The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on August 15, 2012, 10:08:01 PM
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2006 Honda Big Ruckus
From the eBay ad:
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%2F145300904%2Fmedium.jpg&hash=a20903f69f71044e2c5fb1661af93d93670f88ac)
More stuff about them:
http://www.motorscooterguide.net/Honda/BigRuckus/BigRuckus.html
:)
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Looks cool, Rob!
Running? How does,she ride?
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Runs just fine! If a little anemic feeling, after the R65... And not nearly as cushy, either. Probably has a lot to do with the small wheels. I'm looking forward to replacing the stock shock in the rear.
It has only 7000 "adult-riden" miles on it, and is generally a pretty clean bike, but I wouldn't enter it in any car shows the way it sits.
Apparently to keep these things at the top of their game you have to keep the air filters (yes, two) clean. One filter is just a standard intake filter that is recommended to be replaced once a year. OEM ones run $24 USD mail order, a dealer would want $32!
All of the guys on the Ruckus forum recommend K&N so it can be cleaned regularly - and not over filling the crankcase, cause the extra oil just gets blown onto the filter.
Mine has both a very dirty filter and too much oil on the dipstick, so I'll probably be doing an oil change tomorrow. My K&N kit will arrive on Friday.
The other air filter - and just as important - filters air being drawn in to cool the drive belt.
It looks like this (not my picture)
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi10.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa114%2Fchucktuna%2Fbig%2520ruckus%2FDSC00264.jpg&hash=6777fb4b2ca376594bb72f1f6c6927ee9406a63f)
And this is the fan that draws the air (my night time photo)
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%2F145416100%2Fmedium.jpg&hash=f076fc3cc5fbf2aa417404b1a3e5f1a4c75cdef1)
While my belt filter was dirty in the same location, it was not nearly as bad as that, and compressed air can clean them easily enough, and new ones only cost @ $2. I'll be meeting my new dealer's parts dept. next Tuesday to pick mine up. He got really excited when I told him what it was for.
I think if I decide this is not quite for me, I won't have any trouble getting rid of it!
I plan to put my Fiamms on ASAP (400 watt alternator!) along with my HyperLites. I do hope to be able to do the 15 miles of urban interstate on this for my commute. I may even look into transplanting an airhead tail light onto it. It would be a little bigger and I could slip one of Rick's LED units into it.
I guess I shouldn't have sold mine! lol!
A whole new world!
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Hey Rob, nice ride! Listen, if Wan can do it, so can you!
http://twofiftymag.com/2011/04/the-power-of-wan/
Have fun.
:^)
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There are packs of Rucki here in Socal. I thought they were chopped Vespas, not stock Honda's LOL
Pretty cool
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OMG, Rob has gone over to the dark, scooter-side!
Well, we still like you Rob and are happy to have you around. Maybe things will improve one day and youll be back on a BMW someday.
It looks like that rig is already setup for cargo carrying duty with the single seat and all - how much stuff do you plan on carrying? There are a few folks in my area with Rucki as well - at least I think that they are - they have the same shape and dual bug-eye headlights, anyway!
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Best of luck to you Rob.
Scooters are really a better choice as we get past 40. There's one less thing to think about. Just don't forget that you now have two side stands to swing up.
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The sidestand will be my stand of choice, except when it is in the garage.
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Hey Rob! [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif]
That looks like a cool little ride. Looks great for commuting and shopping and just running around. Looks like that box in the back would hold plenty of groceries for the week. [smiley=cool.gif]
Keep us up to date on how it runs. I may need something like that one of these days for just running around doing errands.
Cheers! [smiley=beerchug.gif] (that's root beer Rob ;D )
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I'm a bit late on this Rob but want to let you know that I am happy for you! Also, to help with a bit of good info...I took the wee DR200 cc Suzuki to our vintage races at Mosport this past weekend. 160 miles one way, 4 hours of toodling along at a decent pace of 55 mph. Didn't hold up anyone on the secondary roads. Bike does fine with the speed aspect. Maybe people are driving slower because of the higher gas prices. Whatever it is, it is very possible and lots of fun to take a smaller bike and have it go relatively fast for a minimalist tour! I had all my camping gear onboard too as I was tenting for 3 nights. Any stress that is usually caused by gravel roads disappears. Riding around Mosport park grounds turned out to be fun even though there were lots of people and dirt paths and grass.
