Honda Ruckus Scooter Touring in the Utah Desert; Sun Tunnels, Devil's Playground, Ghost Towns

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  • Опубліковано 26 лис 2015
  • 170 miles of fall desert touring in Utah on a 50cc Honda Ruckus scooter. Started in Kelton, UT and headed towards the Nevada border. Visited the mud flats, the Sun Tunnels, camped at Devil's Playground, and returned on the old transcontinental railroad grade.
    The Honda Ruckus did pretty well off-road for a scooter. Fully loaded with 60 pounds of gear it could still come close to it's top speed of 35-40 mph on the flats, with acceleration suffering just a bit. Managed even steep climbs without much trouble. To our surprise the first one gallon tank of gas got us to mile 93 of the trip and probably could have come close to the 100 mark if we'd have pushed it.
    I had one good wreck and neither of us had any mechanical failures. Next time Ruckus touring somewhere that remote I will at least bring a spare belt for the transmission and maybe a tire tube just in case.
    Music: You Um, I'll Ah by Doctor Turtle
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 173

  • @lowcountrydawg2525
    @lowcountrydawg2525 4 роки тому +15

    Great scoots. Bought my '07 Ruckus new, have 14,700+ miles on it and still going strong. I'll never sell this scoot.

  • @isit1984yet
    @isit1984yet 8 років тому +151

    Very cool. Both of you are blessed to have each other's friendship. I do crazy trips like this also, but it's always solo because I've never found someone else who's interested in adventure. I rode my 2003 Yamaha zuma 50cc from Minnesota to South Carolina last winter, all back roads and camping (sometimes in the snow) it was pretty amazing. America is empty except for the cities.

    • @billkohler4489
      @billkohler4489 7 років тому +1

      isit1984yet

    • @jocelinpaul6571
      @jocelinpaul6571 6 років тому +5

      canada is even more empty do a road trip across there amazing stuff you might not find in the us :P

    • @justinvanderweg204
      @justinvanderweg204 5 років тому +1

      I wanne buy a zumba but there ar oploste no zomba's in Europa

    • @user-hb8be5wb4q
      @user-hb8be5wb4q 5 років тому

      Well, did you stop at South of the Border? Just one of the local jokes and places to stop! Great video, thanks for sharing!

    • @hghtdclbns6267
      @hghtdclbns6267 4 роки тому

      Daaaaamn gotta check that emotions

  • @UncleBman
    @UncleBman 5 років тому +12

    Thanks for the inspiring video.
    I will be soon be able to commute to work on my Ruckus.
    Fourty minutes on tree lined back roads in the woods, and neighborhoods.
    Way better trip than 20mph average on major highway for a half-hour.
    Gets my mind right 😊.

  • @tiredowalkin
    @tiredowalkin 8 років тому +9

    Your efforts and successful journey has demonstrated the rugged durability of the mighty NPS50 and you have EARNED my stamp of approval and respect!

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  8 років тому +2

      +tiredowalkin Thanks!

    • @tiredowalkin
      @tiredowalkin 8 років тому

      kirk earl LOL....biker wave/

  • @CyclingJunkieUSA
    @CyclingJunkieUSA 5 років тому +5

    Really enjoyed that. Thanks for taking the time to share your adventures. Makes me wanna buy a Ruckus.

  • @supermotogreg
    @supermotogreg 8 років тому +4

    Nicely composed video. You captured the mood of the desert.

  • @fctryoffetsh39
    @fctryoffetsh39 7 років тому +27

    shows how good Honda is

    • @MrGreenelight
      @MrGreenelight 3 роки тому

      Not really, I have had two Chinese scooters, both 1/3 of the price of a Honda.
      I rode them to death, unfortunately both eventually were stolen, I put a chain on the second when my first was stolen while in a hotel trip. The second was stolen when two guys picked it up and loaded it onto a pickup truck.
      I now have a electronic alarm, it goes off when tampered with.
      ua-cam.com/video/OYGPhYa6jyw/v-deo.html

    • @fctryoffetsh39
      @fctryoffetsh39 3 роки тому +2

      @@MrGreenelight guess its the rider love my Honda 11000,miles still strong

  • @RayRand
    @RayRand 5 років тому +3

    Awesome vid, thank you. I am about to buy a suped up moped and want to go on road trips and go camping etc. That's how I found this channel and this has been very inspirational. Sometimes you have a dream but you don't know how realistic it is .. and people often laugh at you when you tell them what you want to do. Channels like this tell me I'm not crazy.

