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Post by splatto on Sept 11, 2007 14:57:12 GMT -5
I'm a new Ruckus owner, and I know we're a ways out from winter, but what's the best way to store the bike for the season? Also, does anyone ride it through the winter--is this OK?
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8chpl
Ruckster
Posts: 158
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Post by 8chpl on Sept 11, 2007 18:46:51 GMT -5
IWe had about 4 to 5 weeks of Zero Fahrenheit or so weather last winter. I did ride every single month, but only 2 weeks in January and 3 or so in February. The odd day that was warmer as well.
I have ridden it when it was about 16 F (-8 C).
I find it loses about 3 o4 4 KM top speed.
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Post by Dandy Dan on Sept 11, 2007 19:04:52 GMT -5
 The most essential thing to do is to add fuel stabilizer to the gas. You want a full tank of gas so that the tank can't rust and then you want to add the stabilizer so that it doesn't go bad. As well you need to disconnect the battery or put a battery tender on it so it doesn't die on you. Those are the 2 essential things you need to do. Other good things to do include: - jack up the front end so you don't get flat spots on your front tire (the rear is already in the air) - if it's gonna sit for years some people suggest putting a bit of oil in the cylinder via the spark plug hole - lower the psi in your tires to take it easy on them
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Post by Kami no Chiizu on Sept 12, 2007 2:10:34 GMT -5
The best way is to just keep riding it all year round.  |
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Post by Jasper on Sept 12, 2007 20:35:14 GMT -5
I make sure battery is full before cover it up and try to forget about it for half a year
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Post by gcc111 on Oct 26, 2007 14:37:38 GMT -5
An AGM battery needs what type of maintenance charger? Seems the ole style chargers are for ole style batteries. The AGM type battery is NOT an ole style battery, so.. what type of maintenance charger is best.  6 months to store..yikes |
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Post by tailgunner on Dec 5, 2007 17:21:33 GMT -5
The best type of charger is a Battery Tender Jr. about $30. it comes with clips for the terminals or a wire harness that can be attached to the battery terminals...With the harness you have a plug hanging, and you can disconnect the charger whenever you want and re-attach after riding. It will not over charge the battery. Do Not use a trickle charger from Wal-Mart, or an automobile charger. I can tell you that I did and killed an automobile battery in 6 months. The Battery Tender is the one that Harley Davidson tells their customers to use...
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Post by scrawny on Dec 16, 2007 23:41:02 GMT -5
for those who ride when its cold, how do you keep the gas out of the oil. i can change my oil once, ride it once in the cold, and the oil is way above full and thin....
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Post by Dandy Dan on Dec 25, 2007 21:30:59 GMT -5
Wierd problem...that shouldn't be happening. Are you sure this is the case? That would be a whole lot of gas getting in there which doesn't really seem possible since the oil chamber is totally seperate from the gas/air system except for the crankcase breather hose which exits into the airbox.
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Post by scrawny on Dec 28, 2007 14:45:20 GMT -5
if the float level was too high, i suppose gas could run in there. it is an electric fuel pump right?
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Post by chanito on Dec 29, 2007 14:11:24 GMT -5
Maybe that the scooter is never fully warm up, so the rings are not sealing as they should, need to go for longer rides on the cold, at lest 15 minutes
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Post by tadashi on Oct 28, 2008 16:10:12 GMT -5
 2009 Ruckus-No mods/under 200 miles/full tank (Chicago) Thursday night I took my Ruckus out for a spin and it was a little slow on the start up, but ran ok. Went to start it up again, didn't start. Eventually, got it running again and made it home. (It had been a few days to a week before riding before this trip) I went to take it to the suburbs to store it in my parent's garage and wanted to take a last ride of the season. It wouldn't start up at all! Nothing. The brake lights lit, but no turn over and no front lights. Any ideas what could be wrong and what I could check? Is the bike ok sitting for a few days before I get to it? I'm hoping not to take it in for repairs-especially since it's brand new, but if it sat too long (is a week too long???) then maybe something happened. I plan to follow all of the above tips on winterizing but I want to make sure it's ok before I leave it for a few months!
