Yamaha Scorpio or Lifan LF200 GS Sport?

[alphajedi]

Hi all,
New to the forum and this is my first posting. Just got my LL and almost went and bought a Yamaha scorpio. Then saw a review on Lifan LF200 GS Sport. Does anyone have any opinion on this? Appreciate any advice!!!

[JimO]

get the scorpio or a vtr 250 honda

[The Stranger]

Hi all,
New to the forum and this is my first posting. Just got my LL and almost went and bought a Yamaha scorpio. Then saw a review on Lifan LF200 GS Sport. Does anyone have any opinion on this? Appreciate any advice!!!

Comparing a Yamaha to a what?

Troll alert!

[Zuki Bandit]

I think you would be better off with the Scorpio.

[Badjelly]

Please give the Scorpio its full name: "Yamaha Scorpio Z SX-4". That makes it almost as impressive as "Lifan LF200 GS Sport". ;)

I have no personal experience of the Lifans, but I have heard their quality is not good, eg

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1520859&postcount=8
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1520872&postcount=9
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1521079&postcount=14


By the way, I have a Scorpio that I bought new 9 months ago. It's a nice bike, suitable for commuting round town with the occasional open road trip. It seems to be reasonably well put together, but the paint on the frame and the chrome are a bit thin, so it needs regular attention to stop corrosion. I'll tell you more about how it lasts in a few years time.

[kave]

Buy my bike, its got a higher top speed than either of the two bikes you mentioned, and the seat is really comfy- it's like riding a two-wheeled couch.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=74739

[R6_kid]

Seriously dude... go for the Scorpio. If you really want there are a lot of (affordable) mods that can be done to it to get some extra oomph out of it without loosing any reliability. Also it has a full factory supported warranty and good parts availability. Not to mention that Yamaha can hook you up with a low interest loan (Yamaha Motor Finance) that would put it a minimum of $20 a week.

If you look on bikepics.com or google pics there is a huge following of crazy modders from South East Asia.

Stick with the Japanese big four, for peice of mind if not anything else.

[alphajedi]

That settles it. It is going to be a Scorpio. That was indeed my original choice, but got a bit tempted by the good review on Motorcycle trader for the Lifan. wonder if anyone else has read it. Thanks everyone!!!

[CookMySock]

got a bit tempted by the good review on motorcycle trader for the lifan.lol wtf ?


Db

[Tank]

lol wtf ?


Db

If his original post was too confusing for you - here is the link:

http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/ArticleDetails.aspx?N=0&item=450&sid=11AE4C3BCDF8

The Summary (Thats the End bit DB - so NO WTF required):
So, what more can I say about the Lifan LF200 GS? A small cc bike for this sort of money that just runs would be a good deal, in fact most second-hand bikes cost double the amount as a brand new LF200 GS. The fact that the bike is fun to ride, well built and looks pretty cool is just a bonus. Definitely worth a test ride, even if you were expecting to pay more. Hell, buy the LF200 GS and splash out on a block of cheese and a two-litre carton of milk with the money you’ll save!

[Badjelly]

The opening paragraphs of the Motorcycle Trader article refer to the "dubious build quality" of Chinese motorcycles but say

Lifan is highly regarded both internationally and here in New Zealand for its high standards of mechanical engineering. And Jason and the team from importer Lifan Motorcycles NZ have been working hard over the last few years pushing and promoting their products. This also means that for you, the buying public, there is a reliable and dependable parts and service back-up available, rather than some of the fly-by night brands which are here today, gone tomorrow, and that means you can buy safe in the knowledge that should something fail on your new bike, you won’t be stuck in the back blocks with a worthless piece of junk.
Which, reading between the lines, says that it'll break down, but at least you'll be able to get it fixed.

Chinese bikes probably will improve in quality, as Japanese and Korean bikes have done before them. The Lifan may be a bargain. The question for someone considering buying one is, "Do you feel lucky? Huh, do you?".

By the way, I don't know where Scorpios are made, but until recently they seem to have been sold mostly in Indonesia. Still I think the Scorpio is still a safer option, quality-wise, than the Lifan.

