Zuma 125cc vs Buddy 125cc

desmolicious · Post by **desmolicious** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:37 pm

These two rides have caught my eye. But do not know too much about them , apart from the fact the Zuma is FI (and had some FI pump issues), while the Buddy is carbed.

So, any opinions?

(price not dependant)

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:47 pm

Zuma pros:
-Fuel injected
-Larger Chassis with more of an adventure/touring look
-Wider wheels
-Yamaha dealer support network
-Liquid cooled

Buddy Pros:
-Cheaper (price always is a factor...)
-Faster (Zuma top speed is only 55mph +/-. The Buddy is 65 stock)
-More accessories, including performance kit to make it go even faster!
-Smaller frame (in a good way) that makes it more nimble
-2 year, unlimited mileage warranty (Yamaha has a 1 year limited)
-Option to get a Fuel Injected 170i for the same price that is even FASTER
-More responsive dealer network that actually cares about scooter riders

Honestly, for a city scooter Buddy has it beat by a bit...

desmolicious · Post by **desmolicious** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:56 pm

Thanks, but price is not dependant. I'd be looking at used vs new or used vs used but a couple o $$ difference does not matter to me.

Spec sheet comparisons aside, what is the actual comparison on the road?
How is the FI on the Zuma better than the carb on the Buddy (if it is)?
Which has better suspension, brakes, acceleration, mpg, handling etc?
Which is easier to service, has longer service intervals?

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:26 pm

desmolicious wrote:Thanks, but price is not dependant. I'd be looking at used vs new or used vs used but a couple o $$ difference does not matter to me.

Spec sheet comparisons aside, what is the actual comparison on the road?
How is the FI on the Zuma better than the carb on the Buddy (if it is)?
Which has better suspension, brakes, acceleration, mpg, handling etc?
Which is easier to service, has longer service intervals?

"Spec sheets aside", comparing the two bikes then simply comes down to riding each one. Handling is dependent alot on your personal fit and weight. I know for me the Zuma was cramped for my legs and just didn't feel as powerful. Spec-wise the Zuma has a 220mm front disc that you can upgrade to 260mm, but it's a heavier bike and has claim to semi-off road use. The Buddy's is 190mm upgradable to 220mm, but it is a lighter bike. How they *feel* really is alot of rider impression.

Fuelly rates show the Zuma at 73.1 to 91.3 mpg, and the Buddy is at 70 to 103 mpg... so it's dependent on the rider (of course).

As far as fuel injection vs. carb, for nearly the exact same price you can buy a Buddy 170i with fuel injection as well, and it will be FAR faster than the Zuma 125 can ever hope to be! Considering that, I myself would wonder why you are looking at the Zuma unless you don't want performance in a city scooter.

Dunno about how easy it is to access the engine on these scooters, but the Zuma 125's plastics don't look as user friendly as the Buddy's from what Zumas I have seen.

Alot of it does come down to opinion and the only real difference (if you don't look at performance) is price, which you said you don't care about. What it really comes down to is getting on each of them and test riding them

desmolicious · Post by **desmolicious** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:02 pm

neotrotsky wrote: Considering that, I myself would wonder why you are looking at the Zuma unless you don't want performance in a city scooter.

I think the Zumas look cool. Simple as that! Buddys look 'cute'.
Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. Bouncing around ideas.

jmkjr72 · Post by **jmkjr72** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 11:10 pm

the zuma 125 is not liquid cooled it doesnt even have an oil cooler

if you realy want to know about the zuma 125 head over to zumaforums.net

i dont know if shawn is over here but he got sold his moded zuma 125 and got a blur 220

and i belive his wife has a buddy i dont know if its a 50 or 125

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:36 am

The strong point of the Zuma is that it is a "dual sport" scooter. Can be used for some dirt road and trail riding as well as around town. The Buddy is strictly a road bike - and a good one. The 125 Zuma is the closest thing still being sold to the well beloved Honda Big Ruckus.

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:28 am

jmkjr72 wrote:the zuma 125 is not liquid cooled it doesnt even have an oil cooler

if you realy want to know about the zuma 125 head over to zumaforums.net

i dont know if shawn is over here but he got sold his moded zuma 125 and got a blur 220

and i belive his wife has a buddy i dont know if its a 50 or 125

My error on the liquid cooled...I seriously don't know what I was writing on that.

Rippinyarn · Post by **Rippinyarn** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:05 pm

I agree that riding them would be the best way to compare them. On the spec sheet they are comparable, but the feel of them is completely different. There is nothing wrong with the Zuma, but I think that you'll find the Buddy to be more enjoyable.

jmkjr72 · Post by **jmkjr72** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 6:17 pm

and if you have short legs you might not like the zuma the seat is high compared to the buddy

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:15 pm

There are tons of performance parts and accessories for the Zuma. My face is the vertical light kit that changes the (I think) US-only horizontal lights to stacked as elsewhere.

There are obviously going to be a lot of Buddy fans here so I'll just say that I know a lot of happy Zuma owners, too.