Newbie: Is this a good bike to get (first buy) ?

[crazyv]

Hi All,

Saw this on Trademe and wondering what KB'ers think of it?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=148318359

It's supposed to be 0Kms and not 100,000Kms

Since I have never ridden a bike before I am kind of reluctant to get a new bike like this?

How likely am I to drop the bike? I have no idea. I also don't know how someone could drop their bike :rolleyes:

Any comments would be nice. Cheers

[Kirill357]

You will definitely drop the bike, everybody do.

[daaatomic]

as far as i'm aware, they're great learners bikes. Just ask EJ. Might see you at AWNMR soon then eh.

[crazyv]

You will definitely drop the bike, everybody do.

Whats the most common reason for dropping a bike? (im ignorant since i haven't owned one)

Also when does it happen?

daaatomic, yea AWNR would be something I would be in for :)

[kave]

Most common time to drop it when you are learning would be just wheeling it around at low speeds, moving it in or out of a garage, or just parking it. It wont hurt a scorpio too badly. They are great learner bikes.

[325rocket]

yep that would be a fine bike to learn on. as for dropping it and how it happens, best thing you can do is get your license and figure it out for yourself. while you should always be careful when riding, you dont want to much crap floating around you head i.e. someone said down hill lefts are bad, someone else said rights are, slow is hard, fast is dangerous ...youll be stressed and worried and you dont want that.
get your license find a big empty car park and play around
good luck

[pc220]

MInes on around 3000km now and so far no complaints. Its light , simple and easy to handle. They are not the fastest of bikes but thats not what learning is about anyways.Mine manages to get up to 135kmh carrying my 96kg on the back. Build quality seems fine. Overall for value for money it cant be beat IMO.

[sinned]

You will most likely drop it in the first week in a poorly thought out low speed maneuver. Can you borrow a beat up old bike where a minor bit of damage doesn't matter and ride that for a month ? A typical "oops I dropped it" costs around $250. :crybaby:

[tide]

Hiya... and welcome to KB...

They are good solid bikes... i have riden one briefly... and compared to the bike I was riding at the time, they are very easy to ride...

but you will probably drop it or come close to doing so... it is one of those learner things that will happen... at the beginning there is so much going on you'll forget to do something...

when you do get it... get yourself to the AWNMR... or PM Bigdog he helps run it and has some good advice...

Enjoy...

[McJim]

Whats the most common reason for dropping a bike? (im ignorant since i haven't owned one)

Also when does it happen?

Not realising how heavy 150kg+ of metal feels between your legs for a start.:rofl:

You'll maybe grab too much front brake and fall forwards. you'll maybe stand on your rear and lock it up. a fuckwit will pull out in front of you and you'll be too busy thinking which control does what and then slide the bike trying to brake and swerve at the same time.

there are whole paragraphs of ways your first bike can take a nap on the tarmac.

the Scorpio is a good first bike BUT AT THAT PRICE DON'T BUY MAIL ORDER! Go to a local dealer and buy one that you've actually seen and touched and agreed is brand new...IMO.

[325rocket]

the Scorpio is a good first bike BUT AT THAT PRICE DON'T BUY MAIL ORDER! Go to a local dealer and buy one that you've actually seen and touched and agreed is brand new...IMO.

thats another good point

[Edbear]

...the Scorpio is a good first bike BUT AT THAT PRICE DON'T BUY MAIL ORDER! Go to a local dealer and buy one that you've actually seen and touched and agreed is brand new...IMO.


I think you'll find that "Rodney" is Rodney at Rodney Motorcycles in Warkworth. He's a long time Yamaha dealer and seems a good guy. I used to deal with him as a SULCO tool rep.

I would rate the Scorpio as a great learner bike!

[crazyv]

OK so since dropping the bike seems like a almost certainty among the learning variety (me), buying something like the (linked, Trademe) Scorpio might end up being a rueful decision (after all the scratches and damage that I inflict it!)

So have decided to get a second-hand Scorpio instead! (second hand bike full stop) :clap:

Cheers ppl

[Ixion]

A wise decision, I think. I always opine that one's first bike should be treated as a sacrifice to the Biker Gods. Choose something cheap and cheerful, easy to ride and easy (and cheap) to fix.

Even if you only keep it 6 months and then move on, it will have served its purpose. And after 6 months riding , you will have a much better idea of what SORT of riding (and what sort of bike) most interests you. You may be surprised at how your ideas will change.

[Edbear]

A wise decision, I think. I always opine that one's first bike should be treated as a sacrifice to the Biker Gods. Choose something cheap and cheerful, easy to ride and easy (and cheap) to fix.

Even if you only keep it 6 months and then move on, it will have served its purpose. And after 6 months riding , you will have a much better idea of what SORT of riding (and what sort of bike) most interests you. You may be surprised at how your ideas will change.

Agree, unless of course you were priviledged to learn on a BSA Bantam 125, and you still know where it is... She won't ever part with it, though...

There should be a few late model Scorpio's around, as Ixion suggests, they are a budget, (though good quality), bike with just enough performance for a learner, so many will outgrow them and want to upgrade leaving some low mileage tidy used ones around...

[crazyv]

This one is really tempting : FXR150

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-148878527.htm?key=913439

But I think I will look for something older and cheaper ...