The stated power is a few kW below the Scorpio (12.5 vs 15ish) and the stated top speed (100 km/h) is pretty low. The Scorpio will manage 130ish (some say 140) and can hold 100 against fierce Wellington headwinds. Actually, I find it hard to believe a bike with 12.5 kW, and a fairing, can have a top speed of only 100 km/h. Something is out of whack here, maybe the gearing?

The stated fuel economy, 2.3 l/100 km, is bloody good. My Scorpio can't do better than 3.2 l/100 km, though I am a fat bastard^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H heavyish (90 kg) and my commuting route goes through 200 vertical metres, so maybe the 2 figures aren't strictly comparable.

[DMNTD]

I could sell you a Yamaha Scorpio in very good condition with a new WOF and Rego that only has 1070kms on it for $2,750.00...or you could buy the Lifan/Keyway or whatever other obscure brand and suffer big time!
The workshop at work :wacko: refuse to work on any of those weird brands due to the fact that they keep on braking down and people seem to think it's ok to bring them back and claim that their(the workshop's) work was faulty.
I highly recommend that you stay away from them!!


Oh....either that or you could buy my MV Agusta :whistle:

[toyboy]

I've been reading up on the Lifans on the web and they seem pretty good by most people comments, of course you get some people with a few complaints, those sort of people who dont even know about regular maintenance or dont know how to turn a loose screw with a screwdriver and put a bit of locktight on it...

I'm looking at getting a learner bike pretty soon and am seriously thinking of the lifan, i went to have a looksee at it and it didnt seem that bad for the price.
Of course its not comparable to an almost $7000 Ninja or Hyosung type bike.

a few small mods on the lifan will also get you a great deal of fun (up the carb jet size, and sprockets and drill the exhaust)

If you enjoy doing a little basic maintenance on your own bike its a good option, locktight the screws when you get it, keep an eye on the welds (any cracks get a mate to do a small fix of the weld and put a bit of pain on top)

of course im the sort of guy who enjoys getting in a modding/playing with mecahnical/electrical things (turbo'd a honda car etc...) so I dont mind if things break a little, given me a chance to improve things :)

I think most of the problems people have with the lifan is the screws and a bit of vibration on the body which is solved by putting some rubber in the important places to dampen things down a bit and sometimes a plug wire might pop out and needs to be clipped in, no one seems to have any trouble with their engines.

I always study up on products before I buy them (also got copies of the manual, tear down view of the bike with all parts shown etc to get a better overview of whats in there)

and one more thing, the Lifan comes with a 12 month warranty anyway! and im sure most things break within 12months if its cheap, so just drive it hard and see what happens and if it breaks get the part replaced :)

I dont see why Yamaha couldnt make a scorpio type bike look like a sports bike? Why do they have those ugly looking single round headlight at the front bikes, why not something sporty looking like the lifan lf200 for the same price as the scorpio?? How much would it cost to put some nice fairings and twin headlights at the front.

[skidMark]

Jason from lifan - my old boss.

A bloodey top guy, and he does have the parts in full backing, for the money it is an okay bike.

I will say no more.

I aint putting my foot in it.

[The Stranger]

I've been reading up on the Lifans on the web and they seem pretty good by most people comments, of course you get some people with a few complaints, those sort of people who dont even know about regular maintenance or dont know how to turn a loose screw with a screwdriver and put a bit of locktight on it...

I'm looking at getting a learner bike pretty soon and am seriously thinking of the lifan, i went to have a looksee at it and it didnt seem that bad for the price.
Of course its not comparable to an almost $7000 Ninja or Hyosung type bike.

a few small mods on the lifan will also get you a great deal of fun (up the carb jet size, and sprockets and drill the exhaust)

If you enjoy doing a little basic maintenance on your own bike its a good option, locktight the screws when you get it, keep an eye on the welds (any cracks get a mate to do a small fix of the weld and put a bit of pain on top)

of course im the sort of guy who enjoys getting in a modding/playing with mecahnical/electrical things (turbo'd a honda car etc...) so I dont mind if things break a little, given me a chance to improve things :)

I think most of the problems people have with the lifan is the screws and a bit of vibration on the body which is solved by putting some rubber in the important places to dampen things down a bit and sometimes a plug wire might pop out and needs to be clipped in, no one seems to have any trouble with their engines.