These smaller machines are a riot!!
Have fun!!!
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Rob needs to update this thread, though maybe he started a new one and I didn't see it.
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it is more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than it is to ride a fast bike slow. Whack that throttle any chance you get Rob !
-John
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it is more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than it is to ride a fast bike slow. Whack that throttle any chance you get Rob !
-John
That will be especially true with the new bike that he got to replace the Ruckus, that he hasn't told us about here yet! I hope he hasn't abandoned us.
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No Ed, I haven't abandoned you (all).
It's amazing how little time I really have, especially working at a job where I cannot logon to websites and participate. All I can do is surf...
I've hardly turned on the TV since I got this thing! 8-)
But yes, gang, after only 5 days of Big Ruckus ownership I traded it in on a brand new Honda CBR250R!
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%2F145568695%2Flarge.jpg&hash=405ca6423fbc3a3470570fd804b7a5a6a5a2e7cd)
Now I am going to cheat a little bit and just re-direct you to a thread on Boxerworks that has many of the details: http://forum.boxerworks.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=5074
I just filled up for the second time in 7 days (4 days straight of commuting!) and I love it!
64.7 MPG on the last fill-up. Up from 62.5 on the first fill-up. I do miss that 5 gallon tank, though!
https://www.fuelly.com/driver/dontpanic/cbr250r?fu=3056387
So much lighter than the R65.
I've been putting in a lot of time on the CBR250R forum, too.
And I just put in a request for a week off in Sept., and I plan to ride around hilly southern Indiana and probably spend one night in a motel somewhere. Kittycat won't like it, but oh well. (Yeah, I'm pussy whipped!)
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Ha a rice burner... put an "L" plate on it and you will have more street cred.. [smiley=lolk.gif]
Cannot say that i have ever seen a Honda Rucki in the UK
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Ha a rice burner...
So what does that make a BMW? A Jew burner?
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it is more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than it is to ride a fast bike slow. Whack that throttle any chance you get Rob !
-John
I'm doing the low(ish)-RPM break-n, John. Two schools of thought there, I read...
I'm already thinking of looking for a crashed one to buy cheap and turn into a dual-sport bike!
I know this one will see some gravel roads on my vacation next month!
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Nice looking bike Rob. I have a fondness for small/mid capacity singles.
Interesting that the manufacturers are beginning to wake up to the price of fuel. 64.7mpg (US) that's 78 mpg (Imp) is very impressive. Best so far on my R45 is 74.5 mpg (Imp).
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Nice looking bike Rob. I have a fondness for small/mid capacity singles.
Interesting that the manufacturers are beginning to wake up to the price of fuel. 64.7mpg (US) that's 78 mpg (Imp) is very impressive. Best so far on my R45 is 74.5 mpg (Imp).
Thanks Barry - I'm smitten already!
I understand 70mpg (US) is easily obtainable once the engine gets loosened up - that and keeping the engine turning around 5000 RPM, which really isn't going very fast...
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Ha a rice burner...
So what does that make a BMW? A Jew burner?
Don't misunderstand - I don't dislike the Jewish people, I just don't see any reason to put down Japanese motorcycles.
An "L" plate? Yes - I know what it is. Google is a wonderful thing. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L-plate) Raised my ire even more...
This is a fast, very capable, good handling and braking motorcycle.
Perhaps Lou was talking about the Big Ruckus? Well, you see how quickly I got rid of that.
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That is a pretty snazzy looking bike there Rob!
Alot sexier in appearance than the big Ruckus, but alot less cargo capacity in un-accessorized form, I think.
This bike, and the Kawi Ninja 250 are pretty interesting machines - and alot of fun. I think that Kawasaki is more low-tech - has carbs but with a higher compression engine and is perhaps a bit more oriented to the "racer" status, while the Honda, is like alot of Hondas - more smooth, refined, perhaps less buzzy and more flexible for everyday. With fuel injection it ought to be up around 70 MPG easily.
though somehow, I would have figured you more for the CRF230M Motard-style bike, or maybe a Versys/NC700X, instead.
