If you live in a crowded city or simply need a basic form of transportation to get around town, you’re probably thinking of buying a motorcycle. Nothing too big, though, because you don’t want to go too fast or risk being in an accident.
So, the choice comes down to a scooter or a moped.
And Honda’s products are most likely on the top of your list. The Honda Ruckus might be a useful solution.
Read on as we explore whether a Honda Ruckus qualifies as a moped or a scooter. We’ll delve deep and tell you everything you need to know about this ride.
Is Honda Ruckus a Moped?
Honda Ruckus isn’t a moped. It’s a 49cc bare-bones, around-town scooter for anyone searching for a basic ride, from college students to supermarket shoppers.
The Ruckus is a fantastic utility motorcycle featuring a liquid-cooled single engine with an electric start and an automated belt/pulley gearbox.
There’s also open storage beneath the seat, less than 29 inches above the ground. What’s more, you don’t need a specific license to operate it in most states.
To start the single-cylinder engine, press the electronic start button and twist the wrist. There’s no need to change the clutch with this scooter’s automatic gearbox. It holds around 1.3 gallons of gas and gets 114 miles per gallon.
It’s known for turning heads wherever it goes—thanks to its unique design, which includes wide tires, a bare-bones frame, and dual headlamps.
The Ruckus has been a part of Honda’s lineup since 2003, and it’s unlike any other scooter out there.
The fact that the Ruckus is a Honda is more significant than the fact that it’s a scooter. Like every other Honda product, it’s well-known for its reliability.
Some Ruckus scooter users have traveled from 5,000 to 20,000 miles on their scooters with no serious mechanical concerns other than normal maintenance. This involves changing a belt, tires, oil, and maybe a headlight bulb from time to time.
Read 5 Best Moped For Wheelies
What Is a Moped?
A moped is a small motorcycle with pedals. The word “moped” is a combination of the words “motor” and “pedal.” Most mopeds have a 50cc or smaller engine with a peak speed of roughly 28mph.
Although most mopeds have a rudimentary electrical system, it’s still possible to drive most of them by just pedaling. On public roads, mopeds are usually just a few seconds quicker than bicycles
Scooters are different from mopeds in that they’re usually more powerful and regulated. Plus, they don’t have pedals and their engines start at 50cc and go up to 750cc or more.
Is a Honda Ruckus Considered a Motorcycle?
Some states classify mopeds based on their engine size, while others define them based on their top speed.
For example, the California Vehicle Code classifies a moped as a “motorized bicycle” since it has pedals, travels no faster than 30 mph, and the engine is below 50ccs.
Although the Ruckus has a 49cc engine, it doesn’t feature pedals. So, it’s considered a motorcycle, and you’ll need a license to operate it. Also, you must register it with the Department of Motor Vehicles and insure it. Given the lack of pedals, you can’t ride it in the bicycle lane or the sidewalk.
Since it’s a motorbike, you can park it anywhere a motorcycle can be parked—in a regular vehicle lot or motorcycle parking.
What License Should You Get for a Honda Ruckus?
In most states, if you want to use a vehicle on public highways, you need plates and registration.
Some states may not need registration for a 50 cc scooter, instead requiring a plate or stickering.
License, registration, and license plate requirements for the Ruckus differ by state, just as insurance requirements do. However, because the Ruckus is under 50 ccs, it only needs a normal driver’s license rather than a motorcycle endorsement, which can take time and money to get.
To operate the Ruckus, you’ll need an M1 driver’s license. You must also register it with the Department of Motor Vehicles and insure it. But as we said before, in most states 49cc Honda Ruckus doesn’t need a license.
This won’t be the situation in every state. So, do some research for your local state.
Can Two People Ride A Honda Ruckus?
Riding together on a moped makes friendships stronger. You can have two riders on the Ruckus, whether it’s your boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse. It’ll be a tight seating arrangement and takes a bit of time to get used to, but when you get the hang of it, it can be really fun!
The Honda Ruckus is a strong little scooter, but it has its limits, which will be determined in part by the maximum weight it can carry. The scooter can support up to 300 pounds on normal tires—two people weighing around 150 pounds each.
However, if you weigh more than 220 pounds, you can expect significant drops in the factory-stated performance figures.
How Fast Does a 2022 Honda Ruckus Go?
The 49cc Ruckus has a peak speed of around 35 miles per hour. With a strong tailwind, it accelerates to 43 mph downhill. This scooter climbs hills at a significantly slower pace, as low as 25 mph, but more commonly 28 or 30 mph.
