Any Honda Ruckus Owners Out There?

"Tripper" (tripe46)
03/20/2015 at 14:31 • Filed to: None

This one is probably better for LaneSplitter but I'm not authorized to post. My fiance and I have talked about getting a scooter for a while. I have always leaned toward the Honda Ruckus because I like the "stripped" look of it, and a friend of mine had one a few years back. It was like riding a really slow jet ski on land, but for some reason I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face while I was riding.

Unfortunately for me in looking for scooters I discovered the Honda Grom (which I now want more than anything). However the love of my life doesn't want to be bothered with a clutch or MC license so that's out for this year.

Any current or former owners have any words of wisdom/caution?

DISCUSSION (29)

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Tripper
03/20/2015 at 14:41

im not 100% helpful here but a coworker of mine bought one brnad new. Said it was the best purchase hes made in a while. For short commutes like his to work, its so fuel efficient and not that bad to drive. Hes had it two years now and still drives it like 5x a week so.... I guess thats good, right?

Tripper > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/20/2015 at 14:45

That is helpful! I'm hoping to take mine to work on nice days (10 miles). I was worried about the novelty factor, but that doesn't seem to be an issue if hes still riding it all of the time.

Twism > Tripper
03/20/2015 at 14:46

If I remember correctly for my former scooter years (surprisingly not that long ago), it was the slowest of them all. It might not be saying much, but when your are a speed-junkie teen, it 3-4 km/h means the whole world.

They are surprisingly reliable though. A friend of mine had one, and since it's a Honda four-stroke, it's basically indestructible. gas mileage was good (again, for a scooter, so it's downright amazing) and it had decent torque at low speed.

The only downside with it is that you have no storage under the seat, which can be troublesome if you run errands with it.

Aaaand now you made me check out craigslist for a decent scooter. I miss these little zippy machines.

nermal > Tripper
03/20/2015 at 14:47

I see people riding them around the track as pit bikes. They seem like fun. I'm told that the Grom is a hoot to ride, not so sure I'd want to take it on the highway though.

vicali > Tripper
03/20/2015 at 14:47

I was just looking around a few weeks ago to see about getting one as a commuter to work, I think they are awesome and all I heard from owners is that they loved them..

Ends up the numbers don't make sense for me... but then I see this and...

Kinja'd!!!

450X_FTW > Tripper
03/20/2015 at 15:06

wife has a Honda Metro and I borrowed a buddies Ruckus for a weekend. If you live in a smaller town with 25-30 mph speed limits all over then yeah it's fun. If you can get to where you want to go without being on a road that is 45 mph it's terrifying.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Tripper
03/20/2015 at 15:07

They're good little scooters, but you're committing to looking like a douchebag if you ride one, regardless of whether you are one or not.

With the arrival of the Grom, I think the Ruckus has kind of been rendered moot.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
03/20/2015 at 15:08

In some states, you need to get an endorsement because it's above 50cc. In that case, the Ruckus rendered the Grom moot because all the Grom could do was being a niche product.

Tripper > Twism
03/20/2015 at 15:10

This will be my first two wheeled vehicle with a motor. That combined with the fact that my fiance will be riding it makes me not worry about the slow factor. I am a speed junkie, but my dd is an E90 M3 so I'll get my jollies there if I must.

If I fall in love with the two wheel game, then maybe next year I'll step up to a scrambler or something like that. Yea unfortunately all of the rucki (?) on the Philadelphia craigslist have stupid modifications, and or are almost the price of a new one.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
03/20/2015 at 15:11

That's an absolutely valid point, but I'll counter that most people hopping on something like a Ruckus would be well-served to go through an MSF course and get their endorsement anyway. Granted, we're talking about incentives here and people are going to choose the easiest route whenever possible.

bob and john > Tripper
03/20/2015 at 15:11

Lane splitter isnt a user run blog. its more of a jalopnik type thing.

as for the rukus. they are slow.
no, wait, what you just understood is that they are not fast,

they.are. SLOW. I think in canada you have to have a slow moving vehicle sign (like tractors do) on them. If ou want something to commute, a CBR250 would be far, far better. Slow is fine, up until a certian point where it just gets flat out dangerous.

for something to just toss around the neighboorhood, yea, they are alright.

