New scorpio rider

[el loco jalapeno]

Hi all,
been lurking around these parts for a few months now getting enthused and soaking up all the, um, wisdom on display around here :D

I'm picking up my first bike tomorrow, a Scorpio. There's only a few threads about them on here so far so I will keep y'all updated on how it goes.

I wavered between it and a new GN, but even though I like GNs I decided the extra few hundred would be worth it for a much cooler looking bike... :dodge: Also the good folks at the shop threw in my jacket and gloves for free, which makes the whole process a little cheaper.

Oh yeah, I'm in Hawke's Bay - going to be riding between Napier and Hastings each day when I get brave enough... maybe see some of you around.

[jtzzr]

Welcome ELJ ,you can stop lurking now, Be safe on your new ride ,When you get more adventurous ride from Hastings to Napier , I don`t think it`s too much of a challenge for a newbie. Keep it rubberside down.

[Lucy]

Congatulations, and welcome to the fun and freedom of two wheels. I'll ignore the dig at the GNs looks..... :-)

Threw in the jacket and gloves? Good one. My shop threw in the L plate, unwillingly at that. Said on such a cheap bike I didn't deserve freebies.

I look forward to hearing about the Scorpio and it's travels, have looked at them myself, but never ridden one.

Cheers
Lucy

[kiwifruit]

welcome to the site :)

[fjones]

Welcome El Loco! Scorpio seems like a good bike. Was looking at that one, but the dealer and I didn't seem to mesh well.....

[el loco jalapeno]

Thanks everyone. Shame about the stingy Yamaha dealers some of you guys seem to have, I can't speak more highly of Barry @ Barry's in Hastings. Not the flashest gear of course but plenty good enough for the commute, I think about $230 worth all up which is nicer than paying for it :yes:

It's such a nice night and I'm sitting here looking out the window like I'm grounded... can't wait.

[el loco jalapeno]

Well, first and second rides out of the way tonight. First - not so good but at least I didn't fall off. Was ready to go again very soon, and got to the end of the driveway before I stalled. Oh dear, bike won't start. Have I flooded it? Wtf?

Then a little kid walked past and said the bike looked cool, so I pretended I wasn't unable to move and made out as if I was tinkering with something in the general area of the engine. Fortunately that bluff (to avoid some random kid thinking I was a jackass) helped me to remember to turn the fuel on :D

So the kid would actually have been right, I was in fact a jackass.

After that it was awesome. I had practiced my gear changes just sitting on the bike and the second run was a good 5mins of cruising around the suburb (avoiding major roads and intersections of any kinds), bit of gentle leaning on some turns. I have sore hands now probably from clenching on too tight... :D

Can't wait to stretch my legs a little more, but slowly slowly...

[fjones]

Glad to hear you're enjoying it loco. Hehhee it;s an artform pretending not to be a jackass... I still haven't learned it.

[McJim]

Well you bought a sensible bike.

You're taking it easy.

All in all I don't think you are that loco for a jalapno after all. Just came back from a holiday in your neck of the woods - you got nice roads down there.

Enjoy.

Welcome to KB

[crashe]

Oh yeah, I'm in Hawke's Bay - going to be riding between Napier and Hastings each day when I get brave enough... maybe see some of you around.

Welcome to KB.

Get in touch with Yungatart and MSTRS as they are also in Napier.... and they will be able to help you out with learning and stuff.

[el loco jalapeno]

Thought I'd give a quick update - put about 45km on the bike today, and I'll get off my bum and look into booking the basic handling test this week... I'm ready I think.

I have just been practicing smooth riding in general, looking where I want to go and getting my gear changes as smooth as possible and not stalling at intersections. My bike seems to want to stall as I come to a halt even though I have the clutch all the way in. I guess I will need to learn to blip the throttle just enough as I slow down.

All in all very happy with the bike though, it's not lightning fast but I can see it will sit nicely at 100km/h with no worries (when I'm allowed to rev it that high... only 100km on it so far) and it's way more fun than any cage.

[Lucy]

Thought I'd give a quick update - put about 45km on the bike today, and I'll get off my bum and look into booking the basic handling test this week... I'm ready I think.

I have just been practicing smooth riding in general, looking where I want to go and getting my gear changes as smooth as possible and not stalling at intersections. My bike seems to want to stall as I come to a halt even though I have the clutch all the way in. I guess I will need to learn to blip the throttle just enough as I slow down.

