Tip For Riding Out the Summer Heat No. 2

Take naps whenever you can in the cooooool air conditioning!!!

Tip For Riding Out the Summer Heat No. 1

Become a Bark-o-Lounger like CoCo here!!!

Ruckapolitan? Metruckus? A scoot by any other name…

Go over to Total Ruckus.com and peruse the Ruckus and Metropolitan forum boards and you will find that this is a hotly debated topic.

This little scooter has captured the hearts and imagination of many, many scooter lovers. Most posters have owned one or the other or both. Many of the posters (the majority) are buying these scoots up and modding them out or restoring old beaters that have fallen to neglect in some shed or storage unit.

But one thing they all agree on: the scoot is special AND the two models are almost interchangeable to modders and riders alike.

So much so that when I sought out a used Ruckus locally and could not find one, I bought a Met instead.

I have owned two Rucki and now one Metropolitan. I have to say I could close my eyes while riding my Met and feel that I am on my old Ruckus. Don’t worry, I won’t close my eyes while really riding, but you get the idea.

Honda has jacked up the price on the new 2013 Rucks to over $2500 out the door of most Honda dealerships. I paid $1800 for my 2009 out the door 3 years ago, so I could not spend that kind of money right now.

But while perusing my local Craigslist, I saw a little 2003 Honda Met for only $850. I got curious and called about it and almost went out to test ride it, but got side-tracked when I learned on-line about the difference between the Met I and Met II.

This one was a Met II, which I learned was a limited year model (2002-2005) that was sold in California and restricted to only go up to 25 mph. So I let it go. But by then I was heavily into researching the Met on-line and reading reviews and scanning all the Metropolitan posts on TotalRuckus.com, Urbanscootin.com, Powersportsnetwork.com and other review sites.

I ended up happily buying a new, clearance priced 2009 Monzo (Red) Met under warranty. I was elated to say the least with my pricing and all the accessories too.

My eyes were opening up to the fact that many owners considered this scooter to be “more or less” a Ruckus dressed up to go out on the town. i.e., a “Metropolitan”. Strip down the outer cosmetics, and they were the same scooter with only slight differences not going to be noticeable to a rider.

Comparing the two scooters on paper, I couldn’t help but believe that this had to be true. How could it not be? Taking the 2006-2012 Ruckus and the 2006 to 2009 Met (no Mets were marketed as 2010, 2011, or 2012 and 2013 is a different animal all together) these scooters ARE more alike than different. They are alike enough to be experienced as the “same” scooter and different only in outer appearance (that is, until stripped down like the guys aka “peeps” do on Total Ruckus!). Then they look almost identical in their “skelly” mode.

The Ride

Both scooters ride the same. No wonder as they are riding under the same Honda 49cc, 4 stroke, single cylinder, water-cooled engine. Both max out their restricted top speed around 43 mph. Both have carbureted engines, push-button/kick start ignition, and get around 100 mpg. Both my Rucki got exactly 100 mpg and so does my Met.

Both scooters have lower centers of gravity, which makes for a sweet, solid handling at 43 mph on the twisties and around the neighborhood. If this scooter could go 70 mph as far as I am concerned it would still feel stable and controllable. This said with only 10 inch wheels on both. Some bigger engine scooters with bigger wheels still do not feel this stable as their center of gravity cannot match that of the Ruckus and the Met.

This is one characteristic of this scooter that I absolutely love. I feel safe and in control while riding it. It is also why so many mod maniacs are increasing their speeds with GY6 kits and engine upgrades to 125 and even 150 cc. It is widely lamented that Honda has never seen fit to give us at least a 125cc Ruckus or Met. I know if they ever did that they would sell them all out the first month and generate back orders that could go on for months. That is how much people love these scooters.

It’s not mentioned much, but I love the “motorcycle style” handlebar set-up on the Ruckus and Met (changed on the 2013 Met). Other scooters that have these type handlebars are the Honda PCX, the Honda Big Ruckus, and the Yamaha Vino 50 and 125.

