2018 Honda Ruckus Review of Specs / Features | 49cc Scooter (NPS50)

OEM Honda Powersports Parts Discount Code - Motorcycles, ATV, SxS, UTV, Scooters, Side by Side

– Detailed 2018 Honda Ruckus 50cc Scooter Review / Buyer’s Guide: Features, Price, Colors, Engine & Frame, Pictures + More! | NPS50J –

It’s time to jump in on the 2018 Honda Ruckus and go over all of the nitty-gritty details behind this 50cc scooter. Well, technically the Ruckus is a 49cc scooter but a lot of times they are generically referred to as a “50”. How did this odd-looking little scooter come to fruition? Honda originally released what we now know as the Ruckus back in 2001 in Japan and it was called: Zoomer. The Ruckus (model ID: NPS50) made its trek across the big pond and to our shores here in the USA in 2003. It has always been a great seller for Honda but it did have a slow start, fast forward to today though and the Ruckus has been one of the best selling scooters around and has been for more than a decade.

First up, let’s go over some quick facts about the 2018 Ruckus from Honda. These are a few of the key points of information that people look for when doing research on a certain scooter that they’re interested in buying below.

Falcon Ridge LED Lights ATV / UTV Ad | High Lifter

2018 Honda Ruckus Scooter Review / Specs: MPG, Price, Horsepower & Performance Info, Colors | NPS50 Zoomer | Automatic Motorbike / Motorcycle

2018 Honda Ruckus Scooter Review / Specs: MPG, Price, Horsepower & Performance Info, Colors | NPS50 Zoomer | Automatic Motorbike / Motorcycle

 

Quick Key 2018 Honda Ruckus Facts / Specs:

  • 2018 Honda Ruckus Pricing:
    • 2018 Ruckus Price / MSRP: $2,699
  • 2018 Honda Ruckus Performance Info:
    • 2018 Ruckus Horsepower: 4.3 HP @ 8,000 RPM
    • 2018 Ruckus Torque: 3.35 ft/lb TQ @ 7,000 RPM
    • 2018 Ruckus Top Speed: 35-41 MPH
    • 2018 Ruckus MPG: 114 Miles Per Gallon
  • Misc 2018 Honda Ruckus Specs:
    • 2018 Ruckus Weight: 194 lbs (curb weight)
    • 2018 Ruckus Seat Height: 28.9 inches
    • 2018 Ruckus Fuel Tank Size / Capacity: 1.3 gallons
    • 2018 Ruckus Fuel Range Per Tank: 148 miles (approximately)
  • 2018 Honda Ruckus Colors:
    • Black
    • White / Red


2018 Honda Scooter Model Lineup – Click Here |


What makes the Ruckus so popular? It can tick a few boxes. It’s extremely easy to ride thanks to its fully automatic transmission as there is no clutch so all you have to do to ride the Ruckus is twist the throttle and go with both your front and rear brakes being easy to grab and even though its brakes may seem dated due to the being drum brakes, they do stop this gem pretty quick thanks to its weight only tipping the scales at 194 pounds. Another box it ticks is that it’s genuinely weird. In a good way though. It’s a look that’s not intimidating and doesn’t really lean towards being aimed at one gender over the other unlike the Metropolitan for example that are usually liked by females over men when it comes to styling. That’s not to diss the Metropolitan by any means as I know plenty of guys that ride them. Another box I would say the Ruckus checks off that many others don’t is that it wrecks well. I know that sounds crazy but eventually you’re going to end up dropping your bike or should I say scooter, it’s not if but when as it happens to the best of us. Thanks to the way Honda did the styling on the Ruckus you don’t have the typical plastic fairings, body panels etc that most scooters or motorcycles have that will be damaged when you drop it but that’s where the Ruckus shines. It doesn’t have any of that! It barely has any plastic at all anywhere on it and the the turn signals are rubber-mounted so they can bend at a 90 degree angle without breaking off.

Now, we’ll dive into some more details and highlight certain pieces of information regarding the 2018 Ruckus’ engine, drivetrain, frame, suspension and more additional features:

Ruckus Engine / Drivetrain

  • Lightweight 49cc four-stroke OHC liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine provides ample power for in-town riding.
  • Fuel-sipping constant-velocity (CV) carburetor with automatic choke.
  • Electric starter system allows easy push-button starting.
  • Maintenance-free ignition system.
  • Simple push-button electric starter.
  • Electronic Control Unit (ECU) provides control for ignition timing, alternator regulator, ACG starter, electric fuel pump and automatic choke.

2018 Honda Ruckus Engine Review / Specs: MPG, Price, Horsepower & Performance Info, Colors | NPS50 Zoomer | Automatic Motorbike / Motorcycle

  • Ultra-quiet exhaust system.
  • Automatic Honda V-Matic belt-drive transmission provides spirited acceleration and smooth operation.
  • Starter system utilizes the engine’s brushless alternator (ACG) for starting, eliminating the need for a separate starter motor. This simple design requires no maintenance and further reduces overall weight for even better fuel economy.
  • Lightweight, maintenance-free, magnetically driven water pump eliminates the need for mechanical seals.
  • Compact, engine-mounted radiator has aluminum fins for optimal cooling in all riding conditions.
  • Electromagnetic fuel pump is located adjacent to the fuel tank under the floorboard of the Ruckus.
  • Automatic cam-chain tensioner requires virtually no maintenance.

