So I took it to work for the first time today. The route I take is about 9 miles each way and it did awesome. There are only two areas I could use a little more speed on. One is a 3/4 mile stretch of 45mph road, the other is a rather large hill that doesn't trip me up too bad.
49cc scooters are a great way to learn how to hit apexes in an effort to conserve momentum!
Woody wrote: 49cc scooters are a great way to learn how to hit apexes in an effort to conserve momentum!
Quoted for the absolute truth!
Please don't canoe all over a nice little Ruckus thread....
81 miles on it now, gas light hasn't come on yet. I'm really hoping for an honest 100mpg.
I suspect that you will get exactly 100 mpg.
Finally had to fill up. Got 103.9mpg on the first tank. There's also something very satisfying about a $3.50 fill up on premium gas. I've been riding it to work for a couple of weeks now. It's pretty well suited for the job.
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Premium makes them a bitch to start! At 207.8 miles, switch to the cheap stuff.
About 320 miles on it now, still loving it. I'm averaging about 100mpg. Only problem I'm having is the battery won't hold a charge, guess I'll have to have it exchanged at the dealer. Luckily it has a kick start.
For anyone considering purchasing one, here are the drawbacks I've found:
At 6'2" i'm pretty cramped on it. I can't imagine someone taller riding one comfortably.
The brakes are kind of lackluster.
It's really meant for 25-35mph speed limits. I wouldn't consider it if you've got more than a mile or two worth of 45mph zones to navigate.
I built a three inch longer seat frame for mine. It was a lot of work but made a huge difference. They sell low seat frames, but not longer ones. I was thinking about building and selling them, but it was about 40 hours work and wouldn't be cost effective.
Likey that seat mod
PubBurgers wrote: About 320 miles on it now, still loving it. I'm averaging about 100mpg. Only problem I'm having is the battery won't hold a charge, guess I'll have to have it exchanged at the dealer. Luckily it has a kick start. For anyone considering purchasing one, here are the drawbacks I've found: At 6'2" i'm pretty cramped on it. I can't imagine someone taller riding one comfortably. The brakes are kind of lackluster. It's really meant for 25-35mph speed limits. I wouldn't consider it if you've got more than a mile or two worth of 45mph zones to navigate.
I actually ride mine to work on backstreets. When I hit the 45 zones I duck and give it full throttle. I would like a nice windshield to duck under on the downhill sections.
I would like a nice windshield to duck under on the downhill sections.
You can make a decent little fairing from a license plate. This is just a pattern, but it is a full size tracing of an uncut license plate with bent upper corners. The bolt holes are even in a good place.
You can also narrow and relocate your turn signals and shave the mounting tabs to clean up the airflow a bit.
So what drags first when you crank that thing over? The center stand I guess? Looks like fun.
Is it as terrifying on gravel as the Spree?
From what I hear it is the center stand, can't say for sure as I don't get too crazy on it.
Never had the Spree or the Ruckus on gravel, though I bet the tires on the Spree make it a scarier proposition.
Placed my first order on Battlescooter yesterday. Nothing big......yet. While on that subject does anyone here have any experience messing with the roller weights? I'd like a little more go up hills but it's hard to justify sacrificing much off the top speed on such a small scooter.
This is one of the very few threads I even bother reading on here. I have an unnatural liking for these little things. I have no need, use or money for one so it wont be happening, but I sure love living vicariously through you. Please get board and decide you need more power soon, very soon.
PubBurgers wrote: Placed my first order on Battlescooter yesterday. Nothing big......yet. While on that subject does anyone here have any experience messing with the roller weights? I'd like a little more go up hills but it's hard to justify sacrificing much off the top speed on such a small scooter.
I haven't changed weights yet, but I plan on adding Dr. Pulley Sliders. I've had a KN Variator hanging on my wall since before I got the scoot, but never got around to installing it.
Adrian_Thompson wrote: This is one of the very few threads I even bother reading on here. I have an unnatural liking for these little things. I have no need, use or money for one so it wont be happening, but I sure love living vicariously through you. Please get board and decide you need more power soon, very soon.
The original plan when I bought mine was to swap in a 600cc engine from a wrecked Honda Silverwing scooter. but I discovered that you really don't want to go really fast on something with a short wheelbase, small wheels and limited suspension travel. You'd have to make some serious alterations to the frame geometry.
Not that it hasn't been done...
Adrian_Thompson wrote: This is one of the very few threads I even bother reading on here. I have an unnatural liking for these little things. I have no need, use or money for one so it wont be happening, but I sure love living vicariously through you. Please get board and decide you need more power soon, very soon.
I really have no desire to put too much money into the Ruckus after I found out that for the cost of the engine swap kit and the Chinese 125 engine that goes with it I could buy another bike.
410 miles now.
My battlescooter order came earlier this week. It was mostly tune up stuff but I did spring for the $5 "performance" air filter. Here's a picture of the stock air filter:
The new one isn't nearly as restrictive. Maybe it's in my mind, maybe the wind was at my back last time I rode it, but I felt like I eeked out an extra couple of MPH in a few spots. Places where I was topping out at 33 or 34mph I was doing 36 or 37mph. Further testing is needed.
While I had it apart I also noticed the stock airbox is mega restricted as well. I may have to do something about that.
Also riced it up a bit with this fancy radiator cover:
Snowdoggie wrote:Adrian_Thompson wrote: This is one of the very few threads I even bother reading on here. I have an unnatural liking for these little things. I have no need, use or money for one so it wont be happening, but I sure love living vicariously through you. Please get board and decide you need more power soon, very soon.I really have no desire to put too much money into the Ruckus after I found out that for the cost of the engine swap kit and the Chinese 125 engine that goes with it I could buy another bike.
The thing is,at least here in Ohio, 49cc and under, you can get plates and register the beast without motorcycle endorsements or any other classing or regulation. Just buy and drive. Now, buy said 49cc scooter, and install an 80cc or 125cc motor, and you can "fly under the radar", so the extra expense is somewhat offset with the savings in fees etc...do so at your own peril however, uncle sam dont take too kindly to being fooled...
In reply to 4cylndrfury:
Actually, anything not on the "approved moped list" on Ohio must be tagged and insured as a motorcycle. You must also have your motorcycle license to ride.
Here's the BMV link:
http://bmv.ohio.gov/moped_info.stm
It's really a shame they're so strict, it makes 49cc scooters that much less appealing to people. Why go for a small scooter when you have to jump through the same hoops as having a motorcycle? I just happen to like tiny scooters.
In Connecticut, you don't even need to register it. . And you can get the $5 air filter from Home Depot.
hmm...I guess that changed, I seem to remember a bunch of kids getting away with what I mentioned when I was younger ...of course I was born in the early 80s, so the terms "kids" and "younger" are relative 
I know here in PA you don't need a license but still must register and insure it. But the whole license thing can be solved with 10 bucks and a permit test, and a subsequent free motorcycle training course. There really is no reason to own a 49cc scooter in PA.
I grew up in Iowa and they had the under 50cc laws. It worked well if you had a YSR50 you could get around from age 14 on up. I've scoped ou the Ruckus a couple times but think I wouldn't ride it much. I have a Cushman and rarely go further than around the block. Keep us updated as you use it more.
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