Request advice - GN250 Vs Scorpio

[BikerDazz]

Cheers bro, will have a look at those options.
As for the Mrs - she wouldn't like a helmet or wind messing with her hair, or not being able to wear pretty high heel shoes while riding!

[CookMySock]

As for the Mrs - she wouldn't like a helmet or wind messing with her hair, or not being able to wear pretty high heel shoes while riding!

Hehe, you could introduce her to some of the lady riders, and then watch her eyes light up. And wait until she discovers black leather bike pants, mmmmmm.

Steve

[bezajel]

*does the scorpio dance*

[jrandom]

Scorpios are awesome.

VTR250s are good too, but a new one is twice the price of a Scorpio (almost), so for the same money as a brand new Yamaha under factory warranty you can have a several-year-old Honda that's been through several learner riders.

And has an extra 8 or so horsepower (whoopee) and is less fuel-efficient and costs more to service.

I'd have a Scorpio if I were a learner. In fact, I'd have a Scorpio right now (with heated grips and a nice big topbox) as an around-town bike if I had my ideal motorcycle garage, whereas a VTR250 is kind of like a miniature Real Bike that tries too hard. Nice for what it is, but... meh.

A Scorpio is something you'd actually keep for good reasons when you got a bigger bike, and that says a lot.

So, Gentle Learners, just fookin get one already so I can stop posting this same advice every time you ask the same question, mmkay?

[EJK]

Another vote goes to Scorpio.

Those Japanese made GNs (1980-1990s?) are know to be bulletproof, however modern GN250s (which are now made in China) are known as complete fucking shit crap.

[kiwifruit]

The 225 is a much better bike in my opinion, the main reason being it's riding position is neutral unlike the gn's.

[jrandom]

The 225 is a much better bike in my opinion, the main reason being it's riding position is neutral unlike the gn's.

Yeah, that too.

I'm comfier on a Scorpio than I am on my GSX1400, although the MX bars on my 1400 make it a bit more aggressive on the neck and shoulders. Stock bars on the 1400 give it about an identical riding position to the Scorpio.

But, still. The Scorpio's the second-comfiest bike I've ever ridden (the comfiest was a Ducati Multistrada).

[DJSin]

Another vote for the scorpio - I've loved mine as a learners bike .... I am looking forward to being able to ride my big girl bike (legally) soon though

[JimO]

for 3k you will get a decent vtr or a newish scorpio a year down the track the vtr will be worth the same coin, doubt a scorpio will

[bezajel]

A Scorpio is something you'd actually keep for good reasons when you got a bigger bike, and that says a lot.

Yep, I'll be at this point soon, and I'm just not sure I wanna part with it...

[Conquiztador]

Not sure if you are looking at new or s/h?

If a GN is where you end up, the Japanese ones (as stated) are the ones to go for. You recognise them as they have wire wheels. (Spokes). But you will very soon get bored on them.

I know there are those who recommend Hyosungs. But I would never get one. The quality is poor and the material used in bearings and other bits is soft. A new one maybe, but not a s/h!

Perhaps a little more dosh, but the V-twin 250's are good value. And keeps their value too when selling as you trade up.

Good Luck.

[davereid]

Have you considered a dual-sport bike ?

$3K will buy you a tidy DR200 or similar.

Great for commuting, and lots of fun on the weekend, playing off road or on the beach.

You will learn way more about controlling your bike in an afternoon on a slippery track, than in a year in a car park practise zone.

A dual purpose bike will struggle with the open road, but most riders end up moving quite quickly (as soon as licence allows !) to a larger bike, so this may not be an issue unless you plan on touring while you are a learner.

Dual purpose bikes are also much more err crash friendly. A fall doing a U-turn can do massive damage to a faired bike, but will simply break a clutch lever on your dual purpose bike.

Once you get your licence, you can trade it, and get just as good a return as you would on a road bike.

Or, keep it.

Put it in the shed and use it for commuting, saving your larger bike, and take it fishing on the weekend.

[Subike]

Every once and a while, motor cycle manufacturers bring out a bike that is just right for its class, the Bonnie in the 70's, the Suzuki Mavrick ,the Honda 4's , in its time the gn250, to name a few of the more commonly known ones. The Scorpio is one of those great bikes that has come onto the market and does exactly what it boasts it can do. Nothing more nothing less.
A very easy bike to ride, that can put long distances behind it if needed,
is happy as being a daily commutor,
to date has not shown any serious faults.
is not gender specific,
is respected at gatherings with out a smirk from riders of bigger bikes, ( who takes a GN250 to a ralley these days)
And as others have already stated, a bike you could keep in you garage for life.
A Scorpio all the way, the GN's have had their day, a better bike has taken its place

[Cheshire Cat]

don't get a gn250!

[FROSTY:Me]

There are a truck load of other options out there but between the two bikes i wouldn't hesitate to suggest the scorpio over the GN
The only extra I can add to the advice above is REPLACE THE FRONT TYRE.
The factory Scorpio fronts are horrible things that for some inexplicable reason both offer little grip and seem to loose air over a relatively short space of time.