Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Paioli forks handle the suspension duties, and equally customary AJP hubs, wheels and brakes round out the package. The green, plastic rear-fender and fuel-tank cover look like a combination between Gas Gas and Montesa styles, but the purple radiator shrouds are Gas Gas all the way. Unlike any of its competition, the Scorpa actually has a thin pad where the seat should be. A RIDE ON THE WILD SIDE Firing up the Scorpa is quite easy, in spite of its left--side kickstarter. The steel arm looks identical to the one found on Betas (the other left-side starters), but is much easier to swing through its stroke. The Rotax is a rather cold-blooded pow- (Right) Familiar Palolllnver1ed forks and AJP hubs, wheels and brakas grace the front and of tha SCarps. (Far right) The SCarpa's mid· section Is a tad glr1hy, making the bike feel heavier than It actually Is. because the Scorpa is really a viable option. Riders who are looking for a well-balanced, user-friendly machine, and who aren't concerned with the latest trend, should look into the Works 295. It's worth a try. f.N ~corpa 295 (Above) The Scarps's Rotax motor is smooth and torquey. Note the empty space on the cases· the engine Is also used for MX and enduro applications by other manufacturers, and the vacant spot can host an all Injector. (Right) A steel swlngarm, coupled with a Boge shock, yields a plush, progressive stroke. The Scarpa Is the only current trials bike with the chain on the right, and the rear brake on the left. SpdciIDiIS lilt PrIce $5195 272.7et:. ~ EngIne type l.iquid-cooIed singkH:ylinder two-stroke Ben X 8lrolle Compression'" cartlureIIon Ignlllon TI'IIlIIllIlIIIo speecII but the bike has a larger feel than the rest. The Scorpa is visibly wider than Gas Gas, Beta and Fantic's offerings, and is more similar to the Montesa in the girth and bulk department. The footpeg-tohandlebar relationship is comfortable, . and the bike is well-balanced and easy to maneuver. The Tryals Shop is the exclusive importer of Scorpa trials bikes, and may be reached at Route 38, Locke, New York 13092,315/497-2904. Owner Mike Komer reports that thus far, less than 20 of the exotic French machines have been sold in the United States, and that's a shame, Electronic 6 StartIng IJIl8m Kick Fuel capacity ........•....•.....0.8 gal. WheeIbaIe : 51.9 in. Seat heIgIIt 26.9 in. Front tire 2.75 x21 Relrllre 4.00x18 Front wbeellnMII ReIr wheillnMII Front brlIIre ReIr brlIIre FInII dItve QlIImId dry WIigIlt ··BitS. and piece·s~~~ erplant, and requires a few minutes of high idl~ng with the choke actuated before it will run properly. In the motocross world, Rotax engines are known for being hard-hitting and sometimes unforgiving. In trials form, however, the engine is the complete opposite. Power starts down low and pulls steadily through the rpm range. The,power is so linear that it seems as if the motor has no hit at all. While the Gas Gas JT25 is zippy and excitable, the Scorpa more resembles the Montesa's smooth personality. The bike performs best when ridden in the ideal gear - it doesn't like to be ridden in a higher gear with the clutch slipping. And speaking of the clutch, though it doesn't feature as dainty a pull as some of the hydraulic units we've tested, the cable-actuated system received rave reviews from all who rode the bike. Feel and modulation were excellent, though somewhat different than that of a hydraulic unit. The gearbox never failed us, and missed shifts and false neutrals were never encountered. It was, however, difficult to find neutral while the' engine was running. In stock condition, the Paioli forks and Boge shock were set up a bit soft, but thanks to the wide range of adjustment were easily stiffened up to our liking. We're not sure, but we believe the forks to be identical to those found on the Beta Techno. Suspension action was just as it should be, and with the fork's spring preload cranked down, the front end could be hopped from side to side with the same amoUnt of effort required by other bikes. The brakes needed some time to break in, and after careful bleeding, delivered strong, predictable power. At 176 pounds the Works 295 is right in the ballpark with the other machines, 72 x 67mm 10.5:1 .26mm DelI'Orto 6.7 in. 6.3 in. Disc Disc Chain 1761bs. · DUril~p tireS grace ltte'frQnt and 'rear wheels. Though' not· as grippy as th!! more 'f'1-miliar Mich.elios, .they. do proVide adequate grip The 'fuel·pe.tcOCk 'has 'no' .re~rve,:on!y'· on .,..,hen scuffed jn. We 'encoul)tered ho ,punc-' and.off settings. The carburetor choke·lev.er is' as large as a .Papsicls stick and .easy' to , 'tUres (a ra~l during our tesl. .: . . . . find. and actuate '- qaite a blessing 'in comparand ·of·the Scorpa' is excePtlorn;1. ison to: some of the stealthy levers '(ound on Unlike many of ·the competition's. bikes,' the . :other' machines: '. . . · Woiks ·295.didn't require .tlllit we grind, bend or haminer any Pa,rts 'tQ fit and perform pr<;lP.The .bike's· main Sporpa' logos start Ofl the fueHank shroud,. continue over the frame-.: erly." Everything ·was·as it· shou.1d have ·beet1· ·fails and .onto the 'r'adiaior shrouds, arid are from the get-gc>. . easily scratched il)to an un readable jumble . '. . .. :6f colors: Covering them' :-vitti ~19ilr nurrybei- . Thus far, the SCorpa has proven to ~ one of ' plate backing will keep them looking fresh: '. the most dlArable tnals bikes 'that we ve test- , .. . '. . . . : : . . ed. Several spills on the machine hava TesU~· .. The QwnerS- of. the. Scarpa factory' mu·s.l' be: ed in only set..of scrl\tched plastic - other· · m9untain-~ike enthusjasts.: all of the bpdy-. .bikes have suffered broken' shock linkage. sUbfraines, 'hubs':,md fenders af the,·hands of.' . parie,l bolls 'afld vjHlous' other. .aluminul)'1 .. '. '. ..... pieces .are IInodlz8d ,purpJe. While they. looK.. '.our overZealOUS testers: trick. and give the bike exIra detail, SO/Tle' of', . ' .. , .. . . . .The. left sid.e. of t.he rear subfra.me s.nagged the .parts, :are gasify·scuffed." ". the toPs'. of our boqis 'on several. occa,Sions. The snall.typti cti~ln adjuSters ~rl;l:~li~I- . Routk)e malm.nan~ was'easily per.form'ed . .le6t: Adjlls.ting thEr chain i~qurres on1y'oone' (in ·the S~orPil ' everything seems well· . be done io a matter of s.ec.· thQugt:rt-out, and sma" hands ~d ltle skills' of wrench, arid ·ends, With or without ·a.l,like stand. the pur: a Contoition~ .are. oot reqlJired to get .at the . . .. . . carburetor. . ' . ple,anOllized cam.has .big, pos~e rlQtche~. ·At fi;usli a: can

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