New Bike, New Rider All New.

[mr_fett01]

Hi all, I am thinnking about getting into the world of motorbikes and I am looking for some advise. The main reason for getting into biking is using it to get from the Hutt to Wellington city and save some money and time, that makes it a 40k round trip.

I have done a bit of research and reading on these forums about the best bike to start on. I have decided that the best option for a learner is either a Suzuki GN 250 (older model), or a Yamaha Scorpio. I think that the scorpio has better fuel economy than the GN250 but I am happy to be corrected.

Any advise would be appreciated.

[Griffin]

Hi and welcome to KB :eek: You will see from many other new members intro threads that advice on bikes is often asked for. The best advice I have seen is to take your time - visit bike shops and try out a good range of bikes before making a decision. If your getting into motorbikes to save money then you may as well stick with a car cos bikes ain't cheap... but they are FUN and very addictive :niceone:

[mr_fett01]

Thanks Griffin. One of the reasons is to try and save some money and time with commuting. I was considering a 125cc scooter until I went to a bike shop and the guy there suggested a bike, got me all confused.

[geoffc]

Hi all, I am thinking about getting into the world of motorbikes and I am looking for some advise.

Any advise would be appreciated.

HI. There is a review called 'Yamaha Scorpio test' Might have the thread below.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=41291
Yeah try a few bikes out. For that road you are best with a 250 not scooter. Look at Trademe get a feel for prices. May be don't just limit your search to a GN250 or Scorpio. You might find something to suit budget/needs in other model so keep an open mind for the time being.
Happy hunting.

[avgas]

if your not exceeding 120kph and you are just going to commute how about a GN125.
runs on hopes and dreams - petrol is optional.
Also the Maddass 125 is also good. And it looks sexy

[kiwifruit]

welcome to the site :)

I'd advise the scorpio over the gn.... the gn is a cruiser, feet forward more... scorpio is more neutral

[portokiwi]

:scooter:Welcome mate enjoy.

[Badjelly]

There's a lot of info on this site that you can find with searches on "Scorpio" and "GN250".

I would expect these 2 bikes to have very similar fuel consumption, about 3.3 l/100 km (30 km/l) for general pootling around town (such as I do on the Scorpio). Quite a lot of the Hutt-Wellington route has a 100 km/h speed limit and I expect this would increase the fuel consumption somewhat. (On bikes generally, and small, unfaired bikes in particular, running at more than 70 km/h or so means battling against aerodynamic resistance, which tends to increase fuel consumption. So I think open-road fuel consumption is likely to be higher than round-town fuel consumption, unlike a car or a large, faired bike. Or so, I believe, though I don't have any actual data to back that up.)

I take the Scorpio from Wellington to Petone and back from time to time. Normally it will run at 100 km/h comfortably enough, with a bit in reserve, though the engine revs feel pretty high. On one occasion, when I rode from Petone to Wellington into a gale force southerly, it only just managed to hold 100 km/h in top past the bottom of Ngauranga Gorge. On a really windy day (like today) there might be occasions when you'd have to change down into 4th and battle along at 80 or 90 km/h.

To my mind, a bike like the Scorpio or GN250 is up to occasional motorway running, but if I were doing it every day I would give serious consideration to getting something with a bit more grunt.

[sels1]

Welcome aboard the site. A lot depends on how much you want to spend. Budget for helmet, gloves, jacket, pants boots as well.

[sleeqe2000]

The new Scorpio in red with mag wheels looks pretty smart - I would avoid the GN's. You might get lucky and get one thats in good nick but keep reading on here the horror stories that they rust pretty quick if not looked after well enough.

I been commuting now from Whitby into the city (50km round trip) for the last 6 weeks - its definately the way to go - you'll save heaps....

[=cJ=]

Hmm, how about a Honda CBR 125?

I was **this** close to getting one over my current first bike (CBR250)

[Radar]

The new Scorpio in red with mag wheels looks pretty smart - I would avoid the GN's. You might get lucky and get one thats in good nick but keep reading on here the horror stories that they rust pretty quick if not looked after well enough.


Older GN's will be OK - they are very reliable. The newer Chinese GN's may or not be OK as far as rust goes - I have read different stories here but everyday commuting would mean that a bike is going to get wet and stay wet for long periods of time. I have only heard good about Scorpios.

Would a 125 be able to cope with the motorway or the Hutt Highway? I am not sure. Personally I would go for something larger.

mr_fett01, how much do you have to spend, top $$$ ?

Whatever you find, come back here and tell us before you make the purchase. Some nice KB'er may even be able to test ride it for you.

[Badjelly]

I been commuting now from Whitby into the city (50km round trip) for the last 6 weeks - its definitely the way to go - you'll save heaps....

So, do you find the CBF250 is good for this?

And can anyone compare the CBF250 with the Scorpio? Obviously the new red Scorpios look nicer, but other than that?

