This snake bites!
Pros: Potent 110cc engine, bad to the bone styling, go-anywhere "tough" type
Cons: Small gas tank, so-so instrument cluster
Review:
As a long-time scooterist, the attraction of owning a brand new, factory warranteed two-stroke, scooter was a biggie. Here in California, we can't get Stella's, but somehow Genuine has been able to bring a potent, and unusually (not-for-everyone) styled two-stroke scooter to all 50 states with it's Rattler, so that was quite an accomplishment.
Due to it's off-roady look, I suspect this will ultimately become a low-volume, "cult-ish" scooter, with a predominantly male ownership.
Dollar for dollar, you can't beat the Rattler 110, as it's only slightly more money than the newly re-introduced ZUMA, or the Ruckus, (both of which are sub 50cc bikes), but has a much larger engine, standard front disc brake, awesome shocks, and a digital dashboard, all common and expensive upgrades often made by Ruckus and ZUMA owners looking for better performance.
The components the Rattler is built from, seem of high quality, and remind me of a much more expensive scooter. Especially the switchgear, brakes, shocks and body panels.
Additionally, the Rattler is a somewhat "rare" scooter, at least on the mean streets around my little part of So-Cal., and I like that fact too.
Since I like to ride mine, sometimes a hundred miles or so at a time, and I'm 225, the 1.3 gallon tank doesn't get me too far down the road (or trail) and I'm calculating 50 ~ 60 MPG, but it's very snappy, a ton of fun to ride, and has proven to be 100% reliable in it's initial 1000 miles.
My other gripe besides the fuel capacity, albeit a small one, is the cool digital instrument panel, which in bright sunlight can be somewhat shadowy and hard to read. The excellent and thoughtful trip-meter is worthless, as it counts in 100 meter increments, not too helpful in the US where we still measure our travels by the mile.
All in all, I love this venomous little scooter, preferring it to my larger, more expensive Vespa for many types of the scooter riding and local errands I do. It starts easily, is warmed up and ready to ride in a few short moments, has a great sidestand, and is easy to manuever. If your scooter travels entail a lot of short trips, less than perfect roads or trails, and your looking for a lightweight, rugged scooter that's easy to live with, the Rattler is a good choice.
Name/Location: Matt Gordon, Temecula CA.
Awesome Buy !!
Pros: Lots of Power, Stop on a dime brakes and Sporty good looks.
Cons: Drum rear brake, and not alot of aftermarket support.
Review:
I had been looking for some form of scooter for about a year now and finally made the decision to purchase the Rattler 110. Based on the good reviews of quality and power that this scooter was know for.
Withen the first week and a half of owning the bike I had racked up about 300 miles on the machine. I am really impressed with the fit and finish of the exterior of the scooter. Very nice looks, especially the handle bar and dash area. Kind of has that race prepped look to it. I have been very pleased with the power output of this scooter. I am 6ft. tall and weigh 195lbs. and it pushes me around with great speed and agilitly. I live in a very hilly area and was concerned with the ability to carry me up the hills without holding up traffic. So far I have hit every major steep road in my area and the Rattler has been able to break the speed limit on every one. I also have been ridding quite a bit with my girlfriend on the back. Our combined weight being around 310lbs. Surprisingly the bike does not lose very much speed pulling the hills, only about 5 to 8 mph. Pretty good in my book !!
The front brake has incrediable stopping power, easily allowing me to do stoppies. The rear brake is a cable actuated drum brake. I do wish that it was a disc as the front is. The rear just has a spungy soft feel to it. Where as the front has a stainless steel braided line going to a cool looking wave rotor with a dual piston caliper, which feels very solid at the brake lever. So far I have been able to hit an indicated 63mph, while my friend with the exact same bike has hit 64mph, and I have reached 60mph with the girlfriend on the back.
The storage is great, it has full size helmet storage under the seat and a neat little bag hook above the floor board. I have also ordered the factory rack for the back. I have made several trips to work and the store and so far have been able to fit everything I need on the scooter. I have heard that a 12 pack and a bag of ice fits nicely under the seat. I will assure you that I will be trying this as soon as some warm weather comes around. :)
I have noticed that the digital gauge is a little off on the mph. Although the fuel meter is dead on, and the miles seems to be correct. On my unit both the trip meter and the odometer are in mile increments not kilometers.
Because of my natural born need to customize everything that I own, I am a little disappointed that there is not a whole lot of aftermarket support for the Rattler. Although I will assume that this will come with some time as the Rattler becomes more and more popular. Everyone that I have seen loves the looks of this bike, many have stopped me and asked where I got it and who makes it.
Both of my brothers ride fast street bikes and at first laughed at me when I pulled up on the scooter. Although after they each rode it, they where both impressed with the power and the looks of the bike. They even commented on how they wished they could have taken their motorcycle license test on it instead of their street bikes, because of how light and nimble it handles.
Also I was impressed with the factory warranty, 2 full year unlimited milelage and a 1 year road side assistance. I financed the entire price of the bike and have found the payments to be just under $70 a month. So I figure that if I DON'T fill my fuel tank in my truck just one time a month, this scooter will completely pay for it's self every month.
If you are looking for a Fast Fun Sporty looking scooter this is the machine for you !!
Name/Location: Tony Russo, Nevada City, CA
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