Pirelli Scorpion

Shajota

Shajota

Hero member
Location
Whitsundays Qld
Ok, don't want to start a new tyre thread, but curious if anyone has fitted a Pirelli Scorpion.
I need to replace the font tyre on the AE and think this may be a good alternative (given the quality of roads) but appreciate any feedback on the Scorpions.
 
I like to go to the Manufacturer's website to check what's made and the sizes available. But even that doesn't work all the time. There was a Bridgestone tyre and size I wanted but the Oz distributor didn't import them, so I rang and had a chat and the boss turned out to be an ex RGS owner and agreed to bring some into Oz. Two years later I finally got a supply of that tyre and subsequently updated tyres, Bridgestone T31s and now T32 in a 140x70. It took 2 years because even with an order Bridgestone sends what they feel like when they feel like too small markets like Oz. Just because their website says yes doesn't make it so, I was looking for a tube with a 90deg valve inbuilt and a USA site showed available and a pic of an 18inch one but only 15 and 16-inch tubes are made, after I asked they twigged and deleted the 18inch ones showing.
 
Well buggered if I know, these sites (incl ebay) are saying they are in stock and ready to ship, so will probably just order one & see what happens.
BTW - don't think I can get one in suitable size for the rear but not worried about that. When the rear is due probably just get another Sport Demon and see no reason why that pairing won't work well. (Just think a tyre on the front like this might be a very good combination with the AE and back roads!)
 
I can't get my head around how grippy modern tyres can be. Especially in wet conditions. You only have to watch guys racing on wet weather race tyres. They're cornering harder in the wet than I'd be confident to do in dry conditions.

My motorcycling experience has been on last century's tyre technology and mostly on tyres that were well past their use-by date at the time, and about as grippy as a lump of hard plastic. With over 50 years of riding around on clunky old bikes with skinny wheels and shit tyres, I've become so habituated to lack of grip that even when I have good tyres on a modern bike with good suspension, my brain still won't let me chuck the bike into a corner at anything like the lean angle that the tyres could handle. I know I'm being over-cautious, but it's a hard habit to break.

I guess I'm not as adventurous as I was 50 years ago. I was happy to explore the limits of adhesion when I was in my twenties. But not so much now that I'm in my 70's.
 
I'm with you there Cam. Damn sure I don't use my tyres to the full (not many race tracks around here) and tbh I don't usually get bound up in what to put on.
Just thought it might be worth trying one of these supposedly "dual" purpose tyres on the front and these Pirelli fronts don't look much more aggressive than a standard road tyre, so should be good (I think) and hopefully work well on the dirt and other shit roads I ride on...................
 
I was reading a while ago about lots of yanks complaining their 180hp big KTM dual sports were power limited by the yank dealers to I think 100hp or maybe a bit more if they had off-road rubber fitted and the same was NOT so for European dealers or owners they got the full 180hp. Didnt bother me as I don't own one, but I always wondered how 180hp would work off-road on nobbys. I guess the throttle works both ways for adults.
 
Vince said:
I guess the throttle works both ways for adults.
Click to expand...
Traction control probably saves a lot of dickheads from excessive throttle use too. I've never owned a bike with traction control or ABS. Partly because I wouldn't know how to fix it if it went belly-up. My Benelli Tre-K 1130 has about 150 RWHP (was tuned to Tornado specs by a DPO) and no electronic aids, so it breaks traction pretty easily. I've had a couple of unintentional rear end step-outs from enthusiastic use of the throttle out of corners, but nothing too alarming so far. The suspension and handling seem to smooth over little cock-ups like that quite well.

Shajota said:
I'm with you there Cam. Damn sure I don't use my tyres to the full (not many race tracks around here) and tbh I don't usually get bound up in what to put on.
Click to expand...
I'm not too fussed about what tyres I use either, but I try to get the best I can afford. Even if you're not exploring the limits of adhesion, better grip gives you a wider safety margin.

I had some 20(ish) year old hero bike rider make a derogatory comment about the "chicken strips" on the tyres of one of my bikes at a club ride day a couple of years ago. I told him to get fucked. I don't have to live up to his expectations of how far I should lay the bike into a corner. Road riding isn't a competition. I've had my days of racing and tearing around the roads like an idiot (and falling off) when I was younger. I find I enjoy a more relaxed riding style these days, and choose not to ride too close to the limit.
 
Dellortoman said:
I can't get my head around how grippy modern tyres can be. Especially in wet conditions. You only have to watch guys racing on wet weather race tyres. They're cornering harder in the wet than I'd be confident to do in dry conditions.
Click to expand...
Modern road tyres can be far better in the wet than anything from the distant past but there is nothing that compares to wet weather racing tyres but they would be hopeless to use on the road.
 
Hey Jim, you're right, it's an awesome bike that seems to have escaped the notice of many motorcyclists. Heaps of grunt and good handling, and it seems pretty reliable. It's not a bad touring bike with its relaxed ergonomics and roomy panniers. I've also got a strap-on tank bag if I need to carry more stuff (magnetic bag doesn't work so well on a plastic tank).

I think Chris (AKA Reunited Chris, AKA Woody) is pretty happy with his recent purchase of a Tornado S too.

IMG_3305.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top