Added upgrade performance mods to my Honda Ruckus| Is it worth it?

[@jarradmorgan70]

Hey after a hard pull…pull the bike over and do a plug chop. That will tell you volumes! If you see your plug is all blackish then you’re rich if you see it looks super white on the porcelain you are super lean, you want a nice tan color on the porcelain of the plug that will tell you you’re running near perfect. Also you should be able to kind of tell by the sound of your exhaust whether you’re lean or rich. If the exhaust sounds crackly and very sharp you are a likely lean if it sounds super thumpy and kind of muffled you’re likely Rich. Don’t give up.

[@gizzabem]

Thanks! I was told something about that but I changed back to stock lol I’ll let my friend know since he’s still riding with the kit!

[@funkdoctor9663]

cdi upgrade plus weight adjustment is the key to high top speed that always gives more gains than intake/exhaust combo in my experience

[@josephgeorgeejr7039]

Hate to be redundant, but that exhaust is absolutely a racket on the ruckus!!

[@nickgreener3886]

I think the best mods for performance on the ruckus is the cdi rev box and a aftermarket clutch variator with a qulity brand belt. lighter clutch weights = faster accel lower top speed. heavy = slower accel with higher top speed. I did the TRS air intake with the uni filter and yoshi exhaust like you and after 2 summers I regret it. I'm about to add the stock air box and exhaust back on and forget about the slight gains you get from it.

[@davidmoney1042]

Lol you can’t do shit on the ruckus why you can do on a GY6 Taotao engine everybody say The Chinese scooters are asss and they’re really not there more in the modern world compared to the Honda you’re spending all this money on a freaking ruckus and you can’t even hardly do anything with the engine you spinning like $4000 and then you got to swap out the engine to what you have to a Chinese engine which is way better yeah the heart is reliable but it’s in the past it’s not what people are doing now and it’s not what what’s in the future These type of engines are outdated for sure even though old town this where you can do more modifications to is outdated

[@davidmoney1042]

And that’s freaking the funny thing about it you can spend a $200 scooter like a Taotao scooter like how much money I spent on it and it’s been a hell of a lot of money on it and I’ll perform this piece of crap Rockies no offense taken just stating facts it’s a waste of money yeah you might be able to buy a really expensive rug is it might be on the road where if you don’t do any mods to it it could turn on even with it have problems but it sucks with performance it’s hell a slow it is never going to go any faster he needs to start wasting his money and get a Chinese engine or another Honda engine even though it will never compete with the GY6

[@Win7ermu7e]

@@davidmoney1042 They are ass.

[@mistflip69]

Hey man you're videos are great. Appreciate your content

[@gizzabem]

Thank you! Much appreciated! I like your username lol

[@Johndoe-qk6fi]

Im just doing a k&n drop in filter and using better gear oil. And synthetic motor oil might get a better battery and spark plug i may do a variator later on honda makes them pretty good as they come im just gonna replace the cheap stuff they use to keep production costs down pretty much

[@grahamchan4266]

Bike looks great. What model windshield is that?

[@waynesworkshop7069]

Need to do some cvt tuning to help with the top end and maybe play with the jetting more. But your on the right track!

[@chadlieb2437]

The loud exhaust is a safety feature. It lets motorists know you’re there.

[@fast49cc78]

Look up some tips on the air/fuel mixture screw, located on the left side, it’s caped with a D cap, depending on altitude, I’m at two and half turns out at 150’ sea level, good luck

[@mistflip69]

Also, the exhaust sound and commentary are fine

[@michaelgarza7549]

THX FOR THE VIDEO... HOPE YOU HAVE A PART 2 ON A FIX FOR YOUR UPGRADE...

[@paul8158]

a quarter turn on the airmix-screw will fix the stop-off-issue usually, with all these 50cc-carbed-engines, no big deal. Also, if you ever run into a cold-start too much fuel engine-stop (wet sparkplugg), detache the electric autochoke-cabel, (turns the autochoke off permanently) works wonderful for fixing this issue, no need for a choke down to 0 Celsius anyway.