Ruckus Chassis / Suspension

  • Two-piece, die-cast aluminum front frame with steel upper-rear frame.
  • Twin-down tube fork provides 2.2 inches of plush travel for a well-controlled ride.
  • Single-side aluminum swingarm with single-shock rear suspension has 2.6 inches of travel for a compliant, comfortable ride.
  • Front and rear drum brakes offer predictable stopping.
  • Well-padded seat boasts a low, 28.9 inch seat height for added confidence at stops.
  • Instrumentation includes analog speedometer, odometer and indicator lights for fuel, coolant temperature and low/high beams. Fuel-indicator light comes on with 0.3 gallon remaining.
  • Oversize tires offer a secure grip on the road.

2018 Honda Ruckus Review / Specs: MPG, Price, Horsepower & Performance Info, Colors | NPS50 Zoomer | Automatic Motorbike / Motorcycle

  • Maintenance-free battery.
  • Easy-to-use parking brake.
  • Helmet holder locks helmet into place under seat.

Additional Ruckus Features

  • Instrumentation includes analog speedometer, odometer and indicator lights for fuel, coolant temperature and low/high beams. Fuel-indicator light comes on with 0.3 gallon remaining.
  • Audible turn-signal indicator.
  • Parking brake.
  • Helmet holder locks helmet into place under seat.
  • Backup kickstart lever.
  • Dual headlights with two 35-watt bulbs. Low/high beams provide ample nighttime illumination.

2018 Honda Ruckus Scooter Review / Specs: MPG, Price, Horsepower & Performance Info, Colors | NPS50 Zoomer | Automatic Motorbike / Motorcycle

  • Maintenance-free battery.
  • Handlebar switches and controls use internationally approved ISO graphic symbols.
  • Transferable one-year, unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan extended warranty.
    • Meets current EPA and CARB standards.
    • California version differs slightly due to emissions equipment.

What are some potential downfalls or negative things to mention about the Ruckus in my opinion? It’s still packing a carburetor. A Keihin 18mm CV carb with an automatic choke so you don’t have to worry about using a manual choke every time you fire her up. To some people having a carb will be a benefit though and to some it won’t be. Some people prefer having a carb because they are easier to work on. The downfall to having a carb is that we are seeing ethanol percentages in fuel increase and increase over time and it can lead problems if not cared for correctly. Other than that, it’s really difficult to say much negative about the Ruckus as long as you know what you’re getting into right off the bat and not expecting some little mini sport bike that’s going to do 50+ MPH etc or a dirt bike with suspension that will handle you sending it off the roof of your house etc then the Ruckus is hard to beat. Well, one more quick thing – if I were just looking for negative things to say then I would add that I wish it was a little cheaper as its MSRP is knocking on the price of the Honda Grom which has more technology and is faster on every front while also delivering a better MPG rating but you lose the ease of having a fully automatic transmission as with the Grom you’re stepping into a “real” motorcycle with a clutch and manual transmission. All in all, it’s hard to beat the fun factory of these things with them being so small and light to where you can just twist the throttle and keep it wide open all day every day haha.

Part of the fun for so many people with owning a Ruckus is being able to customize it and the endless options you have with aftermarket companies to really turn the bike into what you want and make it your own so-to-say. Here’s a quick (3) video example on how easy it is to throw custom parts on your Ruckus:

2018 Honda Ruckus Pictures / Photo Gallery

 

Technical 2018 Honda Ruckus Specifications
Model NPS50 (NPS50J)
ENGINE  
Type 49cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
Valve Train OHC two-valve
Bore x Stroke 37.8mm x 44.0mm
Compression Ratio 11.9:1
Induction 18mm CV carburetor w/ automatic choke
Ignition DC-CDI
Starter Electric and kick
Transmission Automatic V-matic
Clutch Automatic centrifugal
Final Drive Belt
SUSPENSION  
Front Telescopic fork; 1.93 in. travel
Rear Single shock; 2.56 in. travel
BRAKES  
Front Single 95mm mechanical drum
Rear Single 95mm mechanical drum
TIRES  
Front 120/90-10
Rear 120/90-10
MEASUREMENTS  
Rake (Caster Angle) 26.5º
Trail  75mm (2.95 in.)
Length 73.2 in.
Width 28.9 in.
Height 40.4 in.
Seat Height 28.9 in.
Ground Clearance  5.7 in. 
Wheelbase 49.8 in.
Fuel Capacity 1.3 gal.
Color Black, White/Red
Curb Weight* 194 lbs.

* Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride. Meets current EPA standards. Models sold in California meet current CARB standards and may differ slightly due to emissions equipment. Specifications subject to change.

Honda Accessory Discount Code for Motorcycles, ATV, SxS, UTV, Scooters, Side by Side Models!

Menu