Modern Buddy

I'd heard something about this scooter before, but I thought it was just another 100MPH story. Apparently this one is real, or pretty close to. And, if this article is to be believed, it's for sale on eBay. I sort of wish I had a pile of unspoken for cash. Two piles, actually. I'd need one for the scooter and one for a (very) large supply of rear tires.

Not on your life checks credit card balance.

Nope, not on your life.

No.

Thanks for asking.

Why? It's not a Cushman. It's not a Harley. Personally, I don't find it even remotely interesting.

If I'd wanted to go 100mph, I wouldn't have bought a scooter in the first place.

That creature is just weird looking. And not in a good way.

I like it

I admire the engineering, but I can do 110 on my Honda that's designed for it and get better mpg.

I have seen some Cushman Eagles with a Briggs Vangard V-twin, but that takes the cake. More impressive than that Honda Grom with the CBR 250 engine stuffed in.
-100mph on a scooter may not be too scary, but 100mph on a "hard tail" is.
A pothole could be fatal.
-The engine in my uncle's Cushman Eagle wasn't quite as big as a Sporty motor.

ModernMike wrote:Why? It's not a Cushman. It's not a Harley. Personally, I don't find it even remotely interesting.

I thought you were being a grump.....until I took a look at it. Totally agree. I would, however, take it to a track and rip it.

My life starts to flash before my eyes when I hit 60 with my scooter. I just don't see the appeal. Maybe if I knew the road was perfect...no it wouldn't matter it would freak me out. I do think that Cushman scooter looks cool. I picture Alf driving that thing for some reason.

jrsjr wrote:I'd heard something about this scooter before, but I thought it was just another 100MPH story. Apparently this one is real, or pretty close to. And, if this article is to be believed, it's for sale on eBay. I sort of wish I had a pile of unspoken for cash. Two piles, actually. I'd need one for the scooter and one for a (very) large supply of rear tires.

I don't think it can be called a "scooter" as it's not a step-through design. With the gas tank mounted up high and in front of the rider, it has to be considered a small motorcycle. In any event, no thanks to doing 100 mph.

Bill in Seattle now wintering in Tucson
'09 150 Blackjack
'12 170i Italia

"Wanna go 100MPH? On a Scooter?" NO!

Dooglas wrote:"Wanna go 100MPH? On a Scooter?" NO!

Wasn't there a "Voodoo" Buddy that someone hit 88mph on? On 10 inch wheels. Guy had brass balls, was crazy, or both! Still pretty cool in my book.

Dooglas wrote:"Wanna go 100MPH? On a Scooter?" NO!

Honestly a BV500 could probably get it with a little tuning. Hell your 350 hits 90 or so, correct?

KrispyKreme wrote:Honestly a BV500 could probably get it with a little tuning. Hell your 350 hits 90 or so, correct?

Correct. And it has a hell of a lot better suspension and braking than a Cushman or a Buddy.

skipper20 wrote:I don't think it can be called a "scooter" as it's not a step-through design. With the gas tank mounted up high and in front of the rider, it has to be considered a small motorcycle.

The problem with this definition is this scooter which certainly does not meet your definition but is unmistakably a "scooter." Not to argue, I get your point, but be careful with that blanket statement because the 1966 Vespa 90 SS is a classic counter-example that scooter nuts know all too well.

jrsjr wrote:

skipper20 wrote:I don't think it can be called a "scooter" as it's not a step-through design. With the gas tank mounted up high and in front of the rider, it has to be considered a small motorcycle.

The problem with this definition is this scooter which certainly does not meet your definition but is unmistakably a "scooter." Not to argue, I get your point, but be careful with that blanket statement because the 1966 Vespa 90 SS is a classic counter-example that scooter nuts know all too well.

That is pretty cool looking.

And Skipper, don't forget Genuine's other ride, the Blur!

Hitting an honest 58 on my old scoot, a Kymco 150 Super S, was enough for me. Hitting 95 on my old Suzuki 1973 triple 550 gave me grey hairs. Falling off my 650 Silver Wing at 40 plus miles an hour gave me perspective....pavement hurts. A lot.

Hitting an honest 58 on my old scoot, a Kymco 150 Super S, was enough for me. Hitting 95 on my old Suzuki 1973 triple 550 gave me grey hairs. Falling off my 650 Silver Wing at 40 plus miles an hour gave me perspective....pavement hurts. A lot.

^^^^^The Blur 220i is an often overlooked scooter. Great brakes and suspension.

the 1966 Vespa 90 SS is a classic counter-example that scooter nuts know all too well.

