MZ Skorpion Traveller

Mine (MZ Skorpion traveller) had been geared up and didn't like top below 60. Back to standard now and it's fine. Extremely confident handling, maybe a bit nervous since I put a 120/70 front tyre on purely on cost grounds. Not a problem though at all. Swing arm is made from old Lada's, mine was plastic coated which is an awful finish - water gets behind it and stays there. Powder coating infinitely better. I changed the silencer for an absorption Scorpion carbon one - had it lying around. Sounds wonderful and genuinely improves performance, not judged just by ear. Brakes are excellent and well up to the bikes speed. Love to find which part of the frame is glued together though, mine seems all welded. Tacho wavery and electrics in general a bit Italianesque. Satisfying and characterful - get one...

Very good handling and well balanced, although a bit of extra care should be taken when driving with rear luggages. Overall speed is decent altough preferably the sixth gear sometimes can be used as well for long travelling.

Maintenance is very low, if oil is changed every 4000-5000kms its enough together with the oil filter as usual, the spark plugs needs to be replaced every almost 3/4 servicew not because its blow, but for peace of mind.

Always drive will safety equipment, helmet and lights on even in daylight. Be wise and be careful.

Very understated motorcycle, if you get the chance take one for a ride you won't be disappointed..best single motor cycle ever ridden. It will be hard to replace it as it is no longer made.Good ride and handling, fairly light weight compact tourer..fully adjustable clip-ons bars and foot pegs..economical free revving yam xtz motor.

I would buy another one in a minute. Great value. Shame it is not made anymore.

I would still have and be using the MZ Skorpion Traveller on my 92 mile daily commute if a reversing truck hadn't flattened it.

I bought it with 16k miles on and rode it daily to just short or 50k. When I first got it I started immediately looking for a replacement engine as I felt the "industial revolution" that was noisily happening between my legs, must soon self detruct. How wrong I was, this is one bullet-proof engine.

During my ownership it never got cleaned, but did get regular oil changes (10k).

It was light and nible and fast enough for me.

Tyres ( sticky ) lasted 4k rear 8k front, ( touring - Mitchelin Macadam) 10K rear and 10K (with plenty left).

Would I have another - yes I'm looking right now.

Bought my MZ Skorpion Traveller new 1997. Firecracker Red Skorpion Sport. Ran it in carefully then made some modifications to the motor. K&N Filter, Stage 2 Dynojet Kit & Renegade Can. Now produced 52bhp at rear wheel and revved freely to redline but VERY LOUD!!! Great bike for having fun on the twisty bits which would keep up with bigger Sports Bikes but ran out of puff on the long straight bits. Good comfort for distance riding. Never let me down. Always got curious and admiring looks when parked up, especially when ticking over with the loud thumping bark that big singles make.After 5 years ownership a tangle with a wandering sheep put an end to the relationship. Would I have another? Certainly.

Having been an MZ rider for over twenty years this is a totally biased review, even if most of those before were 250 two strokes.

Actually I find the size of this bike very similar to my early MZ TS250 which had flat rather than raised bars. It is a bit heavier, which after years on light weights is quite noticeable. However once one learns to steer through the bars as well as the body everything is fine.

As a day to day bike it is great. It has been the length of this island, and down to Spain. The continental trip was two up with luggage.

It is a very reliable bike. The motor is Yamaha and is used on Quads and some dirt bikes. So it is pretty solid and works well on a road bike. I am not a speed merchant, so performance is enough for my needs. Maybe slightly lower overall gearing. Reasonably straight forward change of the rear sprocket from 39 to 43 teeth evidently increases top speed to over the ton and better around town mobility.

Spares are so so. Servicing parts for the Yamaha can be bought at Halfords. Many bike bits are Italian in origin, so Ducati dealers usually have brake parts and tyres, after some initial strange looks.

Otherwise BSA at Southampton will sort out most parts very quickly by post - not that I have used for anything except accesories.

Worth considering if you see one for sale. Likely to be cheap because of their minority status. But even so, good value for money.