Many of the smaller scoots have that handlebar that is a flat-across bar with the “dial” like speedometer in the middle. It feels like a tiller and therefore feels less intuitive to me in the handling. I test rode some of those scooter handlebar set-ups and had that impression. Others who may ride that set-up for awhile may easily adjust to it, but I did not care for it. I like the feel of a “little motorcycle” in the steering and handling.

Both Met and Ruckus have a wider tire that enables the scooter to handle a variety of riding surfaces. I’ve ridden a bit of “off road” on the Ruckus with no problem. I’ve taken my Met on those same surfaces, also with no problem. I am talking about riding on chip seal, gravel, packed dirt, grassy fields, and really rough pavement. Both scoots are stable and have big enough tires that the ride is not squirrely. The Ruckus tires are slightly fatter (130/90-10) than the Met tires (90/90-10) but the Met could wear Ruck wide tires which would entail a rear swing arm swap out.

From my experience on both bikes I don’t see that the ride is noticeably different. There is no where I can ride the Ruckus that I cannot ride the Met out here in my rural area. The Ruckus wheelbase is 49.8” over the Met wheelbase of 46.9 inches and the fatter Ruck tires likely account for that difference. I experience no difference in ride and handling.

The Ruck’s rear shock travel is the same as the Met’s-2.6” of travel. Both are sufficient enough to offer a relatively smooth, comfortable ride. They are not “plush” by any means. You do “feel” the road. But I like that sense of “feeling” the road on both scoots and do not experience it as a tiring or jolting ride. Swap out shocks are available from BattleScooter.com, however, for those who prefer a plusher ride.

Both scoots are lightweight and highly maneuverable in parking and traffic situations. The Ruckus weighs 181 lbs, the Met 163 lbs when fully fueled up.

Both scoots have low seating for shorter riders (Met is 28.3”, Ruckus is 28.9”), but enough leg room that “tall drinks of water” can handle the ergonomics as well. And thousands do just that. The almost magical ride of these scooters will get 6+ footers scooting along on them with no thought as to how their gangly legs, jutting knees, or flapping elbows look tooling down the road. They don’t care-they are having too much fun!

The Pluses and Minuses-The stock Met has some advantages over the stock Ruckus:

Met has a leg shield for wind and rain protection……Ruckus does not.
Met has a front cargo basket available from Honda…..Ruckus does not.
Met has a fuel gauge…..Ruckus does not.
Met has a custom windshield available from Honda…..Ruckus does not.
Met has a locking under seat storage….Ruckus does not.
Met has a locking center stand…..Ruckus does not.
Met has a rear luggage carrier available from Honda….Ruckus does not.
Met has a top case available from Honda….Ruckus does not.

Before you Ruckus riders (remember, I am one too!) get all pissy on me, I have to say that just about any of the pluses of the Met can be met (no pun…) by the Ruckus through innovation or aftermarket parts through sites like BattleScooter:

Leg shield: there is one available to add on the Ruckus from BS.

Front cargo basket: I had no problem adding a handlebar bag or other to the Ruckus handlebars or the front rack over the headlights.

Fuel gauge: not on the Ruckus and it was kind of aggravating, but I live with it. I am sure that someone on TR has improvised and added one to a Ruckus, however.

Windshield: a small one is available from BS, but not as functional looking as the OEM one from Honda.

Under seat storage: if you are creative, the storage capacities of the Ruck are endless (under seat bag, front bag, saddle bags, tail bag, etc.) but none of it locks unless you use panels or a top case.

Rear luggage carrier: one is available for the Ruck from BS. I improvised and never really needed one.

Both scooters have generous floorboards and low centers of gravity (already mentioned) and you can haul just about anything on them. I’ve carried huge bags of dog food, flowers in pots, pizzas, a little dog passenger (Maxi, “Co-Pilot Extraordinaire”), potting soil, back packs, etc.

Both scooters have locking "parking brake" levers on the left side.

Both scooters have locking handlebars at a parked position.

Both scooters have a kickstart back up lever.

Both scooters are lightweight enough that they can easily be loaded up on a hitch rack carrier and taken to vacation spots, transported to exotic ride locations, or hauled in to the shop for maintenance that you really need a certified Honda Powersports mechanic to do for you.