If you want, you can add a strong 150cc GY6 engine that travels at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour while also powering you up steep hills. It comes with both an electric and a kick start.
What Is Honda Ruckus Good For?
The Honda Ruckus is perhaps the most popular Honda scooter in the world.
It can handle mild off-road roads with gravel, sand, and mud. On the other hand, it struggles at high altitudes, in snow, and in water, and you’ll have to customize your Ruckus if you want to take more difficult tracks.
Overall, driving around town in the Ruckus is a joy. It’s readily controllable and great in the summer, weighing in at 194 pounds with such a full tank of petrol.
The Ruckus’s small weight allows it to stop quickly. So, smaller riders will find it less frightening.
The Ruckus also has a smooth automatic gearbox that you can twist and travel through, allowing you to concentrate on riding rather than changing gears.
How Much Should You Pay For a Honda Ruckus?
The cost of a Honda Rukus is determined by the year it was manufactured. So, to buy a Honda Ruckus 2020, you need to pay $2,749 and if you want to have a Honda Ruckus 2022, you should invest $2,799.
The 2020 Ruckus is affordable to a broad range of customers due to its ease of repair and control, as well as cheap ownership expenses.
As we mentioned before, you can fill the tank with 1.3 gallons of gas, and you may only need to fill your scooter with gas once or twice a week. As a result, you’ll spend as little as $8 per month on gas, but it all depends on how frequently and how far you commute on a Ruckus.
The insurance for Honda Ruckus is cheap. You’ll be happy to know that insurance for a Ruckus normally costs approximately $8 per month. Remember that the average monthly cost of car insurance is between $100 and $200.
Taxes for scooters are affordable. Most small scooters that cover 100 miles per gallon have a Road tax of £15 a year.
On the other hand, the Ruckus has an amazing resale value due to its durability and reliability. Also, They don’t depreciate as quickly as regular vehicles.
The good news is that the company offers special offers for some states. So if you want to buy from the company, you need to choose your state first and then see if there is any special offer, like loans.
As mentioned before, if you want, you can add some other items like a bolt-in 150cc engine, large bore kits, cams, forks, and pretty much everything else you desire if you have a deep enough pocket.
What Are the Most Popular Moped Brand?
Honda Vision
Honda Vision is an inexpensive and dependable mode of transportation. It’s not a fancy ride, but it’s reliable.
The vision started in the early 1980s in two-stroke form. However, the newest release has an amazingly four-stroke motor that meets with strict emissions regulations.
Basic moped power is approximately 3-4bhp, with a peak speed of 30mph and a basic twist-and-go gearbox.
It’s both useful and simple to ride. There’s plenty of storage behind the seat, as well as a storage hook and a cubbyhole upfront.
The suspension system uses a single-sided swingarm with damping, while the forward brakes are discs, and you have drums in the back.
Honda’s CBS linked-brake system, which links the power on both the front and rear brakes for added safety on slick roads, is also available on some motorcycles.
Yamaha Aerox
If you don’t want to go with a Honda, Yamaha Aerox can be an excellent choice. This is, obviously, what most people picture when they think of a scooter. The Aerox is a long-running scooter that has earned a spot to be considered reliable like Honda Ruckus.
For its race replica styling, Yamaha’s 50cc scooter is as sharp as the day it was released two decades ago. It has a front disc brake that provides excellent braking performance. Also, its upside-down front forks lead to enhancing agility.
In terms of performance, the older models’ two-stroke 50cc offers all you could ask for. It quickly takes the Aerox up to 30 mph.
What Is Similar to Honda Ruckus?
Kymco’s Cobra Cross and Aprilia’s Rally 50 are the closest rivals to the Ruckus, both of which were off-road-inspired scooters that never caught on.
In terms of design, Genuine’s Roughhouse R50 and Aprilia’s new SR Motard 50 are likely the main competitors.
Yamaha’s Zuma is frequently mentioned as a rival, and it does cater to a similar demographic, but it’s more of a big, weary sports scooter than an off-roader.
Many of the other scooters listed are 2-strokes, which means they’re faster and more efficient to customize than the Ruckus, but they lack the Ruckus’ mileage, lifespan, and emissions.
They include covered and lockable storage areas as well, so they offer their own set of advantages.
Read more at Top 5 Alternatives To Honda Ruckus.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the Ruckus has been a hit as it’s a stylish, functional, and one-of-a-kind scooter. It has an amazing and timeless urban warrior appearance. People everywhere want to know where they can buy one.