So cant be bothered with clutch...wait, who are you buying this for a again?

Tripper > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
03/20/2015 at 15:12

I dd a BMW, everyone already thinks I'm a D bag, no worries there!

Tripper > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
03/20/2015 at 15:13

Well put! If I have to go out and get an MC license, I might as well go and get a real motorcycle.

Tripper > 450X_FTW
03/20/2015 at 15:15

Also a concern of mine. I can take mostly back roads to work, but there are a few unavoidable stretches were I would be on a two lane road with a 45mph speed limit.

Twism > Tripper
03/20/2015 at 15:31

I'd actually go and spend the extra money on a new one: they keep their value quite well, especially if you don't intend on modifying it (and why would you?).

Plus, every single used one was owned by a teenager. That means abuse and minimal maintenance.

And the Grom would be an amazing learning machine; I had a quick stint on one and it brought back so many amazing memories. These things are quick off the line, zippy and you can park anywhere.

Tekamul > Tripper
03/20/2015 at 15:31

They are pretty slow.

It takes more digging, but if you can find a BIG RUCKUS , I've heard they are easier to live with long term.

Kinja'd!!!

uofime > Tripper
03/20/2015 at 16:00

If you want an endorsement take an MSF class. They're actually really fun classes, 75% of your time is outside riding bikes

Tripper > bob and john
03/20/2015 at 16:04

Well aware of how slow they are, I have ridden one. I'm buying it for my fiance and I to rip around where we please. While I may take it to work, it will only be on nice days when I have time to take a 45 minute ride.

The only reason I mentioned a clutch is because of the Grom, we were always in the market for a scooter not a bike. I can definitely see myself wanting a bike after owning a scoot for a season or two. When that time comes I'll be in the market for a Ducati Scrambler or a Beemer of some variety.

Tripper > uofime
03/20/2015 at 16:07

Good advice, we are both planning on doing the PA course. She needs to learn the physics behind riding, and it will teach her to operate a clutch in case we ever want a real bike. I have ridden a fair amount, but it's been 90% dirt bikes so it will be good for me to learn the rules of the road as they pertain to motorcyclists.

bob and john > Tripper
03/20/2015 at 16:08

a rukus will not be able to take 2 ppl. Not enough power

not a bit of a jump at all (/sarcasm)

if your looking for a scoot and want something a little bigger, BMW has those maxi-scooters. The C600. not bad little machines/ Suzuki also has the bourgmans, which are very nice little machines as well.

Tripper > Twism
03/20/2015 at 16:09

Yea were going new, it's the only reasonable option.

uofime > Tripper
03/20/2015 at 16:33

They actually don't even expect you to know how to operate a clutch when you show up. On a 5 day beginner's course the second day (first on a bike) is almost entirely devoted to teaching how to use a clutch.

Definitely take your wife and do it as a couple. Who knows she might like it so much she'll agree to get a bike with a clutch!

Tripper > bob and john
03/20/2015 at 16:54

We won't often ride it at the same time lol, but it can be done in a pinch.

Most of the allure of the ruckus for me comes from the fact that it does not look like all of the other "scooters" which I can't bare to even look at , and its around $2500 brand new. The C650 starts at $10,500, and I don't care for the looks.

This is supposed to be a toy rather than an alternate means of transportation.

Tripper > Tekamul
03/20/2015 at 17:01

They are certainly tough to find, hopefully this will spark an interest in motorcycles for me. Then the ruckus can be her's and I can get a real moto

bob and john > Tripper
03/20/2015 at 17:08

as a toy, the grom is better... get to go over sweet little jumps on it.

if you want it, go for it. rukus (and grom) after market is, frankly, RIDICULOUSLY huge for what they are.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
03/20/2015 at 17:48

Except a Ruckus could be driven by anyone with a driver's license? No need for a MSF course lest you really want to (better do it before the age of 19 in some states for cheap prices.)

Tripper > bob and john
03/21/2015 at 16:12

Got the Grom, just put the deposit on it!

bob and john > Tripper
03/21/2015 at 16:15

GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM

you will have a shit tone of fun. make a grom-kahna

Tripper > bob and john
03/21/2015 at 16:31

Yea man, after seeing the Grom and Ruckus side by side the Ruckus just made no sense.