"The bike's too small, the bike's too small" I hear a lot of you say, But in actual fact, the smaller the bike, the bigger adventure, the bigger sense of achievement, the bigger set of balls you have, the cheaper the running costs, the more at one with nature you are etc, etc. It doesn't interest me in the slightest hearing about someone buying a Harley and riding the length of route 66, but this, this is exploring the country and actually seeing and feeling the country, not watching whiz by as though you're on a train :-) Life is such a rush, only by being slowed down on something like this can you really learn to relax and let go of the stressful inbuilt anxious need to keep up with everybody..
CrustyBiker you are so right I can say I live life fast but after I got my Ruckus I feel more one with the world just cruising the backroads or around town notice the little things
I agree it's more of an adventure on a smaller bike, but doesn't have to be a 50cc, my Vespa 125 does over 100 mpg I've put almost 8000 miles on it so far, not all at once but it's still a lot of fun.
Dude, you inspired me to buy a Ruckus. I'm 70 and I bought the Ruckus for my wife who is 74. She/we love it. I have TW200 and she has the Ruckus and we are having the time of our life. Thanks man. :)
How do you like that TW200? I’m pretty sure it’s carbureted? Not EFI, I’m sure. I have a DR-Z400s and a DR-200 I have access to. The DR-200 has no power but great for beginner. But the DR-200 has throttle issues, this bike is brand new and won’t hold a consistent idle or throttle. It’s all over the place which makes it scary for new riders. The power band is very forgiving but when slowing down even with the carburetor idle down but they are 200 likes to speed up on its own. I started riding it with 70 miles on it. It’s a 2019 or 2020 model. I have over 300 miles on it now. Still acts up...
I didn't travel on a ruckus but instead with a Suzuki 800cc crusier. i spent 8 months traveling all around united states...i spent about $3000 total including gas, some hotel nights, some camp ground fees, tolls, some repairs, cooking out mostly, and i bought the $80 pass to see all the national park. Its doable. My biggest expense was buying new tires and brake caliper falling off. I google map everything but choose the option, "Avoid Highways" and it mapped out all the small country roads. Best choice ever. anybody can do this..just gotta do it.
Just finished a 5k mile, 22 day trip through 9 states on my KLR 650. I camped for free almost every night and spent about $1200 fueling up and eating like a king at every diner I passed. If you want to do something like this, you will find a way. It's that simple. Just a note on what mike said in the video about most people waiting until they're retired to do stuff like this.....it's because they made the mistake of having children when they were young.
I've been wanting to do this for 25 years on a motorcycle. I'm now 51. I should have done it when I was young. The clock keeps ticking and I'm getting older every day. As this guys mentioned. Do it while your young and able. What a journey!
Thanks for a great ideo and an inspiration. I have been bicycle touring for 36 years, never driven a car, last machine I owned and rode was a 50 cc Moped in 1972 when I was 16. I am now looking at all the various models of 50 scooters and saw your video. People tell me I can't ride a 50 anything on the road like I have a bicycle, all over the USA. I have ridden 300,000 + miles in 36 years on a bicycle, now at 62 and retired I want a motor scooter. Thanks again for the great video, I think the Rukus is the bike for me!
I am 73 and my wife 71. she has vespa 50 i have vespa 300 also just bought a honda zoomer,ruckus.50 . enjoy your coming years. we go out most days on our bikes.
pretty awesome others here in the shop said"wow that is stock and it would be soooo slow." but that's what makes it sweet. he is not flying past the views, he takes them in slow. We just want to know how he paid for his food, gas, parts. Assuming he saved money or his parents helped. Pretty awesome story.
His name is Mike Saunders a good friend of mine. if he needed anything I would help him in a heartbeat. lord knows he helped me. A smart person and a hero in my eyes. we all have a good person to look up to with him.
I've always considered hitchhiking the country as an adventure, but after seeing this and hearing about Wans cross-country Ruckus adventure, as well as Ed March on his C90, I've come to the conclusion that I'd really enjoy a Ruckus taking me to the West Coast and to even further destinations. Dropped out of college, bored to tears, and want some sort of experience that everyone else I personally know, wouldn't have any idea of what it is like. Hell, I'm no mechanic either so the more work I put on it on the side of the road, the more it becomes a second habit to me. It'll teach me a hell of a lot more than what I'd get out of a classroom. I mean, we get all excited thinking our lives start off and we can finally explore the world as adults once we graduate highschool. But here's the twist, we bury ourselves in debt with college and before you know it, you're stuck in the vicious cycle where all you do is go to school, work, pay your rent to get to work easier, and distract ourselves with half assed entertainment and alcohol on the weekends. That's not what I want, I'm young and thirsty for adventure, to see what I haven't seen, and meet people I'll never get to meet unless I try something new and different. I'm sure we all feel like this, but all it takes is one big leap
do it man it scary at first and youll doubt yourself but after you start youll build confidence quick , if you enjoy hiking ride the ruckus to places and hike the trails much safer lol. and if you break down or get in trouble you would be shocked how much folks will help you when your on an adventure ....the road is life ...do it and take a camera
I met Wan Lee in Fayetteville, NC at the conclusion of his trip. Had dinner and beers with him and about 20 other guys on rucks and then did the auction of his scooter. He is such a cool guy!