It's in the frame. That Vespa still has a low "step through" frame. They just filled it with a lot of stuff. The other two bikes pictured have high frames, therefore...motorcycle, not scooter.

why a sportster motor? of all the choices out there?

BigDaddy SnakeOiler wrote:

the 1966 Vespa 90 SS is a classic counter-example that scooter nuts know all too well.

It's in the frame. That Vespa still has a low "step through" frame. They just filled it with a lot of stuff. The other two bikes pictured have high frames, therefore...motorcycle, not scooter.

I wasn't trying to quibble, just to point out that being dogmatic about this can get you into the deep end pretty quickly. Um, here's a counterexample which has blown me personally right off the road as it flew past...

Nuff said!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQfPls3tKuo#t=11

Nice cut down!

[/quote]

jrsjr wrote: the 1966 Vespa 90 SS is a classic counter-example that scooter nuts know all too well.

I need a tissue

Is that a jet engine? That would rock.

BigDaddy SnakeOiler wrote:Is that a jet engine? That would rock.

Looks like a tour tank for extra fuel. I ran one on CBR 2012 but mounted on a rear rack.

KrispyKreme wrote:^^^^^The Blur 220i is an often overlooked scooter. Great brakes and suspension.

And the handling is incredible and well...it is one of the most fun scooters I have ridden!

BuddyRaton wrote:

KrispyKreme wrote:^^^^^The Blur 220i is an often overlooked scooter. Great brakes and suspension.

And the handling is incredible and well...it is one of the most fun scooters I have ridden!

Agreed! I rode a Blur 150 on Cannonball 2006. That's where I got acquainted with the scooter you see pictured above. And, yeah, that's a gas tank. At least it was in 2006. By now it may be a flux capacitor for all I know. Come to think of it, for Cannonball 2106, they'll probably need a rule banning scooters that are able to arrive at the finish line before the start.

I'm working on a 2016 route to submit for consideration

Isn't the whole point of a scooter is that it is a scooter???

toot wrote:Isn't the whole point of a scooter is that it is a scooter???

Well...kind of...but maybe not really.

For the majority of the world a scooter is a means of basic transportation. Most of the time it is what the owner can afford to own and to operate, not in addition to a car but instead of a car

Scooters are in general just more pratical than small displacement motorcycles. CVT transmission, better weather protection, more storage..etc etc. I know that when I lived in Jerusalem scooters outnumbered motorcycles by at least 10 to 1.

It seems that it is in the US that there is more nit picking arguments about what is a scooter and what is a MC.

Really...who cares...ride what you like and like what you ride!

Now if we are going to argue about what is "vintage" I have my opinion on that!

Ya, the symba/cub/passport stuff kinda messes with the scooter/motorcycle definitions too. Not quite a step through,sit on the gas tank, motor in the middle…

Stitch wrote:Ya, the symba/cub/passport stuff kinda messes with the scooter/motorcycle definitions too. Not quite a step through,sit on the gas tank, motor in the middle…

From the Scooter Cannonball Rulebook:

2.1.1 A scooter is a two or three wheeled vehicle that satisfies AT LEAST THREE OF FIVE of the following conditions:

• 2.1.1.1 unit construction of engine, transmission and rear swingarm.
• 2.1.1.2 wheels no larger than 10in.
• 2.1.1.3 originally equipped with a step-through style frame.
• 2.1.1.4 originally equipped with running boards or leg shield.
• 2.1.1.5 a single cylinder engine design.

The underbone bikes (Symba, Scout, SuperCub/Passport) could qualify depending on how fine a point the organizers put on what a "step through" is (2.1.1.3) when evaluating the machine; the underbones meet 2.1.1.4 and 2.1.1.5 with no issue. Personally, I'd love to run my '81 Passport once it's done. Just got the crank back on Thursday and I'm starting preparations to reassemble the engine. Considering what a yard turd this bike started as, it'd be awesome to say, "Back from the dead. BRB, gonna go do a Cannonball." Barring that, I'd look at running my '87 Elite 80 because it's a stupid-little-yet-somehow-loveable scooter. Either way, the bike would be sporting one of the Siobhan stickers that Dmitry sent me.

az_slynch wrote:

Stitch wrote:Ya, the symba/cub/passport stuff kinda messes with the scooter/motorcycle definitions too. Not quite a step through,sit on the gas tank, motor in the middle…

From the Scooter Cannonball Rulebook:

2.1.1 A scooter is a two or three wheeled vehicle that satisfies AT LEAST THREE OF FIVE of the following conditions:

• 2.1.1.3 originally equipped with a step-through style frame.

