New monkey questions

[chairmandave]

Hello,

I am really, really close to buying a ruckus (in the next two weeks if the test ride goes well). I am an experienced bicyclist (mostly road), but have never ridden a motor bike of any kind. Even though I haven't ridden it (yet), it is just plain cool. I plan on using the ruckus for mostly commuting to my new job in Seattle (20 miles round trip). Given my ignorance of the moto world, I have some newbie questions:

1. I am going for a test ride next week. Anything I should prepare for (other than wearing protective clothing)?

2. Helmets: full-face or half-shell? I prefer to hear and see what is going around me, so I’m leaning towards an open face helmet.

3. Given I live in Seattle, riding in the rain is inevitable. Any advice in terms of riding technique or equipment?

4. Scooter finances: Other than a scooter, helmet, and license tabs, are there any other up-front or routine costs I should expect?

Thanks!

[scrible88]

I wear a full face helmet. It doesn't affect my ability to hear what's going on.

Rain wise, lower your tire pressure a little bit for better traction.

Have fun with the Ruckus!

[CCD3]

You sound exactly like I was a few weeks ago before i got mine. I also live in seattle and riding around the city is a blast.

I got a full-face helmet, a light protective jacket, and some gloves from the shop... nothing fancy. It's a commonly believed myth that full-face helmets reduce peripheral vision. Don't worry about the helmet blocking your eyesight or hearing, it works just fine for me.

Anyway, have fun test driving and I hope you decide to buy. They're fun

[Dandy Dan]

I would go with a full face helmet. That way you won't get hit with rocks the cars throw up. Also its warmer on cold days and dryer on wet days. I kinda get sick of the wind when i where my open face helmet.

As far as riding in the rain goes just get yourself a good rainsuit. Or if you have a rain proof (ie goretex) coat and pants that would be great too. in light rain you can just tuck down and you won't get too wet if the trip is short. I commute 40miles round trip on mine. freqently in the rain.

Extra costs: the dealer will take you for a bit for "unpacking and assembly" well mine did for 90$ i think. I purchased mine for 2200$ Can and the total with taxes (15%), registration, dealer fees was 2705$. Since then i've only paid for gas and insurance.

For the test ride maybe wear a windbreaker and perhaps some leather biking gloves if it's gonna be cold. Don't worry to much about protective gear. The ruckus is a breeze to drive and at speeds up to 40mph you're not gonna crash.
- Dan

[justsurfin]

I agree with a full face helmet. I use a white one, so in the summer it doesn't get as hot as a darker colored one would. Also I disagree with Dan here-at 40MPH you can abrade your skin down to the bone-so it wouldn't hurt to budget a couple of hundred dollars for safety gear-gloves, a good MOTORCYCLE leather (the regular store leathers aren't as thick), and some armored overpants that go right over your clothing-so when you get to work you can just take them off without the hassle of changing. (I picked up a top of the line Hein Gericke Leather jacket for less than half the MSRP on ebay-you can size yourself at your local motorcycle shop. But don't forget we need the brick and mortars too-so I bought my pants and gloves at the local shop.)

If you've never ridden before-I would also recommend looking into taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course. Honda will reimburse you 75.00 of the cost, and in my state-if you pass the course-the DMV will waive the road test and grant you a motorcycle liscence.

I already had my motorcycle liscence-but in my state-the DMV made me plate the Ruckus-so according to them its a motorcycle, and one needs a motorcycle endorsement to ride it on the road.

Enjoy-The Ruckus is a great choice!

And BTW-My honda dealer didn't charge me a penny over the quoted price-which was 200.00 less than the MSRP because I got a leftover 2003. Those "extra fees" are just an easy way for the dealer to make more money from the sale-and if you shop around you can probably find a dealer who may be willing to waive them.

[dcbeattie]

I have a HJC sy-max modular helmet.. Basically a full face that the lower guard can be flipped up. Modern full face helmets are great. You can see and hear just fine. Since you live in Seattle and WILL deal with rain, I would go with the full face. A light rain suit should be fine -- or as stated above Gortex. I wear a leather 'bomber'' jacket and levi's. The gloves I normally use are a good pair of leather work gloves. This is my first scoot and my first motorbike in 10 yrs. My last bike was a Suzuki 850. My feeling about the helmet and other gear is not that I will do something stupid, but some bozo in a car will do something dumb and run into me. I was knocked off my 850 on a S.Cal. freeway by some lady who I swear made eye contact just before she pulled into my lane and me.. We were only doing about 40, but without the helmet and other gear....
Since you are in Washington (I'm in Pullman, Go Cougs ) you don't need insurance or a motorcycle endorsement. If you finance the finance company will probably make you get insurance though. You'll love your Ruckus..

[abe]

I vote "Go full face" also. I saw a guy with no face because he had a half helmet on. He was alive and it was the most horrific thing I have ever seen(I have seen some awful stuff too) I know your only going 40 but it doesn't matter.

sorry to be a downer

[redryder]

Just a quick note in defense of the dealers.(I work for a Honda dealership.) Motorcycles and scooters arrive in crates. They have to be assembled, fluids added, and ALL systems tested before they are ready to ride. Also the dealer has to pay inbound freight charges. Then there is the time involved in preparing and submitting the financial and/or title and registration paperwork. These are all legitimate costs that are passed on to the buyer.

That being said, shop around if you have more than one Honda dealer in your area. SOME do try to gouge buyers on the freight, set-up, and documentation fees. An honest dealer will tell you up front if the sticker price includes the extra fees. If not, find out what they are before you decide to buy. Better yet ask them for a written breakdown of "out the door" price.

The best deals of course are on leftovers from the previous model years. Honda often gives dealers cash incentives to move older models. Also, the dealer wants to free up his cash and floor space for the newer models. So, they will usually take the value of the incentive money off of the sticker price and be willing to make less profit with a little negotiating.

[NickelP]

I am going to break away; I vote open face.

I ride with a helmet that looks like a cop helmet, with a padded lower half. I like it because it has a no-helmet kinda feel. and with the top speed of the ruckus, the wind is not really that big of an issue.

the other thing that you NEED (in my opinion) is some leather palmed gloves, which will save you in any fall. Think bare palm and pavement at 30mph

as far as rain goes, I would not lower the tire pressure, it is already at like 10 pounds, pretty low. I have a $30 rain suite that I got online and it has reflectors on it and works great.

Your bicycle experience will be a great bennifit for you because you know to always be aware of the surface you are riding on. Have a good test ride and enjoy your new Honda.

[tedsmini]

My dealer here in Bellingham Wa has a poor reputation and deserves it. I didn't want to have to drive a 150 miles to the next dealer. The Ruckus takes a few minutes to unpack and put in the battery and gas/oil. It should not cost $62. The bike was given to me filthy and they really didn't care. Above is a good recommendation, look over the charges before you buy. My next bike (I am a Honda loyalist) will not come from my local dealer. A good indication to me should have been that their shop area was filthy. Open face on the helmet and a good rain suit. Full face visor for the rain