I’ve been watching so many Honda Ruckus RUclips videos and this one is by far the best Ruckus story I’ve ever seen! I cannot believe how far he’s gone on a 50cc Ruckus!!! Wow!!! 🛵🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇💯💯💯💯💯💯💯🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
This guy has a form of "gut wisdom" that so few of us realize or even recognize in today's world. As we in the US work towards a post-industrial/post-service economy folks would do well with finding such life endeavors.
We often go on all day excursions on our Ruckuses in the back roads. There is nothing like riding on a sunny day. You just get the feeling that everything is right in the world. This is great. Thanks for sharing this!
I have watched this many times over the years. It has been extremely motivational for me and I seriously considered doing the same thing with a Honda Ruckus. 2019 I quit my job. 2020 I bought a new 2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and a new Wenzel tent and took off for ten weeks. I'm back home in Phoenix now and I just can't do it. I can't handle going out and always coming back to the same house trip after trip. Watched this video again for the motivational shot in the arm I needed. I think I'm going to do it for real. The two-year plan is to sell Everything, house, car, Everything. If it doesn't fit in the saddlebags it doesn't go. Mike, you are such an inspiration. I have to get back out there. As you said, I enjoyed waking up in the morning not knowing for sure where I'm going or where I'm spending the night. Once in Silver City NM I was only going to stay two nights, ended up there ten days. For me, it was all about the ride. Don't know if I have what it takes to pull this off but for now, I'm headed in that direction. Thank you, Mike!
@@ryankelly7273 Any chance this is the Ryan & Kelly who caught me crying at the Rocket Ranch Outpost during the Starship Orbital Flight Test? To answer your question, YES! Rolled out of my garage for the last time March 19, 2021 and haven't looked back. Loading up My Royal Enfield right now for Spring Crater Rally at Welch Park in Somerville, Texas. Then a camping couple at Rocket Ranch told me riding the Natchez Trace is a must so maybe that's next? Last summer I was in Maine at the Eastern Most Point Of The USA, fall saw Artemis 1 launch. No house, or storage unit, only what's strapped to My Royal Enfield so life is good. Thank you for asking.
I have a 150cc gy6 swapped ruckus and would attempt something like this in a heart beat if not for mortgage wife kid etc. everything I ride, my stress just melts away.
What a video! I myself, at 60 years old, have been lately looking into buying a moped, honestly just for tripping back & forth to my part time lifeguarding job at the Y. It’s only 8 miles round trip, and the commute is down a couple of 25 mph speed limit neighborhood streets, onto a stretch of beach road that has a 35 mph speed limit. I don’t really know shy it means so much for me to do something like this at this point in my life. A midlife crisis…at 60? This video just helped add to my desire to do this simple, nondramatic thing at this point in this, my life. So thanx for making this video! Kudos, brother!
Awesome bro. I live in VA and I've been planning for the same type of scooter adventure/lifestyle. Glad to see you don't regret it and are happy. God bless dude.
i’m 16 years old and just bought a honda ruckus me and two other friends who also have them are are planning on a trip from southern california up the coast and back down can’t wait
Most of us would love to do this. However the one thing they never talk about is how they can afford to just pack up and go on one of these adventures. Gas, food and repairs all take money. Where does that come from if you’re not working…
At the start of the video I was asking myself WHY would anyone do this? Why even bother doing this in the first place? The more I watched, the more it became clear. Why not do this? What is life for anyway - security - safety? Life is about living. I'm sure when he dies he won't regret his trip not many have taken.
when i was 10 i got a dirtbike to ride around trails in washington, it was a 50cc just like the ruckus and even then at 10 years old i wish i could go faster. too bad they dont have a 100cc version or something but you also mod it and swap for an 80cc or 100cc which is what im considering
They do have plenty of 100 and 150 cc scooters. I have a 49cc zuma, and a PCX 150 , and after riding my PCX on trails and hills I know why he chose the 49cc. It will go places such as deep sand, water, up steep inclines carrying a load much much better than the PCX 150. They are all low end power. They will surprise you man, I way 250lbs, and I have carried 150 pounds of horse feed on the zuma :( lol, No joke.
Dude, before you make any decisions, go along to "Matthew Cherrington"'s video called "THE NEW BIKE IS HERE!!! BUILD/VLOG" might interest you and some useful advice in it...
This is pretty cool. It reminds me of the trip a korean traveler named Wan Lee traveled on between 08-09 across the US. It was legendary within the honda ruckus community.
This is so inspiring, having experienced cycle touring, never having had a car, and unfortunately no driver's license, I'm going to turn to this solution soon, and you said it, why wait until I can't do it anymore to start ? You made my day, thank you
I took 10 weeks, went 15,000 miles on a Honda 750. Did it when I was 52 years old. I’m 75 now and cannot do something like that again. Don’t wait too long to follow your dreams!