[@silas.anderson]

Getting just the cdi I only got I think 72kmh. Then got variator, clutch springs (mostly for better grab) and intake with jets And maybe a few other things but I got 80kmh and was going to get met gears to hit 95ish kmh I believe like small engine velocity but sold my ruckus right before I had the chance to install them and bought a Honda Navi. The ruckus you have to perfectly tune absolutely everything to get 50mph.

[@25Soupy]

How do you like your Honda Navi? How would you compare it to the Ruckus? Obviously, it's faster but I mean everything else in comparison?

[@silas.anderson]

@@25Soupy definitely uses more gas, but probably just as fun to drive. also oem parts are so so much cheaper. i was wanting to replace my battery box on my ruckus but then i checked and for the whole thing it would've been $170 ish canadian. meanwhile people have said they ordered all the coloured panels for the navi for $50 usd.

[@tonywatson9052]

got my ruckus 5 days ago. new 2024. my topspeed is 43 on flat ground. ive watched a few vids and dont think ill be doing any speed upgrades. im 180lbs

[@reggiepaulk]

I know you’ve probably already figured it out two years later, but the idle adjustment is easy with a Phillips head screw driver.

[@athletejmv]

At a stock configuration my 2022 hits 42MPH pretty easily. I live in FL though... most of the roadways are flat. I watched a video on a couple of guys do a 1,000 mile road trip on a ruckus. He drilled three holes into the air box and the ruckus hated it. Maybe go back the factory air box?

[@Win7ermu7e]

It's a tuned airbox. Messing with that or exhaust on stock motor makes no sense.

[@DyLemmaOG]

@@Win7ermu7e yeah the ruckus absolutely hates even the smallest most tiny change of the air intake.. I got a new filter and sprayed it with oil and my ruckus literally wouldn't run. I had to soak the filter in dawn soap for a few hours to strip all the oil and let it dry completely before I could put it back in and it started working again. Insane lol

[@chadlieb2437]

They drilled the three holes on RevZilla when they were running it on a mountain adventure bike course.

[@brodystapletonoutdoors7325]

Mine bogs at full throttle too and I’m having a hell of a time finding the right jets for the aftermarket carb the guy before me put on! Turning the air screw changes things a little bit but my guess is it’s my main jet

[@gizzabem]

Yeah I think I’m going back to stock since I’m losing mpg, super loud exhaust, and not seeing much performance. I don’t mind going 40 lol

[@DyLemmaOG]

The air intake on the Honda Ruckus is the most picky finnicky thing in the world. Just stay with stock air filter and call it a day because any other filter that's not the OEM one is going to fuck the ruckus up. Too much air or too little air and the ruckus just doesn't run right

[@Watchingtheridiculous]

I'm coming across this video 2 years later. Can you tell me if The Mods Reduce the reliability

[@ronmendoza1274]

You're hitting the Rev Limiter. It's to protect the engine from over revving and blowing the engine.

[@sonvu5374]

You maybe have to adjust the throttle screw a little if you didnt have the throttle cable at the exact same spot as before. That happened to be when I took it all apart it kept shutting off at start and I gave the throttle screw a little spin clock wise and it never dies on me anymore.

[@gizzabem]

Yeah I ended up doing that but I went back to stock as of yesterday lol

[@sonvu5374]

@@gizzabem whatttt don’t give up!

[@gizzabem]

@@sonvu5374 I figured I’d keep it reliable and more mpg for now lol

[@sonvu5374]

you put it all back to stock?

[@gizzabem]

@@sonvu5374 I kept the CDI box in but the intake, jets, and exhaust are back to stock lol

[@JFrenchRennier]