I always study up on products before I buy them (also got copies of the manual, tear down view of the bike with all parts shown etc to get a better overview of whats in there)

and one more thing, the Lifan comes with a 12 month warranty anyway! and im sure most things break within 12months if its cheap, so just drive it hard and see what happens and if it breaks get the part replaced :)

I dont see why Yamaha couldnt make a scorpio type bike look like a sports bike? Why do they have those ugly looking single round headlight at the front bikes, why not something sporty looking like the lifan lf200 for the same price as the scorpio?? How much would it cost to put some nice fairings and twin headlights at the front.

Of course looks are far more important.
A bit of welding here and there is nothing, bolts rattling out, hey what the hell and wires? Who needs them anyway.

Just so long as it looks good - oh and has 2 head lights.

[The Stranger]

Jason from lifan - my old boss.

A bloodey top guy, and he does have the parts in full backing, for the money it is an okay bike.

I will say no more.

I aint putting my foot in it.

So what's the skinny Mark, tell us, do the frames break?
Is the wheel base too short? Are they over powered?

[Badjelly]

If you enjoy doing a little basic maintenance on your own bike its a good option, ... (deleted several paragraphs of things you can do to keep your Lifan running)...

Yeah, but if you enjoy mucking about with bikes so much, wouldn't it make more sense to buy a more expensive, capable bike second-hand?


I dont see why Yamaha couldnt make a scorpio type bike look like a sports bike? Why do they have those ugly looking single round headlight at the front bikes?

Cause it's not a bloody sports bike? And what's wrong with a nice, single, round headlight at the front. Are you trying to tell me this isn't a nice bike? ...

[kazza_nz_05]

Hi there. I say go with the Yamaha Scorpio Z SX-4, They are great little bikes and cheap to run. I have had mine for about a year now, haven't quite done 1000km on it yet, so not fully run in. Haven't been able to get out on it much over the past week or so due to the lovely welly weather we have been having. :) Still on my learners, but hopefully need to get cracking and get my restricted.

[Tank]

So what's the skinny Mark, tell us, do the frames break?
Is the wheel base too short? Are they over powered?

Do they not have USD suspension?

[toyboy]

Of course looks are far more important.
A bit of welding here and there is nothing, bolts rattling out, hey what the hell and wires? Who needs them anyway.

Just so long as it looks good - oh and has 2 head lights.

Exactly ;)
Just my personal thought i really dont like the look of the single round headlight bike, just makes it look like it was designed in the 1950's :)
Noticed how not many cars have big round glass headlights anymore? Of course if you like the look of the model-t ford i'm sure you can build a car like that. (then again that bug eyed subby wrx had those sort of lights ;))
and the lf200 is also a kickstart so yes theres no need for wires during the day
I read somewhere that a new chrome 'plastic' headlight surround for that Yamaha is somewhere around the $250 mark?? are all Yamaha parts that expensive? How much for a metal foot rest, $1000?

[JimO]

the thing is that if you needed one you could get one i know of someone with a lifan 200 trailbike and its a slow dog PLUS it has absolutly no resale value

[toyboy]

yes its no 250cc ninja, but i'm just thinking of learning so no need to be pushing 100+kph and no motorway work required and will probably only ride it to work an back so maybe 10-15k a day at max
someone's even converted the lifan to an electric version http://www.electricmotion.org/
they basically just used to lifan body to bolt on an electric motor + batteries, still pretty cool though.
anyway for $3500 it's not really a big outlay in cost and i never expect to get anything like that back if it gets sold, but then who else out there spends $3500 on a plasma tv or other electronic stuff and expects to get anything like that in 12 months when they sell it? I think of the lifan as a fun expense like buying a computer, not a serious 150kph bike.
I expect to trash it, have fun with it, fall off a couple of times, maybe even bolt a turbo on for some fun weekend welding when i get bored with it (someones tubo'd one already, do a search for lifan turbo on youtube)

