My 20 minute test drive of the Rattler 110

[Hugo]

Let me first start out by saying, AAwwwsome!!

This thing is responsive. I've never ridden a scooter with so much of an aggressive feel. The front wheel actually left the ground a few times while throttling. Going slow is not in this vehicle's nature.
Design seems very accomidating for access to mechanical parts. Maintenance should be quite easy, compared to my plastic-sealed Typhoon.
Very sturdy feel, and a comfortable seat height makes for reliable control.
The price is right ($2700 out the door). I'm still also considering a Vespa S ($4700 out the door). The two scooters are obviously in different leagues with regard to cost.
Nice, rich, beefy sound for a 2-stroke. My 50cc Typhoon sounds like an annoying, rabid mosquito.

Now here are the CONS (some are nit-pickiness and others are of "Genuine" concern):

* Ignition is hard to work. I had to fiddle with the key to get it to the ON position.

* I'm not too fond of the pressed-steel rims. I would probably plan on researching whether or not PGO manufactures alloy rims for this model.

* The slick tires make me nervous. I'm used to the knobby-styled tires that are on both my Ruckus and Typhoon. I'd love to be able to put a set of Michelin Reggaes on there. The front, however, seems a bit too low profile to be able to do so. I know that slicker tires allow for better speed, but I prefer beefiness.

* There is wetness underneath where the cylinder attaches to the crankcase. The dealer claims that he has seen it before and it goes away. Supposedly, the gasket has to break in (I'm not so sure about that one). The wetness doesn't smell like gas. It could just be oil that spilled over from the oil tank during setup. I can't really tell.

* It stalls every time I let off of the throttle. I'm sure that this would be an easy carb adjustment, but it became damn annoying.

* Vibrates like hell while idling. Yes, I know it's a 2-stroke and they generally do that. The rear view mirrors, however, fluttered as if they were going to fly away. I'm assuming that after break-in, things will be a bit smoother.

* Many bolts loose. As I do with any of my scooters, I plan on stripping it down and going over it with a fine-toothed comb to make sure everything is secure.

Overall, I was really impressed, contrary to my little list of cons. I'm certain that all of that stuff can be easily straightened out.

After I check out a Vespa S, I will make my final decision. As mentioned earlier, the Rattler is much more affordable, so I'd say that there is an 85% chance that I'll end up owning it.

Hugo

[nissanman]

The stalling and vibration sound related to me, that bike needs to be broken in and dialed in. I never thought of my bikes vibrations to be that much, but that's compared to my previous rides (Bruin 350, BMW R1150R, YZF600R).

[mattgordon]

Let me first start out by saying, AAwwwsome!!

This thing is responsive. I've never ridden a scooter with so much of an aggressive feel. The front wheel actually left the ground a few times while throttling. Going slow is not in this vehicle's nature.
Design seems very accomidating for access to mechanical parts. Maintenance should be quite easy, compared to my plastic-sealed Typhoon.
Very sturdy feel, and a comfortable seat height makes for reliable control.
The price is right ($2700 out the door). I'm still also considering a Vespa S ($4700 out the door). The two scooters are obviously in different leagues with regard to cost.
Nice, rich, beefy sound for a 2-stroke. My 50cc Typhoon sounds like an annoying, rabid mosquito.

Now here are the CONS (some are nit-pickiness and others are of "Genuine" concern):

* Ignition is hard to work. I had to fiddle with the key to get it to the ON position.

* I'm not too fond of the pressed-steel rims. I would probably plan on researching whether or not PGO manufactures alloy rims for this model.

* The slick tires make me nervous. I'm used to the knobby-styled tires that are on both my Ruckus and Typhoon. I'd love to be able to put a set of Michelin Reggaes on there. The front, however, seems a bit too low profile to be able to do so. I know that slicker tires allow for better speed, but I prefer beefiness.

* There is wetness underneath where the cylinder attaches to the crankcase. The dealer claims that he has seen it before and it goes away. Supposedly, the gasket has to break in (I'm not so sure about that one). The wetness doesn't smell like gas. It could just be oil that spilled over from the oil tank during setup. I can't really tell.

* It stalls every time I let off of the throttle. I'm sure that this would be an easy carb adjustment, but it became damn annoying.

* Vibrates like hell while idling. Yes, I know it's a 2-stroke and they generally do that. The rear view mirrors, however, fluttered as if they were going to fly away. I'm assuming that after break-in, things will be a bit smoother.

* Many bolts loose. As I do with any of my scooters, I plan on stripping it down and going over it with a fine-toothed comb to make sure everything is secure.

Overall, I was really impressed, contrary to my little list of cons. I'm certain that all of that stuff can be easily straightened out.

After I check out a Vespa S, I will make my final decision. As mentioned earlier, the Rattler is much more affordable, so I'd say that there is an 85% chance that I'll end up owning it.