[C_A]

should only use a tank a week tops absolute tops doing hutt to wellington. wind factors for fuel useage but yoyu should hold 100k reasonably easily in most conditions. careful of cross winds by the ferry :D smaller bikes can get blown around a fair bit.
you'll be travelling in the peak traffic flow? I expect that 100kph won't be the most common occurence in this so a gn or similar would be a sweet bike.

I've actually found that riding a bike with fairings is quite good for the commute. in a slight drizzle I used to get saturated on my cbx250. my 80s-tech fairings on the rg seem to keep me dry even in moderate rains :S

[Badjelly]

Hi again mr_fett01

A few posts back I said this.


On a really windy day (like today) there might be occasions when you'd have to change down into 4th and battle along at 80 or 90 km/h.

But on second thoughts and in view of what sleeqe2000 says (below), I've changed my mind. On a really windy day like yesterday you might be wise to avoid the Hutt-Wellington road entirely and take the train.


Man - I was shitting myself coming down the Gorge this morning too. My little old CBF only has a dry weight of 140kgs and i was getting thrown all over the shop......usually take the motorway all the way into the city but came off and went down the old Hutt road......

The thing is, you want to get a bit of experience round the quieter streets in the Hutt before you start to tackle the Hutt-Wellington route every day and in all weathers. Also, if you buy your bike new (which you might want to do as the new price on Scorpios is very good) then you'll need to run it in and repeatedly riding the bike at 100 km/h from Hutt to Wellington is not a good way of doing that.

[mr_fett01]

Thanks for all the responses, there is a lot of great info there.
I have seen some good prices on the GN125 on trademe ($1600), that is obviously a bargin. The 250 goes for a wee bit more. I suppose my top dollar would be around the 4k mark (that puts the scorpio in range) but would love to find a bargin, if you know what I mean.
One question is would a 125cc be able to handle the road between petone and Wellington on a regular basis? probably but it may be a stretch... The feeling I am getting is the Scorpio with the bigger engine would be better.
I would have every intention of riding some of the back streets in the Hutt to gain experience and confidence. There is a block not far from me that is away from the main roads.
Plus like people have said, on rainy/windy days i will take the train.
Other than the GN's or the scorpio what else should I consider as a first bike (that could handle the commute to Welly)?

[captain_andrey]

I travel the hutt-city route every day and the traffic seems to flow at 120-130km/h there in good weather. It would be pretty scary on a 125. Also the wind gusts around the porirua offramp can be pretty violent. I would really advise a bigger bike.

[Badjelly]

I travel the hutt-city route every day and the traffic seems to flow at 120-130km/h there in good weather. It would be pretty scary on a 125. Also the wind gusts around the porirua offramp can be pretty violent. I would really advise a bigger bike.

So how well does your Hyosung handle it?

[captain_andrey]

Just fine. A bit too good actually. Already used up half of my demerit points allowance :(
I can handle the wind just fine when I tuck in the racing position :scooter:
But the most important thing is that its a very comfy ride for a 250 sport. I'm 192cm tall and I dont really fit on anything else.

[tate35]

Hi all, I am thinnking about getting into the world of motorbikes and I am looking for some advise. The main reason for getting into biking is using it to get from the Hutt to Wellington city and save some money and time, that makes it a 40k round trip.

I have done a bit of research and reading on these forums about the best bike to start on. I have decided that the best option for a learner is either a Suzuki GN 250 (older model), or a Yamaha Scorpio. I think that the scorpio has better fuel economy than the GN250 but I am happy to be corrected.

Any advise would be appreciated.
Hi Mrfett01,

Welcome do'nt think about it - do it :scooter: Once you get on that bike you will wish you had done it sooner :yes:

Good luck in finding something suitable :rockon:

[Gizzit]

Hi all, I am thinnking about getting into the world of motorbikes and I am looking for some advise. The main reason for getting into biking is using it to get from the Hutt to Wellington city and save some money and time, that makes it a 40k round trip.

I have done a bit of research and reading on these forums about the best bike to start on. I have decided that the best option for a learner is either a Suzuki GN 250 (older model), or a Yamaha Scorpio. I think that the scorpio has better fuel economy than the GN250 but I am happy to be corrected.

Any advise would be appreciated.

Hi there Mr Fett01,
Welcome to KB.
When I came back to riding bikes about 18 months ago, I nearly bought a late model GN250, but changed my mind after taking advice from a couple of different motorcycle mechanics. Apparently if you can get a real good late 80's model, it may be worth it, but other wise there are known issues with rust and breakages with the later/latest model GN's (I think they have now stopped making them, but could be wrong).

I think the Scorpio is a good choice. I rode a new one of those, and think that having ridden a "newish" model GN and the Scorpio, that the Scorpio is better value. I found it fun to ride too. And yes .. you will probably get better gas/milage with the newer engine design of the Scorpio.
No doubt loads of disgruntled GN owners would readily disagree with me, and to be fair, GN's have been around for a long time. However, the older ones were made in Japan. The later models have been made in China I think. Apparently the quality is not the same.
I would suggest you read up as much as you can, and ride them both, and then make your choice!

And ....... have fun riding !! Cheers,

Grant.