[The Stranger]

Exactly ;)
Just my personal thought i really dont like the look of the single round headlight bike, just makes it look like it was designed in the 1950's :)
Noticed how not many cars have big round glass headlights anymore? Of course if you like the look of the model-t ford i'm sure you can build a car like that. (then again that bug eyed subby wrx had those sort of lights ;))
and the lf200 is also a kickstart so yes theres no need for wires during the day.. Waffle waffle.

Have you ever thought of a career in sales?

So far you have rubbished your product completely by saying that the welds brake, the wiring is dodgy, the bolts rattle loose and now we find they are kick start too (and you compare the Yamaha to a model T?).

But the headlights look good, so I suppose that more than makes up for the other minor short commings.

[JimO]

yes its no 250cc ninja, but i'm just thinking of learning so no need to be pushing 100+kph and no motorway work required and will probably only ride it to work an back so maybe 10-15k a day at max
someone's even converted the lifan to an electric version http://www.electricmotion.org/
they basically just used to lifan body to bolt on an electric motor + batteries, still pretty cool though.
anyway for $3500 it's not really a big outlay in cost and i never expect to get anything like that back if it gets sold, but then who else out there spends $3500 on a plasma tv or other electronic stuff and expects to get anything like that in 12 months when they sell it? I think of the lifan as a fun expense like buying a computer, not a serious 150kph bike.
I expect to trash it, have fun with it, fall off a couple of times, maybe even bolt a turbo on for some fun weekend welding when i get bored with it (someones tubo'd one already, do a search for lifan turbo on youtube)


$3500 will get a vtr 250 that will still be worth that sort of money in a year but it has a round headlight

[ZK-Awesome]

Dude just get the scorpio, or a 2nd hand VTR etc for that price. The lifan doesn't even compare IMO.

[toyboy]

Have you ever thought of a career in sales?

So far you have rubbished your product completely by saying that the welds brake, the wiring is dodgy, the bolts rattle loose and now we find they are kick start too (and you compare the Yamaha to a model T?).

But the headlights look good, so I suppose that more than makes up for the other minor short commings.

Not trying to sell it, just quoting a few things i've seen over the net that one or two people have had happen to their bike (compared to how many thousand lifan bikes that are out there in the world?), are you 100% sure that no honda, or yamaha or other brand has NEVER had a weld get a small crack? or a wire come out? or any other little thing go wrong at some time in its life?
What if i go buy a second hand honda vtr or yamaha and something goes wrong with it, can i then give that brand shit for the rest of its life?
I've seen lots of positive comments from people about the LF200 lifan, I see more positive comments about it from owners online than complaints and the only complaints are little ones like a rattle from the plastic fairings that can be fixed by putting some rubber stoppers in there.
also most people who buy a cheap bike treat it like a cheap bike and and dont take care of the basics and that doesnt help things either.

oh and i said it is also kickstart, Electric + Kickstart so if the battery ever dies your not without the option of getting moving os its not comparable to a model t :)

Before you bitch about a bike best you read about it :)

[Shadows]

I dont see why Yamaha couldnt make a scorpio type bike look like a sports bike? Why do they have those ugly looking single round headlight at the front bikes, why not something sporty looking like the lifan lf200 for the same price as the scorpio?? How much would it cost to put some nice fairings and twin headlights at the front.

Having nice fairings and twin headlights on a learner's bike is not a good idea.

[Rollestonchick]

Stick with the Yamaha m8:niceone:

[toyboy]

Having nice fairings and twin headlights on a learner's bike is not a good idea.

I always thought twin headlights were a good idea, if one bulb blows you have a spare one still glowing if its dark, good for safety isnt it? or is there something i'm not knowing about bikes and lights?
True big fairings are a bad idea, stop you from seeing everything around the wheel i guess? and also maybe a bit more wind resistance from the sides?

