Modern Buddy

Looking at doing my first oil change, as my Buddy is about 3 years old and I'd like to learn how to do it during the pandemic.

Looking at the K&M Oil Filter on Amazon, as it's a decent name and the price is right.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A8 ... PDKIKX0DER

And then I am thinking the Genuine brand motor oil.

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Motor-15 ... ive&sr=1-5


I have a few questions first:

Is this all I'd need to do a proper oil change (besides tools, which I have)?

Is there better alternatives for the filter and oil that are available on Amazon for around the same price?

Could you recommend a good instructional video for a noob? (I searched this site as well as YouTube and couldn't pinpoint the right one.)


Any constructive criticism would be appreciated. Thanks in advance![/url]

Do you have a dealer nearby? Do your dealer a favor and buy locally.

You should be changing your oil at least once a year, minimum. It's not good to leave old oil in the engine.


If your engine is not fully broken in you probably should go with conventional oil.

scootERIK wrote:You should be changing your oil at least once a year, minimum. It's not good to leave old oil in the engine.


If your engine is not fully broken in you probably should go with conventional oil.

The oil has been changed once, this is just the first time I'd be doing it myself!

Something like this, perhaps?

http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/product/3601-0064

Here's a YouTube video on how to change the oil on a Buddy 125. I found it helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJxeHbsq6gA

I use Shell Rotella T6 15W-40 synthetic.

Here's another YouTube video on how to change the gear oil on a Buddy 125.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiMdoxK73PA

Enjoy!

BayStateScooterist wrote:Here's a YouTube video on how to change the oil on a Buddy 125. I found it helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJxeHbsq6gA

I use Shell Rotella T6 15W-40 synthetic.

Here's another YouTube video on how to change the gear oil on a Buddy 125.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiMdoxK73PA

Enjoy!

Hey thanks! That's the exact video I ended up bookmarking. Looks pretty straightforward!

And I'll change the Gear Oil as well while I'm at it. Thanks again!

coolrays wrote:

scootERIK wrote:You should be changing your oil at least once a year, minimum. It's not good to leave old oil in the engine.


If your engine is not fully broken in you probably should go with conventional oil.

The oil has been changed once, this is just the first time I'd be doing it myself!

Something like this, perhaps?

http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/product/3601-0064

That works but expensive, and you don't need the clutch/chain protection. You can buy a 4 quart container of Shell Rotella T6 15W-40 for about $23 at Walmart. This would cover 4 oil changes.

BayStateScooterist wrote:

coolrays wrote:

scootERIK wrote:You should be changing your oil at least once a year, minimum. It's not good to leave old oil in the engine.


If your engine is not fully broken in you probably should go with conventional oil.

The oil has been changed once, this is just the first time I'd be doing it myself!

Something like this, perhaps?

http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/product/3601-0064

That works but expensive, and you don't need the clutch/chain protection. You can buy a 4 quart container of Shell Rotella T6 15W-40 for about $23 at Walmart. This would cover 4 oil changes.

Well thanks AGAIN!

There's a young man called Mitch, on youtube, who works with a variety of well made scooters. He has posted videos on an oil change, gear oil change, and a few other good videos about Buddy Scooters. Mitch is deaf. His videos are very clear and accurate. I wish he did more videos on the Buddy scooter.

ucandoit wrote:There's a young man called Mitch, on youtube, who works with a variety of well made scooters. He has posted videos on an oil change, gear oil change, and a few other good videos about Buddy Scooters. Mitch is deaf. His videos are very clear and accurate. I wish he did more videos on the Buddy scooter.

Hey thanks! I'll give Mitch a try.

His YouTube name is MicBergsma. I stumbled across him years ago for his GoPro videos, and then again, completely independently, when I started scooting. He is, first and foremost, a cool dude, but the visual clarity and brevity of his videos really makes you realize how much cruft there is in most how-to videos out there.

https://www.youtube.com/user/mitchsscooterstuff

I prefer this filter (HiFlo 197)-

https://www.ebay.com/p/210026688

And I don't think you need to use Genuine motor oil. That is just a rebranding of someone else's oil anyway. I'd suggest any reputable brand of 15-40W full synthetic oil that meets the factory recommended spec.

coolrays wrote:

scootERIK wrote:You should be changing your oil at least once a year, minimum. It's not good to leave old oil in the engine.


If your engine is not fully broken in you probably should go with conventional oil.

The oil has been changed once, this is just the first time I'd be doing it myself!

Something like this, perhaps?

http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/product/3601-0064

Since your scooter only has 450 miles on it you are still in the break in period so you should be using a non-synthetic oil like Shell Rotella T4 15w-40. Once you get over 1,500 miles you can switch to synthetic.

Very, Very important. Be sure you torque the oil filter to at least 13 ftlbs. Ask skully93 about this if you are in doubt. I like the HF197 because it has a 17mm hex nut on the end.

scootERIK wrote: If your engine is not fully broken in you probably should go with conventional oil.

Good to know! Thank you.

coolrays wrote:

scootERIK wrote:If your engine is not fully broken in you probably should go with conventional oil.

Good to know! Thank you.

Not to dump on Erik as he has plenty of experience with the Buddy. On the other hand, this is getting into an area of personal opinion. The factory says the break-in period is 500 miles, and the difference between 450 and 500 is probably not worth discussing.

Dooglas wrote:

coolrays wrote:

scootERIK wrote:If your engine is not fully broken in you probably should go with conventional oil.

Good to know! Thank you.

Not to dump on Erik as he has plenty of experience with the Buddy. On the other hand, this is getting into an area of personal opinion. The factory says the break-in period is 500 miles, and the difference between 450 and 500 is probably not worth discussing.

Don't worry you're not dumping on me.

The old owner's manual had break-in listed at 1,000 miles, while the new owner's manual has break-in at 500 miles(I just found that out.) In my experience my engines took until ~1,500 before they felt fully broken in(mainly the top speed kept getting better.)

When it comes to breaking in an engine there are tons of opinions(just like which oil to use.) It's up to every owner to figure out what is best for them(when in doubt follow the owner's manual.)

DeeDee wrote:Very, Very important. Be sure you torque the oil filter to at least 13 ftlbs. Ask skully93 about this if you are in doubt. I like the HF197 because it has a 17mm hex nut on the end.

I use those too, and Rotella oil. You don't have a wet clutch, so fancy motorcycle oil isn't of benefit (maybe of detriment).


Oh, and I too can describe what happens if you don't torque things down tight. (You get a 161cc kit, because you destroy the top end!)





And how does a three year old scooter only have 450 miles on it?