New Roughhouse owner

squash · Post by **squash** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 3:33 pm

Hey Everybody.. New owner here. Long time motorcycle rider and racer, first scooter. So far I'm loving it, have a few comments and maybe can get some other opinions?

First off, the speedo seems very optimistic. Almost like they put a MPH sticker over the KPH label. I'm having no issues hitting the 50 mark and I'm confident I'm well below that.

Granted its only a day old and still in the break-in period, but it doesn't start as easily as I'd like. Particular compared to my girl's Metropolitan, which is more like un-pausing than starting. When my RH is cold, it takes 2 or 3 sets of spinning the starter for 3 or 4 seconds before its running. Still easier than my chainsaw...

Front brake is strong but it has no feel at all. The lever hits pressure instantly and really only moved a couple of degrees in its useful range of motion. Compared to really any bike where theres 20 degrees or more of progressive, useful travel, its not great. I will try bleeding it this weekend and see if that changes anything... If not maybe theres a swap for a dirtbike brake lever in my future.

What are people using for extra carrying capacity? I carry a 15" laptop to work and am using a backpack today. The dealer of course had some trunks but I'm hoping to get some opinions before I make a purchase.

I'm picking up a spare spark plug at lunch today, my 2 stroke experience tells me I'm a fool to not have (at least) one in the toolkit. Do these go though plugs or are they better about them than my old Yamaha RD's were?

Anyone have different mirrors installed? I've never gotten a bike that showed more of the road than of my arms, this is no exception.

Thats what I've got so far, I'll end with a pic of the little guy!

Ethan Allison · Post by **Ethan Allison** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 5:07 am

The speedo's about 15-20% over.

When you start, how much throttle are you using?

I couldn't tell you about mounted storage, but I have an armored laptop backpack called an Axio Fuse that works pretty well. It's about the same price as a top case.

I don't think I have a whole 20 degrees, but I definitely have what I'd call progressive and useful travel on the brakes.

squash · Post by **squash** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 5:25 pm

I don't touch the throttle when starting it, per the manual and the advice from the dealer.

I'm using a laptop backpack now but I prefer not to wear one, so a trunk looks to be in my future.

I'll try bleeding the brakes this weekend and we'll see if that changes anything for me. I'll have over 100 miles on it by then and expect that the brakes will be fully worn in.

Ethan Allison · Post by **Ethan Allison** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 11:21 pm

Weird. My dealer (Scooterville in Minneapolis) says you have to give most 2-strokes a little throttle. I have a ton of trouble starting mine without it.

agrogod · Post by **agrogod** » Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:30 am

Yeah another R50 owner!
First off the speedo is there for show and to keep DOT happy as far as I'm concerned. And you may be right about the KPH observation, although I have never calculated if this is so.

As for starting, just give the throttle a twist or two prior, it should help. I haven't really noticed any problem with the brake travel, but your situation may just be dealer prep, bleeding couldn't hurt.

viewtopic.php?t=14443&highlight=platform Check out this post for custom mounting ideas.

I changed my plug at 1,000 miles (indicated) and what an improvement to engine response. Plus I have back-ups because 2-strokes are notorious for eating up plugs.
As for the mirrors, that's on my to do list, just haven't found anything I like. But my arms look good as I'm riding.
Now all you need to do is get some decals, stickers, pinstripes or whatever to make that "50" your's
Welcome to the Roughhouse crew.

Stinkdyr · Post by **Stinkdyr** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 7:57 pm

Speedos on all of my scooters seem to have been 3mph high. My Subaru is the same. It's those kind asian fabs keeping us safe from speeding tix!

squash · Post by **squash** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:06 pm

This speedo is around 10mph off when indicating 50mph. I haven't worked out the method to use my gps to watch speed (my iphone) while riding to get a more accurate view..

squash · Post by **squash** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 3:56 pm

Well I haven't bled the brake yet, but I did install a big Givi trunk on it, which includes an offset back rack so you can still get to the fuel tank. I'm going to get the add-on kit that adds brake light functionality to the trunk as well.

Obligatory pic included.

crazycaseyocman · Post by **crazycaseyocman** » Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:40 am

I found using the kick start is a fast easy way to start my new 2012 r50. I have 50 miles on it and loving it.[/u]

Modern Buddy

New Roughhouse owner

New Roughhouse owner

cold starts r50