[howdamnhard]

[QUOTE=toyboy;1633165]Exactly ;)
Just my personal thought i really dont like the look of the single round headlight bike, just makes it look like it was designed in the 1950's :)
Noticed how not many cars have big round glass headlights anymore? Of course if you like the look of the model-t ford i'm sure you can build a car like that.

Actually round reflectors are more efficient.

[The Stranger]

oh and i said it is also kickstart, Electric + Kickstart so if the battery ever dies your not without the option of getting moving



So is the Scorpio

Before you bitch about a bike best you read about it :)

[Shadows]

I always thought twin headlights were a good idea, if one bulb blows you have a spare one still glowing if its dark, good for safety isnt it? or is there something i'm not knowing about bikes and lights?
True big fairings are a bad idea, stop you from seeing everything around the wheel i guess? and also maybe a bit more wind resistance from the sides?

I'm talking about the near inevitability of a learner's bike ending up on the ground at some point, even if only due to a simple mistake like putting a foot in a gutter or something, and the sudden depreciation that results when all that plastic is not longer mint and one of the headlights is grazed because it projects beyond the width of the forks.

[toyboy]

So is the Scorpio

Before you bitch about a bike best you read about it :)

I never said the Scorpio isnt both, i already know lots about the scorpio, been reading up about it and the lifan and a few others...

[The Stranger]

I never said the Scorpio isnt both, i already know lots about the scorpio, been reading up about it and the lifan and a few others...

Damn you bite well.

Stick around.

[toyboy]

I'm talking about the near inevitability of a learner's bike ending up on the ground at some point, even if only due to a simple mistake like putting a foot in a gutter or something, and the sudden depreciation that results when all that plastic is not longer mint and one of the headlights is grazed because it projects beyond the width of the forks.

Thats true if that happens I suppose, but i'd still prefer to have one headlight working at night than none at all, or maybe thats just the 4wheel driver mentality i have at the moment
and whole new headlight assembly for the Lifan is only $50US :) (anyone know the cost of a new headlight for the scorpio or a ninja?)
Wouldnt mind buying a Ninja250, just a bit pricey to learn on, maybe get something like that in a couple of years

[davereid]

You can't really compare the two anyway.

The Lifan is a road-legal trail bike.

You can go adventure riding. You can take it down the beach and go fishing. You can bump around - or over kerbs and traffic islands when the road is blocked by trucks.

You can play on it, learn to ride, and go to work on monday.

Given equal quality, the 200cc road legal trail bike whips the road only bike every time.

And of quality ?

Both are made in china. Lifan are bigger than Yamaha, but Yamaha (japan at least) have a well deserved reputation for building good bikes.

What will be the first thing to f*ck a learners bike ?

If it falling off, then the Lifan is possibly better as parts are cheap.

If it's wearing it out, a real jap yamaha would be better.

The chinese yamaha might be as good. Who knows.

[Shadows]

and whole new headlight assembly for the Lifan is only $50US :) (anyone know the cost of a new headlight for the scorpio or a ninja?)

Well there's a point. Apparently that's tthe cost of the lightbulb alone for the Scorpio.

[JimO]

You can't really compare the two anyway.

The Lifan is a road-legal trail bike.

You can go adventure riding. You can take it down the beach and go fishing. You can bump around - or over kerbs and traffic islands when the road is blocked by trucks.

You can play on it, learn to ride, and go to work on monday.

Given equal quality, the 200cc road legal trail bike whips the road only bike every time.

And of quality ?

Both are made in china. Lifan are bigger than Yamaha, but Yamaha (japan at least) have a well deserved reputation for building good bikes.

What will be the first thing to f*ck a learners bike ?

If it falling off, then the Lifan is possibly better as parts are cheap.

If it's wearing it out, a real jap yamaha would be better.

The chinese yamaha might be as good. Who knows.

the scorpio is made in indonesia

[ZK-Awesome]

View Post
You can't really compare the two anyway.

The Lifan is a road-legal trail bike.