  • @metaspencer
    @metaspencer 7 років тому +14

    awesome adventure and a great film. well done!

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  7 років тому +3

      Thanks! Glad you liked it.

  • @stephenpomeroy1214
    @stephenpomeroy1214 7 років тому +2

    loved this,great vista,s and music.....cheers

  • @burnindaylighthikers98
    @burnindaylighthikers98 6 років тому +1

    not sure how we found your video, but we throughly enjoyed it. Looks like some good times. thx. for sharing.

  • @MexiChriS
    @MexiChriS 7 років тому +6

    Wow. I found this to be very light and lifting. Like inspirational. Plus the info you gave out in the description to your responses in comments. Nice share! Might just pick one up for the hell of it since I'm in a very desert area to explore and use to save gas around my city for random activities.

  • @scotticus80
    @scotticus80 5 років тому +3

    I just finish day 4 of a 6 month ruckus tour. In St. George Utah right now. I started in Park City, Utah. I am carrying a packraft with me for whitewater paddling.

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  5 років тому

      Lazarus next time invite me

    • @scotticus80
      @scotticus80 5 років тому +1

      @@kirkearl you can join me at any time. I will be down in Dixie for the next two weeks.

  • @ep2353
    @ep2353 7 років тому +2

    Beautiful video. Thanks!

  • @doenjangstew4438
    @doenjangstew4438 6 років тому +6

    Thank you for sharing. Good scenery! I love American mountain, woods, dessert and wild animals. My dream is like this to travel in America nature by a small motorcycle. Thank again.

  • @187_Hannibal
    @187_Hannibal 8 років тому

    Good for you guys, looks so beautiful out there!

  • @ferway6295
    @ferway6295 8 років тому +2

    Excellent video, looks fun.

  • @mcschneiveoutdoors3681
    @mcschneiveoutdoors3681 5 років тому +1

    That was kinda relaxing...thanks for posting.

  • @12TBJ34
    @12TBJ34 8 років тому +1

    Simply AWESOME! So cool!!!

  • @stevenmitchell9250
    @stevenmitchell9250 8 років тому +10

    Wonderful little video. Looks like you guys had a great time.

  • @edwardpetersen4309
    @edwardpetersen4309 3 роки тому +1

    Well made video! Love my Ruckus

  • @MarioLeBon1
    @MarioLeBon1 7 років тому +1

    Great adventure. Merci beaucoup !

  • @nicknick9081
    @nicknick9081 4 роки тому +1

    Beautiful video!

  • @mikehoward8201
    @mikehoward8201 6 років тому +1

    Gonna pick my 2017 up this afternoon and ride it home! Enjoyed your video. I don't live near any deserts, but am close to the National Forests...plan doing some rides and camping outta my truck!

  • @ludmillaroman
    @ludmillaroman 6 років тому +1

    thanks for sharing that. well done.

  • @RandomButtonPusher
    @RandomButtonPusher 6 років тому

    Great little film of a great little adventure. Nice music to set the tone.

  • @NeverMind-bm5nm
    @NeverMind-bm5nm 3 роки тому

    One of those videos I keep coming back to 🙏

  • @THEWILDLIFEOV
    @THEWILDLIFEOV 5 років тому +1

    I just found out that my ATV is broken down, AGAIN, and there's not time enough to fix it before I leave on a 6 week Idaho hunting trip. I'm on my way into our Honda dealer in the morning to see if they have a black Ruckus in stock. Thank you SO much for the video, which has instilled in me the fact that a Ruckus is, indeed, a tough little Overlander vehicle!

