Norman Wade           1998 Traveller

 

I bought my 1998 Skorpion Traveller in the summer of 2000. I’d been riding bikes for 25 years, the last 15 or so exclusively on MZ two strokes, so it was time for a change. The bike was one of the white ex-CSM training school Travellers, had done 15,000 miles, and was a bit tatty round the edges, but the price was right so I bought it.

            When I got it home I discovered a faulty rear brake switch, the mirror extensions were missing, it had a 1999 sticker on the fairing, and a US spec headlight from a Sport. This has twin two filament bulbs, but one was missing and the bike had obviously been run with the bulb missing for some time as the inside of the headlight was very dirty. It wasn’t all bad, as it had been fitted with a new pair of tyres (Bridgestone BT-92), and it ran very well.

            I gave the bike a service, replaced the faulty brake switch with generic brake switch banjo bolt from M&P, cleaned out the headlight and fitted a new bulb. For some unknown reason the (Yamaha sourced) headlight uses a unique bulb that costs about £20 from Yamaha dealers. I also fitted a set of MZ mirror extensions, but the mirrors were still too narrow so I fitted a second set. As a safety precaution I fitted a Sola-larm alarm/immobiliser and Datatag. I rode the bike for about another year, and then decided to go for a two week holiday to France on it. I’d found the standard 30 l panniers a bit small, so fitted a pair of Hepco and Becker 40 l ‘Junior’ panniers, and bodged an old Givi rack and topbox to fit.

 

During the 'white period', France 2001

 

            The trip was a great success and showed what a good and economical tourer the Traveller is. The following winter I took all the bodywork off, repaired the cracks and had it resprayed (Daihatsu Mica Silver). I replaced a broken lower left fairing bracket with a reinforced one, fitted a Hepco and Becker 40 l topbox on a homemade rack, replaced various bolts with stainless ones from Inox, and fork shields from Hein Gericke.

            Electrical mods included: heated grips, loud horns, output socket, I replaced the 10W indicator bulbs with the small headed 23W ones from aftermarket ‘teardrop’ fairing indicators, (replaced the 3A fuse with a 5A one), and fitting a parking light (US spec headlight isn’t fitted with one and it’s needed for the MOT). This is an aftermarket, clear lensed side flasher for a Ford Escort, and was fitted just above the headlight.

            Since then the bike has been on holiday to Belgium, Germany and Czech Republic (2002), France, Belgium, and Ireland (2005), and France and Ireland (2006), all without any breakdowns or mishaps. I’ve been very impressed with the Traveller’s abilities as a touring bike – light, powerful enough, good handling and brakes, carries a pillion and luggage easily, economical, and comfortable enough to do 450 miles in a day.

            For the 2005 trip to France and Belgium, I fitted a Garmin Quest GPS system, and as the original clock had expired I fitted a Motrax ‘Little Ben’. I’d also fitted an additional LED brakelight under the rack

            For 2006’s holiday I installed a Starcom intercom, with radio/mp3, and when I returned I fitted a Scottoiler.

 

            Future plans include: rear fog light, hazard flashers, rear light converted to LED; and I’m thinking of making my own wiring loom to increase the reliability and to integrate all the electrical mods. I’ve also got a pair of Brembo Goldline calipers (cheap on Ebay), which will probably go on. Watch this space!