Modern Buddy

DeeDee wrote:The holy grail: Italian made, same Leader 150 engine as the LX150. Exposed chrome handlebars. An outstanding tribute to the Honda Joker.

Abomination! UGH

DeeDee wrote:The Cali Classic is a quality scooter made by SYM. Best bang for your dollar is probably a Buddy 125. If you have the funds allowing the decision to be based on something other than pure logic, there are some real fun options out there.

yea i'm finding all kinds of different scooters...i've had to use the hide function on CL so i don't have to see the chinese ones which i'm not interested in...i'm limited as to what is out there for sale used but i def like to see what's out there even if they are more than what i want to spend...it's trying to balance performance, style, used availability, proximity of sale, price, etc...most of what i'm seeing is pushing me towards a buddy 125...i feel like the price is in my wheel house, the parts availability and support is good and the performance and features meet my needs

these are my picks at the moment...2 i like the best but 1 is closer but requires work (paint)...2&3 are about the same distance away from me...3 is about 100 miles closer than 4 but neither are that close...5 and 6 are just on the list but they really aren't to my liking and the price is high

1
https://newlondon.craigslist.org/mcy/d/ ... 82937.html

2
https://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2009-ge ... 52426.html

3
https://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2012-ge ... 12123.html

4
https://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2009 ... 01000.html

5
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 2008474079

6
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 9862661974

can anyone tell a 50 from a 125 visually?...this one was painted...

https://us.letgo.com/en/i/red-and-black ... f276e94f2b

Point37 wrote:

DeeDee wrote:The Cali Classic is a quality scooter made by SYM. Best bang for your dollar is probably a Buddy 125. If you have the funds allowing the decision to be based on something other than pure logic, there are some real fun options out there.

these are my picks at the moment...2 i like the best but 1 is closer but requires work (paint)...2&3 are about the same distance away from me...3 is about 100 miles closer than 4 but neither are that close...5 and 6 are just on the list but they really aren't to my liking and the price is high

[ 1) 2013-genuine-buddy-125-scooter, Sea Foam Green, 2400 mi]

[ 2) 2009-genuine-buddy-125-scooter, Red, 1000 mi ]

[ 3) 2012-genuine-buddy-170i-cc, no pic, 521 mi]

[ 4) 2009-piaggio-fly-150cc-scooter]

[ 5) SYM HD 200]

[ 6) Piagio 125]

Fun! Vicarious scooter shopping!

The Buddies all look(/sound) like good choices. The prices for the 125s seem a bit high - probably priced with wiggle room.

My advice would be to just get the Sea Foam Green 125. Seller says stickers are removable. The color is not that bad. It really isn't when you see it in person. In fact, having seen one of these in person, I actually kind of like it. The stickers - yes! Horrible!! Those definitely have to go!!

There are only a handful of Buddy colors that I genuinely like - such as the matte black, titanium, white and maybe the anniversary blue. That being said we've had gloss black, sunset orange, sea foam green, cream (...and matte black) Buddies, and the colors are actually pretty nice in comparison to many of the colors found on scooters by other manufacturers.

Since the Sea Foam Green scoot is close by, check it out and if it is good condition don't worry about the paint at this point. If it really ends up bothering you after putting some miles on the scooter you can probably sell it for as much as you paid for it and pick up a different one with a color that you like - as long as you don't strip the paint as you said you intend to do. Who knows, you might end up being OK with the color of the scooter.

As you can see the asking price for the 2009 vs 2013 scooters is identical and not that far from the asking price of the 2012 170i. These scooters kind of hit a price equilibrium - all things being equal. For the extra cost involved in buying a scooter far away - for something as trivial as color (it's not a "potent pink" scooter, after all) - you might as well pick up the Sea Foam Green scoot.

Ride it around for a bit and then decide what you need to do with the color or if that time and money would be better spent doing other things. You can always sell it and get a scooter color that you like - and if you end up selling because of the color you'll have the experience of knowing what to look for if you go shopping for another/different color Buddy.