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  5 років тому +1

      Nice! You may want to test ride one up some steep hills before buying so you have clear expectations of what these are capable of. They look really rugged and are really fun in the mountains and desert, but they are much less capable than even a 50cc dirt bike on steep hills. I still take mine in the mountains and go up some fairly steep stuff, but the scooter transmission limits the performance quite a bit. If the hill is a steep mountain road, I'll routinely be stuck at 5 mph. They really lack torque also, if you stop in the middle of a steep hill you may need to push with your feet to get enough momentum for the belt variable transmission to engage. I think you'll be happy as long as you know the limitations. Oh yeah, and way low clearance. All that said, I've been up some nasty stuff. Good luck!

  • @dazpwc926
    @dazpwc926 4 роки тому +1

    great little video. well done.

  • @fastfranz4217
    @fastfranz4217 3 роки тому +1

    WOW!!! That's been a ride!!! Greetings from Hanoi (Vietnam) ... ;)

  • @justinwells6795
    @justinwells6795 6 років тому +1

    This looks awesome! :D

  • @mchiek86
    @mchiek86 Рік тому

    See this video so many times in my other account but still amazed till now...

  • @hikermonkey6183
    @hikermonkey6183 5 років тому

    Awesome video looked like great fun!

  • @t3-tofinototuk.333
    @t3-tofinototuk.333 2 роки тому

    Nice. I just returned from a 8000km roundtrip ride (stock DR 650) to the Arctic Ocean - Tuktoyuktuk, NWT and those units would be a riot to ride the 1600km of the notorious Dempster Hwy on. The big 1250 GSA's and African Twins are very common there but they are also the ones' that when they bite the dust you need two to pick them up or they are damaged too badly to continue. In addition, I found many of the bigger bikes decide to only go to the Arctic Circle and then return south. That road makes a lot of riders rethink their skills and bike durability.

  • @vkhiev
    @vkhiev 5 років тому +1

    That's alot of packing into a ruckus very cool 😆

  • @RandomButtonPusher
    @RandomButtonPusher 6 років тому

    Nice little adventure film!

  • @ko_medic
    @ko_medic 5 років тому

    This looks like heaven man

  • @empty5953
    @empty5953 6 років тому +1

    Amazing adventure

  • @saeidmomtahan
    @saeidmomtahan 5 років тому

    Amazing, inspiring

  • @hmat7472
    @hmat7472 6 років тому +1

    super, good music and video

  • @MOTOZILIANS
    @MOTOZILIANS Рік тому

    absolutaly awesome adventure✌

  • @Terrapin2871
    @Terrapin2871 2 роки тому

    Niice…great video!

  • @I_Am_Michael
    @I_Am_Michael 7 років тому

    awesome video dude.

  • @Natty44fitness44
    @Natty44fitness44 7 років тому +2

    A true rider

  • @rc2634
    @rc2634 6 років тому +1

    incredible

  • @danhold1
    @danhold1 8 років тому

    nice trip, and video

  • @blueschild61
    @blueschild61 3 роки тому +1

    I need a lot more than six minutes of this.

  • @wmc9722
    @wmc9722 7 років тому +3

    Very nice! Really enjoyed 'going along with you' both on this trip.
    Would you buy a 250cc model if you saw one in perfect condition?

  • @jtysondavis4092
    @jtysondavis4092 Рік тому

    Great vid. Thanks for posting. Jealous!

  • @GreyRideMotoVlog
    @GreyRideMotoVlog 4 роки тому

    Nice scooter. Im watching bro

  • @jaywinters2483
    @jaywinters2483 2 роки тому

    Love this. 👍

  • @BobLinton
    @BobLinton 8 років тому +3

    Would love to see more Ruckus adventures from you. Maybe take your oil can guitar and play a bit by campfire. :)

  • @normaperez7906
    @normaperez7906 3 місяці тому

    This was so relaxing to watch

  • @CampervanKevin
    @CampervanKevin 8 років тому +11

    wow you have editing talent!

