When you think of America, many people probably imagine a place where only large-displacement cruisers are on the road. But in America, there is a surprising vehicle that is out of production in Japan that is still being sold. It is the 49cc scooter Zoomer (American name: Rucks), which is classified as a 50cc scooter in Japan. It is still popular in Japan today, and there are many of them on the used motorcycle market, and it seems that they are sold at a slightly higher price. It has a simple design with no helmet compartment, and long wheelbase customizations were often applied to this motorcycle.
A simple scooter with a rare cab, perfect for minimalists
It doesn't look like a scooter, but it's a proper scooter equipped with a CVT transmission and a 50cc engine.
Its biggest features are its exposed tough pipe frame and twin headlights, which set it apart from ordinary scooters!
The equipment is also very simple, with drum brakes and none of the standard features that are standard on today's scooters, even as options.
Still, with minimalism becoming popular right now, I think a stylish and simple scooter like this will sell without any effort.
The engine is water-cooled and seems to have good fuel efficiency, but what's a little surprising is that it's not FI (fuel injection) and still uses a carburetor, which is common in American cars.
FI models were also released in Japan, so that's a mystery.
Sales in the U.S.
In the US, it is sold under the name Ruckus, which means "commotion" or "disturbance" in the dictionary, so it has been given a rather noisy name.
It's interesting that in the US catalog, it is described as a "skateboard with a super cool motor," a "zombie escape vehicle," and a "ticket to freedom."
It is said to be used as a pit bike or campus commuter, so the image is that it is used in a relatively limited area rather than on the vast land of America.
There is probably no 30km/h limit in the US, so it will be quite useful as a fuel-efficient urban commuter.
Both are available in two simple colors, black and beige.
The price is quite high at $2,899. Prices are high in the US, but incomes are also high, so maybe that's how it is.
Detailed Photo
What is Long Wheel Custom?
Although the Zoomer is satisfying to drive in its normal form, many owners are inspired to customize it due to its simple structure, and it is also an attractive custom base motorcycle with countless custom parts available, second only to the so-called "4 Mini" such as the Monkey. Many Zoomers have been customized with a long wheelbase, or "long wheelbase."
As an example of a long wheelbase customization, we will introduce the Zoomer exhibited by "TOKYO PARTS" at the "Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show 2022." This special Zoomer retains its normal style, but has an extended wheelbase with a powerful low and long silhouette, and is equipped with large wheels.
The power performance has also been improved, with the Zoomer's engine being replaced with a PCX125 eSP to achieve practical power. Normally, engine swapping requires extensive modification to fit an engine of a different design, but TOKYO PARTS uses a special mount kit designed by the company to achieve a powerful low-down and long wheelbase without modifying the frame at all.
Why are out-of-production Japanese motorcycle allowed to be sold in America?
Emissions standards are becoming increasingly strict in Japan (most recently the 2020 motorcycle emission standards) and Europe (EURO5, which came into effect in 2020, and EURO5+ which will soon come into effect), but the United States has its own unique emissions standards, so models that cannot be sold in Japan or Europe continue to be sold in the United States.
Very popular in Japan
The Zoomer went on sale in Japan in 2001. At that time it was still a carburetor model. Color changes and other changes were frequent over the years.
It was hugely popular with users who were not satisfied with ordinary scooters, and although sales continued from 2007 after the long-awaited fuel injection was achieved, production ceased in 2012 as it did not comply with exhaust gas regulations.
The manufacturer's suggested retail price for a new car was $1575.80, but even now, 10 years after it went out of production, its popularity has not waned, and the price of a used model in good condition exceeds that of a new motorcycle.
Major Specifications (Japan Model)
Overall Length x Width x Height: 1860 x 735 x 1025 mm
Seat Height: 735mm
Weight: 87kg
Engine: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke OHC single cylinder 49cc
Maximum Output: 3.1kW(4.2PS)/8500rpm
Maximum Torque: 4 Nm/5500rpm
Fuel Tank Capacity: 4.8L
Transmission: Continuously Variable (V-matic)
Brakes: F=Mechanical Drum, R=Mechanical Drum
Tire: F=120/90-10, R=120/90-10