Point37 wrote:we may have a winner...looks like it was painted...what do you guys think?

https://us.letgo.com/en/i/red-and-black ... f276e94f2b

Frankenscooter!!!

Reanimated crash victim?

Christophers wrote:

Point37 wrote:

DeeDee wrote:The Cali Classic is a quality scooter made by SYM. Best bang for your dollar is probably a Buddy 125. If you have the funds allowing the decision to be based on something other than pure logic, there are some real fun options out there.

these are my picks at the moment...2 i like the best but 1 is closer but requires work (paint)...2&3 are about the same distance away from me...3 is about 100 miles closer than 4 but neither are that close...5 and 6 are just on the list but they really aren't to my liking and the price is high

[ 1) 2013-genuine-buddy-125-scooter, Sea Foam Green, 2400 mi]

[ 2) 2009-genuine-buddy-125-scooter, Red, 1000 mi ]

[ 3) 2012-genuine-buddy-170i-cc, no pic, 521 mi]

[ 4) 2009-piaggio-fly-150cc-scooter]

[ 5) SYM HD 200]

[ 6) Piagio 125]

Fun! Vicarious scooter shopping!

The Buddies all look(/sound) like good choices. The prices for the 125s seem a bit high - probably priced with wiggle room.

My advice would be to just get the Sea Foam Green 125. Seller says stickers are removable. The color is not that bad. It really isn't when you see it in person. In fact, having seen one of these in person, I actually kind of like it. The stickers - yes! Horrible!! Those definitely have to go!!

There are only a handful of Buddy colors that I genuinely like - such as the matte black, titanium, white and maybe the anniversary blue. That being said we've had gloss black, sunset orange, sea foam green, cream (...and matte black) Buddies, and the colors are actually pretty nice in comparison to many of the colors found on scooters by other manufacturers.

Since the Sea Foam Green scoot is close by, check it out and if it is good condition don't worry about the paint at this point. If it really ends up bothering you after putting some miles on the scooter you can probably sell it for as much as you paid for it and pick up a different one with a color that you like - as long as you don't strip the paint as you said you intend to do. Who knows, you might end up being OK with the color of the scooter.

As you can see the asking price for the 2009 vs 2013 scooters is identical and not that far from the asking price of the 2012 170i. These scooters kind of hit a price equilibrium - all things being equal. For the extra cost involved in buying a scooter far away - for something as trivial as color (it's not a "potent pink" scooter, after all) - you might as well pick up the Sea Foam Green scoot.

Ride it around for a bit and then decide what you need to do with the color or if that time and money would be better spent doing other things. You can always sell it and get a scooter color that you like - and if you end up selling because of the color you'll have the experience of knowing what to look for if you go shopping for another/different color Buddy.

thanks...the green on is what i'm leaning towards...maybe offer $1300 and see what they say

Christophers wrote:

Point37 wrote:we may have a winner...looks like it was painted...what do you guys think?

https://us.letgo.com/en/i/red-and-black ... f276e94f2b

Frankenscooter!!!

Reanimated crash victim?

yea that's what i'm thinking as well...but i'm also thinking it's a 50

just downloaded letgo and offerup apps on my phone to have a few more searching options...most people don't even post the model of the scooter so i'm assuming they probably don't even have a title

no mirrors, missin heatshield, peeling floor mat...anyone see anything else...i'm guessing it's a little rough for that price...

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/201 ... 5000837303

Farther away
https://letgo.onelink.me/O2PG/cb0d3a1

Point37 wrote:no mirrors, missin heatshield, peeling floor mat...anyone see anything else...i'm guessing it's a little rough for that price...

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/201 ... 5000837303

Slightly neglected, best case scenario, but also a possible crash victim.
If not outright neglect, maybe just a resident of a bad neighborhood?
The mirrors could be due to either. The missing heat shield attests more to the former.

The floor mat thing is an endemic Buddy issue. Nothing to worry about. It's just one of those things you have to "accept" with many of these.