I just bought a Ruckus on a whim... Found it last night, and rode it an hour and a half home. Best $1200 I ever spent. Basically a gift to myself on my 28th birthday today. 2020 Ruckus with 2200 miles on odometer. I'm happier than a 5 year old ina candy/toy store. None of my 12 previously owned cars ever brought me this much joy. Thank you Mike for sparking that light in me.
Awesome you were able to get one for 1200$ lol. Glad you liked it! I'm really debating it so hard.. taking a ruckus and a camera and just spend the best year of my life
I bought mine last year after not having a moped/ scooter for a few years, I've already put 4800 miles on it and I got it last year 2020 brand new with 1 mile on it. I love riding it, and it is so versatile and dependable you can go cross country and not have to worry about reliability. Parts are relatively cheap for the most part, some consumables are better to purchase aftermarket because Honda over charges for that stuff knowing you'll need it regularly. Have fun and ride safe everyone! 😎
While the rest of us just exist, this guy is really living! What an awesome adventure! I own a Ruckus and it is super fun to ride and reliable as hell. The maintenance is easy and I'm no great mechanic.
The Ruckus Road Trip is an Epic adventure ! Nice ta have your own camera crew & chase van and a wing man on the quadcopter & camera gimbal ! Wonder how many times Mr Piggy showed up finger wave-in ?....Hope you had & HAVE Safe trails Bro, Peace.
My grandma and grandpa have two Honda scooters! One is a stock ruckus. I love it! I always ride it down there dead end road! All my stress just goes away!
I have a Yamaha Zuma and I love it too bits. In the summer, I ride it for hours on end after work. I hope someday soon I can go on a awesome rode trip.
You mean to tell me he was all across the United States to Alaska and back on unmodified 49 cc ruckus? If this is true you just saw me on buying one because I was thinking about getting an AVD 150 instead but I love the ruckus and I know the cops are gonna leave me alone. And my second question is what do you do take all the back roads? And if your ruckus is modified how did you modify it? Can you please do a video on this. Just your standard equipment? That would be awesome man and thanks again for your wonderful video!
If I didn't already have a Honda Zoomer and was still contemplating it, this would have been the clincher. This is an amazing story and video, I see Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor could have quite easily have shrunken their trip slightly and used Zoomers for a similar adventure. You are an inspiration to us all to remember that all work and no play not only makes Jack a dull boy but also cages are spirits and represses our ability to truly explore the wondrous experience that is life, the good life. Ps. Not forgetting those less fortunate that are not born into good and safe parts of the world and may never see good life, may they find happiness somehow too and may we live life to the full if we have been given the opportunities to do so :-)
Awesome i have been wanting a ruckus, been saving up but wasn't sure if i wanted a 50cc or a 150cc but this makes me like any kind free and fun rock on buddy+
I cannot agree more with what this man says. I am 57 years old. I have done a lot of things in my life that I am glad I did when I did them because I could not do them now. So if there is something that you really want to do then know that it is already late. If that is important to you then do what it takes to do it now!
They are legal for the highway, just not interstate highways, cool thing is though you can leave the road and hit the ditch on one of these things if needed to let people pass by you.
interstates are freeways, dude if it has stop lights or stop signs you can drive on the road even if they are 60-70mph if it has two lanes and no stop lights or intersections, it is probably a freeway and no bikes or pedestrians or mopeds most full size "scooters" have 125-150cc engines and these are usually required to be registered as a motorcycle and you will need a motorcycle license and can go on freeways and interstates
He's right about doing it while you are young and have both the energy and minimal obligations. If you want some historical perspective on such a trip, read novelist Peter Beagle's 1965 non-fiction book "I See by My Outfit, Cross-Country by Scooter: An Adventure." It recounts going from the Bronx to San Francisco with his best buddy on a pair of Heinkel 4-strokes.
mike you're awesome I bought a ruckus because of you in 2015 I have 23k miles on mine original engine no swap yet. I can do 53mph these bikes are great my question would you do this again?
I used to rip around on a ruckus myself. When he said the fun in making something slow go fast I know what he means. I affectionately called it conservation of momentum. When you commit to going around a corner and only slowing down the bare minimum is a bit of a thrill.
Boy you can tell there are a lot of BMW GS riders on here, they are all asking about if you can ride it on the "highway" or if it will reach highway speeds and how he got it on highways? I think the point of this type of travel is to ride on everything but a highway;-) While Im at it, so much for the BMW GS and all the $$$ you dump into that dam thing to end up with a bike that if it tips over in the dirt you need a second person to get her back on her paws.
The guy riding ruckus He still owns BMW GS This epic ride was in year 2014 .that same year I rode my 2011 Honda pcx 125 cc (stock) around the country for 5 months 20000 miles 37 states 38 National Parks From my experience smaller bike is better
I actually enjoy this video alot . I'm thinking of getting a ruckus myself. what you prefer for at least $2000 decent but not too cheap. let me know please and thanks
So amazing, I love it! I have a few questions…what type of roads did you mostly take? Did you modify the Ruckus top end speed? My buddy had one and would only go MAYBE 40mph. Or did you just let cars pass you all the time?
