2006 Honda Big Ruckus

[gore-tx]

I have an opportunity to buy a silver 2006 Big Ruckus. Any advice? Pros? Cons? Any info would help. Thanks!

[leewildwater]

Originally Posted by gore-tx

I have an opportunity to buy a silver 2006 Big Ruckus. Any advice? Pros? Cons? Any info would help. Thanks!

Finding those things is not easy. I know I would enjoy one. And scooters ROCK!!

I will be riding thru your area on my beast of burden burgman 400 in Jan. going from San Diego to St Augustine.

Come join me!

[cbolling]

I am sure Reaper will chime in when he sees this thread. He seems to know a lot about them.

[PinkSteel]

Many of us have lust in our hearts for the big Ruckus....

[fullmetalscooter]

Great scooter but as reaper will tell you you have to spend around 500 bucks on them to make them rock. They hold there cash valve. here his review of them http://www.phpbbplanet.com/hondaelit...ondaelite250ow

[redhandmoto]

^^^ what he said.

A JCosta variator and rejet will open it up for amazing top end and true Interstate capability. That said, note that the brakes are really inadequite for that kind of mass at high speed, and great care must be taken.

[Warney]

Replace OEM rear shock absorber with YSS,Ohlins,or Bitubo. Makes a huge improvement in ride, handling, and load capacity.
A Kijima rear rack is awfully nice for extra carrying capacity but has to be ordered from Japan.
Accessories are discontinued, difficult to source, and expensive.
It's a Honda and will give good service if maintained and used as intended.

[JerseyBiker]

I had one for a short period of time. To me it felt like it had a strange ride so I sold it.

Now I wish I'd kept it a while longer and player with it some more. If you can get it at a good price, I'd say buy it and try it. As someone above said - they hold value so if you don't like it, you should be able to get your $ back out of it.

Here's what mine looked like



Get back to us and let us know what you decided.

[Sportsman Matt]

being the owner of one, I can say this. I've had mine since 4700 miles, and not close to 11,000 miles with the only things changed being tires, front brake pads, oil, and one oil drain cap that was cracked.

Positive, it's a 250cc Urban Tank of Scooters. It will take and eat up rough roads and most trails easily. Plenty of storage, average 60MPH and holds 3 gallons of gas. Dependable and reliable, if it is running and you can take it for a test ride, go for it. If it's not running, getting them up and running isn't hard at all, just depends on parts and time.

Downfall, top end is around 75MPH, it's not a speed machine like a Ninja or CBR, but can hold it's own out on the road.

Add in there are less than 1500 2006 PS250 Big Ruckus'es in North America, and they do hold their value.

Give you an idea of how much fun they can be:

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=657432

[JerseyBiker]

Originally Posted by Sportsman Matt

...Plenty of storage, ...
]

Where?

[Dranrab Luap]

I found the Ruckus to be the worst scooter I have ever owned. It is horribly uncomfortable. The single shock rear suspension combined with small tires was a recipe for a compressed spine. There is NO built in storage. There is NO wind protection. And while its utilitarian looks may suggest it is trailworthy, the limited suspension travel, limited ground clearsnce, long wheelbase and limited tire selection preclude it from all but the most improved dirt roads. You might see mid 70's indicated but actual top speed will likely be in the high 60's. That said, it's still a lot of fun.

[gore-tx]

I have decided to pass on it. It looked good but I just wasn't 100% on it.

[arekay34]

Originally Posted by Dranrab Luap

I found the Ruckus to be the worst scooter I have ever owned. It is horribly uncomfortable. The single shock rear suspension combined with small tires was a recipe for a compressed spine. There is NO built in storage. There is NO wind protection. And while its utilitarian looks may suggest it is trailworthy, the limited suspension travel, limited ground clearsnce, long wheelbase and limited tire selection preclude it from all but the most improved dirt roads. You might see mid 70's indicated but actual top speed will likely be in the high 60's. That said, it's still a lot of fun.

wow. that's a bit of a maybe for me now.

i'm 6'2/195 pds. & am wondering how different, or if there's any real difference in real performance, with say a rider who's 150 pds. verse a rider on the same BR that's 200 pds. maybe i'm just

suggested alternatives with those looks? none.

[SpectreNCSU]

Don't be dissuaded so easily. The Big Ruckus is a fantastic adventure touring bike; any of the shortcomings can be easily overcome through OEM or aftermarket solutions. Take my 2005 for example:



The OEM shock is a bit stiff, got a YSS one and be done with it ($219). Kuryakyn rear bag was $100 off eBay. Memphis Shades Hellcat windshield is fantastic ($130). I was lucky to have OEM legshields come with the bike, but there are aftermarket solutions. I even have side racks installed ($275) that have at least doubled my capacity. It's a perfect backroads touring bike, particularly here in the Midwest, where we have plenty of lightly traveled rural roads.



I'm 6'2" and 260 lbs, it handles fine for me. A fur seat and beads make the ride perfect, and there are plenty of tire options available for all sort of riding styles. Be sure to check out TotalRuckus.com and look at the topics in the Big Ruckus section. There's a reason why enthusiasts are fiercely loyal to this bike, and with a small amount of adaptation, it can overcome any shortcomings mentioned in this thread.

[JerryH]

I thought it looked like a lawnmower when I first saw it, but have changed my mind. I would definitely buy one if it was in great condition and the price was not absurd. But you just never see them for sale. Seems like most people who bought new ones kept them. It is a very unique bike, and I wish Honda had given it more of a chance. I realize it was probably not a good seller, but had people been given time to get used to it's looks, it would have probably become one. The 50cc Ruckus was certainly a success, unfortunately mostly among modifiers. The Pacific Coast was once the laughing stock of the motorcycle world, now a lot of people including me want one.