Which To Choose?

Choose BOTH if you can! If that is not possible, then it will possibly come down to just personal preference.

Some like the sophisticated, Italian styling and attitude of the little Metropolitan. And it does offer some mighty fine accessories, as already mentioned, right off the bat (2002-2009 models).

Some prefer the rugged, bare bones look of the Ruckus. It just speaks to the soul of the minimalist.

Mod maniacs will be happy with both and will spend many happy hours (and dollars) modding out both scoots mechanically and cosmetically.

Me? I’d like to own BOTH again. I miss my Ruckus, but have discovered a whole new experience with my Met and love it immensely too.

But I was crazy about the Ruckus from the first time I laid eyes on it. Let's face it, the Ruckus WAS my first scooter and I also love the rugged, barebones look of the scooter. I will always feel that way, have that passion, for the Ruckus.

So if it came down to being able to own only one, I’d have to choose a Ruckus over a Met. It would be painful to give up the Met, but if I HAD to.

No, wait! I could not give up my beautiful red Met! She is so cute, stylish, and I love her accessories as detailed above.

You get it, right? After all, this blog is entitled “Ruckus Scooter Love” and that is an enduring thing BUT I have found and also fallen in love with the classic Honda Metropolitan.

"Metro Ruckus Scooter Love"?

Naw-I'm not changing the title for sentimental reasons.

Anyway, get a Met, get a Ruckus, get both, or one or the other!

You will be happy and fulfilled and fall in love with riding a scooter!

Just like I did.

(Copyright 2012 by Deb Benz. No duplication, transfer, or quotation without the express permission of the author.)

Out to Lunch!

It was a beautiful, sunny day with temps in the upper 70's. I decided to take off on a scooter ride down the back roads, seeking lunch along the way.

I headed out down a paved road that winds alongside a creek bed...

I passed through the Harshaville Covered Bridge and took a photo op...

Along the road I passed by many small farms. Here's one with horses...

I also passed by some huge trees damaged by last week's storm...

Eventually I scooted into the village of Winchester...

Where I came upon this oasis of culinary delights...

Made my purchase, then scooted to the local cemetery to find a shady spot.

At this spot I used my scooter as a table and stood under the trees...

Plenty of places to stash stuff and lay out the feast...

It was a nummy sub with cheese, lettuce, turkey, and roast beef, plus chips!

Afterward, I rode over to the town's reservoir, which is really a pond.

Really a peaceful place with lots of lilly pads...

A little dock for boats...

I prepared to climb back on the scoot and head home...

It's about twenty miles back through farmland...

Passing by one of the few creek beds with any water in it...

Another dried up stream bed with a little pool of water...

Resting from the heat in a cool, shady glen...

Swinging by a local nursery...no business, too much drought and hard soil

A scenic overlook of the valley on the road home...

My total distance covered was about 45 miles. I started out with temps in the upper 70's. They climbed into the mid 80's, but there was low humidity and it was very pleasant.

I saw no scooters or motorcycles on my route. I saw very few cars. I saw very few people except for some roofers working on a house. People are at work or are hiding inside their houses, I guess. It's always strange that way in all the areas that I ride out here.

I did see a big, fat groundhog run across the road at one point, but I did not get a photo of him as I was too busy trying to slow down so as not to hit him!

It was a beautiful day for a ride and I really set out with no plan outside of riding and eating. Totally spontaneous!

I think sometimes those are the best kind of rides! I had a great time!

Scoot Mods to My Honda Met

Ok, while the sun blazed hot upon the land I got in the 3 accessories that I ordered from my local Honda lady: black Ruckus mirrors; the Met rear carrier; and the Met front basket.

I installed these myself and felt like Xena, Warrior Princess or Towanda, Queen of the Amazons or some such character. Anyway, I moved through doubt and intimidation and got the suckers installed without a "hitch" using my trusty bicycle tool box. Did ok!

The mirrors were added because I felt like I could not see enough of a wide shot behind me on the Met's little round "chrome" mirrors. Plus I liked the look of the black on the Met.