You notice this is carefully worded with the word "originally" so that that scooter pictured above is permitted.

jrsjr wrote:

az_slynch wrote:

Stitch wrote:Ya, the symba/cub/passport stuff kinda messes with the scooter/motorcycle definitions too. Not quite a step through,sit on the gas tank, motor in the middle…

From the Scooter Cannonball Rulebook:

2.1.1 A scooter is a two or three wheeled vehicle that satisfies AT LEAST THREE OF FIVE of the following conditions:

• 2.1.1.3 originally equipped with a step-through style frame.

You notice this is carefully worded with the word "originally" so that that scooter pictured above is permitted.

I was wondering how Bill Murar got his Allstate Compact approved. Top tank, 12" wheels and a engine separate from the swingarm. Those scooters only meet .4 and .5 for the rules. Still, I'd like to see one run again. I have a '65 with the larger, non-sloping tank for better range. If I was serious, I'd toss the stock crank, swap in a Rito and put SwainTech coatings on the head and piston...give that little spud a fighting chance!

az_slynch wrote:

jrsjr wrote:

az_slynch wrote: From the Scooter Cannonball Rulebook:

2.1.1 A scooter is a two or three wheeled vehicle that satisfies AT LEAST THREE OF FIVE of the following conditions:

• 2.1.1.3 originally equipped with a step-through style frame.

You notice this is carefully worded with the word "originally" so that that scooter pictured above is permitted.

I was wondering how Bill Murar got his Allstate Compact approved. Top tank, 12" wheels and a engine separate from the swingarm. Those scooters only meet .4 and .5 for the rules. Still, I'd like to see one run again. I have a '65 with the larger, non-sloping tank for better range. If I was serious, I'd toss the stock crank, swap in a Rito and put SwainTech coatings on the head and piston...give that little spud a fighting chance!

They changed the rules after Bill's run.

jrsjr wrote:

az_slynch wrote:

jrsjr wrote: You notice this is carefully worded with the word "originally" so that that scooter pictured above is permitted.

I was wondering how Bill Murar got his Allstate Compact approved. Top tank, 12" wheels and a engine separate from the swingarm. Those scooters only meet .4 and .5 for the rules. Still, I'd like to see one run again. I have a '65 with the larger, non-sloping tank for better range. If I was serious, I'd toss the stock crank, swap in a Rito and put SwainTech coatings on the head and piston...give that little spud a fighting chance!

They changed the rules after Bill's run.

Shame. Still wondering what happened to his Compact. He only had points for Day 1, and not too many. I assume it blew up and he didn't have the spares to fix it then. Or, riding a bike that's only good for 43mph max (manufacturer listing, probably under 40 in the real world) is very brutal!

jrsjr wrote: They changed the rules after Bill's run.

The rules change for pretty much every CBR. Remember...these are the rules for entry into the CBR...not the definition of a scooter.

2012 was unlimited ccs and any motor you could stuff in there. 2014 was 250 cc max and had to be a motor with engine and transmission in one unit.

What will it be for 2016? There is some talk of 200cc max. I hope not, I want to run my 79 P200 modified to 225cc in s 64 Vespa GL.

If it changes to 200 max..well time to go back to stock! Hmmmm maybe the TV 175?

To get back to the OP for just a moment...

The winning bid was $15,500.

Visiting my cousin recently, he had to show me the new toy his wife had bought him, a 350cc Vespa. "It can go over 95mph!"

All I can assume is that his wife doesn't like him very much, and he has a LOT of life insurance.

GigiB wrote:Visiting my cousin recently, he had to show me the new toy his wife had bought him, a 350cc Vespa. "It can go over 95mph!"

All I can assume is that his wife doesn't like him very much, and he has a LOT of life insurance.

Probably a BV 350 made by Piaggio. Very nice scooter same parent company but not a Vespa....and actually a 330cc...but piaggio doesn't have a habit of inflating the model number to make you think it's a bigger motor

I think most people here would be pretty stoked if their other half hit them up with a BV.

Don't know, it LOOKED like a GTS, and he for sure said Vespa. I just looked up the BV 350 and I don't think that was it. But I have to admit to having both little knowledge of the models in question, and to having stumbled upon a case of tequila on the first day of the trip, which I was trying to make disappear in a very dedicated and systematic way.

My husband and I were impressed, but not to the point of covetousness, much less personal desire. We are both quite satisfied with our 150cc scooters, not to mention the thousands of dollars not spent on what I can only consider a flaming death machine. No way I'm going THAT fast on wheels that small. I say if you want to do highway speeds+, get a motorcycle already.