Amazing how far a little 49cc Honda GET motor can go! I wonder if this dude was inspired by The Adventures of WAN. That Yellow Dry bag makes me believe the answer is YES!!! Scoot Tv Approved dude • Honest™
Bravery and soft naivety, when you know that engine that can't be fixed in some cases and seat position when after 1 hour your neck is hurt- it sounds crazy but looks so cool!) Man, you definitely in the right way, peace!
what upgrades or modification work have you done to your Ruckus to make it able to drive across Country?? A stock 49cc unit obviously coudnt do it at 35MPH.. Thanks and great story. Ive got a 2012 Ruckus my son loves...
In this kind of Adventure, do u actually need to upgrade ur scooter or it is okay if u take it and drive it up to 20,000 miles without modification like straight up stock mods. I am planning to buy a Honda ruckus and explore Canada. just like what he did.
This video inspired me to get a ruckus. I ended putting 3,000 miles in one Summer. I found most roads to be quite stressful and dangerous. The bike was so slow uphill that it left me exposed. I pissed off a lot of motorist despite doing my best to pull over whenever possible. I survived, saw some cool stuff but now I ride a 500. However that scooter taught me to appreciate the journey more than anything.
![Kodak Black - Catch Fire [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/A4ch-olIuZo/mqdefault.jpg)
"The bike's too small, the bike's too small" I hear a lot of you say, But in actual fact, the smaller the bike, the bigger adventure, the bigger sense of achievement, the bigger set of balls you have, the cheaper the running costs, the more at one with nature you are etc, etc.
It doesn't interest me in the slightest hearing about someone buying a Harley and riding the length of route 66, but this, this is exploring the country and actually seeing and feeling the country, not watching whiz by as though you're on a train :-)
Life is such a rush, only by being slowed down on something like this can you really learn to relax and let go of the stressful inbuilt anxious need to keep up with everybody..
+CrustyBiker boom goes the dynamite! I just heard all the highway bound "adventure" rider's heads explode.
CrustyBiker you are so right I can say I live life fast but after I got my Ruckus I feel more one with the world just cruising the backroads or around town notice the little things
I agree it's more of an adventure on a smaller bike, but doesn't have to be a 50cc, my Vespa 125 does over 100 mpg I've put almost 8000 miles on it so far, not all at once but it's still a lot of fun.
You. Are so right. Tha k you 100 times!!
CrustyBiker totally agree. It’s not about the destination. It’s all about the journey.
Dude, you inspired me to buy a Ruckus. I'm 70 and I bought the Ruckus for my wife who is 74. She/we love it. I have TW200 and she has the Ruckus and we are having the time of our life. Thanks man. :)
live free. ride hard my friend :)
that is absolutely awesome
How do you like that TW200? I’m pretty sure it’s carbureted? Not EFI, I’m sure. I have a DR-Z400s and a DR-200 I have access to. The DR-200 has no power but great for beginner. But the DR-200 has throttle issues, this bike is brand new and won’t hold a consistent idle or throttle. It’s all over the place which makes it scary for new riders. The power band is very forgiving but when slowing down even with the carburetor idle down but they are 200 likes to speed up on its own. I started riding it with 70 miles on it. It’s a 2019 or 2020 model. I have over 300 miles on it now. Still acts up...
Does your TW-200 have any issues? How’s that seat? Comfortable?
hell yes ! godbless ! that's the spirit we should all have
I didn't travel on a ruckus but instead with a Suzuki 800cc crusier.
i spent 8 months traveling all around united states...i spent about $3000 total including gas, some hotel nights, some camp ground fees, tolls, some repairs, cooking out mostly, and i bought the $80 pass to see all the national park. Its doable. My biggest expense was buying new tires and brake caliper falling off.
I google map everything but choose the option, "Avoid Highways" and it mapped out all the small country roads. Best choice ever.
anybody can do this..just gotta do it.
Toua Herr awesome!
Just finished a 5k mile, 22 day trip through 9 states on my KLR 650. I camped for free almost every night and spent about $1200 fueling up and eating like a king at every diner I passed. If you want to do something like this, you will find a way. It's that simple.
Just a note on what mike said in the video about most people waiting until they're retired to do stuff like this.....it's because they made the mistake of having children when they were young.
@@MakeCriminalsIllegalAgain dang that sounds so fun!
I’m gonna do this shit
I've been wanting to do this for 25 years on a motorcycle. I'm now 51. I should have done it when I was young. The clock keeps ticking and I'm getting older every day. As this guys mentioned. Do it while your young and able. What a journey!
its never too late
Go for it!
We support you man.
