Talk me out of making a Ruckus - please !!
 

In the continuing quest to find the most stupid bike to ride long distance I stumbled across the Honda Ruckus/Zoomer, 50cc's of raw four-stroke power -

http://www.mc-partner.com/Honda2008/z_zoomer_sort.jpg

and then of course I stumbled across this chap -

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...9/IMG_6557.jpg

The fabled Wan Lee who did 18000 miles on his all round the US come rain, snow, wind or sun.

Of course that's a pretty bad combination of Google results for someone with a silly idea but it set me thinking 18000 miles, that's more than E & C did on those big GS's, how much more fun (and much cheaper on fuel) to go LWR on a Ruckus.

So before I go any further, someone talk me out of it.

Go for it! Slow n' cheap, what's not to like - and the extra kudos you'd garner would help offset the negatives.
:funmeteryes: :scooter:(literally:rofl:)

Check out the "Big Ruckus" 250cc!

I say go for it. Small bikes are a great way to see the world. You're forced to go slow and once that settles in it's great. Not being able to power around things kind of sucks, but even that you get used to. Of course, you're late for everything.

250cc ??? No, no, far too big I've only got an A1 motorbike licence.

what happened to ur derbi, u trash it? although it looks like it can do the job, this honda (which i was gonna get before i got my vespa) looks a bit crappy.....then again the duel headlights are quite nice. anyhow, i here fearne cottons got one. that put you off?

No, no, nothing wrong with the Derbi, but you know, high seat, long travel suspension, on/off road tyres, aluminium panniers and top box...

... it's all a bit normal isn't it?

Who's Fearne Cotton?

EDIT: I just Googled her and based on the 1000's of photos I found I'd be happy for her to sit on mine any day.

thats disgusting, you want one of those smutty motorcycle forums like 'horizons unzipped'! yeah i get what you mean when you say normal. go for it, it looks nice and easy-plug and play.

The Rukus is too low, IMO. I'd try something a bit higher up.

No it'd have to be a Ruckus or nothing I think. Well when I say nothign I mean nothing on the scooter front anyway. I'm hugely happy with my Terra Adventure (even if it is only a 125cc) and I love it when people come up and say "is that the new Tenere?".

I got all enthused though reading Wan's adventures and thought "why not?"

There is a lovely picture in one of my books back in London (probably one of Gregory Frasier's - not there to check these days) of a Japanese chap doing a RTW on a fully laden Honda C90 moped. By then he had reached India. I don't know if that was on his way out or back and have no further knowledge of his progress.

He chose this bike because the Japan Post Office had used them for so long, by now all possible problems had happened, been resolved and they are now ultra reliable, durable and robust.

What about one of these...

Official Sachs Bikes UK MadAss Scooter Page

http://www.undefine.net/2008/sachs.jpg

I also say 'go for it' :thumbup1:

Dave, power around what?

I have a 412cc Dieselbike and can't afford to get in a Drag start off the lights against lycra clad pushbike riders!
:scooter:

I laughed at myself when I "powered around" stuff on my Enfield 350 that my Duc couldn't have done. I have no self-control. When I'm on a bike or driving a car, I like to see how fast it goes and in a car, how it handles. I miss tons of stuff just seeing what I can do and what I can get away with when I have a fast bike.

I really wanted to buy a diesel Enfield. I only saw a couple of them in the 4 months I was in India. I also would love to own a steam engined motorcycle. I am an idiot.

Enfield India have stopped producing thier version of the diesel because they were crap and the reason you only saw a few was that the rest were probably back in the repair shops! check out DieselBike.net The Original Diesel Motorcycle website. , you and i seem to have gone a little :offtopic:
I took my Fuji Robin engined bike to the Isle of Man TT last year and saw much more of the countryside than I have ever done when riding my BM, can understand you using the little 'Duke' for trips, the 'grin factor' alone is worth it, who needs a big GS?

Yeah I'd considered the Madass, and I notice there are even pannier racks available for it so it can take soft luggage. Also in that photo it looks like there's an ari intake set up quite high under the downtube (always good for fording rivers I guess. Can't say I'm keen on the look of the headlights, and being in France it reminds me of the teenagers on clapped out mopeds I'm exposed to everyday. But I reckon as a teeny tourer it could actually be quite good.

Only thing is I've already got a 125 Derbi Terra Adventure, and so I fancy something twist and go, for the challenge.

Another option you could try is contacting some of the importers of cheap Chinese/Taiwanese bikes. Kymco are making a big fuss about them making some parts for the new BMW singles so why not lay down a challenge. See if they put up or shut up.

Only problem is, there's a very real chance you may not bring it home!

I agree with Craig. There are actually 2 brands of higher end Chinese bikes that have warranties and pickup policies in case of breakdown.

One claims no matter where you are, they will tow your bike to the nearest dealer. Now this would be a true challenge to see if they would honor their warranty. Of course, their scooters are more costly than the "disposable"Chinese scooters, but you won't be stranded, either.

Read through this company's site

DIAMO Motors

and

::QLINK MOTOR::

The other option, and one in which I would consider because I have lusted after one since I was 10, is a clone of the Honda mini-trailbike CT70.

The newest wave have 110cc engines such as these on the front page of this site (unless you want the smaller Z50 replica)

Hooper Imports Experts on Chinese Motorcycles and Parts, Engines

One of the "better" brands of Chinese stuff has 125cc versions of the trail bike

2009 Pitster Classic 125

Honda brings back monkey bike - Motorcycle News

Or do a RTW trip on one of these and I promise I'll buy the DVD :Beach:

I guess Honda wanted to get back in on the action that the Chinese had gotten "cloning" Honda's bikes. :clap:

Hmmm, 282 mpg, well it'd be cheap, but at a max speed of 19mph, it might be a while before you get it mate.