Newbie - Help me choose
Moderator: Modern Buddy Staff
- DariaSen
- Member
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 12:08 pm
- Location: Connecticut
Newbie - Help me choose
Hi all...
I've been lurking for over a year while I get ready to get my scooter.
I was all set to put a deposit on a Buddy 170i. I did the research, registered for my MSF class, got all my gear, ect.
When I told my husband about it he said "I thought you'd go for something more classic looking like a vintage Vespa."
Now I'm having an eternal crisis once I took a better look at the Stella 4T and am 2nd guessing myself.
Here's what I am looking for in a vehicle:
I'm planning to ride hopefully 1-2 days a week.
Road speed limits are 35-45mph.
One route that I hope to take is curvy and has some decent hills. (Southwest CT).
I haven't driven a manual anything since learning to drive at 16...almost 15 years ago. But I'll learn shifting (although different on a MC) in my MSF class.
I can see pros and cons for both...I'm torn. What's your advice for a newbie scooterist?
(P.S. Knowing my luck I'll by one or the other just to have a twist and go Stella get released a month later...but after waiting 3 years to get the go-ahead to get a scooter I'm impatient)
I've been lurking for over a year while I get ready to get my scooter.
I was all set to put a deposit on a Buddy 170i. I did the research, registered for my MSF class, got all my gear, ect.
When I told my husband about it he said "I thought you'd go for something more classic looking like a vintage Vespa."
Now I'm having an eternal crisis once I took a better look at the Stella 4T and am 2nd guessing myself.
Here's what I am looking for in a vehicle:
I'm planning to ride hopefully 1-2 days a week.
Road speed limits are 35-45mph.
One route that I hope to take is curvy and has some decent hills. (Southwest CT).
I haven't driven a manual anything since learning to drive at 16...almost 15 years ago. But I'll learn shifting (although different on a MC) in my MSF class.
I can see pros and cons for both...I'm torn. What's your advice for a newbie scooterist?
(P.S. Knowing my luck I'll by one or the other just to have a twist and go Stella get released a month later...but after waiting 3 years to get the go-ahead to get a scooter I'm impatient)
- Rob
- Member
- Posts: 1177
- Joined: Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:09 pm
- Location: Munster, IN (Chicago 'burb)
Hi Daria.
It's easy to fall into the over-research and overthink modes when making these type purchases. Paralysis by analysis ... I do it all the time!
Anyway, something to keep in mind, there's usually a decent market for used Buddies. If you go with the 170i and a year or two from now decide to move on to something else, there will likely be a solid resale value on your 170. It also seems to be a fairly common thing for folks to move on from their original scoot purchase, or add to the stable
Rob
It's easy to fall into the over-research and overthink modes when making these type purchases. Paralysis by analysis ... I do it all the time!
Anyway, something to keep in mind, there's usually a decent market for used Buddies. If you go with the 170i and a year or two from now decide to move on to something else, there will likely be a solid resale value on your 170. It also seems to be a fairly common thing for folks to move on from their original scoot purchase, or add to the stable
Rob
"Sponges grow in the ocean. That just kills me. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn't happen."
- Steven Wright
- Steven Wright
- issue31
- Member
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 5:36 pm
- Location: Plainview MN.
170
Go with the 170! I have one, and weight 270.No problems. Wife has a 125 and no problems. Also easy to work on for your own oil changes, spark plug, ect. Put a windshield on it, along with a rear rack. Then use a milk crate for a top case. You will love it!
- KABarash
- Member
- Posts: 2049
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:48 pm
- Location: Depends on where I happen to be.
Don't second guess yourself. Go with what you want.
If your husband wants you to get 'vintage' or vintage styling, you can always have more than one scooter at sometime in the future, they're addictive!
I at first, wanted a Stella just because they're drop dead sexy in my mind and may still at one point in the future have one.
My Buddy seemed to become a perfect fit for me as I've decided that shifting, although not too difficult, might be more than I want to have to think about while enjoying my rides.
Whether the 170 will have enough Ooompf for you? Likely should, I live in Pa near Hershey, and get about without too many difficulties on my 150.......
If your husband wants you to get 'vintage' or vintage styling, you can always have more than one scooter at sometime in the future, they're addictive!