You can go adventure riding. You can take it down the beach and go fishing. You can bump around - or over kerbs and traffic islands when the road is blocked by trucks.

Based on what ive seen, It aint a trail bike.

Have a look at http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/ArticleDetails.aspx?N=0&item=450&sid=11AD49DE6C12

[geoffm]

In a UK biek mag a while bake, Lifan got bottom of the charts of a major survey on reliability - and not by a bit. They are probably one of the better bikes, but quality is hit and miss with China bikes. If they are the same price,get the yamaha, at least you can get parts for it easily, and it will always have some resale value. If th eLifan was half the price, then it would be different.

[awayatc]

Before you bitch about a bike best you read about it :)

Better still: own one......

Plenty of old Honda's/yamaha's etc around....
Chinese take aways are more durable then their bikes.

They are ok as long as you are under 20 kg and don't put petrol in them.
:wari::bye:

[awayatc]

You can't really compare the two anyway.

The Lifan is a road-legal trail bike.

You can go adventure riding. .

True.....every ride on a Chinese bike is an adventure.....make sure you wear comfortable hiking boots.....:2thumbsup

[Niterider]

I think davereid has set it out pretty neat. For that matter, why not go for a proper starter bike with a genu1 Honda powerplant? I found this while searching for a 2wheeler for a friend. He ended up buying it and after 6 months he's still licking his visor for joy. Apaprently you don't need a WOF, drive it on car license and it runs kilometres on anyones bad breath. Check it at http://www.nzmotorbikes.co.nz/

[The Stranger]

I think davereid has set it out pretty neat. For that matter, why not go for a proper starter bike with a genu1 Honda powerplant? I found this while searching for a 2wheeler for a friend. He ended up buying it and after 6 months he's still licking his visor for joy. Apaprently you don't need a WOF, drive it on car license and it runs kilometres on anyones bad breath. Check it at http://www.nzmotorbikes.co.nz/

For gods sake, can't you read?
It's useless, it has a round head light.

[Biggles2000]

I vote for the Yamaha. I've got a couple of Chineese motoX bikes for the kids and they are actually mostly OK but I would not trust one on the open road.

[EJK]

Scorpio

+10

[toyboy]

So whats the opinion of Honda VTR vs Scorpio
Scorpio around $4000 brand new
VTR 2000ish model around $5000 or if lucky a bit under

So what would be the best bet a second hand 2000+ year VTR or a Scorpio
(I think the VTR looks better than the dirtbike look of the scorpio, although the new red 2008 scorpio with the mag wheels does look a bit better than the blue spoke wheeled one)

and then again how much are parts for a VTR compared to Scorpio?
(someone said the lightbulb for the scorpio was $50? dont they use standard type light bulbs you can get for cars for $10 or so? or are the custom made to rip you wallet open :))

and damn it they both have that single round headlight thing goin on... the price you pay for brand names...

[The Stranger]

So whats the opinion of Honda VTR vs Scorpio
Scorpio around $4000 brand new
VTR 2000ish model around $5000 or if lucky a bit under

So what would be the best bet a second hand 2000+ year VTR or a Scorpio
(I think the VTR looks better than the dirtbike look of the scorpio, although the new red 2008 scorpio with the mag wheels does look a bit better than the blue spoke wheeled one)

and then again how much are parts for a VTR compared to Scorpio?
(someone said the lightbulb for the scorpio was $50? dont they use standard type light bulbs you can get for cars for $10 or so? or are the custom made to rip you wallet open :))

and damn it they both have that single round headlight thing goin on... the price you pay for brand names...

In my view the VTR is the best learner bike you will find at present.

Don't worry about replacing a bulb, it's a red herring raised by someone desperately looking for arguments to support his case. IF in the very rare event one fails simply buy after market.

[FROSTY]

OHH FFS-- Short version. Bang for buck the scorpio is unbeatable.
Now for a hundred odd bucks I reckon a scorpee could look pretty cool.
Fit a set of 2 inch rise bars and either a handlebar fairing or a stunt double headlight setup

[toyboy]

If only the VTR came out of the factory looking like this
http://www.whouse.jp/v-per_bike_html/v-per250.html
nice addon kits... (can anyone translate?)