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though somehow, I would have figured you more for the CRF230M Motard-style bike, or maybe a Versys/NC700X, instead.
Having two avoidable crashes on the R65 in two years, the last one 4 years ago took a lot of wind out of my sails.
I wanted a seat height and bike weight that would help restore my confidence.
They had a NC700 on the floor - I couldn't even get my leg over it. I was wearing my riding pants at the time as I had arrived on the Ruckus. But that is the best way to shop for a bike, isn't it?
I'm sure the CRF is just as high.
I test rode a H-D XR1200 a week before I bought the Ruckus. That thing was very tall and very heavy. But my god it is sexy!
And the CBR250R is only $3995...
I plan on getting some soft saddlebags to carry my rain gear and sundries. Maybe later a tail bag.
The tank is pretty small for a tank bag.
A week off in Sept. and I am reveling in anticipation with Google Maps for an overnight trip to Southern Indiana.
It takes some searching, but there are some hot spots in Indiana!
http://goo.gl/maps/oAEsp
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I see that Honda offers ABS system as an option even on this model! I think that is a very good thing for newbies, though you are not one of those. Does your bike have ABS? It is so short&light, it might be more needed on this than on a heavier bike, where more weight would give the tires more traction.
If I were to go the small/minimalist route, I think that I'd spring for a Honda GB500 or 400 in a NewYork minute - if only they would bring new ones to the US now. I guess that I'll keep my R65Ls as my "small/minimalist" bike for now ! [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]
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No, I didn't get ABS. I thought about it for a few minutes, as they had both on the floor, but extra money to buy ($500 - nbd) and extra money down the road for servicing.
I thought I would save my money for MSF classes. I'm going to start all over again with the beginning riders course next spring. Then do the experienced riders course - again. The date on my ERC card says June 1985...
And I'm not going to do any sightseeing from the saddle any more, either.
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Raised my ire even more....
Pa told me if your going fishing always use the right bait son....
We have a lot of slang words for different bikes Turnips etc rice burners being the collective for any Jap bikes of which the smaller engined ones can be seen regularly being thrashed to death by Learner riders, i am sure you dont fall into that category Rob and i do actually like the look of that bike.
Lou
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If I were to go the small/minimalist route, I think that I'd spring for a Honda GB500 or 400 in a NewYork minute - if only they would bring new ones to the US now. I guess that I'll keep my R65Ls as my "small/minimalist" bike for now ! [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]
I want a Triumph 500 twin, say from '69 on. But with a big gas tank.
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Ha a rice burner...
So what does that make a BMW? A Jew burner?
Actually, I have heard BMW's referred to (and have ocassionally referred to them) as kraut burners -- as in sauerkraut.
I think it is kinder than "rubber cow."
;)
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Rob - that route on Googlemaps looks like a very nice ride to test out that cbr250 - have fun!!!! And stay alert! Seems like any time I have a new bike or new car - a greater than normal level of idiots appear on the roads around me, threatening to ruin its pristine beauty..
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Well - I didn't get to take that overnight trip I had hoped to in Oct. The weather did not cooperate.
I will do wet (maybe) or cold, but not both.
But I did get out today for the first time in about two weeks!
I work 8pm - 4:30am, so it is pitch dark when I leave for work at 7:15; and obviously it is dark when I leave work...
But I rode, and it was good. My electric vest did great, but my Oxford brand heated hand grips failed miserably. It's a good thing it wasn't really cold out. I do have my handlebar muffs on, of course.
But I've given up on the grips for now (I cut wires on them on the install, so no longer exchangable...) and I have ordered a set of wires from Widder to go from the shoulders of my vest down to my wrists, as I have an ancient pair of their gloves in storage from the old sidecar days. Don't care for their bulk, though.
One of the fellows on the CBR250R forum is giving me information on how to find track days in my area, too! ;D
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is it me , or are the japanese running out of styling ideas? and wait till your on your hands and knees adjusting the chain , is it shims? good job you're saving money on gas!
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So what does that make a BMW? A Jew burner? ooooh ! thats a bit harsh! i'm a german jew ! am i self igniting!