I at first, wanted a Stella just because they're drop dead sexy in my mind and may still at one point in the future have one.
My Buddy seemed to become a perfect fit for me as I've decided that shifting, although not too difficult, might be more than I want to have to think about while enjoying my rides.
Whether the 170 will have enough Ooompf for you? Likely should, I live in Pa near Hershey, and get about without too many difficulties on my 150.......
Aging is mandatory, growing up is optional.
My kids call me 'crazy', I prefer 'Eccentric'.
Nullius in verba
My kids call me 'crazy', I prefer 'Eccentric'.
Nullius in verba
- DariaSen
- Member
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 12:08 pm
- Location: Connecticut
Thanks peoples!
I'm going to stick with the Buddy. I just need to hear someone say (er...type) it out loud.
I think I'm just psyching myself out since I'm so close to my purchase date. I can always get something more vintage-y later on. My husband will just have to squeeze it in with the 7 MCs he has in the garage.
I'm going to stick with the Buddy. I just need to hear someone say (er...type) it out loud.
I think I'm just psyching myself out since I'm so close to my purchase date. I can always get something more vintage-y later on. My husband will just have to squeeze it in with the 7 MCs he has in the garage.
-
- Member
- Posts: 836
- Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:19 am
- Location: Des Moines, WA
Good choice. You won't regret getting a 170i which, in fact, does have a vintage look to it. Mine has been mistaken for a Vespa more than once. Your husband has 7 MCs in the garage!! Wow. My kids are always on me because I own 4 scoots. Now I feel a lot better. Thanks!DariaSen wrote:Thanks peoples!
I'm going to stick with the Buddy. I just need to hear someone say (er...type) it out loud.
I think I'm just psyching myself out since I'm so close to my purchase date. I can always get something more vintage-y later on. My husband will just have to squeeze it in with the 7 MCs he has in the garage.
Bill in Seattle but wintering in AZ
'12 170i Italia
'12 Yamaha Zuma 125
'87 Honda Helix 250
'02 Honda Reflex 250
- Drum Pro
- Member
- Posts: 1163
- Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2011 4:03 am
- Location: Victorville, Ca.
Vintage vs. modern: This is almost always the internal conflict of the new scooterist. I say get Buddy 170I. Easy to work on, not difficult to build riding skills, and super fun to ride. Vintage, although great looking, aren't always better...
Vintage comes with more work. Not only to ride but to keep road ready. To keep them up, it would be a good idea to learn a bit of wrenching to save money and save you from getting stranded on the side of the road should a cable snap. (although the 2 year warranty and road side assistance would be usefull)...
Vintage comes with more work. Not only to ride but to keep road ready. To keep them up, it would be a good idea to learn a bit of wrenching to save money and save you from getting stranded on the side of the road should a cable snap. (although the 2 year warranty and road side assistance would be usefull)...
- michelle_7728
- Member
- Posts: 1914
- Joined: Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:16 am
- Location: Renton, WA
My husband unintentionally pops wheelies on his Stella several times a ride (often in an intersection). Also it stalls out when he starts out with not-to-uncommon regularity. My husband still loves his Stella!
If you don't want t a shiftie, and might be put off (or fall off) if that happened, then the Buddy definitely is for you! Personally, when I was a new rider popping wheelies definitely would have put me off, but I can only speak for myself.
Now everyone, before you reply that those things never happen to you on your Stella, I'm sure that it's true...it's probably just that his has throttle issues and needs a good carburetor cleaning (it's an '05 that he bought used with several thousand miles on it, and we really don't know it's past maintenance history)...still, as a new scooter rider, popping wheelies in an intersection is not something you will ever need to worry about with the Buddy! (Not saying the Buddy isn't speedy, because it is! I love my 125cc Buddy)
If you don't want t a shiftie, and might be put off (or fall off) if that happened, then the Buddy definitely is for you! Personally, when I was a new rider popping wheelies definitely would have put me off, but I can only speak for myself.