Ricky McGill its still not to late man get a bike strap a go pro to your head and make some videos let us know how the journey is going 👌
You are correct my friend.I'm in the planning stage of a Transamerica Trail ride next summer on a Yamaha TW200. I'm 70. :)
Thanks for a great ideo and an inspiration. I have been bicycle touring for 36 years, never driven a car, last machine I owned and rode was a 50 cc Moped in 1972 when I was 16. I am now looking at all the various models of 50 scooters and saw your video. People tell me I can't ride a 50 anything on the road like I have a bicycle, all over the USA. I have ridden 300,000 + miles in 36 years on a bicycle, now at 62 and retired I want a motor scooter. Thanks again for the great video, I think the Rukus is the bike for me!
I am 73 and my wife 71. she has vespa 50 i have vespa 300 also just bought a honda zoomer,ruckus.50 . enjoy your coming years. we go out most days on our bikes.
What am I doing with my life?
You're figuring out better ways to live it. Never give up Never surrender!
I've watched this over and over this dude is living his dream and everybody's else's dream lol
pretty awesome others here in the shop said"wow that is stock and it would be soooo slow." but that's what makes it sweet. he is not flying past the views, he takes them in slow. We just want to know how he paid for his food, gas, parts. Assuming he saved money or his parents helped. Pretty awesome story.
Probably saved up money. Seems to opposite of ostentatious to be daddy's money.
he did this by himself a good man
@@meadorsd8961 I agree
His name is Mike Saunders a good friend of mine. if he needed anything I would help him in a heartbeat. lord knows he helped me. A smart person and a hero in my eyes. we all have a good person to look up to with him.
stock is best for reliability,about 35 m p h.tops.
I've always considered hitchhiking the country as an adventure, but after seeing this and hearing about Wans cross-country Ruckus adventure, as well as Ed March on his C90, I've come to the conclusion that I'd really enjoy a Ruckus taking me to the West Coast and to even further destinations. Dropped out of college, bored to tears, and want some sort of experience that everyone else I personally know, wouldn't have any idea of what it is like. Hell, I'm no mechanic either so the more work I put on it on the side of the road, the more it becomes a second habit to me. It'll teach me a hell of a lot more than what I'd get out of a classroom. I mean, we get all excited thinking our lives start off and we can finally explore the world as adults once we graduate highschool. But here's the twist, we bury ourselves in debt with college and before you know it, you're stuck in the vicious cycle where all you do is go to school, work, pay your rent to get to work easier, and distract ourselves with half assed entertainment and alcohol on the weekends. That's not what I want, I'm young and thirsty for adventure, to see what I haven't seen, and meet people I'll never get to meet unless I try something new and different. I'm sure we all feel like this, but all it takes is one big leap
do it man it scary at first and youll doubt yourself but after you start youll build confidence quick , if you enjoy hiking ride the ruckus to places and hike the trails much safer lol. and if you break down or get in trouble you would be shocked how much folks will help you when your on an adventure ....the road is life ...do it and take a camera
Bro I’m down I just dropped out of college!
Join the Military oh wait never mind they don't take Quitters
I met Wan Lee in Fayetteville, NC at the conclusion of his trip. Had dinner and beers with him and about 20 other guys on rucks and then did the auction of his scooter. He is such a cool guy!
I’ve been watching so many Honda Ruckus RUclips videos and this one is by far the best Ruckus story I’ve ever seen! I cannot believe how far he’s gone on a 50cc Ruckus!!! Wow!!! 🛵🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆🥇💯💯💯💯💯💯💯🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
dam it this guy literally sold me on a ruckus
I have a ruckus and love it.
+Dug Shooter great reference...into the wild is an amazing movie/story
+sim c get a 150cc scooter. ruckus is too slow
+tiehut already bought one lol its awesome no regrets. its so fun and every ride feels like an adventure.
sim c look for 150cc scooters on craigslist and test ride one. you will LOVE it
This guy has a form of "gut wisdom" that so few of us realize or even recognize in today's world. As we in the US work towards a post-industrial/post-service economy folks would do well with finding such life endeavors.
We often go on all day excursions on our Ruckuses in the back roads. There is nothing like riding on a sunny day. You just get the feeling that everything is right in the world. This is great. Thanks for sharing this!
Heck yea man, scooters Rock!!
And I was impressed by someone touring like this on a Honda crf250l , boy was I wrong ! This is awesome :)
Amazing story. I only wish he had motovlogged the entire journey.
I have watched this many times over the years. It has been extremely motivational for me and I seriously considered doing the same thing with a Honda Ruckus. 2019 I quit my job. 2020 I bought a new 2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and a new Wenzel tent and took off for ten weeks. I'm back home in Phoenix now and I just can't do it. I can't handle going out and always coming back to the same house trip after trip. Watched this video again for the motivational shot in the arm I needed. I think I'm going to do it for real. The two-year plan is to sell Everything, house, car, Everything. If it doesn't fit in the saddlebags it doesn't go. Mike, you are such an inspiration. I have to get back out there. As you said, I enjoyed waking up in the morning not knowing for sure where I'm going or where I'm spending the night. Once in Silver City NM I was only going to stay two nights, ended up there ten days. For me, it was all about the ride. Don't know if I have what it takes to pull this off but for now, I'm headed in that direction. Thank you, Mike!
