110 Ratter vs. 125 Zuma

Major Redneck · Post by **Major Redneck** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:56 am

Yesterday I got a call from a friend at a local RideNow powersport shop, that a new Zuma 125 had arrived... I got on my Rattler and headed to the shop... After the Rattler doing the vaperlock thing to me (again)... and jurking on takeoff everytime I take off I get to RideNow... My longtime friend that works there let me testdrive the Zuma... More power,,, smother takeoff,,, very quite,,, seat sets better,,, just a few things I liked better than the Rattler's...

The Zuma was $3000 plus dealer prep... I asked him how much trade would he give me for the Rattler,,, he said hold on he would check into it... after about 10 min.s he came back and said he would not be able to take the Rattler in on trade... or any other Genuine product... I asked why and he said he was told that RideNow would not take Genuine bikes on tradein... other than that he did not know why...

I pulled out my Visa and paid cash for the Zuma,,, on the way home with the Rattler it Vaperlocked twice more and always jurkes on takeoff... The Ratter is so UNDEPENDABLE that is why i bought the Zuma... The few times iv tryed to take a small 100 mile or so trip with the Rattler iv had problems,,, Rollers are shot,,, Clutch after 10mins of rideing really just jurks/grabs,slips or whatever it is doing,,, Vaper lock just becuz it can... the Rattler has 3200 miles...

About an hour after i got home the Zuma had arrived... I saddled up on it took off and drove 100miles with no problems at all,,, the one time i hit 55mph it had no problem getting there and holding it for a few the handling was great i think the two rear shocks play an important part in that... The total cost of the Zuma was $127 less than i paid for the Rattler out the door... Now what to do with this Lemon Rattler ...

Monday my son and I had takin off on our scoot's to head to the closes Rattler shop (hour 15min drive one way) to have the tech look at it to only get 10 miles before the Vaperlock happend,,, it would not start at all we tryed for 30 mins to get it to start... We chain it to a pole and head back home to get my van and pick it up... after getting back with the van the Rattler started right up... we packed it in the van anyway and headed back home...

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:17 pm

part it out

B02S4 · Post by **B02S4** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:24 pm

Which parts do you want Ray?

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:12 pm

I am not looking for anything. Just thought you could get more $$ for the juice instead of selling the whole lemon.

I might buy the underside of the foot deck area if it where cheap enough

Major Redneck · Post by **Major Redneck** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:48 pm

Ray Knobs wrote:I am not looking for anything. Just thought you could get more $$ for the juice instead of selling the whole lemon.

I might buy the underside of the foot deck area if it where cheap enough

The bike is 5 months old,,, im not going to part it out... out of the 5 months iv owned the bike its been in the shop for 3... I really would like to keep the rattler in my stable... I'll get it back to a shop and hopefuly repaired,,, Im also filling out the LemonLaw paper work here in NC...I was in route Monday to pick up the rollers that i ordered but the bike would not make it that hour and 15 min ride...

Point of the post is to inform others that RideNow (not just your local town bike shop) well not tradein/take a Genuine bike... Why?

The Rattler is so undependable that i will not ride out alone on it...

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 3:11 pm

Would they sell it on commission for you?

I don't think it's that odd a scooter dealer wouldn't want to deal with a trade in. They borrowed $$ for the zuma, wouldn't they want to pay it off instead of waiting for the rat to sell to pay the fiance company.

brimstone · Post by **brimstone** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:51 pm

craigslist, or ebay.

Major Redneck · Post by **Major Redneck** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:26 pm

The same place was going to give me $1200 for my 07 TGB (mod) back in Feb 09. I think the Genuine line is far better than the TGB line. The Rattler is mine I well just keep it after talking with my 17 yearold son,,, maybe it will give him a little motavtion in life... Far as the Zuma it way out preforms the 110 at this point but the 110 is sick,,, CVT is giving me all kind of problems once the bike warms up say after 15 mins of running...

Wheelz · Post by **Wheelz** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 12:36 am

well everybody gets a bad one every now and again, sure is a bummer Major, @ least ya have a nice new Zuma ta ride, and who knows? Maybe one day the demons that plague your Rattler will be exorcised

and it will remain a trustworthy piece of your growing scooter collection.

mattgordon · Post by **mattgordon** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 12:39 am

Major Redneck wrote:The same place was going to give me $1200 for my 07 TGB (mod) back in Feb 09. I think the Genuine line is far better than the TGB line. The Rattler is mine I well just keep it after talking with my 17 yearold son,,, maybe it will give him a little motavtion in life... Far as the Zuma it way out preforms the 110 at this point but the 110 is sick,,, CVT is giving me all kind of problems once the bike warms up say after 15 mins of running...

