Suzuki GN250 or Yamaha Scorpio 225 ?

**Gizzit** · 26th May 2007, 07:20

Hi there,
I'm new to KB forum. This is my first post!
I'm middle aged (ish) and used to ride bikes in my late teens, early twenties, and hadn't ridden at all until recently when I went for a couple of short rides on scooters. I've been plotting and schemeing, trying to think of an excuse to get on two wheels again (middle age thing, is it ??

) and thought the parking issues at work, cost of petrol, blah ... blah .. may just sway my wife into seeing the pure logic of the idea ...
Anyway I took a Suzuki UZ125 scoot for a ride .... nervously !! but enjoyed it. It seemed reasonable for around town. I next tried a little Yamaha Jog 50 and it was a bit of fun as well, ... quite a bit slower than the 125, but to be expected. Then the sales guy says ... have you considered a small bike for commuting .. ? So I jump on this new Yamaha Scorpio 225 single, and off I go! It was a lot of fun, and I soon felt like I'd never been away from bikes as the thrill came back!!
So anyway .... now instead of "just" thinking about a 'scooter as a commuter', I'm now also thinking about a small bike. The GN250 is around $3300 + orc, and the Yamaha Scorpio is around $3750 + orc. I don't want to spend more than that (read .. my wife would have a fit if I said I was going to buy a new 650 Kawasaki!!), so I think those two bikes are possibilities ..... or perhaps a scoot!
Undecided at the moment, but having fun just considering my options (apart from having to hide my bitter dissapointment at not shelling out for the new Kawasaki !! .... $11,995, or something !) about what to get.
Any sage advice welcomed,as I'm still in dream phase, and not rushing in to shelling out the readies on anything yet.
Cheers,
Grant.

**JimO** · 26th May 2007, 07:24

i would go for the scorpio but if you have your full licence why not go for a 400cc or bigger second hand bike as the 250cc restriction has made the 250s dearer than them

**Gizzit** · 26th May 2007, 09:41

Originally Posted by jimjim

i would go for the scorpio but if you have your full licence why not go for a 400cc or bigger second hand bike as the 250cc restriction has made the 250s dearer than them

Good point. I haven't really had a look at the second hand market yet. I guess they can afford to make 250's at a bit of a premium for learner licence riders. And yes .... I have had my full licence(s) since I was 15 or 16, ... the best part of quite awhile !!

I'l check out trademe.

**Storm** · 26th May 2007, 10:52

Look around and see if theres any bike thatn catch your interest, and test nride everything you can get on. Some KBers may even let you look and ride thier pride and joy if you have narrowed it down.
Best of luck and welcome aboard the madhouse

PS as for the two bikes you mentioned, I'd go the Scorpio- newer design and better quality than the chinese GN they are belting out these days(corrosion/rust problems). Also have more "go"

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 26th May 2007, 11:15

Originally Posted by Storm

PS as for the two bikes you mentioned, I'd go the Scorpio- newer design and better quality than the chinese GN they are belting out these days(corrosion/rust problems). Also have more "go"

I would agree there... however if you can find a tidy older model second hand GN... they are reliable and make a good commuter bike.

**ZeroIndex** · 26th May 2007, 12:25

Originally Posted by jimjim

i would go for the scorpio but if you have your full licence why not go for a 400cc or bigger second hand bike as the 250cc restriction has made the 250s dearer than them

<-- What he said

**skidMark** · 26th May 2007, 12:36

i think if you have your full go for a bigger cc bike as others have said, as the 250's are stupidly overpriced curently...and for similar money you can get a 400 cc bike

i would say go with a vfr400r nc30 (the better model) you will be able to get a mint one for around the $4000 mark

an awesome handling bike, and enough power to keep your happy, not stupidly faster than a 250 but has that extra grunt.

hope that helps.

Cheers:
Mark

**Gizzit** · 27th May 2007, 05:44

Originally Posted by skidMark

i think if you have your full go for a bigger cc bike as others have said, as the 250's are stupidly overpriced curently...and for similar money you can get a 400 cc bike

i would say go with a vfr400r nc30 (the better model) you will be able to get a mint one for around the $4000 mark

an awesome handling bike, and enough power to keep your happy, not stupidly faster than a 250 but has that extra grunt.

hope that helps.

Cheers:
Mark

Thanks for the advice guys. I hadn't considered a bigger bike, thinking they would be that much dearer, but as suggested, second hand they would probably work out at a similar price.
Not sure about the NC30 for me though, as I prefer a more sit upright kind of bike, not necessarily a cruiser, but more in the style of Suzuki Bandit 600. I'm not sure whats around in the smaller bike range that fits the bill. Maybe a second hand Kawasaki 650 (the triumph bonneville style look-alike) ?

