Who rides a Ruckus (in the winter)? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Who rides a Ruckus (in the winter)?

eljay

eljay

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I like not using the TTC all summer but my Ninja isn't exactly an all weather warrior. The Ruckus looks like something that can take it all for my short commute (King/Duffering up to Yonge/Bloor) in pretty much any condition with the right tires.

Anyone else do it? There's a few vids on youtube of people pissing around in the snow, but will it pull off a daily commute?

My physiology is such that I have a high tolerance for winter weather. All I care about is if the Ruckus can take it.
 
I rode a ruckus for two winters and I switched to a KLR after. The larger wheels and wider availability of decent tires helped.

The kenda 761 on the ruckus are terrible when there's a cm or more of snow - you slide everywhere since the blocks are so large. Cheap kenda 270's on a KLR have a lot more grip since they can get through the snow to concrete easier. You can also force a slide easier (flat track style) on a larger bike for better control.

The ruckus seems like a good idea at first, but you'll quickly realize a real bike is better.

However, the ruckus in summer is a blast - I had to sell mine cause I couldn't control myself on it. Gimme a fast bike and I'm good, but the ruckus just begs you to keep your right hand cranked all the way, all day - the suspension sucks as do the cable operated drum brakes so it's a scary (but seriously fun) scooter in the end.
 
Click this to read my adventure with a Yamaha BWS 50
One thing I would do different is get the BWS 125. Most come with a windscreen and hand guards. I was finding with my own set up my hands where only good for 45 minutes before they were hurting and the extra power would have made the bike more useful in the summer. Also make sure you are extra reflective. It gets real dark at rush hour and you can feel even more invisible than usual. Over all I loved the experience and hope to do it again.
 
killerkeith said:
Click this to read my adventure with a Yamaha BWS 50
One thing I would do different is get the BWS 125. Most come with a windscreen and hand guards. I was finding with my own set up my hands where only good for 45 minutes before they were hurting and the extra power would have made the bike more useful in the summer. Also make sure you are extra reflective. It gets real dark at rush hour and you can feel even more invisible than usual. Over all I loved the experience and hope to do it again.
Click to expand...

I have been looking for a bws 125, have not been able to find any under 2500 :(
 
Kargo93 said:
Read entire post.. So how did the past 2 winters go?
You ended up buying a 50cc?
Click to expand...

I sold the bike at the end of last season as I got a really cheap winter beater instead. Most days I really didn't mind the weather and was enjoying the "you so crazy" looks I was getting, but it was those handful of days you just hated life as the winter weather was boarderline crazy even for cars, and here you are...riding a scooter.
 
killerkeith said:
I sold the bike at the end of last season as I got a really cheap winter beater instead. Most days I really didn't mind the weather and was enjoying the "you so crazy" looks I was getting, but it was those handful of days you just hated life as the winter weather was boarderline crazy even for cars, and here you are...riding a scooter.
Click to expand...

Awesome, What bike did you buy? Was the 50cc able to keep up with traffic.
That's almost like buying a 80cc motorizing kit for a bicycle.
 
Kargo93 said:
Awesome, What bike did you buy? Was the 50cc able to keep up with traffic.
That's almost like buying a 80cc motorizing kit for a bicycle.
Click to expand...

I had the 50cc but there's a throttle mod you can do to get the top speed up to 75kph. The 2 stroke was super quick off the line, but had nothing left to give once you reached 60kph and took it's time to top out. The mod helped but going up any hill I was lucky to do 60kph. I miss the sound of that little motor.
 
killerkeith said:
I had the 50cc but there's a throttle mod you can do to get the top speed up to 75kph. The 2 stroke was super quick off the line, but had nothing left to give once you reached 60kph and took it's time to top out. The mod helped but going up any hill I was lucky to do 60kph. I miss the sound of that little motor.
Click to expand...
Thanks, shall wait for a deal a bws. Any thing beats taking TTC.
 
jsv650 said:
I rode a ruckus for two winters and I switched to a KLR after. The larger wheels and wider availability of decent tires helped.

The kenda 761 on the ruckus are terrible when there's a cm or more of snow - you slide everywhere since the blocks are so large. Cheap kenda 270's on a KLR have a lot more grip since they can get through the snow to concrete easier. You can also force a slide easier (flat track style) on a larger bike for better control.

The ruckus seems like a good idea at first, but you'll quickly realize a real bike is better.

However, the ruckus in summer is a blast - I had to sell mine cause I couldn't control myself on it. Gimme a fast bike and I'm good, but the ruckus just begs you to keep your right hand cranked all the way, all day - the suspension sucks as do the cable operated drum brakes so it's a scary (but seriously fun) scooter in the end.
Click to expand...
saving money to buy one
 
Kargo93 said:
I've seen some ruckus with bigger engines, wouldn't the owners have to tell their insurance? Thus, making it unfit or uninsurable?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsa2qh8tZVc
Click to expand...
Most modifications will make your vehicle uninsurable. Most people just take the risk and don't tell insurance. Or they just ride without insurance. I've seen a number of gas powered bicycles in Brampton, Mississauga, GTA, and Guelph which are all completely illegal and the people don't even have a proper helmet on but people still ride them on the roads. In downtown Toronto I've seen people riding minibikes and ATVs on the roads as well.

Short version: Yes, it's uninsurable. No one seems to care.
 
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