I'm off to a good start, ive done almost 50 miles in the past few days.
For the record, the charging problem was easily solved. Turns out the tiny screw holding onto the positive battery terminal was working its way loose. A charged battery also smoothed out my rough idling.
Just shy of 1400 miles. That's all ive got, not much exciting other than an excellent running scooter.
Caleb
New Reader
5/3/12 11:18 p.m.
Congrats on the new two anything with 2 wheels is a blast.
On a side note though i will say i don't understand the whole scooter thing, for the price off a decent scooter you can pick up a gen1 ninja 250 and get almost as good gas mileage and a ton more performance.
I'm guessing it's the 49cc edge of legality thing. No license or insurance required. If that's not it, then yeah, I don't get it either.
In Ohio I need a motorcycle license and insurance on the ruckus.
It's not a rational thing, I just love tooling around on the tiniest motor possible.
Rolled 1400 miles tonight then almost died when some idiot in a ford escort didn't notice the turn lane ended and hopped the curb right beside me at 40mph before trying to merge into me getting back on the road.
Total maintenance expenses so far:
About $10 for the 1.2 quarts needed for the two oil changes ive done so far.
$7 for an iridium spark plug.
$5 for a grip of crush washers for oil changes.
Roughly $60 in gas for the 1400 miles ive travelled.
So $82 to run a scooter for 11 months, not bad.
CLNSC3
HalfDork
5/10/12 12:03 p.m.
PubBurgers wrote:
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.
Most likely they are at fault for the battery issue. Often when the set-up guys at a dealership are in a big hurry they fail to let the battery properly charge after filling it. They never hold a charge right afterwards!
EDIT: Read your update. Thats great it was something quick and easy to fix!
Caleb wrote:
Congrats on the new two anything with 2 wheels is a blast.
On a side note though i will say i don't understand the whole scooter thing, for the price off a decent scooter you can pick up a gen1 ninja 250 and get almost as good gas mileage and a ton more performance.
For the same reason that not everybody wants to drive a stripped down Lotus with no A/C and a racing seat and harness to work every day. Not all of us want to ride fast on two wheels in a hunched over position all the time. I enjoy riding my Ruckus to work and around town, even though I have three other bikes with up to 20X the displacement of the Ruckus.
Different strokes.
Do you still think it is too slow for 45 mph zones?
Otto Maddox wrote:
how horrible is a fake ruckus?
they have a 150cc version too.
I really am curious if its any good.
Otto Maddox wrote:
Do you still think it is too slow for 45 mph zones?
My ride home from work is 75% 45mph speed limit. Its also largely downhill and all two lanes each way so people can get around me. My ride to work is vastly different as the uphills pose too much of a problem.
It was made for 25mph speed limits. It will do ok in 35mph zones. You can be reasonably safe in 45mph traffic, but only under the right conditions such as two lanes and minimal hills.
Sweet! Is that a clear GRM sticker? Where did you get it?
@Otto Maddox: My experience has been that 50cc scooters just aren't powerful enough for anything beyond 35mph roads, and even that is sketchy. You end up going slower than all the traffic and they get pissed and that's a bad combination when you're the chewy center without the hard candy shell. The 150cc scooters seem fast enough for everything but the freeway. (But hitting a pothole at 50mph with those tiny tires is a different issue entirely ... ouch.)
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/store/merchandise/
Link to sweet stickers. Feels weird linking to the grm store from the board.
Nice, thanks. I've only seen the "bumper sticker" variety which cuts down on the applications for it.
Just ordered a lower seat frame for it. Thinking a frame stretch is next. Rolled past 1500 miles last night and got 98.5 mpg last tank.
For true hilarity, check out this ebay ad for a Chinese seat frame:
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=320776659746&cmd=VIDESC&index=7&nav=SEARCH&nid=24638327132
Woody
UltimaDork
5/19/12 9:28 a.m.
A low seat will only be comfortable if you stretch the frame as well.
No more knees in the handlebars!
Frame stretch kit is on the way!
Knee/handlebar contact is the price the universe exacts for being tall. Deal with it.
Frame stretch kit came in the mail today! Now to find time to put it on.
Not quite finished but rideable:
Yes, I know I'm a ricer.
Woody
UltimaDork
6/9/12 9:18 a.m.
I'm guessing that some forward foot pegs are next?