Did you do it yet?
@@ryankelly7273 Any chance this is the Ryan & Kelly who caught me crying at the Rocket Ranch Outpost during the Starship Orbital Flight Test?
To answer your question, YES! Rolled out of my garage for the last time March 19, 2021 and haven't looked back. Loading up My Royal Enfield right now for Spring Crater Rally at Welch Park in Somerville, Texas. Then a camping couple at Rocket Ranch told me riding the Natchez Trace is a must so maybe that's next? Last summer I was in Maine at the Eastern Most Point Of The USA, fall saw Artemis 1 launch. No house, or storage unit, only what's strapped to My Royal Enfield so life is good. Thank you for asking.
Honda should put him on payroll. He probably sold thousands of ruckuses with this video alone. I am sold!
I have a 150cc gy6 swapped ruckus and would attempt something like this in a heart beat if not for mortgage wife kid etc. everything I ride, my stress just melts away.
everything or every time?
😂
What a video! I myself, at 60 years old, have been lately looking into buying a moped, honestly just for tripping back & forth to my part time lifeguarding job at the Y. It’s only 8 miles round trip, and the commute is down a couple of 25 mph speed limit neighborhood streets, onto a stretch of beach road that has a 35 mph speed limit. I don’t really know shy it means so much for me to do something like this at this point in my life. A midlife crisis…at 60? This video just helped add to my desire to do this simple, nondramatic thing at this point in this, my life. So thanx for making this video! Kudos, brother!
Awesome bro. I live in VA and I've been planning for the same type of scooter adventure/lifestyle. Glad to see you don't regret it and are happy. God bless dude.
Why wait till until you 60 “If you have your youth and your health... why would you wait so long” so true my friend!
I have a ruckus and that’s wild how he doing all that on a ruckus
Amazing story and person. Lord watch over and bless this man.
i’m 16 years old and just bought a honda ruckus me and two other friends who also have them are are planning on a trip from southern california up the coast and back down can’t wait
I’ve watched this video several dozen times in the couple of years. I wish I could do this.
Don't wish just do it.
Most of us would love to do this. However the one thing they never talk about is how they can afford to just pack up and go on one of these adventures. Gas, food and repairs all take money. Where does that come from if you’re not working…
Can't thank you enough for sending me the Ruckus headlights that lit the way on your journey. You're an inspiration to us all.
Holy shit! How f'ing COOL is that?!! A Ruckus?; never even imagined such a thing.
At the start of the video I was asking myself WHY would anyone do this? Why even bother doing this in the first place? The more I watched, the more it became clear. Why not do this? What is life for anyway - security - safety? Life is about living. I'm sure when he dies he won't regret his trip not many have taken.
True. I want to do the exact same thing, only with a different bike. The top speed on these is 38mph, I just couldn't deal with it tbh.
when i was 10 i got a dirtbike to ride around trails in washington, it was a 50cc just like the ruckus and even then at 10 years old i wish i could go faster. too bad they dont have a 100cc version or something but you also mod it and swap for an 80cc or 100cc which is what im considering
***** The most common swap is the GY6 which is 150cc.
They do have plenty of 100 and 150 cc scooters. I have a 49cc zuma, and a PCX 150 , and after riding my PCX on trails and hills I know why he chose the 49cc. It will go places such as deep sand, water, up steep inclines carrying a load much much better than the PCX 150. They are all low end power. They will surprise you man, I way 250lbs, and I have carried 150 pounds of horse feed on the zuma :( lol, No joke.
Dude, before you make any decisions, go along to "Matthew Cherrington"'s video called "THE NEW BIKE IS HERE!!! BUILD/VLOG" might interest you and some useful advice in it...
awesome, love your attitude
This is pretty cool. It reminds me of the trip a korean traveler named Wan Lee traveled on between 08-09 across the US. It was legendary within the honda ruckus community.
This is so inspiring, having experienced cycle touring, never having had a car, and unfortunately no driver's license, I'm going to turn to this solution soon, and you said it, why wait until I can't do it anymore to start ? You made my day, thank you
I took 10 weeks, went 15,000 miles on a Honda 750. Did it when I was 52 years old. I’m 75 now and cannot do something like that again. Don’t wait too long to follow your dreams!
Already Planning thanks for the inspiration! We take off some time soon.
Awesome! And I thought my ride to Alaska on a Honda NC700 was "minimalist"!
I just bought a Ruckus on a whim... Found it last night, and rode it an hour and a half home. Best $1200 I ever spent. Basically a gift to myself on my 28th birthday today. 2020 Ruckus with 2200 miles on odometer. I'm happier than a 5 year old ina candy/toy store. None of my 12 previously owned cars ever brought me this much joy. Thank you Mike for sparking that light in me.
Awesome you were able to get one for 1200$ lol. Glad you liked it! I'm really debating it so hard.. taking a ruckus and a camera and just spend the best year of my life
Now the trail 125 is out so its kinda a hard battle between that or the ruckus
Guess my upcoming Ruckus journey from St Louis to Halifax will be a cake walk compared to this guy. Great video.