Read all the comments, chuckled at a couple. I restore American muscle as a father /son hobby. Last was an 08 signed Shelby GT500 Convertible. In the past I built & raced drag cars & bikes. Made serious money taking old VW Bugs dropping a 904 Porche motor in it & chopping it making racing dune buggy's. Have owned a Harley for 51 years but this is only the 2nd Honda, I had a 305 Scrambler when I was 15. 1st time with a Scooter & discovered it is as much fun as the mini-bike I had when I was 12. Without getting crazy & after doing the engineering model, what I had stock with my 220lb body plus 14lbs of bags, foot pegs for better handling & a rear carrier was a top speed of 37mph. Since I have added 2 spark plugs, the E3.38 is the best closely followed by the CR9IX which is cooler running than the NKG CR8IX8 iridium & increased rear tire pressure to 34psi front at 28psi. This solved a tendency to hesitate going full throttle. Added a Polini kevlar belt, Polini Variator, NCY drive face, a variety of Dr. Pulley sliders & a Trail Tech Tach which is necessary to properly tune. At present my top speed calm wind flat road is 43mph at 8650/8700rpm with far better acceleration than stock. But it takes almost 1/2 mile from 40 to 43mph. Next on the agenda is an EFI not a generic CDI. Intrigued by 1 plus a performance ignition combo for $220 that is plug & play plus allows the kill switch to continue to function....... Real News - Unless you exceed the Rev limit setting of 8850rpm, the CDI will only give you a small amount of lower torque & not top speed gain. For me this will mean 4.5 gram Sliders & possibly a combination of 4 gram & 4.5 gram equaling 4.25 grams. I am currently running 3x 5.5 gram & 3x 4.5 gram sliders. With 5.5 sliders only, my top RPM is only 8500/8650 but had a top speed of 44mph. Per the spreadsheet I used, with 4.5 gram sliders I had a top speed of 41mph but rev limited at 8850rpm. Once I finish, I will install street tires. What I am wanting is to run at 45mph possibly with a top max speed of 47/48mph. This would be perfect for riding around town as I bought this Scooter to use for in town errands saving the Ultra Classic for Hwy use. While it would be simple to bore this motor to a 58cc, increase air flow, change & adjust carb jets plus match the increased air intake to a tuned exhaust, frankly I have no need to spend the money & time to achieve what my engineering chart shows to be a max of 56mph with the curb weight of approx 240lbs.

[@Chuyito909gmail.comUknowme]

Do u have to get a motorcycle license ? to drive it

[@chadlieb2437]

I hit the rev limit at 42mph. The only mod I’ve done is the exhaust…and I’m running it at 5,300’

[@dabradguy]

Nice video. I'm guessing you are correct. Needs more fuel at idle, and top end. I have been thinking about the intake and exhaust, but It looks like there is no going back once you have the airbox off and the new pipe is not cheap. I'm good with the cruise speed of 35-40 on flats, but I have a couple hills that knock me down under 25 on my commute route. Do you think the variator alone would help me out going up hills?

[@gizzabem]

So for the most part of what you’re saying is exactly me lol but I hit 40 on flats and was hoping to hit 45 but didn’t happen. I haven’t added the variator alone but I think the CDI box alone would help you increase speeds

[@JFrenchRennier]

@@gizzabem Cheap add is a new spark plug. When you need better off the line combustion & run at 35mph or higher install a CR9EHIX NKG plug. At less than $15 the iridium plug slightly cooler is best.

[@missletoad]

Go to rolling wrench and buy the ncy variator kit. You need this PLUS the iridium spark plug plus tge evi/ cdi ( the ncy kit gets you much higher rpm!!!!!!)

[@missletoad]

Don't forget to buy the dr pulley sliders 4.5, 5, 5.5, and 6 grams and find what works best for you

[@gizzabem]

@@missletoad i have them on now! Big difference i see

[@fast49cc78]

Did you ever get it dialed in?

[@tjrodriquez6005]

So is it still 49 cc?

[@mistflip69]

Possible just adjust the idle under your seat too and raise it just a hair and see if that helps

[@rodneygann1913]

Just your idling on where you won't have to hold your throttle Island thing on the

[@Jjohn96]

Adjust your idle rpm?

[@iwantajdmgrl]

Sounded like you hit the rev limiter. Did you change out the variator/weights yet?

[@adrianvallejo8093]

I think stock setup plus CDI and street tires is the best formula.

[@bayhustle07]

Best street tires?

[@adrianvallejo8093]

@@bayhustle07 I'm not 100% sure but you can't go wrong with Michelin.

[@nordland2235]

The rev limiter is on there for a purpose.....so the motor does not over rev and blow up.💣

[@stephengrijalva8854]

Would you recommend a stage 1 over a stage 2?