Now everyone, before you reply that those things never happen to you on your Stella, I'm sure that it's true...it's probably just that his has throttle issues and needs a good carburetor cleaning (it's an '05 that he bought used with several thousand miles on it, and we really don't know it's past maintenance history)...still, as a new scooter rider, popping wheelies in an intersection is not something you will ever need to worry about with the Buddy! (Not saying the Buddy isn't speedy, because it is! I love my 125cc Buddy)
- BuddyRaton
- Scooter Dork
- Posts: 3887
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 10:08 pm
- Location: Boca Raton, Florida
- Contact:
I would suggest looking for a used Buddy 125. Save yourself a few thousand dollars and it will meet your needs fine.
As far as unintentionally popping wheelies on a Stella, clean the carb if that is the issue or practice more and learn to shift properly.
As far as unintentionally popping wheelies on a Stella, clean the carb if that is the issue or practice more and learn to shift properly.
"Things fall apart - it's scientific" - David Byrne
www.teamscootertrash.com
'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
www.teamscootertrash.com
'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
- DariaSen
- Member
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 12:08 pm
- Location: Connecticut
Unfortunately, because I'm in charge of the "mom car" and do most of my driving with my son, the only times I'll get to commute on the scooter is when my husband is off work.
We're already planning some kid free trips for the summer and fall so I know I'll get out on the scooter more. I can always make up excuses to get out on evenings..."oh forgot the milk for breakfast tomorrow...I'm going to run to the corner store... be back in 2 hours"
The 7 MCs..um yeah my husband has an addiction and we have a 4 car garage to enable him. He has 4 working vintage Japanese bikes, a custom Harley trike my dad built in the 70/80's that needs work, our 2 project bikes...and then we're also the winter storage for friends too. Between his bikes and project vehicles we still have to park our everyday cars in the driveway.
We're already planning some kid free trips for the summer and fall so I know I'll get out on the scooter more. I can always make up excuses to get out on evenings..."oh forgot the milk for breakfast tomorrow...I'm going to run to the corner store... be back in 2 hours"
The 7 MCs..um yeah my husband has an addiction and we have a 4 car garage to enable him. He has 4 working vintage Japanese bikes, a custom Harley trike my dad built in the 70/80's that needs work, our 2 project bikes...and then we're also the winter storage for friends too. Between his bikes and project vehicles we still have to park our everyday cars in the driveway.
- ravenlore
- Member
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:30 pm
- Location: Minneapolis MN
If it makes you feel any better once the snow is gone my car gets put in the parking lot in the back of my building and the Vespa gets my underground parking spot all to herselfDariaSen wrote:Unfortunately, because I'm in charge of the "mom car" and do most of my driving with my son, the only times I'll get to commute on the scooter is when my husband is off work.
We're already planning some kid free trips for the summer and fall so I know I'll get out on the scooter more. I can always make up excuses to get out on evenings..."oh forgot the milk for breakfast tomorrow...I'm going to run to the corner store... be back in 2 hours"
The 7 MCs..um yeah my husband has an addiction and we have a 4 car garage to enable him. He has 4 working vintage Japanese bikes, a custom Harley trike my dad built in the 70/80's that needs work, our 2 project bikes...and then we're also the winter storage for friends too. Between his bikes and project vehicles we still have to park our everyday cars in the driveway.
In the winter the vespa is snuggled up in the corner of my parking spot; and the car gets to sleep in the garage too because a Hyundai Accent doesn't take up a whole parking spot.
- siobhan
- Member
- Posts: 1344
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 5:47 pm
- Location: Providence, RI
- Contact:
Ok, I must have met your husband, at the very least. Do you go to Rice-o-Rama in MA? If not, you guys should consider it. Schlep those UJMs up so we can all ooh & ahh.DariaSen wrote:...The 7 MCs..um yeah my husband has an addiction and we have a 4 car garage to enable him. He has 4 working vintage Japanese bikes, a custom Harley trike my dad built in the 70/80's that needs work, our 2 project bikes...and then we're also the winter storage for friends too. Between his bikes and project vehicles we still have to park our everyday cars in the driveway.
Whatever you get, many happy miles to you.
For those shocked at the 7 bikes...collectors cannot help themselves.
Fahr mit mir!
http://scootcommute.wordpress.com/
http://scootcommute.wordpress.com/
- Scooterboi
- Member
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- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2011 7:06 pm
- Location: Lakewood, CO