That's it! I'm getting off my couch and getting on my ruckus! Later RUclips! 😎
I bought mine last year after not having a moped/ scooter for a few years, I've already put 4800 miles on it and I got it last year 2020 brand new with 1 mile on it. I love riding it, and it is so versatile and dependable you can go cross country and not have to worry about reliability. Parts are relatively cheap for the most part, some consumables are better to purchase aftermarket because Honda over charges for that stuff knowing you'll need it regularly. Have fun and ride safe everyone! 😎
How amazing is that! I've never commented on here before but WOW!
While the rest of us just exist, this guy is really living! What an awesome adventure! I own a Ruckus and it is super fun to ride and reliable as hell. The maintenance is easy and I'm no great mechanic.
Enjoy man your life, not all can understand the meaning about the trip.
Self I'm building my own 49cc and will start my road trip 2020
Awesome video, awesome ride.
The Ruckus Road Trip is an Epic adventure ! Nice ta have your own camera crew & chase van and a wing man on the quadcopter & camera gimbal ! Wonder how many times Mr Piggy showed up finger wave-in ?....Hope you had & HAVE Safe trails Bro, Peace.
My grandma and grandpa have two Honda scooters! One is a stock ruckus. I love it! I always ride it down there dead end road! All my stress just goes away!
I have a Yamaha Zuma and I love it too bits. In the summer, I ride it for hours on end after work. I hope someday soon I can go on a awesome rode trip.
Anytime I drive more than a hundred miles in one direction I call it a great adventure. They come with a sore butt.
You mean to tell me he was all across the United States to Alaska and back on unmodified 49 cc ruckus? If this is true you just saw me on buying one because I was thinking about getting an AVD 150 instead but I love the ruckus and I know the cops are gonna leave me alone. And my second question is what do you do take all the back roads? And if your ruckus is modified how did you modify it? Can you please do a video on this. Just your standard equipment? That would be awesome man and thanks again for your wonderful video!
I'm a 62 year old cat lady. I bought my Ruckus on 3 days ago.
If I didn't already have a Honda Zoomer and was still contemplating it, this would have been the clincher. This is an amazing story and video, I see Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor could have quite easily have shrunken their trip slightly and used Zoomers for a similar adventure. You are an inspiration to us all to remember that all work and no play not only makes Jack a dull boy but also cages are spirits and represses our ability to truly explore the wondrous experience that is life, the good life.
Ps. Not forgetting those less fortunate that are not born into good and safe parts of the world and may never see good life, may they find happiness somehow too and may we live life to the full if we have been given the opportunities to do so :-)
Ewan and Charlie even had a back up crew.you dont need that with a Honda.watch itchy boots on utube. all on her own with a drone.
Well shot & well edited.
Awesome i have been wanting a ruckus, been saving up but wasn't sure if i wanted a 50cc or a 150cc but this makes me like any kind free and fun rock on buddy+
Big respect to this young guy, who didn't know he couldn't do it, so he did.
We saw Mike when he was in Florida and wondered what the story was. It was in central FL region.
I cannot agree more with what this man says. I am 57 years old. I have done a lot of things in my life that I am glad I did when I did them because I could not do them now. So if there is something that you really want to do then know that it is already late. If that is important to you then do what it takes to do it now!
I spent about 2 hours on my Ruckus today and my butt is soar, this guy is crazy hahahh I dig it man!
Ya there is no way this is real
Great, great video, I wish I could do the same thing Mike did.
Who shot this vid did u go with a buddy or had a following drone
отлично !!!
Интересно ? А какие запасные части надо брать с собой ???.
Знать бы, какие поломки бывают!
Iron Butt Award winner for three years running!
I got my ruckus for this exact reason
I've put 7,500 miles on it. And I still don't feel like its enough. Ruck it brother!
Wow
I wanna get a Ruckus to travel
It's freakin amazing love your story
Balls of steel..
Love your story
Gotta love small bikes. I wonder if he took it on highways or stayed off of them.
They are legal for the highway, just not interstate highways, cool thing is though you can leave the road and hit the ditch on one of these things if needed to let people pass by you.
interstates are freeways, dude
if it has stop lights or stop signs you can drive on the road even if they are 60-70mph
if it has two lanes and no stop lights or intersections, it is probably a freeway and no bikes or pedestrians or mopeds
most full size "scooters" have 125-150cc engines and these are usually required to be registered as a motorcycle and you will need a motorcycle license and can go on freeways and interstates
Really inspiring stuff. Thanks for sharing with us
I'm doin this. Buyin my ruckus within the next few weeks and I'm gone.
+Asher Priddy Cool, man! Live the dream.
If you do come to Cali and visit
u ever make the trip??
:)
Yeah! Go for it man and who is going to pay for this trip when there is money coming in?
