Modern Vespa

Asking $4500. I was thinking of offering $3K and maybe go to $3500. I know they are rare. It looks like a lot of fun

I haven't talked to the guy yet.

4500 miles. Seems to be in good shape. It has been laid over but not too bad. Some scratches on the front cage and it looks like a turn signal was broken off and replaced.

I had a friend who bought one and was underwhelmed. He sold it shortly after and didn't look back.

What are you looking for? Twist and go? Something novelty like a Honda Monkey? Money burning a hole in your pocket?

To be honest I don't know anything about them.

How fast are they compared to a GTS? Are they hard to get parts for because of their rarity.

What were your friends issues with it? Maybe that's why the were only made for a short while.

I have a GTS, a GT and a kitted VBC Super. I was thinking of selling the GT and just get something different for a while.

The engine is the same set up as the Reflex. Horizonal, water cooled 250. Reliable, but slow compared to the GTS or even the Honda Helix. It is a cult bike and not so easy to get body parts for as they were only imported for 2 years. For a Ruckus collector, maybe ok on the price. But the Helix is a better machine - so easy to work on, comfortable and parts are cheap.

There's a nice looking Helix on CL in San Antonio, TX. Price is a little rich for me, though. I had one back in '95. My first "big" scooter. Handled the highways around Dallas quite well. Plastic was a bit rattle-y, though.

I think that price is too high by about $2,000 even in an area where scooters are extremely popular.

I have been to Sedgwick. I stayed in Wichita for a few months while working on a powerhouse nearby. Just wait and that price will come way down.

I always try not to pay too much more than I can sell it for quick if I decide after I have had it for a bit it is not for me. I honestly think in that area it might not sell quickly for a $2,000 asking price.

Move on or wait to see if price comes down. If you want to try to haggle I suggest using the line I just wrote above, "I don't mean to insult you but I would like to try the scooter. If I don't like it because it's not for me and want it to sell quickly I would ask $2,000."

If he says no just tell him you understand and good luck with sale. If you decide to lower the price you have my offer.

And this should be in person and with all sincerity.

Maybe I should ask him if he wants to trade for my GT. It runs good but has been laid down on both sides.

Actually, the issue with parts being hard to find concerns me. I have a first generation Honda CRX and some parts are impossible to find. I'm not sure I want to get into that hole again.

I like things that are unusual but this might be a little too unusual.

I rebuilt a Big Ruck for a friend about twelve years ago. It was non-op due to incomplete maintenance, it came partially disassembled and needed about $100 in parts. Worth it though; I think he paid $150 for it, which was a screaming deal. Took about an afternoon to get it back on the road.

Year model is easy to tell: the '05 models were yellow and the '06 models were silver.

As Tierney stated, performance is ... leisurely. The engine is an HF03E, a carbureted two-valve that makes about one horsepower more than a Helix. The Reflex had a different variator, but parts are otherwise similar.

Wind protection is non-existent. You're essentially riding on a girder with footboards. There were optional wind deflectors, but they were rare back then and that much harder to find now. The seat is the party piece. Riding with the backrest up nets you a small platform that you could lash a bag or milkcrate to. Otherwise, there's a cylindrical storage tube on the back right corner of the frame, suitable for a tool roll or a small bottle of wine.

Do not ride one with the side covers removed from the frame. Those scoops are critical to proper engine cooling.

The headlamps are great at night, but switch on without starting and it will flatten your battery relatively quickly if the scoot left on but not running.

The right lever applies the front brake and the left lever applies the front and rear brakes.

It's a unique looking scoot, but it's boring to ride. I don't understand the pricing aside from the relative "rarity"; the telling bit there is that few people were willing to buy them new and frankly, it was a whiff on Honda's part in addressing people's desire for a "Ruckus with More Power"; turned out that a GY6 swap made the original Ruckus much more palatable than the Big Ruck.

That price does seem high. I have a Reflex which is essentially the same scooter but with a body. The variator is different - probably better- on the Ruckus but otherwise they're about the same. Not a fast scooter but as bullet proof as can be. If you want a scooter that just works and is relatively comfortable they're hard to beat.
I bet you can find a nice Reflex for half the asking price.

Bob

I attended a ska/scooter show in my area years ago, and fell in interest with the yellow big Rucks. I've seen them around in CL, but the price is always too high.

I had a Big Ruckus for a year. It was slow...and heavy. My Late Wife would bury me on her '09 Rebel anytime we rode together. The BR was like motorcycle without the speed of one or the advantage of the storage of a scooter. Even my Helix clone feels peppier and the BR isn't in the same zip code for performance as my 250 Nighthawk.

I'm beginning to see why they were not popular.

Also it seems like parts can be hard to find. As someone that owns a first generation Honda CRX I don't want to go through that again.

I do think they look cool but it sounds like that's all they have going for them.

I'm glad I checked here. I'm going to pass.

Thanks, everyone.