mhiscox
Expedition Leader
You didn't know it, but you need a big, weird scooter . . . :bike_rider:
I was sitting around today, not doing much of anything, when I started wondering if my Honda Big Ruckus scooter was going to work out well for my forthcoming Ewan and Charlie-like motoventure down to Tierra Del Fuego. (Kidding. Totally kidding.)
So, as a public service to the minuscule number of people who even know what a Big Ruckus is, I got out my impressive collection of accumulated-over-decades cycle luggage and proceeded to outfit the moto as it would be kitted for The Big Adventure.
This actually isn't totally parody. Many people own a Big Ruckus because it’s odd, but I own mine because it’s odd and because it has some really interesting attributes, including the ability to carry a whole bunch of stuff safely.
The naked Big Ruckus looks like this,
(Credit: Motor Scooter Guide)
with this one-of-a-kind seating arrangement that produces either dual seating,
or a solo seat with backrest.
The uninitiated might be excited about the backrest, thinking it all looks very comfy but, sadly, the angle of the backrest is much too shallow to reach your backbone. But having the useless backrest raised gives you access to this,
a big flat cargo area with many excellent tie down points and a 45 pound capacity. Indeed, many big Ruckus owners carry a cooler or a Rubbermaid Action Packer on the rear. But they’re not headed to South America, so we need better.
After an hour of messing around, the results are as follows:
-- a 2 gallon Rotopax fits flat on the base. You can strap it down or, if you’re really committed to the plan, easily mount the Rotopax mounting hardware through the base.
-- a pair of Teknics soft saddlebags, each of which has a big hook-and-loop flap that attaches to the other bag like, umm, saddlebags, so that the flaps can go over the Rotopax. Then you fasten down the two straps on the bottoms of each bag. A nice feature is that the bags have an expansion zipper that lets you make them twice as wide as shown in the photo, making them close to the size of a medium aluminum pannier.
--my beloved MotoFizz medium camping bag, a really nice piece of work with about 200 zippers, pouches, tie downs and attachment points. It’s easy to attach with a strap to the backrest and bungees to nubbins on the rear frame. This is a really useful bag, with lots of space and ways to hang even more stuff (notably the tent and sleeping bag) off the outside.
All this stuff is tied down way easier, way lower and way more securely than it would be on any dual sport that didn't have permanent racks. And the amount of storage space is enough to manage a trip of considerable length.
But wait, there’s more. The Big Ruckus also has a front cargo carrier that will let you easily tie down something of modest size and weight. In my case it’s a dry bag that works well for tools, tire kit, etc.
And since the “step through” area is sizable and flat, it can hold some more stuff nice and low. In my case, I have a good-sized Molle pouch that Velcros to a flat section that stays permanently mounted on the bike. You can put stuff that you’d want to take with you (wallet, sunglasses, cell phone, etc.) in this bag and then easily rip it off the Velcro and take it with you when you go.
Not that it’s going to replace the GS1200 as the overland moto of choice, but there’s considerable low-stress entertainment to be had with a setup like this. The Portal’s had a few threads about the chuckles to be had overlanding with TW200s, Trail 90s and the like, so I figured I might as well throw this one, with its better power and speed, 70 mpg, and its "interesting" looks and funky riding position, into the mix. You’d be hard pressed to have more fun on pavement or a modest trail.
Give it some thought. :sombrero:
(And, apparently, I am not the first person to notice the BR's unique characteristics, as some unknown-to-me Internet wit went to the trouble to put this together . . . )
I was sitting around today, not doing much of anything, when I started wondering if my Honda Big Ruckus scooter was going to work out well for my forthcoming Ewan and Charlie-like motoventure down to Tierra Del Fuego. (Kidding. Totally kidding.)
So, as a public service to the minuscule number of people who even know what a Big Ruckus is, I got out my impressive collection of accumulated-over-decades cycle luggage and proceeded to outfit the moto as it would be kitted for The Big Adventure.
This actually isn't totally parody. Many people own a Big Ruckus because it’s odd, but I own mine because it’s odd and because it has some really interesting attributes, including the ability to carry a whole bunch of stuff safely.
The naked Big Ruckus looks like this,
(Credit: Motor Scooter Guide)
with this one-of-a-kind seating arrangement that produces either dual seating,
or a solo seat with backrest.
The uninitiated might be excited about the backrest, thinking it all looks very comfy but, sadly, the angle of the backrest is much too shallow to reach your backbone. But having the useless backrest raised gives you access to this,
a big flat cargo area with many excellent tie down points and a 45 pound capacity. Indeed, many big Ruckus owners carry a cooler or a Rubbermaid Action Packer on the rear. But they’re not headed to South America, so we need better.
After an hour of messing around, the results are as follows:
-- a 2 gallon Rotopax fits flat on the base. You can strap it down or, if you’re really committed to the plan, easily mount the Rotopax mounting hardware through the base.
-- a pair of Teknics soft saddlebags, each of which has a big hook-and-loop flap that attaches to the other bag like, umm, saddlebags, so that the flaps can go over the Rotopax. Then you fasten down the two straps on the bottoms of each bag. A nice feature is that the bags have an expansion zipper that lets you make them twice as wide as shown in the photo, making them close to the size of a medium aluminum pannier.
--my beloved MotoFizz medium camping bag, a really nice piece of work with about 200 zippers, pouches, tie downs and attachment points. It’s easy to attach with a strap to the backrest and bungees to nubbins on the rear frame. This is a really useful bag, with lots of space and ways to hang even more stuff (notably the tent and sleeping bag) off the outside.
All this stuff is tied down way easier, way lower and way more securely than it would be on any dual sport that didn't have permanent racks. And the amount of storage space is enough to manage a trip of considerable length.
But wait, there’s more. The Big Ruckus also has a front cargo carrier that will let you easily tie down something of modest size and weight. In my case it’s a dry bag that works well for tools, tire kit, etc.
And since the “step through” area is sizable and flat, it can hold some more stuff nice and low. In my case, I have a good-sized Molle pouch that Velcros to a flat section that stays permanently mounted on the bike. You can put stuff that you’d want to take with you (wallet, sunglasses, cell phone, etc.) in this bag and then easily rip it off the Velcro and take it with you when you go.
Not that it’s going to replace the GS1200 as the overland moto of choice, but there’s considerable low-stress entertainment to be had with a setup like this. The Portal’s had a few threads about the chuckles to be had overlanding with TW200s, Trail 90s and the like, so I figured I might as well throw this one, with its better power and speed, 70 mpg, and its "interesting" looks and funky riding position, into the mix. You’d be hard pressed to have more fun on pavement or a modest trail.
Give it some thought. :sombrero:
(And, apparently, I am not the first person to notice the BR's unique characteristics, as some unknown-to-me Internet wit went to the trouble to put this together . . . )
