[ruckusdriver]

Ok so...

I'm a Ruckus driver. I got it because I wanted something gas friendly, that wouldn't look too much like a scooter, and looked rough. I really like it, but then I saw this announcement, and I love my new toys.

So, questions that should help me out .. jump in please..

What's the best price I can expect to pay for the Grom?

How much markup is the dealer getting?

Does anyone know if I could test drive one now anywhere?

Are dealers stocking the MSX 125 in the meantime that I could try out?

Has anyone considered painting their Grom once they get it? The colors are boring to me.

Is anyone else worried about demand and not getting them? I have a feeling it will be hard to find one in Salt Lake. I'm going to go visit a dealer tomorrow and see if they can help me figure out what my Ruckus is worth and if they are going to have any available soon.

 

[WildRider81]

the uk ones have other colors.. dunno why honda stuck to two for the grom.

joe

 

[ruckusdriver]

Yeah see, the white or yellow are really nice to me. If I'm going to spend money on a bike I'd rather it show off and look unique. I don't like how plain the red one looks. Maybe it's just me.

 

[ruckusdriver]

Oh and for those of you who have been on an MSX, how rough is the ride compared to the Ruckus?

 

[jthspace]

I have ordered my MSX (UK) but doesn't get delivered until next Friday so cant give any real feedback on handling. The MSX is a grown up "monkey bike" and the Ruckus is a bare scooter - would that be a fair comparison? I would think the handling would be different as the MSX is possibly shorter?

I have had, in recent years, large scooters (Piaggio 500) as well as motorcycles (Yamaha Virago) and both handle quite differently, as well as needing different riding styles.

The MSX is the name in Thailand / Europe, it is the Grom in U.S. / Japan as far as I am aware. So, both the same machine, other than the headlight.

Maybe some pollution control differences, we have Euro3 requirements which are fairly strict, with Euro4 on its way. Also, for the UK, the bike is set at just under the power limit for "Learner" drivers so it is aiming at first-time riders. I am not sure what the tech specs are for the U.S. models.

Jeff

 

[ruckusdriver]

Jthspace, have you ever been on a Ruckus, if you had to compare it?

I've never tried a Piaggio. I did test a Vespa but thought it would be a bit too ... I don't know what word to use.. commercial? Mainstream? For me. I ended up on the Ruckus because it wasn't like that.

This helps a bit though, thanks for the thoughts.. still not sure what to do and if I want to go with the Grom.

What's Euro3 vs 4, similar to our California emmission rules?

 

[WildRider81]

European emission standards - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

wikipedia will explain it better than me but i've heard of those standards. not sure what they match up in cali though.

joe

 

[jthspace]

Hi Bill,

Never rode a Ruckus, they appeared in the UK then disappeared just as quickly - I always liked the "I'm different" look but never saw one in the flesh. I suppose if I had made a bigger effort, I could have found one, but at 50cc, I knew I would be unhappy with the performance. That was one design that cried out for a bigger engine!

Yes, Euro3 / Euro4 is our pollution control requirements. Unfortunately, Euro4 is sooo tough, it will mean manufacturers having to completely redesign engines, so a cost of a car, for example, will mean that it will add at least USD1500 to the price of a "mid size car" and that, in Europe, means the everyday size car for us.

Euro3 can be achieved by cat converters, fuel management, down-performance of engine management systems etc. but Euro4 is a whole different kettle of fish. Koyoto Agreement ring a bell?

Difference for me driving a scooter vs a motorcycle was that a bike has a tank between your knees which you can use as part of the steering of the bike by applying pressure and lean, I felt that a scooter needed to be physically leaned over, almost steered with the handlebars, whilst the rider didn't lean as far as he does on a bike. Hard to explain, but I hope you get the idea.

Because the Ruckus and the MSX are compromises, I wont use the expression "not proper bikes", but they probably both steer / handle like a one legged duck if you compared them to a road-going commuter machine of either breed. I am buying the MSX because I have retired the motorcycle but still want to run around on a machine and have a little fun at the same time.