Another buddy 170i
https://letgo.onelink.me/O2PG/1a2d12fb

I think we're going to have another Zombieblood scooter in the group!

Syd wrote:I think we're going to have another Zombieblood scooter in the group!

ahh so i'm not the first person who has gone this direction...if there is a thread showing some photos i'd love to take a look...still not sure if i do end up with that seafoam buddy 125 if i would just...

1 peel decals and ride it
2 peel decals and plastidip it
3 peel decals and chemical strip the paint
4 peel decals and sand/repaint it
5 see if i can find someone to swap plastics with
6 buy some certain new plastics and have a mismatched one and just keep the old ones
7 buy all new plastics down the road

i'd lean towards option 1 probably for a season...the color would serve as a theft deterrent i would imagine...maybe i would do option 3 or 5...probably option 1 though and just focus on finding some new mirrors and installing some type of music speaker

The seafoam was actually very popular. If you want to see what a rat Buddy is like look at the Amerivespa NOLA rat raffle bike.

That Buddy has had the snot abused out of it (good friends with the winner) crashed a couple of times and is still running great. It rocks!

BuddyRaton wrote:The seafoam was actually very popular. If you want to see what a rat Buddy is like look at the Amerivespa NOLA rat raffle bike.

That Buddy has had the snot abused out of it (good friends with the winner) crashed a couple of times and is still running great. It rocks!

can't seem to find it but i'm not exactly sure where i should be looking either...i'm not a huge fan of the seafoam but i do like the rat style...def hurts resale but i like the idea of not worrying about keeping it looking perfect...which is why i've thought about bedliner but i'm sure it would create more drag and add some weight...if i was going to do that though i think i would buy another set of scratched up plastics and do that

https://goo.gl/images/HGhZwD

the choices in order of likely hood of buying...#3 has a photo in the ad now...

1 https://newlondon.craigslist.org/mcy/d/ ... 82937.html
2 https://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2009-ge ... 52426.html
3 https://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2012-ge ... 12123.html
4 https://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2009 ... 01000.html

The Fly is a good scooter...but with such low mileage it has spent most of it's time sitting still and will need a good going over

It seems to me that several 09 Buddys have had stators go bad. Actually a pretty easy and cheap repair but something to be aware of. Others may disagree with this observation.

I once bought an 09 non-running for $330 put in a starter and a stator, added a top box and fly screen, changed fluids belt rollers etc and flipped it for $1,600...and it was seafoam green

I think the Fly is overpriced by at least $400. If you can find the newer 3-valve fuel injected Fly 150, that would be a great bike at $1,500.

thanks fellas!...will stay away from the fly...i figured it would be better to buy a newish model anyway so i don't have to deal with degraded fuel lines and carb gaskets...now i'm between 1 and 3 and still heavily leaning towards 1 due to proximity and no fuel injection...any design differences between 2012 and 2013 other than plastic colors?...or is there a thread with a timeline on here somewhere that documents the changes over the years?...like what year did they start installing stebel horns and 12v power ports in them?

price dropped on the seafoam to $1300...i think i have to go pick it up

Point37 wrote:price dropped on the seafoam to $1300...i think i have to go pick it up

I think that's a good choice, and there's been no body changes since 2006.

Good luck!

anyone think these would work to slide the controls out a little bit?...mainly wondering if it would work with the throttle tube...what is the inside diameter of the bars?...want to hang some underbar mirrors inside of the controls

http://www.drcproducts.com/control/d40-01/001.html

Ass far as I can recall the main differences in the 125's are:

After the initial year which was 2006 the headlight was made larger (still looks wrong to me!), mirror stems were made a little longer and a power port was added.

Oh yeah...the 06 drive cover said PGO...not Genuine.

the only thing i'm worried about is the oil stain under the rear of the scooter in the photos...anything else i should be looking out for?...also how many keys do these scooters typically come with?

https://newlondon.craigslist.org/mcy/d/ ... 82937.html

Point37 wrote:the only thing i'm worried about is the oil stain under the rear of the scooter in the photos...

https://newlondon.craigslist.org/mcy/d/ ... 82937.html

The Buddy oil filter requires more torque than the standard "hand tight then a 1/4 turn" so that may be the source. Good catch...check it out. Offer $1,100 then take it for $1,200!

