Considering a Roughhouse

Ant-Man · Post by **Ant-Man** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 2:14 am

Hello all! I've been skulking around the forums for a few days reading all sorts of topics and posts. I'm in the market to buy another scooter.

I don't need anything super fast as the local speed limits are 35-45 mph where I live. I'd mainly use it to commute to work, literally around the corner from my house about 2 miles away. 50cc will suit my needs just fine, especially if I de-restrict it for more pep as I'm in the bottom of the Smoky Mountains.

I had always liked the look of the Honda Ruckus so last year I bought a 2007 Ruckus. It was steal at $500 with only 247 miles on it. I rode it for a week, the seat padding was terrible and I felt every bump on my dirt drive way ( I have a LONG driveway ). Even though it felt fast, well to me anyway, and sat low to the ground which was a plus for me as I'm short and it helped with stability for turning. I'm inexperienced with 2 wheeled powered vehicles so I'm not so confident at riding yet. Within that week the Ruckus love faded and I sold it for more than double what I paid for it.

I'll admit years ago when I saw the Roughhouse/Rattler I didn't like it's looks. I was drawn to the Ruckus. My experience with the Ruckus left me wanting another scooter but not the Ruckus or a pure street scoot.

I've narrowed it down to the Roughhouse and Zuma. I'm leaning more towards the Roughhouse as it's looks have grown on me and the Genuine Scooter community is super friendly and constantly raves about the scoots.

The obstacle now is that the 2 nearest Genuine dealers are about 1 hour 45 minutes away from me. The Vespa/BMW dealership in Marietta which has the 2009 Roughhouse for $1799, not a bad deal. Or Twist N Scoot in Atlanta has a 2011 Roughhouse for $1999. Supposedly the newer Roughhouse has a bit more power. Correct?

Any tips or suggestions? Does anyone in the area have any experience with either of these establishments? I'm a bit hesitant on the Vespa/BMW dealership as they carry Vespa and Piaggio. I don't want a car dealership experience shopping for a scooter, being pushed to buy something bigger. I'll probably check both places out Labor Day weekend if they're open.

Any help or feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

robby · Post by **robby** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:10 am

The 2009 Roughhouse is new old stock, right (as in, old model year being sold new at the dealership), right? If so, $1799 is a great price. I would definitely go with that over the 2011 for $200 in savings. It should still carry the full two-year warranty.

I have not heard anything about the newer Roughhouses being more powerful or for that matter being any mechanically different than the ones of 2-3 years ago.

Ant-Man · Post by **Ant-Man** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:07 am

Correct the Roughhouse is new old stock. They also have a Rattler, but I'm leaning towards the 50cc since I wouldn't need a motorcycle license or insurance.

I thought in a post here the new 2011 Roughhouse has slightly larger carb and manifold. Here is the link to the post I saw here in the Roughhouse forums.

topic18816.html

RoadRambler · Post by **RoadRambler** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:31 am

Ok, sorry to sound like a dork, but where are you? I think of the Appalachians as extending down into n. GA and n. AL, but the Smokies are around Knoxville, TN and in NC, right? But then you mentioned Marietta and Atlanta. Anyhoo, I believe there's a dealer in Chattanooga if that would be a possibility for you -- again, I'm just not sure exactly where you are. If you're nearer Atlanta, I'd say stick to Atlanta dealers -- if nearer the mountains Chatt might be a possibility. I think it's is called Scenic City Scooters and they are sponsoring or somehow involved in a ride up Monteagle to a campsite on the mountain, so they give off a vibe of being interested in supporting the scooting community -- but I haven't had any personal experience with them.

Good luck on your new scooter, whatever you decide to get. We love our RH and have to drive on a 1/2 mile of gravel roads just to get to the first paved country road whenever we leave our house! It handles the unpaved road well.

Ant-Man · Post by **Ant-Man** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:57 am

I'm in the North-East corner of Georgia, in Cleveland. If you've heard of Helen Georgia I'm about 7 miles outside of Helen. Atlanta is about an hour from me, depending on the area. Atlanta and Marietta are closer to me than Chattanooga. Someone also recommended Scenic City Scooters to me and I've checked out their site. It looks like a really cool shop!

