Honda Ruckus or Genuine Rough House?

[sc00ter]

If you had to choose:
Rough House pro's
Simple 2-stroke engine.
Known build quality.
IF wanted easily sped up.
Legal 2 seat/passenger.
Cons
MPG not all that great.
Stinky 2-stroke smell.
A "clone" Minarelli motor.
Not the best service manuals.
Ruckus pro's
Bullet proof liquid cooled motor.
Clean, quiet 4-stroke.
Bright headlights.
Honda quality with detailed service manuals.
Cons
Single rider only.
No gas gauge but killer MPG's.
Only aftermarket rear rack options, but they offer nice large options.

I like the Honda option because I 100% trust the local Honda dealers service department and their only a few miles away. But I like the Rough House option because its a super simple 2-stroke. Anyone wanna chime in and give opinions?

[sc00ter]

So this is what happened with the above choices, I purchased a 2023 Genuine Buddy 125. Simple and bomb proof.. I've owned 2 Buddy 125s in the past and a 50cc so I know and trust their products. It feels weird going from my 16" wheeled Piaggio Liberty back to a 10" Buddy but I adapted quickly.

[sc00ter]

I'm right around the first year anniversary of getting my Buddy 125. I paid for it last April (ordered it as I didn't want a 170i with fuel injection) and din't pick it up right away when it came in, but its close enough for the first year of ownership. Anyways, I just clicked over 7,500 miles. The Buddy has been flawless. I get around 90 mpg on it as well. The original rear IRC tire still looks good and the Buddy passed its State Inspection no problem.

I have a free flow stock looking exhaust for it, a knurled clutch bell, hit style clutch, aftermarket variator, extra valve head (I always get the valve heads ground and flow tested) and a bunch of small like main jets, idle jets, etc. but everything is still in the packaging. It runs great as it sits.

I do have a complete tune-up in the wings. New belt, rollers, v-slides, etc.

[kz1000st]

I don't know if things have changed but back in the day a two stroke wasn't associated with longevity. Oil mixed with gas doesn't lubricate as well as the straight oil in a four stroke. Depending on how long you'll use it that might be the only advantage of a Ruckus for you.