I had an 07 Rattler and enjoyed 2400+ trouble-free miles on it. I've since off'ed it for a BlackJack which has also been flawless....

I routinely took mine into some really remote areas, without even cell phone service.

I'd get that Rattler in, preferably to another Genuine dealer if possible and make 'em make it right. I believe they will. (You may be having a "vaporlock" issue with the Technician thats been working on it.) Maybe a new set of eyes with a new attitude towards it will help.

IF you can get it sorted, you'll have to decide what next with it...parting it out isn't probably the answer.

I'm of the opinion it will be a highly sought after cult bike. Someday. (I should live so long) Most of us cannot afford to stick it into a corner unused, and wait for it to become collectible though.

Get it sorted out, and you'll have a clearer view of how to proceed.

Keep us posted on the ZUMA...those 125's are pretty sweet.

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:26 am

can we get some pictures?

laxer · Post by **laxer** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:03 am

Can I get a what-what!?

Major Redneck · Post by **Major Redneck** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 12:30 pm

I dont think my diggi cam liked riding in the cooterhull,,, now when i take pictures all i get is red green and blue lines... paint a picture in your mind its blue/black...

Its bigger than the rattler,,, like the rattler it needs a disk brake on the rear,,, headlights are much brighter,,, rear finder looks cheap and ready to fall off... 125miles no problem at all,,, its fuel injected,,, hope this gives me no problems... My son and I are going to load the rattler in my van so when i get a chance to take that hour+ drive to the shop it well be ready...

I know the rollers on the rattler had flat spots on them,,, the shop has the rollers but i was thinking the problem i am getting it seems more like its the clutch doing all the jurking on takeoff,,, once it gets ingaged it runs ok till you stop again... oh well ill let the shop worry about that... im fixing to ride

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 12:37 pm

Have you pulled the CVT cover off and taken a look in there?

denskies · Post by **denskies** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:42 am

This thread has made me want to trade the old rat in for a zuma... they look a little cooler, and I like better gas mileage

Major Redneck · Post by **Major Redneck** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 4:37 pm

Im not going to bash the Rattler that has cost me so much more than just the cost of the bike,,, nor runs good/right...

The Zuma (550miles) way out does the Ratt... I even took the horn off the Rattler and put it on the Zuma untill the one i orderd from scooterworks get here... MPG is close to the Rattler maybe a little better... Power is far above the Rattler after 30mph and holds 55 up hills,,, headwind,,, even with two... Not one problem with the Zuma to date...

Far as the CVT iv been riding the Zuma too much to even look at it... its not going anywere...

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 4:47 pm

That interesting, I never had a problem between 30 and 55, it pulls steady all the way up.

What does the Zuma top out at? I have to admit I like the style, it's got the exposed frame like a ruckus but retains the plastics

Major Redneck · Post by **Major Redneck** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 4:57 pm

Zuma is a little heaver than the Ratt... take off is not as snappy but still strong... iv hit 68 indacated and backed off it only has 550miles on it,,, the response from 35 up is wonderful "pulls harder and faster than the Rattler",,, much more than the Rattler... smooth riding less viberation at 45mph and above its really noticable... Headlight is most liked at night as well... Stock Zuma horn sucks...

CitizenX · Post by **CitizenX** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:04 pm

I imagine your CVT troubles are both roller and clutch realated. Change the rollers and remove the clutch bell. Clean all that dust from the inside of the clutch bell and put a little lube on the clutch "arms". You might as well switch out the clutch springs also, they are cheap. As far as your vapor lock, it is most likely the problems with the breather on the carb. The float bowl is getting gas vapor in it and can't expell it. As the scoot cools the gas turns back to liquid and will start up then. If you get vapor lock on a ride, put a cold water soaked rag over the carb for a few minutes and it will start right up.

denskies · Post by **denskies** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:55 pm

Hey redneck, would you be so kind as to post some pictures of your beautiful new scoot?

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:10 pm

Major Redneck wrote: "pulls harder and faster than the Rattler",,, much more than the Rattler... smooth riding less viberation at 45mph and above its really noticable...

well... you are comparing it to a machine that never ran right.
mine pulls all the way to the top and doesn't vibrate

Major Redneck · Post by **Major Redneck** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:31 pm

denskies wrote:Hey redneck, would you be so kind as to post some pictures of your beautiful new scoot?

again my diggi cam is not working see above... went to take it to the shop were i got it and the place was vacant... i have a 35mm but no scanner to put on the net... its that ugly bright blue that will soon be red if things around here slow down long enough to get it done...

B02S4 · Post by **B02S4** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:48 pm

I tested a stock 08 Zuma 125 last year. I was not impressed. I hope you like yours.