Where I live the red clay is an issue. My clay/dirt driveway is extremely long and when it rains and snows it's a pain in the butt to get over the crest of our driveway. I've almost gone into the neighbors fence a few times in my truck going down my driveway.

Since I'd be using the Roughhouse for a short distance to and from work I think 50cc would be suitable. I definitely would de-restrict it to help with the mild grades here and for better top end speed. If I did decide to scoot about town with the speed limit only being 35-45 in our area de-restricting it would be more practical in the long run.

RoadRambler, roughly how fast does your Roughhouse go? Is it modded, de-restricted or stock?

bigbropgo · Post by **bigbropgo** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:34 am

Just buy the rattler and put RH plastics on it.

Ant-Man · Post by **Ant-Man** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:44 am

Is there any difference in the plastics? From what I can tell they look the same, unless the dealership in Marietta has the wrong picture posted? They have 2 red Rattlers and 1 silver Rattler for $2399.

Then I'd have to take the Motorcycle Safety Course and tag it and insure it.

robby · Post by **robby** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:35 pm

Ant-Man wrote:Correct the Roughhouse is new old stock. They also have a Rattler, but I'm leaning towards the 50cc since I wouldn't need a motorcycle license or insurance.

I thought in a post here the new 2011 Roughhouse has slightly larger carb and manifold. Here is the link to the post I saw here in the Roughhouse forums.

topic18816.html

Ahh, indeed. With only one report I'm not sure I'd conclude it's their SOP, but perhaps they did beef up the carb. Remember that was on a 2012 RH, not a 2011.

My RH50 goes just a hair over a reading of 50, which means probably an actual 45 MPH. You want to be able to go as fast as traffic moves though, not just the posted speed limit. 45, while doable is definitely pushing a 50cc to its limits. I do ride mine on 3-lane expressways around here. Not a problem so long as I can stay in the right lane.

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:43 pm

Ant-Man wrote:Is there any difference in the plastics?

Nope, I have Roughhouse plastics on my rattler. Only difference is in front fender / mud flap.

RoadRambler · Post by **RoadRambler** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 3:04 am

Re: RH speed, our experience is pretty much like robby's -- not too hard to get it to 50 indicated but that would be an "optimistic" reading and of course going WOT is not something you'd do for long distances. We take our RH on highways for short stretches, but mostly rural roads.

It's de-restricted (done by the shop at time of purchase) but otherwise stock.

For the type of riding you describe it sounds like the RH would be just fine, and personally I love being in the "no man's land" of "mopeds" that don't require licensing. It feels like you're getting away with something illegal/rebellious and it's just fun not to have to hassle with license plates for the scooter, M endorsement for yourself, etc. (Though obviously we did end up getting the Buddy 125 but that's a whole 'nother story -- it's a scoot that was won in a lottery by someone only a few miles from us who didn't in any way want a scoot -- and we watched his asking price go down and down and down until we just had to buy -- but we still love our little 50cc RH (We call her Dragonfly and the Buddy is Road Rambler, hence my username.) )

Ant-Man · Post by **Ant-Man** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 5:11 am

To robby : I'll try to go check out both scooter shops Labor Day weekend and test the scoots out. I'll take a look at the Kymco's and even the Piaggio Typhoon while there. Even though the Typhoon will probably be more than what I want.

To Ray Knobs : I wasn't sure if they were the same. In some photos one side of the headlight fairing looks a little larger on the Rattler.

To RoadRambler : The RH50 sounds like it'll more than suit my needs. I don't think I'll need to go any faster than 40-45 mph. Even if I go slightly lower than 45mph de-restricted it's only a 2 mile commute to work 45 on the main road that is about half a mile long, turn at the light then the other road is 35.

If I decide to scoot around town and take the back roads the average speed limit is 25-35. The wider tires would also be best for the Georgia clay and my driveway. I'm thinking later of getting a buddy 125 or bigger for longer jaunts in the city so I can keep up with traffic.

Does anyone in the Atlanta area have any experience with Vespa Marietta or Twist and Scoot? I do appreciate all the replies and info provided! Anyone ever in the Helen Georgia area let me know I can show you some great places to explore and eat! Definitely Google Helen Georgia!

Stinkdyr · Post by **Stinkdyr** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 8:08 pm

Zuma is a great scoot. RH50 is great too, and has more footbed room.
Either choice is primo.