225. Has only got marginally more go then some 125's. B) The brakes are quite weak. i'd be relying on engine braking for the majority of my stopping power.

Should I let this one go as its fork as been realigned/straightened? and that I could get just as much go from a decent 125?
then upgrade in 6 months when on restricted?

If the price is right ... go for it. Most of the issues mentioned are easily fixed.... or leave them and just ride it. Upgrade in six months or so (after restricted/full licence) and sell it for what you paid.

Autosol will pretty it up and remove most rust probs ... new brake pads/adjustment may help there ... and forks can be replaced ...

As for go ... keep the revs up and it will perform ...

[nathanwhite]

your uncles opinion may be influenced by whatever he rides.
Fair point. He admitted he was biased about his riding style and was comparing it to a en125 he taught his kids to ride on. That 'lil suzuki got him up to 100km/h and kept it there easily enough


... and forks can be replaced ...
How much usually?

[FJRider]

How much usually?

Ask around a few bike wreckers ... you may be supprised ...

[nathanwhite]

went for my scratch and win today. :sunny:AND WON:sunny:
..though it probably needs to be called something else now, its all done on the computer.

Also has anyone heard of the arrow samurai bike? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-372144748.htm couldnt find anything on google about it.

[ducatilover]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-365761998.htm

Thought of something like this? Very nice little bikes for someone on a budget.
I still think the Spada/Bandit are the best value for money.

[JimO]

went for my scratch and win today. :sunny:AND WON:sunny:
..though it probably needs to be called something else now, its all done on the computer.

Also has anyone heard of the arrow samurai bike? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-372144748.htm couldnt find anything on google about it.

it will be shite, probably chinese shite

[nathanwhite]

it will be shite, probably chinese shite

Yea I thought as much.

Are there any good bikes out of china?

[JimO]

Yea I thought as much.

Are there any good bikes out of china?

eventually there will be, resale is going to be the killer for that chinese stuff better to pay a little more for something thats known to have reliabilaty

[The End]

I've got the scorpio and it is great. Got one new and have done about 800kms on it in a month. It was cheap to purchase and is very cheap to run, some KB members have said they got 300km out of a full tank of gas. I mainly just commute into the city, rarely using the motorway, but it does the power to handle 100km/h easily.

Get it, you won't regret it :)

[nathanwhite]

Well finally got myself a bike.
Tis a Scorpio, All of 18 months old and done only two and a half thousand k's. :sunny:

Picking up next weekend can't wait!!

[tigertim20]

Well finally got myself a bike.
Tis a Scorpio, All of 18 months old and done only two and a half thousand k's. :sunny:

Picking up next weekend can't wait!!

very nice!! make sure you post some pics!!

Have you got yourself some gear too?

[nathanwhite]

very nice!! make sure you post some pics!!


Will do.

And no, not yet, getting that on the weekend too. :yes:

[varminter]

Oh, we forgot to mention, all KB members are allowed to ride it first. See you at the weekend, woo hoo.

[nathanwhite]

Absolutely. That'll be $20 per hour or any part thereof and a refundable $1000 insurance bond. :innocent:

That bike will have paid for itself by the days end. :scooter:

[HenryDorsetCase]

After trawling thought the web and popping into the odd dealer or two, I finally settled on a Yamaha scorpio to get as my first bike. However in light of my having zero experience, it has been suggested that I get a 125 instead. As I will not be going on motorways or such for the duration of my L's, would this be a viable alternative? Upgrading when on a restricted?

Also what are low kms for a bike? I have heard half of what you would expect from a car, but also third as well.

You've got decent riding gear, yes?

proper jacket, pants boots gloves and helmet. that fits you.

[nathanwhite]

Getting helmet, jacket and gloves on the weekend.
Found some draggin jeans on trademe in good condition

And how necessary are boots for the first few weeks of riding?

[ducatilover]

Getting helmet, jacket and gloves on the weekend.
Found some draggin jeans on trademe in good condition

And how necessary are boots for the first few weeks of riding?
All the gear, all the time. :yes:

[HenryDorsetCase]

Getting helmet, jacket and gloves on the weekend.
Found some draggin jeans on trademe in good condition

And how necessary are boots for the first few weeks of riding?

as necessary as any other bit of kit.

tramping boots will be better than nothing, something that covers your sticky-out ankle bones anyway. I went down the road a few years ago on some spilled diesel on a roundabout, and my bike slid down the road with my boot underneath it for a ways. I walked away, but the leather over my ankle bone was worn through. that would have been nicely abraded had I not worn boots.

even on the scooter I wear ankle boots, just cos of that.

[nathanwhite]

Very well. Boots it is then!

Maybe I can even get a package deal:woohoo:

[ducatilover]

Very well. Boots it is then!

Maybe I can even get a package deal:woohoo:
QuasiMoto has a special on leather gear this week, well worth investing in some.

[nathanwhite]

WOO! got my bike today! haha, and with no prior experience, went out and rode it for about a hour.

Only stalled it half a dozen times, and almost dropped it once.
Still it was awesome!

One thing i'm wondering though, do you end up building an awareness of what gear the bike is in? because after about 30s of riding around a residential area I had no idea what gear I was in.


and some pics of the bike, as promised...238127238128238129

[4AGE]

You definitely do. I've only ridden my bike dozen times but you end up knowing what gear by the revs at certain speeds etc. Kinda like when driving a manual car. You instinctively know without looking at the gear stick etc.

[unstuck]

You will get better at judging what gear you are in the more you ride. Ride ride ride.:woohoo:

[nathanwhite]

Sweet

Just one more question :innocent:

Does holding the clutch just below the biting point ready to take off wear something out? ie, better to have it all the way in when waiting at the lights?

[AliJax]

Hi, good to here you ended up with a bike, I was in a similar position 12 months ago, and nearly went down the Scorpio route. My first real bike is a VTR250 and as I commute Howick to Avondale everyday I thought like your uncle said the Scorpio might be under powered for the motor-way over a long distance.

As previously commented on Ride Ride Ride! get as much ride time as you can, do not rush there is no need as what I have found is that I wait in traffic until all lanes has come to a halt & then make my move in between vehicles at traffic lights.

In addition your gear is paramount, I bought boots & trousers (jeans in summer with armour) and these were called into action early as a piece of timber fell from a truck once & struck my leg on the shin :shit: (fortunately armoured, a bit of a butt clencher I can tell you).

As for the Clutch I have no Idea, I tend to take it out of gear with foot brakes on and wait until the lights are due to change & pull away easily.

Take it easy.

[Bumblebeeman1150]

Best to be in gear while you wait at the lights as you never know when you might have to take evasive action to avoid someone behind or beside you who hasn't seen you. Clutch all the way in, left foot down, right foot on the brake until you're ready to roll. That way you get into the habit for hill starts. The more you slip the clutch (at that point where it starts to bite) the more it wears. A little is okay, like when you're doing a tight turn or i heavy traffic, but a lot isn't good for the friction surfaces inside the clutch.

Nice bike; have fun and learn heaps. +1 on the boots. A pair of hiking boots will do for now.

[nathanwhite]

cheers,

I have started looking at the other sides traffic lights to predict when my lights will change and keeping the clutch in until then. Works pretty well