Hugo

I can only speak of a 100% stock bike, we have 2 in our garage...mine and my son's. They run better after 1000 miles then when new. And the more I ride mine, the better and smoother it is. The tank is easy to overfill, the gasket does not need to break-in. It's 99% from spill or overfill. Anyway, it IS a 2 stroke, a trademark is some oily residue, somewhere!

The tires are fine, scuff them off for a hundred miles or so, the wear well and grip well. The ignition key SUX! You need two pinky's...no biggie, you get used to it. Pre-glove is all!

Bolts and fastenrs? A cold beer and an hour on your shop-stool...done.

Have fun. I'm taking ours to a "Slow-Ride" tomorrow. Rules? 125cc or less....40 mph max. Right! We'll have the ONLY Ratt's there! Can't wait.

[Smellybumlove]

Nice, rich, beefy sound for a 2-stroke. My 50cc Typhoon sounds like an annoying, rabid mosquito.
* I'm not too fond of the pressed-steel rims.
* The slick tires make me nervous.
* It stalls every time I let off of the throttle.
* Vibrates like hell while idling.
Hugo

it IS very beefy for s 2 stroke, never really heard one quite like it, seems to make more torque than most 2 strokes too.

the rims are rubbish, if you want i can get pretty much any design in alloy for around $80-120 each, im planning on a nice 5 spoke upgrade for the front.

stalling is obviously because its new.

mine vibrates like a bitch also, but then again its been rebuilt and only used for around 400kms at the most.

buy one you wont regret it!

[Hugo]

The stalling and vibration sound related to me, that bike needs to be broken in and dialed in. I never thought of my bikes vibrations to be that much, but that's compared to my previous rides (Bruin 350, BMW R1150R, YZF600R).

I've heard that it runs smoother with time. Jetting is something I certainly do NOT want to get into--especially on a brand new vehicle.
What is the recommended idle speed? I use a TinyTach on my other scooters for easy monitoring.

[brimstone]

you know, mine kept dying on me too when i first got it. i figured it was bad gas and after the next tank it was fine. not before i messed with the idle screw though, now i think it's a bit on the high side. i'm going to sit down and check the nuts and bolts this weekend if i have time. but i love my rattler....i've hit an indicated 64 *cough*downhill*cough*, and usually an indicated 55-60 flat ground with little wind and my lard butt weighting it down.

[Hugo]

you know, mine kept dying on me too when i first got it. i figured it was bad gas and after the next tank it was fine. not before i messed with the idle screw though, now i think it's a bit on the high side. i'm going to sit down and check the nuts and bolts this weekend if i have time. but i love my rattler....i've hit an indicated 64 *cough*downhill*cough*, and usually an indicated 55-60 flat ground with little wind and my lard butt weighting it down.

Yeah, while test driving it, I had to keep my thumb on the electric start. Whenever I released the throttle, I would have to lightly pull the rear brake and the starter to get going again.
The dealer had no explanation for this (which didn't install much confidence). However, when it ran, it performed like like the devil on twelve cups of nitro!

[pajamas31]

Hello! I just bought a 50cc Buddy and have been riding it around town. It has gas and oil, but every time I stop at an intersection, it dies. I have to keep the engine revving to make sure that it doesn't die. Any wisdom on this??? It has 30 miles on it and I'm confused on why this is happening. A dealer said it might be due to gasoline losing it's octane, so I put in Octane Booster. The battery is not FULLY charged, maybe that is it??? I would appreciate any help. Thanks everyone!
Peace!
PJ

[Ray Knobs]

air / fuel screw on carb needs adjustment

it's very common

do a search on here for instructions

[pajamas31]

Thank you for the quick reply! no dealers are open today. is it harmful to the scooter to ride it like this? Should i wait til they can take a look at it? What do you think?

[B02S4]

Hugo, it is stalling because the idle speed and/or carb pilot screw are not adjusted properly. That is a very common issue, & easily remedied.

I have a Unifilter pod with a 115 jet on mine, as of now a stock exhaust, & it runs great.

Mine does not have a vibration issue.

I would love to have a set of tri-spoke 12" alloy wheels front & back...

Hey I just realized this thread is a year old!

[Ray Knobs]

Thank you for the quick reply! no dealers are open today. is it harmful to the scooter to ride it like this? Should i wait til they can take a look at it? What do you think?

not harmful, just annoying

you can try playing with the screw, give it a 1/2 turn in or out and see what happens. Try In 1st. Mine did the same thing yours did because the screw had started to work it's way out.

It's a small screw, hard to get at. You can pull the seat or sneak a screw driver in. There is a repair manual that will show you how to find the screw

[MacJac]

A review of the 2009 Rattler 110 posted today at MotorcycleUSA:
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/715/3707/ ... eview.aspx

[alienmeatsack]

FWIW, the 2T vibrations will never go away.

My Stella has over 3k miles on it and the mirrors vibrate so much they are useless almost when sitting at a light. It's just normal 2T stuff.