[@gizzabem]

I would recommend keeping it stock or start with the CDI box

[@rickyreese1223]

What a learning curve. But good video. Too small slow jet. Air intake adjustment. Then you level out.

[@christinesmith7625]

mine is stock i weigh 155 pounds mine will run flat out 48 miles an hour i use synthetic oil in motor and gear case

[@jrnumex9286]

noisy mufflers means "here comes the geeky kid down the street again"

[@gizzabem]

Exactly lol

[@wildeninja2836]

You have to tune your scooter after every SINGLE upgrade. When you just throw everything on at once your run into issues and make things harder on yourself lol.

[@gizzabem]

Yeah reddit told me as well and I still didn’t listen lol but I realized the spark plug upgrade make a HUGE difference

[@blindwillielee691]

I have over 6,000 miles on my 2019 Ruckus, my top speed is about 38 mph (your own body weight determines your top speed) my advice is to leave it stock, it’s a scooter, it’s not designed to go over 40 mph, you’ll spend thousands to gain a few extra miles, it’s not worth it.

[@wildeninja2836]

Stock mine went 42mph at 180 lbs. You have to tune it yourself with jets and weights. Everything you said was false smh

[@MissPinaii]

What year?

[@gizzabem]

Like 2012? Lol

[@johnmcginty6095]

Turn up your Idle on the Carb too low that's why it stalls

[@gizzabem]

Yea I realized it afterwards 😂 thanks!

[@rodneygann1913]

PL just your Island thing up where you won't have to

[@Utubeisazzho]

Use premium fuel! Stock or not. That will help run better. I prefer stock ruckas myself

[@firebadgergaming903]

Use Ethanol free fuel.

[@nordland2235]

You have probably taken yrs off that ruckus life.

[@noot7109]

" I don't know why I'm talking super loud. " Because that straight piped fart machine is too loud. c-c

[@nordland2235]

The loud muffler is no good......ruckus motor needs back pressure to run right.

[@browniepudding8315]

Mine works great stock for going to the pharmacy and vape shop. I’d like to get some sort of rack so I could haul those giant block of promix soil home

[@franktorrez6356]

Your timing is offf from the cdi

[@danhuth4281]

Over inflate air in tires. Get better spark plug and good gas. Most gas is garbage. Try it.

[@davidmoney1042]

Lol yeah it’s freaking worth it your bike and go a lot faster it’s not worth it for the Honda engines because there’s really not a lot you can do to them but the GY6 is helll he can totally beat the Honda engine they just say the Honda engine is more reliable I guess meaning it can turn on and it just has a competitive reliability to it just like the cars but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the GY6 doesn’t have More reliability when it comes to performance because it does you could do more performance parts to it like let me reiterate to you basically if you have a a 50 Taotao scooter engine in your bike unless say if you put a big bore kit in it and all the Margie could possibly get it could go about 100 or 90 something your bike when you fully modded out will we be able to go freaking 50 depending on your weight ratio in depending How up-to-date your bike is it is not any other problems going on is it

[@davidmoney1042]

And if you really want my honest opinion you should’ve just got a freaking GY6 engine if you want to go for cheap and build it up instead of building up that stupid get motor inn or you should’ve just bought a Honda elite something a little better with more modifications that you can put into it in bigger bored kits Instead of going the route you went you’re just wasting money oh course people say the same with the GY6 which is ridiculous because you get more performance in it’s just a Way over around Better than what you’re doing

[@davidmoney1042]

And I don’t mean to be talking your head off I know the struggle trying to make your bike reliable but the difference between me and you is I have a better engine it might not be a Honda engine it might be a clone but it’s way better it’s faster and it’s faster and way more reliable when it comes to performance than an outdated get engine

[@Win7ermu7e]

@@davidmoney1042 You get that some people just want it at 49cc so they don't move into a difference class of vehicle, right ? It's a fucking scooter.

[@quinton7854]

lmao its called yoshimura

[@gizzabem]

😂

[@firebadgergaming903]

There is a lot of terrible advice in these comments lol.