I could have got a Yam 125 or a Honda 125 and been part of the crowd of 1.5 million commuter riders in the world that have the same machine. Instead, I expect where I live there may only be one or two others in the whole county and in my 1,000 miles a year (if I am lucky) that I ride on sunny days, I will be out there enjoying myself on a bike that looks good!

Jeff

 

[ruckusdriver]

Ouch.. $1500 more? That's crazy. Isn't there pressure to keep the prices the same despite the emissions improvements?

Yes, totally understand the lean factor. My back does sometimes hurt (one of the things I HATE about my Ruckus). Why did you retire the motorcycle?

I'm fortunate to have more sunshine here so my Ruckus gets a fair number of miles (km where you are?), and that's actually what frustrates me. I dislike riding my bike for long periods as I end up feeling such a sore back the next day.

Very helpful though, thank you..

 

[jthspace]

As per the "what age" poll - the family had an agreement that I would look to retiring the bike when I hit 60. I kind of know it's not a bad decision. M/C fatalities and accidents are increasing even though the age of getting a m/c licence has increased and getting a licence is challenging (i.e. Govt making it very difficult). They would basically like it if there were no m/c's. Our roads are very crowded too, and car drivers (and I am one) often don't see bikes, even though we have "Think Bike" signs all over the place. One change in regulation a few years ago helped - banning twin headlights. Believe it or not, a driver making a quick glace before pulling out saw twin headlights but the brain says "its a car 500 yards away" when in reality, its a bike 50 yards away. You can guess the rest.

We still have MPH and still drive on the correct side of the road as well. But what is weird is that plumming pipe is metric (mm) but fittings are imperial. Same with wood. I was building a new internal door, so went to order the wood for skirting and frame. Same wood, but skirting was in mm and the doorway was in inches as doors are still 72" high as standard. FFS if we went metric why not go the whole hog in one go?

EXCEPT - We can still buy a PINT OF BEER which is as it should be.

Ours is 20 fl oz, yours is 16 so . . . . . . we get drunk quicker!

Jeff

p.s. I am raising a glass in a few minutes with my supper as it is the Queen's Ceremonial Birthday today.

 

[WildRider81]

not to mention your beer is probably far tastier...

joe

 

[ruckusdriver]

As per the "what age" poll - the family had an agreement that I would look to retiring the bike when I hit 60. I kind of know it's not a bad decision. M/C fatalities and accidents are increasing even though the age of getting a m/c licence has increased and getting a licence is challenging (i.e. Govt making it very difficult). They would basically like it if there were no m/c's. Our roads are very crowded too, and car drivers (and I am one) often don't see bikes, even though we have "Think Bike" signs all over the place. One change in regulation a few years ago helped - banning twin headlights. Believe it or not, a driver making a quick glace before pulling out saw twin headlights but the brain says "its a car 500 yards away" when in reality, its a bike 50 yards away. You can guess the rest.

We still have MPH and still drive on the correct side of the road as well. But what is weird is that plumming pipe is metric (mm) but fittings are imperial. Same with wood. I was building a new internal door, so went to order the wood for skirting and frame. Same wood, but skirting was in mm and the doorway was in inches as doors are still 72" high as standard. FFS if we went metric why not go the whole hog in one go?

EXCEPT - We can still buy a PINT OF BEER which is as it should be.

Ours is 20 fl oz, yours is 16 so . . . . . . we get drunk quicker!

Jeff

p.s. I am raising a glass in a few minutes with my supper as it is the Queen's Ceremonial Birthday today.

Happy Birthday! Good a reason to drink as any.

I don't think I'd enjoy driving in a city like that every day. I like my wide roads and I like that I can enjoy my bike a bit more. I've met people on other forums that do it in the city and I just wonder HOW CAN YOU STAND IT but I guess people live where they live.

Enjoy the beers, I'll be having some wobbly pops here too shortly. Maybe my decision process will become clear under a few carlsbergs. Maybe not.

 

[jthspace]

Dunno, I travel to the U.S. a few times a year and some of the macro brews are very very good. I even (sorry to say) really like a Bud when I am very thirsty as you can chug it for a quick thirst quench.

Sorry if that upsets anyone!

Jeff

 

[WildRider81]

i have a case of bud here handy .. so not upsetting me definitely

joe