  • @bubot17
    @bubot17 2 роки тому

    Now that is an adventure bike

  • @caitnu3863
    @caitnu3863 6 років тому +13

    3:38 is this where The Book of Eli was filmed? Looks a lot like it.

  • @sundancekidd1550
    @sundancekidd1550 3 роки тому

    I would totally dig this

  • @akkev907
    @akkev907 8 років тому +2

    Thanks for posting. Do you have any more cool Ruckus videos?

    • @CrustyBiker
      @CrustyBiker 5 років тому

      Yes look up "Honda Ruckus the road is life" and also "Honda Ruckus Bob goldfinger Edition" and also read comments on goldfinger one !

  • @YoureNowOnTV
    @YoureNowOnTV 7 років тому +1

    Very cool

  • @__BERSERKER__
    @__BERSERKER__ 5 років тому +1

    Ive always wondered what rig like this would be like. This is the ultimate bug out rig. You could scavenge enough gas to get you 500 miles down the road. I'd consider a bicycle trailer for gear.

  • @RogerKomula-kl9lb
    @RogerKomula-kl9lb Рік тому

    Just put in loan paperwork for one and started collecting social security to finance my travels. Hardest part was finding one to buy. Luckily I started looking before the snow melted.

  • @johnbellamy6449
    @johnbellamy6449 Рік тому

    got a 2006, japanese import here in the u k .its only got 5200 miles on it. love it.

  • @SkyeRocket
    @SkyeRocket 5 років тому +4

    Meanwhile people are out here saying you can't tour on a 250...

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  5 років тому +1

      Skye Rocket it’s a great experience touring at full throttle max speed 100% of the time.

    • @SkyeRocket
      @SkyeRocket 5 років тому

      It is! I love it lol

  • @micharlflynn4404
    @micharlflynn4404 Рік тому

    Love your video. Where was this filmed. I love the ruckus.

  • @poppacooter
    @poppacooter 3 роки тому

    awesome

  • @fctryoffetsh39
    @fctryoffetsh39 7 років тому +2

    subbed thanks man

  • @connexionInternet
    @connexionInternet Рік тому

    Great video! Why does one bike have a skateboard deck on the back with no trucks or wheels?

  • @KingofStreet3
    @KingofStreet3 7 років тому +9

    MPG hype is real

  • @emilypowers2576
    @emilypowers2576 4 роки тому

    Been three years are the Honda's still in good running shape

  • @tonicninja2870
    @tonicninja2870 6 років тому

    Im planning on doing this soon solo probably but I’m ready never minded being by myself

  • @milesoroads
    @milesoroads 10 місяців тому

    We was just out at the transcontinental railway to scout doing this. How did I not find this video till now. Do you think something like a monkey run would be possible there? If I recall it was 90 miles on that pass.

  • @rucrac7315
    @rucrac7315 5 років тому +1

    Hi there Our RucRac would be a Great Addition for your Ruckus.

  • @gomezfamilyteam
    @gomezfamilyteam 8 років тому +1

    THIS IS SO RAD!!

  • @darkstreamfish2729
    @darkstreamfish2729 4 роки тому

    I have a Ruckus... but alas, I live in Fl. and therefore cannot visit these majestic rocks.

  • @AZdirtdog
    @AZdirtdog 8 років тому +9

    What kind of mpg did you average, how heavy were the riders and gear

  • @faunaflage
    @faunaflage 6 років тому +1

    So...were the boards to skate the Sun Tunnels? Transitions looked crazy tight.

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  6 років тому

      faunaflage nah. They were just decks with no trucks. We were going to tow them on the salt flats, but it turned out to be way too much friction to slide. I bet a good skater could rip the tunnels though.

  • @benjamindavis5762
    @benjamindavis5762 7 років тому +2

    I see spare gas cans on the video but also where do you fill up in the middld of fhe desert?

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  7 років тому +5

      Even in rough terrain and hills we got a little more than 100 MPG, so the 1 gallon Ruckus tank, plus one extra can was enough for our 170 miles in the desert.

