Hi.


I own a vintage vespa. Was looking at getting a second scooter. There has been a Big Ruckus for sale for a long time in the area, but after the reviews I read online, it looks like your buying a scooter that has to be fixed, which is not my idea of a good deal. BUT.....I do love the look of the scooter which is important, and I like the size, and I love honda cars....
Not sure if I should get one. Any feedback? I'm not a tech guy, and doing adjustments and mods myself won't happen, especially because I have an apartment and no where to work on a bike, or really any tools.
I just want something fun and cool to ride.

Welcome! I have a 2006 BR, purchased 'new' on Dec 16, 2007 and it is pure stock mechanically with c. 5,300 miles and routine service done at 4,000 miles. I have had NO problems with it, and do not expect to. After all, as you mentioned, it is a Honda I may not ride a lot but when I ride it is ridden like a motorcycle and it stands up to whatever I ask of it. Maybe it's me, or maybe I got a really good BR, but as a solo rider I have seen no need for the multitude of tweaks, performance or mechanical, that you may find others have done. But then, I'm no Sawman! I have done some comfort options to accommomdate my arthritis... starting to ache a bit more at age 65... seat back cushion, handlebar risers, throttle lock, larger hand grips, front rack bag, tunnel/stepthrough bag, rear rack/hard tail bag/soft saddle bags. Gosh, my having gone through three Goldwing's ('75, '80, '86) might have influenced that! I have the factory windshield and leg guards still in the boxes for any long distance cold weather riding (I ride year round if the winter roads are dry) if it ever gets to that point for me. I start the bike, let it warm up while I suit up, and go! GOFERIT!

I bought my bruckus,,it was used and abused..took it to mechanic he said the bike will last forever..he wanted to keep it.
Its a honda.
And now taking it out on group rides with a bunch of harleys.. no issues so far.

I would love to know what you think of the throttle lock..
am thinking about it.

sue

It's great! Sent you a PM

Mickey

Scott121, welcome to the Big Ruckus forum.
I have noticed in almost every motorcycle forum that bikers are always modding their bikes.
With the BR, Honda tuned the engine way too lean. With some $10 carb. jets this lean mixture is cured and the scooter gains much take off speed while only loosing a few MPGs. Rejetting a carb. is simple.
If you buy the BR I guarantee you will fall in love with it. The word Honda was the main reason I bought mine. Honda is not perfect, but they are the best on the market.
I told my wife after buying a (actually 2) new Suzuki SE 50c that I would sell my BR. I now feel like a liar.
Plenty of great reading on this site.

Welcome aboard, I have just hit 27,000 miles and have had no issues. minor adjustments m(usually due to my own stupidity). I have had the drive belt replaced twice.
This is an awesome scoot and i will drive it until it won't run anymore (read forever).

Thanks, those comments made me feel a little more confident about getting one.
What would you value an '06 with 8,000 miles. I know that question varies with location, but in general, what would you pay?
It's at a dealer.

I bought a 2006 B.R. from C.L. for $2100.00 this past July with over 12,000 miles! The seller wanted $2800.00! It was in Sad shape! It needed a new Carb and the Exhaust was loud! But now it's running Great thanks to my Mechanic! 2006 with 8000 miles? I'd say around $3000.00! If it's beat up, then I'd say around $2500.00 or less! When you do get one, you'll Love it! Besides, a B.R. is a Rare Scooter!

Prices seem up this year, as opposed to last, I haven't seen one go for less than 3K and usually they are getting more.

Mileage is pretty much useless as an indicator of value, as I took a very clean higher mileage one, 10.45 K, rather than a lower mileage beater.

As I have learned, other than the belt, the "Guts" of the BR are good for about 25K, IE, clutch, and the motor, with regular oil changes, seems to be pretty bulletproof. I have redone the entire clutch and variator system, long story, in addition to the belts, and I am pretty confident that I have a scoot which will outlast me, at least as long as I keep putting the mileage on it, that I am now.

I would suggest you go for a higher mileage scoot, that has a good pedigree, than a "Kid" owned one that was used as their experiment in how to beat the hell out of a bike, or, was their attempt at Picasso style conversions, IE, some hideous, non stock franken-chud conglomeration of aftermarket parts.

I have owned MANY Hondas over the years, and the key to retaining value, is to keep them in Stock condition, or at least returnable to stock, which, is why as much as I like the "Mil Spec" look, I am not going to repaint mine while its in its current good condition.

That said, if I ever encounter a cheap beater, KRYLON IS KING!.

I bought by 2005 new off the showroom floor in April 2006. I've never made any modifications to it, so it is still completely stock. I'm on my fourth belt, and I can't tell you how many pairs of tires I've been through. I change the oil regularly between 3K and 4K miles.

I did have an early problem with the stator (the scooter's "alternator") requiring it to be replaced. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I blew out the first belt. I skipped a page in the manual, and I was impressed when I read that it needed to be "changed at 19,800 miles". Silly me, if I had checked to see that two pages had stuck together, I would have noted the belt should be changed every 12,000 miles! I was on the highway when Belt #1 exploded… Now I change it regularly between 13K and 15K when that comes up. Don't go past 15K on a belt!

I'm probably due to change the rollers in the variator (the front split-pulley in the drive box).

I ride through the winter (-2°F is my record) and most weather. Only ice stops me. I take leisurely rides with friends on their V-twin cruisers (H.D.'s and the like) and race through the twisties along with friends on their ST-1100 and ST-1300s. (The ST crowd, they wait for me at the tops of hills…). A stock BR will never win any drag race or break some speed limits, but I can outrange a Goldwing! (That surprised the heck out of me when it happened.)

The BR is a great conversation starter at gas stations and bike rallies. Be prepared to answer questions at the gas pump! People ask, "What is that?" and I answer, "That is the weirdest looking scooter you've ever seen…" I have gotten into a few fairs and rallies or free, because they thought I was riding one of the displays. (Maybe I ought to start riding with some placards tucked away?)

My odometer is just about to roll over 53,000 miles. I'd say this little bike has more than proven its worth! Get a BR, take good care of it, and it'll perform for you!

The main chassis shortcoming on the Big Ruckus is the OEM rear shock, change to Ohlins, Bitubo, or YSS and the improvement in ride, handling, and carrying capacity is considerable. The $10 jetting mod is said to improve acceleration and driveability; haven't done that one yet. At least one of the online Big Ruckus "reviews" you may have come across was written by someone that doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground

bought my 05 BR with 51 original miles, fresh clean up at the local dealer all for 3700 this past January. I'll enjoy it forever!

Might be getting my first big ruckus with 8,000 miles in two weeks.

Good luck and I'm sure you will love it. Vespa will be jealous!!

Picked it up today!
8000 miles, some battle scratches but minor, and runs great. It was 2 states away! (only 70 miles though) I got a deal! 2.600