Came with two keys but you can get blanks.

BuddyRaton wrote:

Point37 wrote:the only thing i'm worried about is the oil stain under the rear of the scooter in the photos...

https://newlondon.craigslist.org/mcy/d/ ... 82937.html

The Buddy oil filter requires more torque than the standard "hand tight then a 1/4 turn" so that may be the source. Good catch...check it out. Offer $1,100 then take it for $1,200!

Came with two keys but you can get blanks.

thanks...is the filter mounted vertically with the opening pointing up or is it at an angle?...so there should be 2 keys plus a trunk key since i assume that's different...anything else i should be looking for other than rash?

edit: found an oil change video...horizontal filter...guess it doesn't surprise me as my subaru has an inverted oil filter on top of the engine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJxeHbsq6gA

Plenty of info on filter torque and oil changes available here.

Filter is on the left side. Look under the plastics toward the front of the engine. You will see the top facing out to you. Bring a flashlight. See if there is any sign of oil leaking from the filter. Check the dipstick. If the oil filter has a slot, it could very well be the original filter. New filter should be torqued to 12 ftlbs. It seems a lot of shops replace the slotted filter with the HF197 which fits a 17mm socket. That scooter could probably be had for $1,000. The post is 23 days old, and the seller dropped it $300. Ask about service records, valve adjustment etc.. Say you need $300 worth of service to feel comfortable riding it.

Thanks fellas...def going to be on my hands and knees checking this thing out...going to pull the under seat bucket and take a look under there as well...

Here’s a bed lined aprilia scooter...not interested but I like the lined plastics...
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 9629823270

Point37 wrote:Thanks fellas...def going to be on my hands and knees checking this thing out...going to pull the under seat bucket and take a look under there as well...

Here’s a bed lined aprilia scooter...not interested but I like the lined plastics...
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 9629823270

I would do that too. The motors are pretty much bullet proof. I have an 06 with about 7K miles on it. Mainly ridden by Bocette. At about 4K miles I kitted it to 161cc, opened the air box, bigger carb, NCY pipe.

I have also done the regular maintenance stuff but that's it.

I ride A LOT of scooters. I still take the 12 year old Buddy (Have I really been here that long?) sometimes just because it is so much fun!

GO GET IT!

BuddyRaton wrote:

Point37 wrote:Thanks fellas...def going to be on my hands and knees checking this thing out...going to pull the under seat bucket and take a look under there as well...

Here’s a bed lined aprilia scooter...not interested but I like the lined plastics...
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 9629823270

I would do that too. The motors are pretty much bullet proof. I have an 06 with about 7K miles on it. Mainly ridden by Bocette. At about 4K miles I kitted it to 161cc, opened the air box, bigger carb, NCY pipe.

I have also done the regular maintenance stuff but that's it.

I ride A LOT of scooters. I still take the 12 year old Buddy (Have I really been here that long?) sometimes just because it is so much fun!

GO GET IT!

good to know...thanks!...first things i'll be doing once i have it back home is checking the maintenance items, peeling those stickers/apply goo gone till the stickiness is gone, trying to find an external bluetooth speaker loud enough to hear at speed and a way to mount it...i like tunes while riding

i like this but i don't want to permanently mount speakers...
http://www.modernbuddy.com/forum/topic19743.html

this is more what i'm looking to do...easily removable but i want to mount it higher like right behind the speedo...
http://www.modernbuddy.com/forum/topic30743.html

looking at this speaker...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073BVWRSP/?c ... _lig_dp_it

Be super careful with the Goo Gone! The tiny can thats concentrated will eat paint. I use the spray on kind and keep warm water handy in a bicycle water bottle. I had to get "Rasta flames" off my Zuma when I bought it. Whats worse is they were glitter! Still have a few glitter chunks but luckily no paint damage.

