I have had my Big Ruckus for almost two years now and I love it. It is exactly what I wanted, and I wanted it when it was still only for sale in Japan. Here's why it is perfect for me:
I live in a big city--Phoenix--and a standard 50cc scooter is not quite enough to pull safely out into traffic. Our streets are very busy here and I feel it is very importaqnt to be able to keep up with the flow of traffic.
Next I wanted something that I could haul groceries with. My car works fine, but short trips in this heat was giving me some real ugly gas milage...like 14MPG. The Big Ruckus has this fold-up rear seat and a large, sqare cooler fits on there perfectly. I secure it with bungee cords and off I go. I can also hold things between my legs, and further I can strap things under the front handelbars above the front wheel. I haven't hauled quite that much yet, but I suspect I will someday.
For looks it can't be beat. Now, scooters by nature are not held in the popular venacular as "Macho" but some are more masculine than others, and some are certainly less. The Big Ruckus looks tough. I think it looks like a military vehicle of some sort and many people say it reminds them of a Hummer. So far they are not popular around here...I have never seen another one on the road, so I am happy to enjoy the novelty of having the only one.
I didn't want a motorcycle. I don't plan to drive on the freeway where I feel an accident equals death. The Big Ruckus could go on the freeway as it tops out at around 70MPH. I had heard gas milage could be as high as 70 MPG, but I am getting a lifetime average of 55MPG (burning super premium). I could do better if I didn't goose it so often, but that is the fun of it. It gooses just fine...and I'm a big boy, over 200 pounds.
So it is the hauling practicality, looks, uniqueness, power, speed, and gas milage that I love.