The rear carrier is a "no brainer" because it holds my beloved black wire basket or a top case or a soft larger tail bag. Money well spent and I got a very good discount on all three from my Honda lady! (She's cool!)

The Met front basket is something I've oggled for years. It comes in black or white and of course I got the black. This thing is HUGE and opens up space for carrying bottled drinks, large coffee cups, lunches, caps, windbreakers, camera, ETC. I will have all these things at my finger tips while meandering and blasting along through the back roads.

I did have to drill 4 holes in my front leg shield and this gave me pause for about two days. Finally I "just did it" and I am glad I did. It does not look bad from the front and I did not destroy my baby in the process!

Wider, Black Ruckus Mirrors

Black Wire Coated Met Front Basket from Honda

Met Rear Carrier (Honda) Under My Sun Bicycle Black Wire Coated Basket

Hi-Viz Rear Profile: Flying My www.MissingLnk.com Motorcycle Flag

I am also wearing a hi-viz yellow vest from Olympia and am going to order some hi-viz yellow pants from MissingLink. I want to be seen by even comatose cage drivers!

I will order the Honda Met wind shield eventually for cold weather riding. Now that the 2013 Met is coming up, the older accessories will be snatched up quickly for the 2002-2009 Mets. The wind shield is my last OEM item.

Now I just need to find some "Squirt" decals and have some side lettering done!

I just love this little scooter!

Tacked up on my door: "Gone Scootin'!"

I am taking some time off from blogging at the request of my furry and two-legged family. Naw, they don't care, really...

I am just taking some time away from this blog to do some reading, relaxing, and serious scooting!

See you back here next Monday with ride reports, photos, Met updates, etc.

Have a wonderful week and stay safe out there!

Part 2: Saturday's 80 mile scoot: Honda Elite 110 vs.Honda Met 49cc

It was a glorious Saturday and the weather was perfect for a scoot. But today's scoot had a specific purpose and that was to ride the Elite 110 over the foothills a distance of 40 miles to the little Honda Powersports dealer and then pick up my Honda Met 49cc scooter and ride it back home the same way.

The routes over to the next county wind down into the hollars via twists and turns, up and down, passing by creeks and farms and fields. It is rough riding where you constantly have to be alert for critters and gravel and eroded road surfaces. But it is a blast to ride!

Toward the end of the ride there is a final descent into a long valley that is surrounded by small green foothills or "knobs" as they used to call them back home (Kentucky). It is an absolutely breath-taking ride experience.

But I was about business today and that was to turn in my Elite and pick up my Met. I knew that by the time I got done with this day I'd either be elated or devastated that I'd made the trade.

This ride over and back on each scooter would definitely show me the contrast between the two scooters and how they handled on the road.

The route being twisty and up and down hills made for some slower going than usual as you are entering blind curves, encountering hidden driveways, and watching out for deer and scampering bunnies.

But I didn't care. I love to ride at a moderate speed of 30-40mph max anyway.

The Elite rode smoothly and struggled just a bit up some of the steeper hills. I felt that confident, smooth ride of a Buick, if ya know what I mean. I had to keep the throttle open as it would not coast along once I let up on the throttle. It slowed down immediately. So I felt myself pushing myself along, even though the scooter has plenty of power to spare.

It sits a bit high off the ground from what I was used to on a Ruckus and the "dash" is at about mid-chest level. With this I feel that I am up higher off of the road surface, which I am.

I definitely feel as if I am sitting ON the scooter and separate from it. When I ride "fast" (40-50 mph) I feel wobbly and like a sail in the wind.

It is smooth and the seat is comfortable, yet I feel like I am sitting up on a moving barcolounger stool! It is almost too comfortable and plush.

Well, by the time we got to the village where the Honda dealer was all I wanted to do was get off and that I did. I parked it under a tree out back and went about the business of doing the paperwork for the Met, which was ready and waiting for me. While I did that they looked over the Elite and found it immaculate. This all took a while and I never once found myself second-guessing my decision. Not even a sentimental last glance went out.

Good! Very good...