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inkerb2b
Junior Ruckster
b2b crew... Graff since 1982
Posts: 88
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Post by inkerb2b on Oct 28, 2008 21:13:26 GMT -5
2009 Ruckus-No mods/under 200 miles/full tank (Chicago) Thursday night I took my Ruckus out for a spin and it was a little slow on the start up, but ran ok. Went to start it up again, didn't start. Eventually, got it running again and made it home. (It had been a few days to a week before riding before this trip) I went to take it to the suburbs to store it in my parent's garage and wanted to take a last ride of the season. It wouldn't start up at all! Nothing. The brake lights lit, but no turn over and no front lights. Any ideas what could be wrong and what I could check? Is the bike ok sitting for a few days before I get to it? I'm hoping not to take it in for repairs-especially since it's brand new, but if it sat too long (is a week too long???) then maybe something happened. I plan to follow all of the above tips on winterizing but I want to make sure it's ok before I leave it for a few months! I think i saw you like a m0nth ago by california and irving park... Red ruck... Anyways, its geting really c0ld right? I rode mine a few min ago and my hands still hurt... Lol but to the point. I would take the sco0ter to the dealer for a check up (u got warranty since its new) cuz mine is an 09 too and mine is running perfect with no problems at all. N i also had it in the garage for alm0st 2 weeks and i just reached 200 miles... |
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Post by tadashi on Oct 29, 2008 6:44:02 GMT -5
Hey inkerb2b How funny-that probably was me as I'm up on Irving Park... I was trying to avoid going to the dealer in hopes it was a simple fix. I called the dealer on Monday and they told me I would most likely have to bring it in and when I asked if it would be covered under the warranty, they said it would as long as it were something to do with the battery/electrical etc. But he mentioned something about when we moved it in the van tipping it too much and it flooding but honestly, I don't think that's the issue. I have a ramp and moved it the exact same way we moved it from the dealer to my house (and they loaded it up for me) and I didn't have to close any cap (like he said I may have needed to do this time around) I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's a spark plug or loose wire or something...who knows. Thanks for your info inkerb2b... helps to know you have the same model, are in Chicago and don't have any issues...looks like it's not the weather afterall! I plan to go out to see my Ruck on Sunday and I may have a motorcycle buddy look at it. inkerb2b-When are you planning to put yours away (if at all) and how are you winterizing it? Hopefully we won't have brutal winter (yah right) |
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inkerb2b
Junior Ruckster
b2b crew... Graff since 1982
Posts: 88
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Post by inkerb2b on Oct 29, 2008 7:40:16 GMT -5
how funny, ive m0ved my ruckus too. I took it tho the woods in wisc0nsin and i just went this saturday to a honda meet in utica 1 1/2+ hrs from chicago. And i loaded it the getto way, by hand me and a friend onto my odyssey, so its n0t that either... Lol id recomend u to turn it on and give it a looong ride (anyways knowing our winters, its not that cold) for it to clean up, or charge or whatever it hapen to ur ruckus. If it dnt have charge, use the kickstarter. Btw, im n0t puting it away. Ima use it whenever i can (ima take it to work today) or at least ima turn it on constantly. Good thing my crx is small enuf to let space for the ruck in the garage. Sucks dat u had to take urs to the burbs...
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Post by tadashi on Oct 29, 2008 9:27:01 GMT -5
I bet that was a nice ride! Yah, I tried the kick too and nothing happened. I'm gonna give it a go again on Sunday and hope it can wait for me! I'm gonna pick up some Stabil and ride it around for a while (given it starts up at all) Yah, I wish I didn't have to store it out in the burbs either but it's safer out there. I already miss her  If anyone has more ideas on what could be wrong and what I can do, feel free to enlighten me  I'll keep hunting around on the forum for more problem solving... |
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Post by Dandy Dan on Oct 30, 2008 1:52:55 GMT -5
Hmm....so when you flick the key on, the taillight lights up. But when you press the starter does the taillight dim a lot? Or is there a clicking sound? Your battery may simply be low, so it has enough juice to light the taillight but not enough to crank over the engine. I'd expect you'd hear a clicking noise though if it's low.
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Post by tadashi on Oct 30, 2008 13:36:51 GMT -5
I'm heading out on Sunday to check things out. I'll test it again and maybe it's better after the rest. I'm going to pick up Stabil & probably a battery charger as well. On a previous post, I read to get the Battery Tender Jr. Is this the best one to get for the Ruck? I'll let you know about the clicking & dimming taillight as well.
Thanks everyone!
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Post by Dandy Dan on Oct 30, 2008 16:30:49 GMT -5
Yeah the battery tender jr. is a good choice. Anything that has a float/monitoring/maintenance mode should work fine though.
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Post by tadashi on Nov 1, 2008 19:15:39 GMT -5
I'm checking her out tomorrow-Wish me luck! |
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