He's right about doing it while you are young and have both the energy and minimal obligations. If you want some historical perspective on such a trip, read novelist Peter Beagle's 1965 non-fiction book "I See by My Outfit, Cross-Country by Scooter: An Adventure." It recounts going from the Bronx to San Francisco with his best buddy on a pair of Heinkel 4-strokes.
mike you're awesome I bought a ruckus because of you in 2015 I have 23k miles on mine original engine no swap yet. I can do 53mph these bikes are great my question would you do this again?
Yes.
I used to rip around on a ruckus myself. When he said the fun in making something slow go fast I know what he means. I affectionately called it conservation of momentum. When you commit to going around a corner and only slowing down the bare minimum is a bit of a thrill.
I wish I had a Ruckus back in the 80's. But I do now. They are great little bikes.......
i so plan on doing this... thanks for the inspiration.
You inspire me men thanks for this vid!!keep it up
Did you have to rebuild it? And how many torque converter belts did you have to change along the way
80 ,000 miles I think he rode it.
Boy you can tell there are a lot of BMW GS riders on here, they are all asking about if you can ride it on the "highway" or if it will reach highway speeds and how he got it on highways? I think the point of this type of travel is to ride on everything but a highway;-) While Im at it, so much for the BMW GS and all the $$$ you dump into that dam thing to end up with a bike that if it tips over in the dirt you need a second person to get her back on her paws.
The guy riding ruckus He still owns BMW GS
This epic ride was in year 2014 .that same year I rode my 2011 Honda pcx 125 cc (stock) around the country
for 5 months 20000 miles 37 states 38 National Parks
From my experience smaller bike is better
Every guy needs a Ruckus or something like it. People have lost the sense of adventure.
Awesome story man, I love my Honda ruckus.
It’s aug 2020 now where did the journey take him
Great video and love the windshield ! What's it off ?
How was that bike registered? Did you have a motorcycle license? what was it like crossing state lines with different scooter laws?
L class license. Limited speed vehicle.
Living the dream....Love it!
Gonna ride on my ruckus from Apollo beach to key West in September. I am in my fifties so I better do it while I can.
Did you do it?
Did not make it that far. In September gonna try for marathon Key.
I’m a big time motorcyclist, but I actually sailed a 16’ Hobie Cat from Apollo Beach to Key West. Either way it’s an fun time.
I actually enjoy this video alot .
I'm thinking of getting a ruckus myself.
what you prefer for at least $2000
decent but not too cheap.
let me know please
and thanks
Wait. It’s 49cc how was he avoiding highways ? This is amazing.
one of these days, after college, 250cc dual sport. off into the sunset
I Want a Ruckus After seeing this... :)
Was his a stock ruckus?
yes it looks stock besides the things racks he added to hold his camping stuff.
How do u ride on highways on a ruckus
So amazing, I love it! I have a few questions…what type of roads did you mostly take? Did you modify the Ruckus top end speed? My buddy had one and would only go MAYBE 40mph. Or did you just let cars pass you all the time?
Amazing how far a little 49cc Honda GET motor can go!
I wonder if this dude was inspired by The Adventures of WAN.
That Yellow Dry bag makes me believe the answer is YES!!!
Scoot Tv Approved dude • Honest™
Yes, I remember following Wan adventure. Whatever happened to Wan, he just disappeared in Korea.
Honest Mike?
I'm 45 years old and I'm in awe 😱
Bravery and soft naivety, when you know that engine that can't be fixed in some cases and seat position when after 1 hour your neck is hurt- it sounds crazy but looks so cool!)
Man, you definitely in the right way, peace!
what upgrades or modification work have you done to your Ruckus to make it able to drive across Country?? A stock 49cc unit obviously coudnt do it at 35MPH.. Thanks and great story. Ive got a 2012 Ruckus my son loves...
Leaving it stock is the best way to do that trip, any modifications to the engine will hurt longevity and reliability.
This is such a life affirming story
Cowboy livin on a ruckus 😝👍, I know a lil about that ✌️, great video THANKS, take care & God bless ✌️
awesomevideo. if i was younger and not married with kids i would hop on my ruckus and disappear.
Totally awesome free spirit be well and enjoy your lifetime of happiness.
Every Ruckus Owner needs a RucRac to complete your bike:)
In this kind of Adventure, do u actually need to upgrade ur scooter or it is okay if u take it and drive it up to 20,000 miles without modification like straight up stock mods. I am planning to buy a Honda ruckus and explore Canada. just like what he did.
this is great i hope to do this soon
So how did u deal with the roads n by that I mean highways or were u able to take side roads on this trip being u have a limited top speed ?
This video inspired me to get a ruckus. I ended putting 3,000 miles in one Summer. I found most roads to be quite stressful and dangerous. The bike was so slow uphill that it left me exposed. I pissed off a lot of motorist despite doing my best to pull over whenever possible.
I survived, saw some cool stuff but now I ride a 500. However that scooter taught me to appreciate the journey more than anything.
Hey. Love the video, but are you still doing this?
Highways on a 49cc, I mean is this stock with a 125cc or 150cc, if soI kinda wanna try this...