Now it's time to depart on the Met and I've got an alternative route set up for the return. It is about the same length, same sort of terrain. I climb aboard and give it gas and it moves out swiftly on it's Ruck-like rumble.

Immediately I'm hearing and feeling my Ruckus moving underneath me and my heart is filled with excitement! WOW! Here we go! Feels SO good! So familiar...good times remembered.

My mind whispers, "Now you will find out if you have any regrets about trading in the Elite" and before I could complete the thought I felt a big ol' grin breaking out over my face! I was heading up a hill and moving into a turn and the little scoot just felt like it was alive as it took off!

It's moving forward and I immediately realize that this scooter (like my Ruckus, it's cousin) felt right because it "fit" my body. Driving it was almost "intuitive". It felf so familiar, so natural, and was so much fun!

Instead of "plodding foward" with the throttle I was surging forward into the ride and, being closer to the ground with the handlebars at waist level, I felt like I was flying! Now that ol' Buick was a Miata!

The Met did slow down to the 20's up some of the steeper hills, but I already was throttling it in the pre-hill "dip" and revving it up the incline in anticipation. After all, I'd been doing this sort of movement for 5 years previously on a Ruckus (same exact motor) and it was a familiar maneuver to me zooming around these foothills. No problem!

I got that Met up to 40+ several times over the next 40 miles and was zooming down twisties and flying up hills like a monkey on speed! The faster I rode the bigger my grin got! I "felt" the ride, the fun of the movement, the thrill of the corner carving.

The Old Joy was back, the thrill of riding, the pleasure of handling the scooter over twists, turns, hills, all while watching the gorgeous scenery slide by. Not to mention all the smells of the woods: honeysuckle, camp fires, barbeques, the damp, dark earth, the creek beds. Good stuff!

It was fun again, I felt free, I felt happy, I felt alive, I felt like I could ride forever and did not want to get off!

Both scoots took the hills well with the Met slowing down a bit, but making up for it on the downhills and straight aways. The handling and maneuverability of the Met was superior to me. The fit of the Met for me was superior. The Elite was the cushy Buick, the Met was the sporty Miata.

I felt "one with the bike" on the Met. I felt like I was sitting on a chair with the Elite.

Because of my comfort and confidence level my average speed home was about 37 on the Met. On the Elite it was about 27 because I was slowing down in turns to handle the larger feeling scooter's weight.

I knew without a doubt that I had made the right decision for me in swapping out for the Met. I have no regrets and cannot wait for my next ride...just like in my first days of scooting!

Part I: Why the good-bye?

Perhaps only a Ruckus or Met 49cc rider will understand, but what it came down to was: scooter riding wasn't fun anymore since I brought the Elite home.

I thought it would be an advantage, more ccs. But the truth is I only gained 10 more mph. And they were boring mph. And I wasn't going any faster or farther than when I rode my Ruckus.

And oh how I missed my Ruckus!

So I went looking for a used one in the area as the new ones now are too hefty a price for me. I could find nothing.

Somehow it came to me that a Met was "almost" a Ruckus: same engine, same handlebars, similar platform and weight, and same glorious water-cooled engine made in Japan. Same top speed and quick handling.

Ruck had fatter tires, 3" longer wheelbase, and was about 15 pounds heavier. Still that tight, manageable, maneuverable ride on both. Hmmm...

Then as I researched I realized the Met had a few things the Ruck did not: locking underseat storage, locking center stand, gas gage, and some neat accessories from Honda. Plus it was pretty cute looking too and had a low seat. It would "fit" me like the Ruck did.

So I read every review I could find on the internet about the Met and concluded that this scoot has as much of a cult following as the Ruckus. So if I couldn't get a Ruckus back now, I could get a Met because I was seeing used ones all around on Craigslist. 2-3 hours away, but out there.

I learned a lot about the Met and when I found one an hour away I got excited. But it was a Met II and an 03 and I wanted a Met I and at least a 2006 due to the same engine changes that affected the 2006 Ruckus. So I opted out on that one.

