Scorpio as a first bike?

[orographic]

I'm an incredibly green n00b to riding, and if you find folk don't mind, I'd like some advice please.
I am interested in starting with motorcycles, at least partly because of lower fuel consumption.

After wandering into a couple of bike shops, and asking for advise, a bike that I am strongly considering getting, is the yamaha scorpio.
How does this bike rate as a first bike for the very green?... at least green enough, that I think I gave Chris at Bayride a surprise with the simplicity of the stupid questions I was asking as he was showing me it. ( He was talking me though getting on it, and I asked if I was right to assume the lever on the handlebar he was holding was the front brake ....Hell, I'm not gonna trust any control does what I assume it will, 'till I have had it confirmed)

so anyway, how does this bike rate as a first bike for "teh clueless n00b", and are there any major pitfalls I should watch for on this?

[PirateJafa]

Scorpios are nice bikes. Pretty forgiving, and you can do the Coro loop on 'em even.

They are not - and never will be - a sports bike. But that is not what they were designed for.

[Sparky Bills]

Perfect is the best way to put it.

[davereid]

Yes, a very good choice.

[orographic]

They are not - and never will be - a sports bike. But that is not what they were designed for.

If by "sport" you mean racing, then good, ( hey i did say i was green), i'm not about to go racing, legally or otherwise. the bikes primary 'mission' would be the commute to work, and school ( school has been a two hour car trip, so not precisely close). Its secondary ( and less often ) mission would be longer distance trips between cities. ( I am a friend of Kasper, who is getting me out of the 'cage' and onto bikes, and who drags me along on some of the weekend runs)
the tertiary, ( and total time, i don't doubt) is to give me more up to date experience, than can be gained as a toddler more than 20 years ago.

so given that?

[tate35]

Hey there,

I've read a few posts over the last couple of months on KB, and people do tend to like and suggest the yamaha scorpio as a first bike.

They are nice looking bikes in my opinion

[Edbear]

Perfect is the best way to put it.

Yes, a very good choice.

Hey there,

I've read a few posts over the last couple of months on KB, and people do tend to like and suggest the yamaha scorpio as a first bike.

They are nice looking bikes in my opinion

Yup! My pick of the current "learner" bikes.

[dyls]

Note: was in a dealership today and was told the Scorpio (as of Thursday?!) is now $4,400 (or $4,500, I forget), "because of the dollar", instead of $3,800.

[orographic]

Note: was in a dealership today and was told the Scorpio (as of Thursday?!) is now $4,400 (or $4,500, I forget), "because of the dollar", instead of $3,800.

um, as of several weeks ago i was getting quotes on it of $4500( exc orc) to $4350 ( inc orc) so not just a recent, but given fuel and currency markets, it sounds about right

[Badjelly]

I'm not about to go racing, legally or otherwise. the bikes primary 'mission' would be the commute to work, and school ( school has been a two hour car trip, so not precisely close). Its secondary ( and less often ) mission would be longer distance trips between cities.

The Scorpio has a top speed of 130 km/h, maybe 140 km/h, and will do 100 km/h with something in reserve. But the engine is spinning over pretty fast at that speed and on the whole you get the impression it would rather be going a bit slower. I use mine for commuting around the (hilly) southern suburbs of Wellington and it's brilliant at that. I take it up to the Hutt Valley from time to time and it copes OK, and keeps up with traffic, but feels a bit out of its element. I'm sure I could drive it to Auckland if I felt like it, but there are many other bikes that are better suited to this sort of thing.

What I'm saying is, if you want to do a lot of open-road running, think about one of the gruntier 250s. Or get a Scorpio and upgrade once you have a clearer idea of what you need.

[Badjelly]

Note: was in a dealership today and was told the Scorpio (as of Thursday?!) is now $4,400 (or $4,500, I forget), "because of the dollar", instead of $3,800.

The problem is that people on places like Kiwibiker are recommending them to all & sundry, and this is increasing demand and pushing prices up. So, come on people, from now on the official story is that Scorpio's are crap.

[FROSTY:Me]

Note: was in a dealership today and was told the Scorpio (as of Thursday?!) is now $4,400 (or $4,500, I forget), "because of the dollar", instead of $3,800.

No mate the reason for the price rise is the blue spoked wheel scorps have been replaced with the new brown alloy wheeled scorpy

[Badjelly]

No mate the reason for the price rise is the blue spoked wheel scorps have been replaced with the new brown alloy wheeled scorpy

I think "excuse" would be a better word than "reason". Surely alloy wheels can't cost $600 more than spoked wheels.

And surely it's red, not brown.

But anyway, shop around

[FROSTY:Me]

I unhesitatingly recomend a scorpio ove about anything else for a learner rider.
so many reasons why.
1) kick start so if the battery is a bit weak you can start it.
2)Normal riding position--Not racer crouch or cruiser slouch
3)petrol gauge
4)price is comparable to a GN
5) sod all to break if it falls over
6) enough power for motorway or country riding.
ETC ETC

In my opinion the only changes I would make would be A)replace the front tyre. and B) cut that friggin heel change off

After a couple of months I'd probably suggest fitting slightly lower flatter bars and a small handlebar fairing.

[Badjelly]

...a small handlebar fairing.

Not a bad idea, that. My birthday's coming up and so is my bike's. Do you have any experience with after-market handlebar fairings? Can you suggest a make/supplier.

No need to answer if nothing comes to mind. I'll ask around.