I believe that was a sub-topic about the guy doing the long distance rides.  At least my observation on the VLX was.

Probably worthy of a new thread all it's own.

Looks like you are having fun.  I looked at the Ruckus and Grom last spring as a way to get back into bikes.  I actually bought a very nice Honda Trail 90 (CT90) instead.  I spend more time in the back country with mine, and the CT90 has the high/low gear selector.  I have a motorcycle carrier that was set up for my Jeep (which was creamed last summer), and now have it set up on my Avalanche.

I logged a lot of miles on big bikes back in the day, and having a top speed of about 40 has made "highway" driving a lot stressful.  If you are putting around a real town, it is not hard to find routes.  I live much more rural, and have figured out that google earth or maps is very handy to find routes and roads that I did not even existed.  Its not hard to find routes, just have to use maps and the PC.

The hardest part for me is trying to break my pack rat mentality.  Gotta have every possible breakdown scenario covered with my vehicles.  With the small bike, that is really not an option, and my advice would be to log lots of miles around your town, to get comfortable with the reliability for more remote trips.  I stuck my bike in some goo on a ride away from home last year, and after pondering it for a while decided that the stress was in my head.  Worst case a three mile hike back home to get my truck.  No big, in the grand scheme.  I was able to literally lift my bike out of the goo, to get back on the road.  While speed is not in the positive column check list, these little bike do bring assets to the table.

Now you have to get the little woman to log some miles on yours, so that she will have to have one for herself.....

Craig

Added a cup holder today, just zip tied to the seat frame, but seems to work well, not in the way or anything.

My little ride with beer holder!  Use this at motorcycle rallies

The sticker adds 10 additional horsepower

I have been prepping my DR for just this type of travel.

Some stretches are boring and you may want to get through them faster than 30mph, plus going fast is exhilarating.

Yep......the dude does not appear to be in a hurry.

Is that bike even legal on a highway?

No

No, MoPeds have pedals, like a bicycle. Thus MOtor PEDals. MoPed.

The Ruckus is a scooter. In some countries, they call it an "underbone" since the frame goes under instead of over the drivetrain.

I like where this thread's going. Have a blast, OP!

Good for you for pulling the trigger on that thing.

It reminds me of Honda CT70 I had as a kid......I loved that thing.

BTW......looks like you could store a spare engine under the seat.

First thing I thought. I guess if you aren't concerned with time you could get around with out using interstates.

I dig what the guy is doing and all....  

And maybe it's because I'm no longer in my 20's or 30's and have a different perspective...  But I'd like to have a roof over my head in case the weather went to shit.  I'd also like to be able to haul some clothing and other necessities.  

I'd still do the trip using the back roads, like this guy is.  I'd just do it in a 4X4 Pick-Up.

We had a Honda Trail 70 when I was a kid too, used to take it on family camping trips, I drove that thing everywhere.

I've got one in my garage right now.  

I like your reasoning for the Ruckus.  Mini bikes are a blast!

Another 10 horsepower added.

The only other stickers (these are on both sides) is a bigger STP sticker in the middle.

This needs to be your theme song, OP.



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I'll admit I am digging the Batman sticker!

You don't get a lot of them because it's open ground and just about a constant moving air current. Without a reason to expect to feed on an animal over a big stretch of concrete, they don't have a lot of reason to be there. Not to say that with light traffic and a strong wind you won't bet hit once in a while....

Most riders get are around the sting by not wearing a fucking T-shirt on a bike.

I had a buddy of mine try my GF's Grom yesterday around my neighborhood, he was buzzing after he got off of it-they really are a great motorcycle. Not a great small bike, or a great bike for what they are, but just a great bike. Freeway trips aren't really in the cards but for everything else,they handle with aplomb.

Lol it's a scooter dude, not dressing up in Kawasaki Ninja gear to drive 2 miles to the gym

Just wait til a sweat bee goes up your pants leg and another into your jacket at the same time.  Shit happens a lot!!!!

Reminds me of this dude back in the 70's















Anyone down for crossing the NWT on a vintage 70's Moped?

Before











After 11,518 miles








 
 

You don't feel bug impacts with a full face helmet and an armored jacket.

Ordered a couple of these 5 liter jerry cans today.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/nato-style-5-liter-jerry-can-olive-drab?a=1712039

Going to mount them on a cargo rack in the back like this when I go for some longer weekend adventures on it.

I laid my bike down at maybe 20 - 25 MPH two blocks from home.  If I didn't have a riding jacket my forearm would have looked like hamburger and I may have broken/chipped my elbow.

Similar jacket for $60.

I will take my chances. All the motorcycle cops ride around here in half helmets and short sleeve shirts, no epidemic of them getting maimed, killed here.

I stick to the back roads, low traffic areas.

I would never get on a 45 MPH road like San Jose Blvd on this thing around here.

Not trying to get preachy.

I've seen some competitions where moto cops really wring every bit of handing out of a fully-laden HD, it is impressive.  But like the Army is not the best place to learn about firearms, I would not consider the local PD as a shining example of motorcycle safety.

I am waiting for Hillary to become POTUS and nanny state .gov decides to mandate air bags on scooters and collision avoidance systems, drive the cost of a Ruckus up to $18,900

I can't hear you with the sound of freedom blowing across my ears in a teeshirt and baseball cap going 40 MPH.

Freedom!

beats cubicle existence

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He is absolutely right.

DO NOT wait until you are 60 or 65 and "retired" to try to pull this adventure off.  

Guy would be much more of a badass though on a bicycle-or a horse  .....Just Sayin  

I doubt a horse gets 100 miles per bail of hay.

True that....and a hundred miles per day is awful to even contemplate on a horse which would graze along the way. Half that would be a big day and 25miles would be about 4-5 hours at a walk.  Uggh.  

I've got several 200+ mile days on the bicycle though.  The money you save in gas would be spent on food/calories though.

This concept has potential.... can you imagine a pack of geriatric arfcomers on scooters traveling to Cola Wars?

I like it.

The arfcom scooter brigade.


We would have to go with these though