  • @kcdiazWTV
    @kcdiazWTV 6 місяців тому

    Do Aspen, California next. 😂

  • @TheChertoff
    @TheChertoff 9 місяців тому

    What is your body height in centimeters? I want to understand how I will look on this moped.

  • @TaskSwitcherify
    @TaskSwitcherify 6 років тому +2

    Question: you guys did the disk brake conversion? Was it necessary for the trails you chose?

    • @harvestmaster5968
      @harvestmaster5968 6 років тому +2

      I haven't done the conversion. The 50cc Ruckus is so slow and so light that I have never needed any stronger stopping power than it has with the stock brakes. I'd spend a lot more time and money trying to make it faster before I spent any thing on the braking system. Without swapping out to a 150cc and altering the look of the bike, there isn't a ton that can be done to make them very much faster. I've got a new polini variator and belt and when I put a simpler exhaust on I can get over 40 pretty regularly. Lightweights can supposedly hit 50 with a few similar mods. The 150cc conversion looks too much like a lowrider look to me. I prefer to keep it offroad looking, even if slower. Plus, I'd rather be on a Honda engine than a 150cc chinese scooter engine when I am 80 miles deep in the desert.

    • @TaskSwitcherify
      @TaskSwitcherify 6 років тому

      Awesome, thanks! You'd enjoy Asia very, very much. Rent a 150cc there (like a PCX150) for $7/day and go anywhere! Bali or Northern Thailand are awesome for that. I did approx. 1500 miles there.

  • @fctryoffetsh39
    @fctryoffetsh39 6 років тому

    Love mine I might get a metropolitan also

  • @yohank1195
    @yohank1195 4 роки тому

    wonderful movie, what's in the Red tank? extra Gasoline? or Water?

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  4 роки тому

      Yohan TV an extra gallon of gas. One gallon is good for 110 miles on the Honda ruckus.

  • @MrBighogman
    @MrBighogman 7 років тому

    Awesome video. What is the name of the song or musician?

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  7 років тому

      Thanks a bunch! It is just a cool band I found on a creative commons music site.
      Credit from the video description:
      You Um, I'll Ah by Doctor Turtle

  • @latenightcereal2390
    @latenightcereal2390 2 роки тому

    To be honest I haven't been paying attention, I literally thought this was the longest intro of my life... I'm gonna go find an actually video now.

  • @captain4825
    @captain4825 4 роки тому +1

    Looks like a lot of fun! How fast did you get the Ruck up to out there?

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  4 роки тому +2

      SuckRat 4Life they were pretty much stock so top speed was in the low 40s. Surprisingly though even with all the gear loaded on there the top speed was still the same. I thought they would be slower.

    • @captain4825
      @captain4825 4 роки тому +1

      kirk earl oh wow I thought it would be slower too! Thanks for replying to me, really enjoyed the style of the video and want to make my own. I am in the process of looking for a ruckus right now. Have a great night !

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  4 роки тому +2

      Pretty sure the top speed was the same because it’s being limited by the CDI computer and not the actual horse power. It did seem like it took a longer to accelerate to that top speed though. That must be the main impact of more cargo.

    • @captain4825
      @captain4825 4 роки тому +1

      kirk earl oh interesting! I hear a lot of people mod them!

  • @fctryoffetsh39
    @fctryoffetsh39 7 років тому +1

    thanks I might get one like the tires is it around 40mph

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  7 років тому +1

      Derek Boseley it will do 35 really easily. 40 takes some tuning. When I had a more open exhaust on it I could hit 40 pretty easily. They are pretty slow, but it is fun riding full throttle all the time. Some people mod them with a 150cc Chinese scooter engine, but it changes them quite a bit. They are really best for cruising around the city and leisurely cruising dirt roads.

  • @fctryoffetsh39
    @fctryoffetsh39 7 років тому

    I got a tattoo awhile ago it does 38 but vibrates after 30 might sell it or work on it or get the metropolitan

  • @caseycarbone3499
    @caseycarbone3499 8 років тому +4

    I wanna do something like this on my ruckus so bad

    • @jinsungpark6410
      @jinsungpark6410 8 років тому +2

      I WANT A RUCKUS SO BAD. Im 13 gotta convince my parents somehow next year

    • @caseycarbone3499
      @caseycarbone3499 8 років тому +1

      Do it there so much fun

  • @israeljacob26
    @israeljacob26 5 років тому +1

    Are your Ruckus stock or modified?

