I was considering buying a motorcycle for a few years, but reality had kept me from it. I commute 25 miles each way to work partly through countryside, partly in highly congested city-center stop and go traffic, and who knows what in between. A manual transmission was something I gave up years ago. I had considered a scooter, but nothing out there really grabbed me as something I would ride on a daily basis (mini-gold wings and go-go gadget Vespa looking things). That all changed when I saw the Big Ruckus. I knew I had to have it, and once I got it, it surpassed almost every expectation. Speed was the first; this thing would actually do 60 mph with guts left for passing. Whooda thought it. 60-70 miles per gallon? Whoa, this thing is paying for itself in fuel savings alone. Comfort is pretty good, but I wish the adjustable seat would slide back about another inch or two, and I'm not that big. My only other complaint comes with the wind. It doesn't take much of a breeze to slow this thing way down and crosswinds really throw this lightweight around.
The bike is simple to maintain (assuming you have basic mechanical skills). The automatic transmission (cvt) is always in its power band and is a dream come true in city traffic. I thought once it started raining this winter that I would store Mr. Big and revert back to the SUV, NO WAY! I suited up in my protective riding gear, threw a Columbia Sportswear Waterproof jacket and pants over the top, and arrived completely dry (underneath) at work. That settled it; I'm riding this thing till it snows (which it hasn't yet). My SUV has seen 350 road miles since I bought Mr. Big 10 months ago.
I've been on a couple of motorcycle rally group rides and a Scooter group ride. Both groups seem to really embrace Mr. Big and have more questions than I can possible answer. The only grief I get is from some hardcore Harley guys and some of the Vespa purists. In my view, they aren't worth talking to anyways. SCOOT ON!!!
