MSU Red Cedar Message Board

It is a scooter that doesn't look like one especially when modded. I've seen a few over the last couple of weeks in Chicago and just started looking into them. MSRP is ~$2,500. Website above should have some pics of what stock looks like.

Here is a pic of once that I've seen parked in Chicago.

I expected more from a varsity letter winner....

I think some mod them to above 150cc engines. That said, I'm not looking for crazy speed -- just something to tool around on around Chicago.

Because of the camo or how it is "stretched"?

I'm not sure if I would just buy stock (black or red/white) or do something modded.

I think the "stretch" could look okay with the right paint job, but I think both contribute to the ugliness. Also, the first review I pulled up on google didn't have good things to say about its acceleration and speed. If that reviewer was being fair and honest, it doesn't sound like I'd want to be driving that around Chicago.

I thought this was going to be a thread about Wu-Tang, who would advise you to avoid a ruckus unless you are seeking beef.

You can get a chinese made scooter for $800. The Yamahas and Hondas are a ton, but they will run for years and require minimal maitenance. I have a 94 Yamaha Jog that still runs perfect, a tune-up and a blown tire were the only things I ever had to fix on it.

Have a Ruckus, wife won it in a contest.

Also have an older Zuma that I bought as a companion scooter.

I ride them in the mid northern Michigan area mostly on two tracks and snowmobile trails. If there is an advantage to going with smaller displacement scooters, I have registered both as mopeds. Don't have to wear helmets, don't have to plate them, don't have to have cycle endorsement.

If you are looking for recommendations, pricewise a Ruckus is one of if not the highest priced scooters in the 50cc class. But it has a following. It has a four stroke liquid cooled engine. It is extremely quiet which makes back trail riding entertaining. IOW, see a lot of deer that don't hear me approaching. But if you are looking for comparisons, there are others that are in the same class, sort of. Kymco makes a small scooter that lists around $1400, it isn't liquid cooled and doesn't have the same sort of style. Yamaha makes a 50cc Zuma which is somewhat larger and has a good sized storage compartment. Vespa makes something that costs even more but has the vintage styling. There's also the Yamaha Vino & C3 or the Honda Metropolitan. Ruckus isn't a bad choice. Wish I could get tires that were better in loose dirt but not going to complain much since it was a "win".