[Ixion]

An often unobserved added benefit of older bikes to learn on , BTW, is that parents or partners are unlikely to notice a few extra dings or scrapes. Whereas signs of battle damage on a previously pristine machine will lead to interrogation of the "Oh my God, I can't believe you fell off. You could be dead , etc etc etc "

[McJim]

An often unobserved added benefit of older bikes to learn on , BTW, is that parents or partners are unlikely to notice a few extra dings or scrapes. Whereas signs of battle damage on a previously pristine machine will lead to interrogation of the "Oh my God, I can't believe you fell off. You could be dead , etc etc etc "
Hmmm - yeah, I remember loaning my nearly new VTR250 to my wife for her to learn on. She dropped it turning a corner and brought the bike back with a curly brake lever.
I think my comment was "are you alright?" and once I had heard the affirmative and was content I said "Whaddafuck did ye do tae ma bike?"

[crazyv]

A search up on Trademe for Scorpio's in the Auckland region turned up blank.

Instead what do you think of this Suzuki GSF250 BANDIT 1992 ?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=148989306

Seems OK for the price too (?)

[McJim]

A search up on Trademe for Scorpio's in the Auckland region turned up blank.

Instead what do you think of this Suzuki GSF250 BANDIT 1992 ?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=148989306

Seems OK for the price too (?)

Take someone that knows what they're talking about with you to view something like that. That's a highly strung 4 cylinder screamer there. About 38hp and high revving. Old and could have been rolled bowled and arseholed. Engine could have been looked after, maybe not. Is it a risk you want to take?

The idea about getting the Scorpio was a good un. I happen to think buying a new one from a dealer for your first bike is a good move coz you will get support, warranty etc which is a huge peace of mind thing. Imagine you buy a 1992 crotch rocket and it fucks up in the first 1,000km THEN an unscrupulous mechanic twigs that you're green anfd rips the piss charging about 5 times the value of a repair. Makes me shudder - might not happen but if you've got the money for a Scorpio brand new I'd take that option and upgrade in a few months when you know more about bikes, can test ride them and make a real decision and wil have made enough bikie mates to take shopping with you.

but don't mind me - It's only what I would do in your situation.

[Kirill357]

Had FXR as first bike, nice one, liked it.

[Gwinch]

Don't listen to any knuckleheads that tell you that you'll drop your first bike. If you're a half-decent rider who is careful you can go years (even decades) without a whoopsy. Just take it easy without taking it too easy, s'all. :)

[PrincessBandit]

A wise decision, I think. I always opine that one's first bike should be treated as a sacrifice to the Biker Gods. Choose something cheap and cheerful, easy to ride and easy (and cheap) to fix.



Like the Mighty Ginny ay? :woohoo:

[Rogue]

Most bike's like that are ok to learn on but you have to remember the resale value.When or if the new hp/weight ratio comes into effect you might like to get something else
I agree with Gwinch it's not a given that you are going to fall off or drop your bike.
Good luck

[crazyv]

When or if the new hp/weight ratio comes into effect

What does the above mean?

[MaxCannon]

Don't panic about dropping it.

I've put 9k kms on the the GN without coming close to dropping it.

Came close to crashing on two occasions (both times in the wet on the rubbish GN stock tyres) but the only part of the bike that's ever touched the ground (cept for the tyres and the stand smartarses) have been the pegs when I have the bike leant over.

A small bike like the scorpio had a pretty low seat which makes it easier to put your feet on the deck should you start to topple.

[EJK]

I both had Scorpio and a FXR.

Scorpio is a good bike.

FXR is a good bike. It's faster than the Scorpio.

Wanna know more?

[crazyv]

Thanks for the comments guys,

How is this : http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=149975287

Its a Suzuki RGV 150SS 2001
It seems in good condition and has 24,660kms on it.
I know that its the older brother to the FXR's ey.

A good price for it might be around 2000?

[McJim]

Thanks for the comments guys,

How is this : http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=149975287

Its a Suzuki RGV 150SS 2001
It seems in good condition and has 24,660kms on it.
I know that its the older brother to the FXR's ey.

A good price for it might be around 2000?

Way over priced I think. RGV150 is not (and never will be) an RG150. Different bikes. If this RGV150 is a minter ...and I mean showroom then mibbe $1,300 - $1,500.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-149971491.This could be the go. Need an expert to check the condition of the engine and stuff though (EJ got stung with a piece of crap FXR150 recently) and we call all rip the piss out of the seller fro his claim of 210km+ :rofl: My Ducati can't even do that!

[crazyv]

Thanks for the feedback McJim - I have offered 1200 for it. I doubt they would part with it for 1200 if listed at 1800. Will find out.

As for the Suzuki Cybermatic 2000
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=149971491

I would be keen if location was Auckland or drop off in Auckland :pinch: yak!

[McJim]

Thanks for the feedback McJim - I have offered 1200 for it. I doubt they would part with it for 1200 if listed at 1800. Will find out.

As for the Suzuki Cybermatic 2000
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=149971491

I would be keen if location was Auckland or drop off in Auckland :pinch: yak!

Napier is not that far away. And there are riders down there who could look into it for you too.