Scorpio?

[SMOKEU]

Looking at a 2009 or newer model. What's the build quality like on these, and what are they like in terms of reliability? As good as you'd expect from a Honda?

I want something that won't need anything more than basic maintenance, and that can also comfortably cruise at 100kmh all day long without revving hard.

[Edbear]

Can't go wrong with these! Bullet proof and totally reliable, will keep up with traffic, just, and very economical. A mate of mine commutes daily on his about 40km round trip and gets along okay on the motorway. Never had a problem with it. He's had it from new for about three years now.

[newbould]

Chrome is crap. Otherwise no problem with build quality. Will cruise at 100 k all day provided there are no hills or headwinds. May get to 120 wide open (but then I wouldn't know for sure ). I weigh 70+ kg. Spoked wheels went out after 2009 if i remember correctly. I had no problems with them apart from that chrome issue again.

[Subike]

Looking at a 2009 or newer model. What's the build quality like on these, and what are they like in terms of reliability? As good as you'd expect from a Honda?

I want something that won't need anything more than basic maintenance, and that can also comfortably cruise at 100kmh all day long without revving hard.

two weeks ago, Fi did 1800k in 3 days around the south on her 225 Scorpio. Paul her partner only ever has had to service it so far. I have followed her from ChCh to the Magpie madness rally. we sat on 105kph most of the way, a little slower on up hills as expected. Another chch chap of 140kg+ stature has been tooling one around the bank peninsula hills for the past 2 years that I know of, seems to handle his bulk ok, oh a tad slower. But it has lasted good as.

[SMOKEU]

I'm pretty much after the most reliable small bike for under $3-$3.5k. I was looking at a CBR125R but they're a bit small for the open road so I thought the Scorpio would be a good contender. I'd put reliability as the most important factor, it's far more important to me than speed or "fun", as I'm sick of dealing with old piece of shit bikes that crap themselves every few months and cost a fortune to maintain.

A bit of rusty chrome is OK, and I can do all my own basic servicing but I really don't want something that's going to need constant attention to keep it going. I dream of the day when I can have a bike that is just going to keep on going and going without costing almost the entire GDP of a small nation to fix every time it shits itself. Any other suggestions on small bikes are welcomed, but I really don't want anything older than 3 years at the most.

[EJK]

It can do mean drifts. Believe me I know.

[scumdog]

Looking at a 2009 or newer model. What's the build quality like on these, and what are they like in terms of reliability? As good as you'd expect from a Honda?

I want something that won't need anything more than basic maintenance, and that can also comfortably cruise at 100kmh all day long without revving hard.

The bike wil be good as gold.

But YOU will be gay as a circus

[Coolz]

A 22 stone mate of mine bought a Scorpio brand new about five years ago. It's still going strong and as far as I know the only things he's had to spend money on are tyres and a chain and sprockets. It gets an oil change and a bit of a tune every six months when the warrant is due. Not sure what the mileage is but he lives 20k from town so it must be getting up there.

Tough little bike.

[jrandom]

Scorpios are one of the best-kept secrets out there (although I do my best to make that less of a secret). Brilliant bike. I've got one and would always have one. If you want something small and reliable that's also fun to ride, you can't do better.

They're fine on the open road, I've done Auckland to Wellington return in a weekend on one, no worries.

Just remember - fit Metzeler Lasertecs as soon as you get it. The stock tyres are deathtraps.

I also recommend flat handlebars. The stock bars have way too much rise and sit you back on your tailbone. Flat bars improve both comfort and handling.

[GSF]

Get it and chop that sumbitch!

[tigertim20]

I'm pretty much after the most reliable small bike for under $3-$3.5k. I was looking at a CBR125R but they're a bit small for the open road so I thought the Scorpio would be a good contender. I'd put reliability as the most important factor, it's far more important to me than speed or "fun", as I'm sick of dealing with old piece of shit bikes that crap themselves every few months and cost a fortune to maintain.

A bit of rusty chrome is OK, and I can do all my own basic servicing but I really don't want something that's going to need constant attention to keep it going. I dream of the day when I can have a bike that is just going to keep on going and going without costing almost the entire GDP of a small nation to fix every time it shits itself. Any other suggestions on small bikes are welcomed, but I really don't want anything older than 3 years at the most.

getting rid of the SRAD? or keeping it for a sunday bike?

[Drew]

The engineering of them is a fuckin balls up. I could not believe how cheap they are when I took a brand new one to the shop, to replace the junk tyres they come with standard.

I think I started a thread on it in the product review section.

[SMOKEU]

getting rid of the SRAD? or keeping it for a sunday bike?

Can't afford to keep it, as it needs constant repairs and I want a bike that I can ride, not something that sits in the garage broken for half the year.

[Sable]

They're all good for shitty little bikes. Have a mate that dug one out of a sinkhole in Christchurch, put a straight pipe matte black and fibreglass tail on. It's a laugh

[Jase H]

Bought mine brand new 4 1/2 years ago. Done just shy of 54000 kms now.

Back to the shop to get serviced every 6 months. Only expensive items I've had to replace have been the tyres and the sprocket/ chain set.

Round trip to work is about 55 kms/ day, use about 2 ltrs of gas for that (depending on how well I'm behaving).

I'm sure other folk will argue better bikes out there, even in the 250 range. However, if you want cheap and cheerful, I've had my money's worth out of mine.