sc00ter wrote:Be super careful with the Goo Gone! The tiny can thats concentrated will eat paint. I use the spray on kind and keep warm water handy in a bicycle water bottle. I had to get "Rasta flames" off my Zuma when I bought it. Whats worse is they were glitter! Still have a few glitter chunks but luckily no paint damage.

good call...thanks...i think i just have the regular goo gone in a spray bottle not a can...i wonder if heating the stickers up with a hair drier will help peel them off better with less residue or maybe it will make it worse

i imagine the space inside the front panel is small...i was thinking of putting one of those old fashioned ahooga horns in place of the stock horn if i can find one small enough...i think it would go well with the style and color of it...and i think the seafoam is growing on me...i may keep it as is (minus the stickers)

list of maintenance things to do when i get it...i don't imagine i should need to do much else as it only has 2400 miles but let me know if i'm forgetting anything...

oil/filter change + oil screen check
gear oil change?
air filter check/clean/replace
fuel filter check/clean/replace
tire pressure check

want to do...
desticker
speakers for tunes
new mirrors
maybe horn
maybe cut in fuel valve
attach battery tender cable plug

sc00ter wrote:Be super careful with the Goo Gone! The tiny can thats concentrated will eat paint.

It is Goof Off that comes in a can. And yes, it will eat paint.

Dooglas wrote:

sc00ter wrote:Be super careful with the Goo Gone! The tiny can thats concentrated will eat paint.

It is Goof Off that comes in a can. And yes, it will eat paint.

that explains it...i'm talking about this stuff...different product but i probably will still be rinsing it off anyway just to be safe

https://www.amazon.com/Goo-Gone-oz-Remo ... s=goof+off

https://www.cafepress.com/mf/29564328/m ... =696903538


https://goo.gl/images/ZbqN5n

I just took my time peeling as much of the stickers off by hand first. No hair dryer, just let my finger nails grow out. Then, used the Goof Off Heavy Duty Remover. 22 fl. oz Windex type spray bottle. Bar code # 93945 40659. Also used hot water as a chaser, just in case. Best method I have found.

well i went to pick it up on saturday...got it back to my garage and parked it...didn't have time to play as i had to go help a buddy drop a tree...next is to get it registered and inspected...then maintenance and modifications

i didn't really notice from the photos but there is a huge guard that clamps onto the passenger footrests...

https://newlondon.craigslist.org/mcy/d/ ... 82937.html

sc00ter wrote:I just took my time peeling as much of the stickers off by hand first. No hair dryer, just let my finger nails grow out. Then, used the Goof Off Heavy Duty Remover. 22 fl. oz Windex type spray bottle. Bar code # 93945 40659. Also used hot water as a chaser, just in case. Best method I have found.

this is what i'll likely do...maybe just do it on a warm sunny day...park it in the driveway for a while and let everything warm up and just peel them...i wonder if it's easier to just pull the front plastic off and bring it inside

The flip out pegs are aftermarket. To me that's a good sign! Somebody liked that scooter enough to do some add-ons.

A Buddy 125 will ride 2 up but to me it is a very tight fit and we are not that big. OK for short runs but not comfortable for either person on a longer trip, but give it a shot...see how it works for you!

Probably the best, and one of the easiest, safest, cheapest upgrades you can make is a short to medium windshield. They really do make a difference in adding top speed.

BuddyRaton wrote:The flip out pegs are aftermarket. To me that's a good sign! Somebody liked that scooter enough to do some add-ons.

A Buddy 125 will ride 2 up but to me it is a very tight fit and we are not that big. OK for short runs but not comfortable for either person on a longer trip, but give it a shot...see how it works for you!