I decided to call around and see if any of the 4 Honda dealers within 2 hours of me had any used Mets or 2009 Mets still on the sales floor. I'd seen the 2013 Met and was not interested in it because of some of the changes from the 2009 model. (There was no 2010, 2011, or 2012 model sold.)

First place I called had TWO 2009s on the floor at half the original listed dealer price! It was too good to be true! I then called about 5 other Ohio dealers and they either had nothing or listed them at $2000+ out the door.

So I called the first dealer back and she also had 2 Rucki on the floor. Listed at web price in the mid $2K range and NO bonus bucks running on the web now. Could not do a new Ruck! Darn!

So I said I'd come down and eye ball the 2009 Monzo Met later that afternoon. I needed time to think of how I was going to justify two scooters, so close in performance, sitting out in my garage.

Plus I knew at some point I was going to get my hands back on a Ruckus eventually and I certainly could not justify THREE scooters!

Then an idea popped in my head: see if I can trade the Elite for one of the new 2009 Mets. I perused the NADA, thought about it, and called back.

The offer was taken with interest and about an hour later I got a call back that they would be willing to work a deal out with me if I decided to go for the Met.

Wow! Not having to deal with low ballers and text messages and people who don't show up to see the scooter after you wait for them for hours?! Too good to be true!

But was I ready to say "good bye" to the Elite? It took me less than 30 seconds to realize that the answer was definitely YES. I had no feeling for that scooter, even though I tried to do so. I was not riding it. Cob webs were literally forming in the brake levers.

Why? It was beautiful to look at, smooth riding, powered up hills, lots of storage. What's not to like? Simply put, for me it was not fun! It was boring and felt big and like taking it out to do a little run or longer ride even was a chore. Yes, "chore".

I can't explain it otherwise but I'd feel myself looking at it in the garage and I felt distain, resentment, aggravation. It had taken my Ruck away from me and scootering was no longer fun. How weird, but how true.

It had to go. I knew it the day the title came in the mail. I was already formulating the Craigslist ad and bracing myself for the goofy calls and text messages. But I wanted the Elite gone and my Ruck back!

So back to Friday...glory be, they will take it in a trade! How rare, how wonderful, how exciting! I jumped my butt in the cage and swiftly drove down to the dealership to eye ball the Monzo Met.

In the door, there were two of them sitting next to two Rucki. Yeah, about the same size. Pretty much going to be the same ride plus a few niceties. And the red was gorgeous!

That's it: write it up and order me a front basket and a rear rack. I'm ready to bring in the Elite tomorrow! Not a feeling of regret, not one shred of sadness, just "let's get this deal going, I want to ride again like I used to do! On a FUN scooter!" If I can't have a Ruckus now, then give me a Met!

Part II will be a ride comparison report between the 49cc Met and the 108 cc Elite over a 100 mile, mountainous stretch to and from the dealership, which took place on Saturday.

Very interesting and surprizing conclusions...

A little "Squirt" of scooter joy...

...is sitting in my garage and I am having a BLAST scootin' again!



The little Ruck's cousin, the Met!

Martha's Challenge: Photos of "The Ride that Refreshes"

Taking on Martha's Challenge (Living Among Tourists), I offer a photographic ride along my route that I earlier referred to as "the ride that refreshes".

Since I don't commute to work, as I work out of my home, this is a regular "fun" 16 mile round trip ride right out my door.

Hold on, here we go...!


Turn right out my gravel drive and head out down this road...


Take another turn and meander along by the Amish school house...


Turn down the road to the antique shop which used to be an art gallery...


Pass the silos and grain bins on the left...


Come to the Fabric Shop and Bird Shop (holds an annual Bird Symposium)...


Stop at the Presbyterian church (on my way to the post office)...


Pass the Unity Cemetary on the right...


The long open stretch through the fields...


Say hello to friends as you pass by...


Approaching the covered bridge...


Ahhh..the light at the end of the tunnel!


Hit the post office and return to the hidden creek bed down a leafy ravine


Standing on the bridge, look to your left...


Look to your right...


A few miles back up the hill, head back through the bridge...


Pass Ryan's Grocery (Now closed as Mr Ryan passed a few years ago)...


And back down the road to home...