Need a scooter for camping, your advise please

[Irish John]

I recently bought a Ford Transit van, the little Euro Ford truck/van, to build a micro camper. As part of my "exploration" package I want some type of small motorcycle or scooter to take along. At first considered trying to find a late model small displacement motorcycle, not much to choose from. Now considering a Honda Ruckus something similar. Needs to slightly off-road capable, read that at able to handle fire roads and be street legal. I like the size and weight of the small Ruckus but am concerned the 49cc engine will be way under powered in the mountains. Any suggestions or opinions? Should I just bag the scooter idea and keep looking for a small motorcycle.

[alicethomas]

Consider Honda Wave (old: Innova) or Vision (110-125cc) or their competitors.
But the Ruckus would accomplish every task too - just a little slower.

[windburn]

I have considered a Ford Transit for the same purpose I would be interested in your results. I travel a great deal and would like a more economical option to replace my big chevy and pickup camper. My wife and I have enjoyed camping and towing the Silver Wing for sight seeing.

[lifer]

I am a little unsure how you are going to carry the scooter. I do not think the vehical you are using can carry a scooter on a rear rack. If you are going to tow a trailer for the scooter I believe it will pull your milage down a fair bit on a vehical with a small engine in it. As far as the scooter itself. I have used a yamaha zuma with my fifth wheel for several years and it has worked well. That said we have had to be very carful where we use it becase it will only do 38 mph on flat ground. The Ruckas should work equally well but will have the same problem. You may want to look at a zuma 125 or a Kymco agility so you are not as restricted as you will be with a 50cc. The 125cc will make it vastly more usable if the extra 50 lbs or so of extra weight is not a concern.

[tortoise2]

Honda trail 70 clone.

[tjoseph]

Get an old Honda CT110, with the dual range hi/lo transmission. It'll climb a telephone pole, and run 45-50 mph if necessary in the high range. The 110 had electronic ignition and will kick start with a dead battery. Seriously great camp bike.

[Tasy's BIGJIM]

Ct110... I don't think I've ever seen one with dual range? Remember the old Susuki... That would be great though put another Tank on for extra fuel. Please do and Post Pics. Good camping. jim

[elamofo]

How about a Genuine Roughhouse? Only 49cc so still have that problem. Or you could get a Yamaha Zuma 125, that should have plenty of power.

[Irish John]

I am still working out the details on the interior. Creating campers from the the Transit is pretty common in the UK and there are a lot of companies which do these conversions and/or sell the components. I've done quite a bit of research on the web. At the moment, I plan to haul the bike/scooter inside the Transit. I have a fold up cot/bed mounted to side of the van where the bike/scooter will go. The 12volt mini fridge, stove/sink unit will be mounted on the opposite side. I may remove the passenger seat to also create additional storage space. So far I am fairly happy with the Transit, I wish they sold the diesel version here in the US as it get's significantly better MPG than the gas version. So far I am averaging 26 mpg on the highway. Not sure it will get any better than that but it is better than the other vehicles I considered. As for pulling a trailer, I have been getting mixed information on whether or not it voids the warranty. There are some companies who make who make class one trailer hitches for the Transit so you could pull a bike trailer. That may be my second option.

The idea of the CT70 clone is interesting, who carries these?

[Dibber]

My wife and I have been towing 2 Buddy 125's behind our RV for 4 years. They have the power of a 150cc, only weigh 223 pounds, very light weight, and run forever. Highly recommend this scooter.

[lifer]

Originally Posted by Irish John

I am still working out the details on the interior. Creating campers from the the Transit is pretty common in the UK and there are a lot of companies which do these conversions and/or sell the components. I've done quite a bit of research on the web. At the moment, I plan to haul the bike/scooter inside the Transit. I have a fold up cot/bed mounted to side of the van where the bike/scooter will go. The 12volt mini fridge, stove/sink unit will be mounted on the opposite side. I may remove the passenger seat to also create additional storage space. So far I am fairly happy with the Transit, I wish they sold the diesel version here in the US as it get's significantly better MPG than the gas version. So far I am averaging 26 mpg on the highway. Not sure it will get any better than that but it is better than the other vehicles I considered. As for pulling a trailer, I have been getting mixed information on whether or not it voids the warranty. There are some companies who make who make class one trailer hitches for the Transit so you could pull a bike trailer. That may be my second option.

The idea of the CT70 clone is interesting, who carries these?

Putting it inside , if it will fit, is a good idea. I am sure your transit could pull a cycle trailer but I think you will find that you will lose 5 - 8 mpg by doing so. You should measure up a few scooters and see what will fit inside. I would still try to go with a small 125 like the agility. If 35 - 40 mph is enough for you then the rukus might work. I hope you can fit one in there.

[Nanuq]

My father had the honda rukus, it worked fine for him on some single track and on fire roads. It does not go very fast, but it handled fine and of course you can use it on the roads-great mileage, something like 70 mpg. I even would go out with him sometimes: me on my klr 650 and him on his honda rukus, we looked pretty funny rididng together. But his comfort level was different than mine.

[Forde]

if you want more than a 50 the Yamaha BWS 125 and Piaggio Typhoon 125 could work out,

if you are looking at slightly older models a peugeot trekker off-road model is availiable in 50cc and 100cc 2-stoke.. aprilia's rally and honda's x8r-x as well but they are both only 50cc.

[hugemoth]

The CT70 clone is a good idea. The only one I've test ridden is the Lifan 110 manual clutch version which was great. It had the fold up handle bars just like the original so it was very compact. Street legal and an easy 45 mph.

[topless]

Hooper imports sells a 110cc version of the Chinese CT70 with electric start and 4 sp trans. For about $1800