We get behind the controls of the 2015 Scorpa Twenty, whose surprising irruption on the market has catapulted it from oblivion to be considered one of the trial bikes that has aroused the most expectation this season. We just had to get behind the controls to see if it is as spectacular in the areas as it is on the easel. And that’s what the Trialworld team has done exclusively with the support of Mudville Motorcycles.
BLESSED RESURRECTION
The surprising dynamism that trial bike factories are showing contrasts with the reality of a minority market and with growing difficulties for their regulated use. In addition to the large number of brands that sell motorcycles of this specialty, in 2015 we will have to add two new producers such as Vertigo and TRS, sponsored by great living legends such as Lampkin and Tarrés, respectively. -See all 2015 trial models-
However, what very few counted on is the relaunch of Scorpa. The French brand, founded in 1993 by Marc Teissier and Joel Domergue, has always played a discreet role in the trial scene and its sporting record is reduced to sporadic victories in the indoor world championship at the hands of Camozzi or the victory of Graham Jarvis in the 1998 Six Days of Scotland.
Scorpa was one of the pioneers in the launch of a trial model with a four-stroke engine (see here) (inherited from the Yamaha WR 250), specifically in 2005. Today the Scorpa SY 250F (as this 4T was called) is still in force in the Japanese national championship in charge of Yamaha and ridden by the phenomenon Kuroyama.
To understand the new Scorpa Twenty you have to go back to the fall of 2009, when Scorpa was acquired by Sherco. The French brand opted to subtly renew an outdated SY 250R -see here-, which had been fitted with the same engine and chassis since 2000. The solution was easy, as it coincided with the launch of the new 2010 Sherco ST, which debuted a completely redesigned engine and the famous relocation of the fuel tank. The new Scorpa engineers therefore opted to fit the 2.9 engine that Sherco had equipped its bikes with the 2010 SY range until 2009.
With no more noise than this and an unprecedented orange color, Scorpa had remained an almost forgotten option in an atomized market and not even the good tandem of the old French tubular frame with the Sherco engine had increased its popularity.
REVELATION 2015
Against all odds and almost pointlessly, in mid-2014 Scorpa presented a completely revamped model: the Twenty. Its striking orange color hinted at previously unknown shapes and the level of its equipment confirmed that Scorpa was returning very seriously, not just to be an option.
We could even say that the Scorpa Twenty has been the great revelation of the 2015 models. Why? Let’s take a look at its features.
The first thing to make clear is that the Twenty does not inherit a single screw from its predecessor. Everything is completely new in the Scorpa… but not on the market. Let us explain. The entire engine block is of Sherco origin and identical to the one we can see in the 2015 range of the French brand. However, there are small nuances due to the different location of the fuel tank and air filter, which in the case of the Scorpa do occupy the “usual” places on the bike (front and rear, respectively). Consequently, the Scorpa gives up the fuel pump that its sister must compulsorily fit.
WHERE’S THE SECRET?
The great secret of the Scorpa Twenty and the big difference with its sister, the Sherco, is in the geometries and shapes of its frame. Since the Twenty does receive the fuel tank at the front, it has undergone some successful modifications compared to the Sherco’s dimensions that completely define its personality both in and out of the zones.
The chassis reminds us in its dimensions of a Gas Gas. The Twenty feels tremendously stable and comfortable. Its shapes are very changeable, closing a lot in its central part and then opening again to receive the tank and the radiator, which is embraced by both side braces.
Once at the controls, the feeling is that the position of the footpegs is somewhat elevated compared to other competing models, just enough not to feel uncomfortable, but it would be interesting to test how the footpegs are a centimeter lower. Even so, the riding position is comfortable, conveying homogeneity and poise from the first minutes.
It is worth noting the good quality of the finishes on the Scorpa Twenty. Starting with the aforementioned frame, where everything fits together perfectly and the annex components, such as the engine map selection button – installed behind the steering tube – are received like a glove. Additionally, the chassis is well protected both in the boot area and in its upper part to avoid damage with the steering posts in turns.
Continuing with the chassis part, the Twenty receives an effective suspension system that it shares with the Sherco and Montesa 2015 ranges, consisting of a Tech fork and an R16V shock absorber -manufactured by Ollé-. This set offers a very remarkable performance, with special parabienes for the front axle. Behind it is also surprising, although for a more accurate assessment it would need more running, as we noticed it was a bit dry in certain reactions.
FORTUNATE INHERITANCE
As we mentioned before, the engine in its entirety is of Sherco origin. In addition to its shapes, it is also revealed by the eye-catching Oxia silencer on the right side and on the left, unfortunately, the position of the CDI. This, however, is not exposed to shocks or limits mechanical accessibility.
The Scorpa Twenty is marketed with 125, 250 and 300cc engines. In our case we tested the 250 version on loan from Mudville, official Scorpa dealer in Madrid, and we were in charge of premiering the bike.
In terms of popularity, the 300 mechanics take the cake, however, the performance offered by this 250 should not be underestimated, quite the opposite. If there’s one thing that’s particularly noteworthy about this Sherco-sourced engine, it’s how well-balanced the response is throughout the rev range. To be a “two and a half” it pushes hard from the bottom and, at least in our case, you don’t miss more grit. What’s more, you appreciate the linearity and predictability of this quarter-liter mechanic, which also holds up well to overrevs without dropping in performance. This is where the contribution of the Keihin carburetor is important.
The clutch is fast and the Twenty feels nervous until you get used to its character
The gearbox is perfect. Pure butter at the same time effective. The clutch, on the other hand, enjoys the speed that characterizes the Sherco. With an out-of-the-ordinary effectiveness, for our taste it is a clutch that comes out excessively early and when you are not adapted you feel that the bike is too nervous.
Focus on the selector that allows you to select between the two engine maps
As the hours go by, the pilot becomes familiar with its behavior and doses himself more tactfully. In short, as in so many tasks of trial, it is a matter of taste and preferences.
CONCLUSIONS
Whether it’s the romanticism of the “20th anniversary” or a strategic bet, the truth is that Scorpa has hit the nail on the head with the new 2015 Twenty.
For our taste it is like riding an improved Sherco, especially at the level of chassis and finishes, being clear that its pretensions in the market are maximum, that is, to become the first preference for fans. And he has good arguments for it.
Going back to the finishes, our protagonist earns the highest mark. There is no neglected detail and certain solutions, such as the design of the filter box, switch for map selection, bushings or wiring guides are good examples. We also find high quality components signed by the best brands, such as Braktec, Tech, Oxia, R16V…
The icing on the cake is the decoration. The orange of its frame and graphics are the perfect incentive to give an exclusive personality to a brand that until a few months ago walked aimlessly or without definition.
For the reasons that we have commented throughout the report, Sherco fans will be the most comfortable at first at the controls, while the rest of the users will be very pleasantly surprised.
The 2015 Scorpa Twenty has full recommendation and approval from the Trialworld test team.
With the collaboration of Mudville Motorcycles and Yanic Diedrich