Probably the best, and one of the easiest, safest, cheapest upgrades you can make is a short to medium windshield. They really do make a difference in adding top speed.

i think i have mistaken about the pegs...i thought those little half circle oem silver pads rotated out for the passenger...i guess they are just a non-movable footrest...i'll have to look at it again...not sure if that crash guard interferes with the footrest or not

this is what's on there...
https://www.scooterwest.com/buddy-chrom ... u12-c.html
https://www.scooterwest.com/buddy-chrom ... u24-c.html
plus a genuine trunk...everything else is stock i believe

Did you buy a scooter?

DeeDee wrote:Did you buy a scooter?

yup seafoam buddy 125 complete with flower stickers
https://newlondon.craigslist.org/mcy/d/ ... 82937.html

Way to go! Just in time for spring. I think you'll like it.

DeeDee wrote:Way to go! Just in time for spring. I think you'll like it.

Thanks...I’m pretty excited to go through the maintenance, clean it up and make it my own

The aftermarket flip out pegs are kinda rare. I cant recall who custom made them on this site but I still have mine laying around the garage just incase another Buddy follows me home. You will love your Buddy 125. Reliable, easy to ride and quick for a 125.

Congratulations, Point37! Pics are always welcome.

sc00ter wrote:The aftermarket flip out pegs are kinda rare. I cant recall who custom made them on this site but I still have mine laying around the garage just incase another Buddy follows me home. You will love your Buddy 125. Reliable, easy to ride and quick for a 125.

yea i was under the impression that the stock metal footrests rotated out for a passenger...that's my mistake...as long as a passenger has a place to put their feet i don't care...not planning on riding with a passenger much but just like to have the ability to be able to

the other funny thing is when i test rode it i was trying to put my feet under me more like my motorcycle...i also wasn't even sure which lever was the front brake and which was the rear brake...

i also noticed that when i only went easy on the throttle it would stall out...would start right back up though...now if i went a little heavier on the throttle it would run just fine...i'm sure it just needs a little tuning and cleaning though...shouldn't be an issue

Syd wrote:Congratulations, Point37! Pics are always welcome.

i def have to take a few photos...i'm hoping to do some work on it this weekend but i doubt i'll have time...maybe i'll just update the original post and keep this thread running as to how the journey of this scooter goes instead of starting a new one

started looking for funny/entertaining stickers the other day...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008BP0G1O/?c ... _lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NAJFUB2/?c ... _lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0125VRQSU/?c ... _lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FV1N8AM/?c ... _lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074DDQC4F/?c ... _lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/Funny-Buckle-War ... y+stickers

https://www.amazon.com/stickers-motorcy ... y+stickers

https://www.amazon.com/Coexist-Sticker- ... y+stickers

Just like a MC the right lever is front brake. The "clutch" lever is rear brakes. In my opinion Buddys have above average braking so take your time to get used to them. The front is disc, rear is drum.

Sounds like the carb is just a little garfed up. Get a can of Seafoam and add a few ounces each tank until it clears up. That usually does the trick.

Drop me your address in a PM and I will be sure to get some Team Scooter Trash stickers to you!

BuddyRaton wrote:Just like a MC the right lever is front brake. The "clutch" lever is rear brakes. In my opinion Buddys have above average braking so take your time to get used to them. The front is disc, rear is drum.

Sounds like the carb is just a little garfed up. Get a can of Seafoam and add a few ounces each tank until it clears up. That usually does the trick.

Drop me your address in a PM and I will be sure to get some Team Scooter Trash stickers to you!

thanks...yea i wasn't sure at first if it was like a motorcycle or a bicycle

i may have to tweak the brake adjustment a little...i hate when i have to pull one lever farther than the other

the seafoam was the first thing i did when i got it home haha

thanks!

i'm guessing this isn't the oem horn based on the mounting location...i'm guessing the bracket with the 2 holes in it was where the original horn was...found an acorn inside the front panel when i was taking it off

Some Buddys (I think the BJ and some others) came with an upgraded horn. I upgraded my Buddy 161 with a stebel. Someone enjoyed that scoot!

It looks pretty good in there. If everything is good I would just clean out the acorns, lube the cables and ride!