There's plenty to think about, and I'm not sure if a scooter isn't out of the question yet, as they are a bloody lot of fun to ride (around town).
I actually saw one on trademe that looks like a good deal. Obviously a no-name Chinese model, but looks good for a 150cc .....
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-100674040.htm

**Highlander** · 27th May 2007, 06:15

Think about what you will use it for.
A scooter to commute on will end up restricting you to commuting.
A mid sized bike will allow you to commute and also head out further afield, two up should you desire.

If the power of modern bikes is a concern to you (compared to what you rode years ago) just remember there is no requirement to open it right up. Though you may be pleasantly surprised how quick it comes back, and if you did a bit of riding in the past you are likely to find a 250 lacking after a short time.

250's are in demand due to the licencing rules so you will often find a whole lot more bike for similar money in the lager sizes.

Have fun shopping.

**xwhatsit** · 27th May 2007, 13:53

Originally Posted by Gizzit

Thanks for the advice guys. I hadn't considered a bigger bike, thinking they would be that much dearer, but as suggested, second hand they would probably work out at a similar price.
Not sure about the NC30 for me though, as I prefer a more sit upright kind of bike, not necessarily a cruiser, but more in the style of Suzuki Bandit 600. I'm not sure whats around in the smaller bike range that fits the bill. Maybe a second hand Kawasaki 650 (the triumph bonneville style look-alike) ?

There's plenty to think about, and I'm not sure if a scooter isn't out of the question yet, as they are a bloody lot of fun to ride (around town).
I actually saw one on trademe that looks like a good deal. Obviously a no-name Chinese model, but looks good for a 150cc .....
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-100674040.htm

Oh yeah... the Kawasaki W650. That would be a brilliant bike, but they're not cheap. I

them!

For that sort of price range, and the fact you're not restricted to 250cc, a few more bikes pop into the picture. Here's a few (a cheap 250 as well).

Honda CB250 (I think it's a Nighthawk): http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...934&key=239448

Kawasaki Zephyr 400 http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...565&key=239448 and http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...952&key=239448

Yamaha SRV250: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...524&key=239448

Yamaha SRX400: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...998&key=239448

All available for under $4k I think, and those are from dealers.

Good luck! Bike shopping is fun, I wish I had the money to go again!

**Gizzit** · 28th May 2007, 19:15

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

Oh yeah... the Kawasaki W650. That would be a brilliant bike, but they're not cheap. I

them!

For that sort of price range, and the fact you're not restricted to 250cc, a few more bikes pop into the picture. Here's a few (a cheap 250 as well).

Honda CB250 (I think it's a Nighthawk): http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...934&key=239448

Kawasaki Zephyr 400 http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...565&key=239448 and http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...952&key=239448

Yamaha SRV250: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...524&key=239448

Yamaha SRX400: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...998&key=239448

All available for under $4k I think, and those are from dealers.

Good luck! Bike shopping is fun, I wish I had the money to go again!

Thanks for those url's I'll check them out tonite if I get a chance. And yes, if I can get something for under 4K for this bike, I will go for it ... until my wife is convinced of the extreme importance of a top qual bike .... lol

You know, ... BMW1200 kind of territory !!

**Gizzit** · 2nd June 2007, 18:18

Hello 250cc riders,
I'm about to lay down cash for a new Scorpio or GN, and am still undecided as to which is the better option for commuting and the odd run out on the open road.
I'd like to be able to cruise at 100 or even 110kmh if possible without shaking the engine or myself to bits!

If any of you have experience with either - or both bikes, I would be pleased to hear you opinions.

Thanks,
Grant.

**JimO** · 2nd June 2007, 18:37

i would go scorpio but why buy new get a shitter and get your licence then buy a bigger bike with the money you save

**Gizzit** · 2nd June 2007, 19:20

Originally Posted by jimjim

i would go scorpio but why buy new get a shitter and get your licence then buy a bigger bike with the money you save

I don't want a "shitter". I have a full licence and have had for about 38years!

I'm after something to commute on, and that is what both of these bikes are all about. They aren't scrapers !!

Later on, if I do want to get something bigger, I may get a GSF1250 or something along those lines. In the mean time, a nice little 250cc bike is fine!

Have you ridden a Scorpio or GN ?

Thanks.

**twinkle** · 2nd June 2007, 19:33

I can tell you the gn's front brake is too weak which is a bugger around town... I haven't had a chance to ride a scorpio yet.

edit: I'm looking for ways to improve the brakes though.