Modern Buddy

vitaminC

With a recent change in location and an impending change in jobs, my commute moved out of scooter territory, and I sold the Buddy a few weeks ago. Some folks wanted to know what new bike I wound end up, and here is the answer! Based on previous bikes I've owned, I had a list of things I was looking ...

vitaminC

My ins co couldn't even spell "Genuine" correctly on my policy :roll: Apparently I owned a scooter manufactured by "Genuie". I had the same issue! Was that State Farm? Yup! Even after I pointed it out to them, it still wasn't fixed. Must be "in the system" and therefor...

vitaminC

Putting a little bit of lube (WD40 or something similar) on the latch mechanism under the seat will also help keep things working smoothly.

vitaminC

Wow, where was this? As far as I know, they don't allow any kind of motorized vehicles on most CA beaches. Maybe it's by city and I just need to go a little farther up the coast. I wouldn't really think to ride a scooter on the sand, though. Rentals, for sure. That has to be horrible on the scooter...

vitaminC

My ins co couldn't even spell "Genuine" correctly on my policy

Apparently I owned a scooter manufactured by "Genuie".

vitaminC

PTB wrote:A .5 mile commute?

+1

That's a 10 minute walk.

vitaminC

vitaminC

Ed Hit wrote:Or do you all change the filter each time too?

I changed the filter every time. It doesn't take much effort, and to me the (small) additional cost was offset by the additional peace of mind.

vitaminC

Well, it's a done deal!

I just returned home after taking my last ride on the scoot- at least it was a long one! I rode it up to SF to deliver to the new owner. I told them about MB, so hopefully they'll be checking in here...

Now the search for the replacement can really get under way!

vitaminC

Glad you came out relatively unscathed!

Do you have insurance? You may be able to get them to cover the costs associated with gear replacement...

vitaminC

NathanielSalzman wrote: As for the gallon of gas, her Buddy will win every time. I'm getting about 75 mpg and she's pushing 90 mpg.

Yes, that's a fixed game

My average so far is ~94 MPG, totally stock.

vitaminC

How were you timing these runs? Presumably with a stop watch? Just for fun, try to stop that watch at some number, say 5sec, and see what kind of variance you get. Without calibrated testing, I'd says those numbers are a wash and that the performance is equal between the two. Now, who gets further o...

vitaminC

Oh, and make sure you don't have a "death grip" on the handlebars. Keep a loose grip and that will help...

vitaminC

Glad it was helpful thepezident. jfrost2, sorry to hear you had a bad experience. During my course I got to experience 4 different instructors and they each had their own quirks ;-) Mostly they were really cool but 2 of them were quite strict and 1 was a little impatient when people didn't follow t...

vitaminC

Am I going to feel like I will fall over? No, you're going to feel like you can get through the turn without falling over 8) Have you ridden a bicycle? One also uses countersteering there. The trick is that countersteering does not work at very slow speeds (like walking speed). This is why MSF and ...

vitaminC

PS- Do you have the same feeling while riding the Vespa?

vitaminC

The curve shape is more like a C. After that curve I come to an S abit ahead. The resistance only occurs from faster speeds. I feel if I try leaning on the handlebar, it doesn't want to want to lean. Difficult to explain. This sounds like it is the normal inclination of the scooter to want to conti...

vitaminC

Couple of questions: 1. What type of curve are we talking about? ) or L or U or ? 2. What do you mean by "resistance" when turning? Is this only when turning at speed, or does it feel stiff at slow speeds too? Might want to have the steering head checked to make sure it's not too tight. Ha...

vitaminC

jrsjr wrote:Suit on the inside, Aerostich one-piece on the outside.

+1

This is a friend riding my scoot... my 'Stich is grey

vitaminC

Look dude, ther are peer reviewed major scientific journals that back what I have said up with facts, cold hard facts. You have to be a scientist or grad student in a science program at a major university to get online access to these journals for free As a matter of fact, that's what I am. Thanks ...

vitaminC

Congrat's!

Sometimes the "system" is too smart for it's own good...

vitaminC

I managed to see all of them recently while visiting SFSC, and those editions look great! Very classy.

Can't say the same for the mint green Buddies...

vitaminC

pcbikedude wrote: Made me wonder where their skin would be if they wrecked.

They would not be happy campers.

vitaminC

Is there another dealer near you? If your dealer doesn't know whether the Bud is reading in mi or km, can you really trust them to turn a wrench? Consensus seems to be that a dealer needs to do the first service in order to retain the warranty. Read it carefully, and if doesn't specifically say that...

vitaminC

heavypetting wrote:Hey Vitamin C,

Was the blue bike an SV650?

That's my dream bike

Indeed! It's a great bike. Even better with the original round frame

We had a lot of good (and some bad) times together... though the bad was not the bikes fault.

vitaminC

jfrost2 wrote:
If green scientist were so smart, we'd be raving about bio disel right now rather than e-85 which gives you crappier mpg.