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  5 років тому +1

      Israel Jacob pretty much stock. Bought a polini variator, but it isn’t very noticeable. Other than that just a few cosmetic mods.

  • @kenpstok151
    @kenpstok151 7 років тому +2

    Did you do any modifications to the Ruckus? I have a stock 2014 and am trying to keep it 50cc but get some more umph out of it

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  7 років тому +3

      There are things you can do, but most of them get you tiny gains without changing engines. I had a Polini variator pully in the transmission that got me maybe 1-2 MPH more than my friends stock one. That amount actually added up a bit when riding full throttle for hours on end. the site Total Ruckus has lots of tips to get closer to 40-45 mph on a stock. Some people are claiming 50 at times.

    • @kenpstok151
      @kenpstok151 7 років тому +1

      thank you so much. You guys are an inspiration to this ruckus owner.

  • @VirtuaFighterRPG
    @VirtuaFighterRPG 5 років тому

    I wish the ruckus was just a little bigger. I'd look like mario kart character on one.

  • @Hi-lb8cq
    @Hi-lb8cq 8 років тому +2

    what type of motors are in the ruckus's???

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  8 років тому +2

      +Chris Torrez It is a Honda 50cc 4 stroke

    • @ABetterLifeInc
      @ABetterLifeInc 5 років тому

      It is a 49cc GET motor. Extremely cheap to maintain but durable.

    • @derekweinerttv4163
      @derekweinerttv4163 5 років тому

      Honda

  • @wywybulldog3785
    @wywybulldog3785 6 років тому

    These guys look like a pair of circus bears on those things.

  • @fctryoffetsh39
    @fctryoffetsh39 7 років тому

    this must be a serious scooter after all it's not cheap

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  7 років тому

      Derek Boseley these scooters can be picked up used for a little over $1k in my area. I think a new one is around $2500. Not as cheap as a Chinese scooter, but still about as cheap as legal transportation comes. 100 mpg is pretty sweet too.

  • @MinimalistMotoLife
    @MinimalistMotoLife 7 років тому +6

    now I understand why someone would buy a ruckus then put pegs on it, look how much crap you can haul that low!!!

  • @ericx4124
    @ericx4124 3 роки тому

    Wow. Super cool. I’m getting one for a rec/shtf project.

  • @quick6091
    @quick6091 6 років тому

    August I leave for ruckus adventure

  • @GreyRideMotoVlog
    @GreyRideMotoVlog 4 роки тому

    80cc or 100cc?

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  4 роки тому

      Grey Ride MotoVlog 50cc

  • @Doppelganger444
    @Doppelganger444 6 років тому +1

    if you can do this on a ruckus I think i can do on my 2016 bws right?

  • @attackandsnack
    @attackandsnack 8 років тому +1

    did you guys modify your ruckus' at all? increased suspension or different tires or just all stock with stuff strapped to them?

    • @kirkearl
      @kirkearl  8 років тому +5

      Mine was stock for the trip with the exception of a Polini variator/pully upgrade in the transmission. It gave me about a 1 MPH advantage over my friend stock Ruckus. That amount was actually noticeable when riding wide open throttle for 8 hours in a row. I'd stop and let him catch up every half hour or so. I had a noisy Briggs and Stratton exhaust on before the trip, but decided I wanted the quiet stock exhaust in the serene desert. Glad I did. The stock suspension was fine even with the extra weight. If I had after market suspension for the trip I am not even sure if I'd go stiffer or softer... it was a non-issue. We had zero breakdowns even with one significant full speed crash. Looking back, next time I will bring an extra transmission belt, a tire repair kit, and a bunch of better tools just in case. We were 90 miles from anything for most of the trip.

    • @rcdemon22
      @rcdemon22 7 років тому

      kirk earl