All in all very happy with the bike though, it's not lightning fast but I can see it will sit nicely at 100km/h with no worries (when I'm allowed to rev it that high... only 100km on it so far) and it's way more fun than any cage.


Did you buy it without a learners licence? You HAVE got nice relaxed dealers down there.

Enjoy the riding, I've done the fuel thing myself quite often, it's surprisising how far a GN gets without the fuel turned on....!

[el loco jalapeno]

Did you buy it without a learners licence? You HAVE got nice relaxed dealers down there.

Enjoy the riding, I've done the fuel thing myself quite often, it's surprisising how far a GN gets without the fuel turned on....!

Yeah I've done it a couple more times now, sometimes I can get a couple of blocks before it reminds me it needs petrol to go.

Don't need a licence to buy a bike and I got my old man to pick it up from the shop anyway so no worries there. It's just, um, testing it a little on the roads since then that's naughty :innocent: So far so good though, taking my learning at a leisurely pace.

Had heaps of nods and waves riding around on Sunday and a couple of bikers at work have approved in the car park, which is always nice. Even the father in law, who is utterly devoted to ancient Triumphs, says it "sounds a bit like a real bike" :D It does sound bigger than 223cc.

[skelstar]

You can be one of the most sorted out guys in the world, but learning how to ride a motorcycle is a humbling experience. Welcome to the site. Enjoy learning to ride as you only really get to do it once eh?

[James Deuce]

Did you buy it without a learners licence? You HAVE got nice relaxed dealers down there.



You don't need a license or proof of holding a license to buy a motor vehicle.

You only need it to drive/ride it.

If you choose to ride/drive off without a license on/in your new purchase that is your choice. The dealer is not obligated in any way to make sure they are selling to a licensed rider/driver.

Of course it behooves the responsible dealer to sell you the vehicle, let you go and then ring the cops. Everybody wins that way. The dealer makes a sale, you get a new vehicle, and the taxpayer makes a little bit extra on top of the GST.

[Grahameeboy]

You don't need a license or proof of holding a license to buy a motor vehicle.

You only need it to drive/ride it.

If you choose to ride/drive off without a license on/in your new purchase that is your choice. The dealer is not obligated in any way to make sure they are selling to a licensed rider/driver.

Of course it behooves the responsible dealer to sell you the vehicle, let you go and then ring the cops. Everybody wins that way. The dealer makes a sale, you get a new vehicle, and the taxpayer makes a little bit extra on top of the GST.

The power of positive thinking?

[pzkpfw]

...look into booking the basic handling test this week... I'm ready I think.

Not that I'm any "expert" to comment (I'm pretty much a learner myself still), but everything sounds great so far about your approach and attitude to learning.

But.

In regards to the license I think one point is insurance.

Are you insured at least for 3rd party? Would your company pay out if you were riding unlicensed?

Cheers,

[Lucy]

You don't need a license or proof of holding a license to buy a motor vehicle.

You only need it to drive/ride it.

.

One of the guys on my BH course was buying a new bike, and the shop wouldnt let him take it until he had his learners. Not sure which shop. The shop I bought mine from asked if I had mine, and took the details of it. Maybe some shops have had the hard word put on them from the 'gummint'? Like fireplace shops that dont sell you a fireplace until you have the council permit.

[James Deuce]

One of the guys on my BH course was buying a new bike, and the shop wouldnt let him take it until he had his learners. Not sure which shop. The shop I bought mine from asked if I had mine, and took the details of it. Maybe some shops have had the hard word put on them from the 'gummint'? Like fireplace shops that dont sell you a fireplace until you have the council permit.

There's no law to back up a "gummint" hard word. That was just a bike shop taking responsibility for the potential outcome of its actions.

The fireplace shops risk a fine, where there is no comeback on the bike dealer.

[ZeroIndex]

Have fun dude... keep it safe, and you'll be on your way in no time :D

[yungatart]

Welcome to KB
If you want someone to ride with send me or Mstrs a pm - or any of our other esteemed HB ites, of course.

[Lucy]

There's no law to back up a "gummint" hard word. That was just a bike shop taking responsibility for the potential outcome of its actions.

The fireplace shops risk a fine, where there is no comeback on the bike dealer.


Well good for them then, and as I originally said in this thread - they do have more relaxed dealers down there in that case.