I think you might find this has a lot less to do with scientists, and lot more to do with politics and the farm lobbyists- which we are not supposed to discuss on this board.

vitaminC

poop colored buddy wrote: I have been on this rant before and people need to just educate themselves

Please, take your own advice. It's important to be able to tell the difference between an article written by someone with an agenda, and one that actually uses sound scientific principles.

vitaminC

My helmet doesn't have D-rings, so I use one of these cables through the chin bar and on the helmet lock. Works great and was quite inexpensive at the local bike shop!

Kryptonite cable

vitaminC

I've seen some electric scooters in use around here. It's a bit strange, first you hear this weird howling type noise, then eventually this funny looking scooter (big floor) whooshes by... although not too fast.

I like the idea, but for an all electric vehicle, I'd rather have this: Aptera

vitaminC

Looks good on pink, though I think it would really rock on black!

Makes me think of the Ducati Monster "Chromo"

vitaminC

schroncc wrote:Hate to see you selling the buddy! Way back when I bought my buddy I remember coming on to this site and reading all your posts. Its a sad sad day Keep posting here vitaminC

Thanks. My postings have definitely trailed off lately, but I still check in to see what's happening...

vitaminC

I work 1 hour (traffic gods willing) from where I work and just bought a scooter for our around town errands. It's great for quick trips to the store/bank/wherever and the gas mileage can't be beat. I definitely agree on the around town utility! However, I am very fortunate that from my place I can...

vitaminC

Congrat's!

I took the MSF in Nashville in 2000, and it was a great experience- even if it did rain on half of the range exercises!

vitaminC

Sorry to hear that you need to get rid of the Buddy. Are you keeping your MCS? Maybe. I've actually been thinking about selling it and getting a truck instead. I think there will be plenty of home projects that could utilize a truck, plus I recently enjoyed some 4wd driving in Death Valley that lef...

vitaminC

Thanks for the kind words. It will be interesting to see how hard/easy it is to sell the Buddy around here. For some reason, I never see them on CL. Perhaps people just aren't selling them? I'm definitely leaning towards a motorcycle, though I haven't narrowed it down to a specific model. I'd really...

vitaminC

Looks like I'll be putting the Buddy up for sale soon. The main thing is that we bought a house ( :shock: ), and while I can still scoot to work, it takes considerably longer when compared to the freeway route. Plus, I may be changing jobs, and if so the new one will be a bit further still. So it se...

vitaminC

Again, it looks fantastic, but I just know that plastic fake chome would look like junk after a couple years parked in the sun. Why couldn't they spend a couple extra bucks and put some real chrome on it? What makes you think that? After nearly two years, the only chrome bits on my B125 that are st...

vitaminC

Sorry to hear about your incident. Any chance there is a security camera pointed where you were parked?

It's strange that despite living in Nashvegas for only 5 years, during that time my car was broken into twice (an old CRX!

) and I had a bike stolen. Must be all the desperate musicians.

vitaminC

jmazza wrote: Oooh another question would be do you use the same avatar on multiple forums??

I have the same user name and avatar across many forums. Not that there seems to be much overlap in the forums I visit...

vitaminC

Modulars also great for taking pic's by the side of the road when you've got a DSLR...

Otherwise, like every other helmet, get the one that fits your head the best. Having a secondary tinted visor like the Nolan, Caberg, and probably others, will make your ride even better.

vitaminC

ScooterTrash wrote: A. I bet that pic came from a bullet bike rider

You think scooterists don't bleed?

vitaminC

Nice pics!

When I lived in Nashville, I really enjoyed cruising the Natchez Trace and other surrounding roads. Lots of great stuff back there!

vitaminC

Sounds like a good excuse for a new helmet!

vitaminC

We need more cool Buddy pics...

vitaminC

Congrat's on your new purchase!

jmazza wrote: Where can I find conclusive instructions on how to handle the break-in period?

Sorry, but you can't.

vitaminC

Have you tried the helmet on? Fit trumps everything else, because an uncomfortable helmet will likely get left on the shelf after you buy a better fitting one, thereby possibly negating a great deal. Put it on and wander the store for 10+ minutes to see if you develop any 'hot spots'. Otherwise, goo...

vitaminC

Here's what I have to say. Took it a few weeks ago. In Sunny Corona, California... and got COMPLETELY soaked :wha: . It must have rained more that day than it did all last year. Rode their hardware. My second day on a bike in 20 years. The first and last day I ride in the rain! Take the MSF. It's s...

vitaminC

Is there a place that shows you what the exercises are so you can practice ahead of time? Or maybe you were just doing your own thing before the course? Go to your favorite library or bookstore and get a copy of "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough. It has some info about parking lot ...

vitaminC

Do you have an MC license currently? I don't think you can take the EC course without recent experience and a bike of your own. Your time will not be wasted with the 'basic' course! I'm sure you've forgotten plenty, and it's best to work the bugs out in a controlled environment using someone else's ...

vitaminC

Mine was easier to kick once it had a few miles on it. Of course, I haven't tried it recently, since the magic button always seem to work

Modern Buddy

Search found 750 matches

the replacement is here! NBC

Re: Oil change observations/questions

Re: Hot Weather = Little Gear = Little Brains

Buddy has to go

Re: Break in n00b questions

Re: Need suggestions on taking the MSF class