[Jez]

i can translate the prices for you ... the V-PER is $10,000 give or take fluctuations in exchange rates :nono:

but ill get my wife to translate the whole page for you when i get home from work :apint:

[Badjelly]

So whats the opinion of Honda VTR vs Scorpio. Scorpio around $4000 brand new;
VTR 2000ish model around $5000 or if lucky a bit under

So what would be the best bet a second hand 2000+ year VTR or a Scorpio


It depends on what you want/need and on your preference for buying new or used. You're comparing a new bike with an 8-year-old one. There are quite a few other bikes you could bring into that comparison: Kawasaki Ninja & Hyosung GT250 if you want more performance than the Scorpio, Suzuki GN250 and FXR150 if you don't.

The VTR certainly looks like a nice bike and should be much more capable on the open road.


(I think the VTR looks better than the dirtbike look of the scorpio, although the new red 2008 scorpio with the mag wheels does look a bit better than the blue spoke wheeled one)

A red Scorpio? Sex on wheels!

[fire eyes]

ohh i looked around for a Red Scorpio here in NZ couldnt find one (more of a red fan than a blue) but did find them in Oz .. although the price for 'straight off the floor' in Oz was either same price as NZ or darer .. here I could pick one up for 3500 on special .. 3200 in hamilton as a second hand one .. in Oz they were ranging 3700 -4500! WTF .. anyway .. I may not have been looking in the right place in Oz though .. I don't have to many bikes to compare or measure up against another .. but a dear friend recommended I look at the Scorpee .. so I did .. it's a great fit .. im 5'8 .. its easy to monuver .. my personal preference is for the Scorpee as a learner bike .. so Ill find one when I get to Oz! a red one of course!

[fire eyes]

ohhh that VTR is a beastie looking thing isnt it!

[awayatc]

.. the price you pay for brand names...

Is nothing compared to the price you will pay for repairs and re-repairs of re-re-repairs of the "cheap" "no brand names"

[Qkchk]

ohh i looked around for a Red Scorpio here in NZ couldnt find one (more of a red fan than a blue) but did find them in Oz ..

Moto World in Albany has 1 Red Scorpio for sale. Was down there Sat morning and its still there..... its the newer Scorpio model (facelift) with alloy wheels instead of the wire spokes.

Contact details and picture of the Red Scorpio at Moto World (http://www.autobase.co.nz/motorbikes-for-sale/Yamaha/SX%2D4/429935.html) talk to Troy and tell him Dawn sent ya.

EDIT: Added a piccy of the new shape...

[fire eyes]

ohhh no way! thanks for posting this Dawn & the email .. Im actually heading off to Oz which is why I was going to find one over there .. ohhh but that Scorpee looks awesome! I have not doubt it wont last long .. damn. Now my mind it ticking away furiously ... thanks again Dawn!

[EJK]

moto world in albany has 1 red scorpio for sale. Was down there sat morning and its still there..... Its the newer scorpio model (facelift) with alloy wheels instead of the wire spokes.

Contact details and picture of the red scorpio at moto world (http://www.autobase.co.nz/motorbikes-for-sale/yamaha/sx%2d4/429935.html) talk to troy and tell him dawn sent ya.

Edit: Added a piccy of the new shape...

hotttt!!!!

[fire eyes]

hott alright ... looks grreat ... price is pretty good to.

[Pedrostt500]

I cant be bothered reading all the way through this thread, I have said in previous threads about the perils of buying Chinese bikes, Lifan is probably one of the better chinese bikes the company has been around a very long time, they build about a million motor cycles every year, along with petrol generators and petrol powered water pumps, that is what I know of the Lifan company.

[alphajedi]

Just went and took a test ride on Scorpio; instantly fell in love with it. I would advise anyone new to go for one these little beauties, now that they also come in very attractive red colour.

[awayatc]

Glad to see you have steered away from Chinese brands.....