vacationer
Scoot Enthusiast
On Vacation
Posts: 247
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Post by vacationer on Nov 18, 2022 11:41:23 GMT -5
Had a windfall and looking for a new vehicle. I’ve had a couple of scoots in the past that I tinkered with pretty heavily, so I’m not an utter newb. What do y’all suggest? It’d be my only means of transport, and I’m hoping to get a 50cc and put in a big bore so I don’t have to worry about getting a motorcycle license. Always thought a Ruckus would be cool but I’m not sure if that’s more of a hobby scoot.
Budget is about 2,500, no more. Considering buying something brand new because preowned makes me nervous but perhaps I’m wrong?
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aitch
Scoot Member
Posts: 27
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Post by aitch on Nov 25, 2022 22:01:40 GMT -5
If it’d be my only means of transport I’d take that $2500 and make a down payment on a decent, reliable car.
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pili
Scoot Enthusiast
Posts: 278
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Post by pili on Nov 25, 2022 23:30:35 GMT -5
Thing about going new is you’re limited to 4 strokers. I love the 2 strokes if you can’t tell lol.
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Post by Lucass2T on Nov 26, 2022 2:44:17 GMT -5
Go with something with large 16' wheels like a piaggio liberty or something. Large wheels make for a more comfortable and stable ride. Aprilia SR would also make a good choice since those are technically very sound and ride very comfortable. Stay away from taotao stuff, clones, kopies and everything made in china.
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Post by aeroxbud on Nov 26, 2022 9:17:53 GMT -5
If you want reliability definitely go with European or Japanese.
I would much rather go for a used example of a quality scooter, than a new Chinese one. The build quality is so hit and miss.
Not a great deal of performance parts for the Ruckus unless you want to swap the engine. Check out what's available and decided if that meets your performance goals.
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Post by 90GTVert on Nov 26, 2022 13:04:55 GMT -5
Being my only means of transport, I would absolutely toss out the idea of a 49cc without a motorcycle license unless living in a city and never needing to travel outside of slower regions. I've had plenty of small scoots that I have been on a highway with, but it's brief and I'm usually glad it's brief. They just aren't meant to be there and you're running them hard to keep up (if you can). Hop on something larger and it's a much more relaxed experience. It's nice to go out for a ride and not care if you wind up on a highway, back roads or city streets because it's capable of whatever you need to do. This is coming from a small scoot fanatic. I still take my modified two-stroke all over where I don't belong, but it's not an experience I'd want if I were headed to work, or going to a doctor and so on.
A lot of times a motorcycle license isn't as bad as people think it is to acquire and most likely you'll learn something in the process of getting one. A larger scoot could allow you to travel wherever you needed to go, within reason. Something like a Yamaha SMAX is highway capable for example, but it won't be good for interstates or touring the continent. Time and budget is likely the issue with larger quality scoots. They come around, but it's not easy to find good ones for $2500 any time you choose to browse classifieds.
I know that in some areas registering and insuring a motorcycle classed scooter is more expensive, but it may not be that big of a difference.
If you definitely want a 49cc, then I agree with the others. European or Japanese preferred. It will probably depend what pops up for sale that looks good.
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Post by jbjhillbilly on Nov 27, 2022 14:39:30 GMT -5
The Genuine Buddy or Roughhouse 50 2-strokes are really good bikes. PGO (who makes Genuine) cut their teeth building engines for Piaggio, and learned how to do it right.
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vacationer
Scoot Enthusiast
On Vacation
Posts: 247
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Post by vacationer on Dec 3, 2022 13:48:13 GMT -5
Ended up finding a 2000 Zuma on Facebook before I got these messages. Pretty uninformed buy, to be honest, but no regrets yet. Guy did a lot of work on it. BBK, removed starter button, smaller variator weights, sliced off the back of the transmission cover, added a reserve gas tank, removed the whole gauge panel, new rear gear, soldered a big steel plate onto the back to keep water from flicking up as well as - this it the fun part - for keeping him from leaning too far back on wheelies. Whole thing's modded just for wheelies, so there's also a shortened throttle (not the cable - don't know what it's called but I barely have to spin the handle to get to full). Front wheel comes up when accelerating from a stop unless I'm very, very careful. I've got 0 experience with that kind of riding.
No storage save the rack on the back, and none under the seat, so every-day use will be difficult without some amendments. Really into it though. Great looking scoot. Only real issue so far is it can be hard to start. He told me to pull the choke up open the throttle just a little when starting it, then warming it up and then putting back the choke down and waiting to see if it'll idle fine. Worked just fine when I tried it with him but haven't had the same luck since. Probably was already warm when I showed up. Now takes sometimes ~20 kicks to get it started. Had luck once when I closed the choke after ten or so kicks. Had some luck another time when I closed the throttle after ten or so kicks (probably flooded the carb from opening the throttle too high). Kicking is also a real bitch since I have manually pull the lever back up each time. Yall got any insight as to what I might be doing wrong? And while we're at it, is there any way to mitigate the issue of having a dead-cold engine in the morning?
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Post by aeroxbud on Dec 3, 2022 15:59:36 GMT -5
I would have a look affair and especially the pilot jet and reeds if it's having trouble starting.
It also sounds like the kick start spring has either come off, or broken. Of course Brent has a video for that.
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vacationer
Scoot Enthusiast
On Vacation
Posts: 247
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Post by vacationer on Dec 3, 2022 18:40:51 GMT -5
explain this. He said reeds were brand new and carb was tuned to perfection. How much do reeds impact starting? |
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Post by aeroxbud on Dec 3, 2022 19:01:31 GMT -5
explain this. He said reeds were brand new and carb was tuned to perfection. How much do reeds impact starting? It's my bloody tablet changing words.  hate autocorrect. If the reeds are not sealing it won't start, or be hard to start.I Why did he change the reeds? Was there a problem before? Just because something is new, doesn't mean it's good. 🙈 |
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vacationer
Scoot Enthusiast
On Vacation
Posts: 247
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Post by vacationer on Dec 7, 2022 17:31:31 GMT -5
Didn't ask. She's starting up fine now though. Not sure what changed.
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vacationer
Scoot Enthusiast
On Vacation
Posts: 247
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Post by vacationer on Dec 7, 2022 17:39:23 GMT -5
I do, however, have another concern. At about quarter throttle, RPMs punch up dramatically. Lots of stopping and starting if traffic is moving under 10 mph. The difficulty comes in part from that quick-throttle thing I mentioned above, but I doubt that's the actual cause of the issue. Like I said, the former owner modded it for wheelies, but I'm not sure how one would go about keeping the first quarter of the throttle at a creep while delaying the real acceleration until quarter to half. It also tapers off pretty good after half.
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Post by aeroxbud on Dec 8, 2022 5:07:10 GMT -5
That's just the way the quick action throttle works. You have to be very precise with it on the road.
That's why it's used mainly on race bikes.
It shouldn't be had to get hold of a standard type throttle.
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hate autocorrect.