short riders

sylviarose · Post by **sylviarose** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:32 am

I really want a Buddy, but I'm 4'10" tall and apparently too short to test drive one. Have any of you came across this problem and found a solution? I'm thinking that it may be possible to modify or lower the seat. Or maybe, I would have to compromise and get a different brand (gasp!). I would appreciate any ideas you may have, as I said I really want one.

scooterlove · Post by **scooterlove** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:08 am

I don't think there is any other scooter lower than a Buddy. I am 5 feet and tipppy toe it. You could have the seat shaved down.

skullmechanic · Post by **skullmechanic** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:09 am

sylviarose wrote:I really want a Buddy, but I'm 4'10" tall and apparently too short to test drive one. Have any of you came across this problem and found a solution? I'm thinking that it may be possible to modify or lower the seat. Or maybe, I would have to compromise and get a different brand (gasp!). I would appreciate any ideas you may have, as I said I really want one.

Are you also too short to own one?

Pekabou · Post by **Pekabou** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:14 am

I think the Kymco Sento 50 has a seat height of 20 inches? I remember talking to a dealer about one (because I am a shorty, too), but then I found my Buddy.

best of luck!

jaded · Post by **jaded** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:14 am

The Buddy does have one of the lowest seat height in its class, at about 29.5". It is also possible to shave the seat and reduce it a further 1-2".
More important than your height, though, is your inseam.
Have you sat on a Buddy? You don't have to ride it to know if you can get your feet down.

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:21 am

Not only can you shave the seat down, but you can buy motorcycle boots with a nice sized sole/heel. For safety's sake, you should be in boots anyway.

Jrman · Post by **Jrman** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:33 am

As Randy Newman once said..

Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
To live

They got little hands
And little eyes
And they walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet

Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Round here

Short People are just the same
As you and I
(A Fool Such As I)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(It's A Wonderful World)

Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
To love

They got little baby legs
And they stand so low
You got to pick 'em up
Just to say hello
They got little cars
That go beep, beep, beep
They got little voices
Goin' peep, peep, peep
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
'Round here

Sorry.. just had to post it.

taile84 · Post by **taile84** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:24 am

sylviarose wrote:I really want a Buddy, but I'm 4'10" tall and apparently too short to test drive one. Have any of you came across this problem and found a solution? I'm thinking that it may be possible to modify or lower the seat. Or maybe, I would have to compromise and get a different brand (gasp!). I would appreciate any ideas you may have, as I said I really want one.

Hello fellow short rider!

I am 4'11" and am doing decent on the Buddy. I got her 4 days ago and have not fallen... YET, LOL. I have considered shaving down the seats, but that is $200 average cost, so I thought I would try out the platform work boots first (since we all eventually have to get riding boots anyways)

2 inch work boots, these are the ones I ordered, due to come in soon.
http://www.amazon.com/Volatile-Jobsite- ... 5Fi=507846

I hope this helps. As for shaving the seat down, if the boots are not enough for you, here is a good link for shaving down the seats yourself if you are very crafty.
topic6243.html

In my opinion, I heard that once you ride your Buddy alot your seat will start to flatten out a little, and plus, I have started to put only my left leg down when I stop instead of both feet which makes it ALOT easier.

Hope this helps

*************EDIT************** Boots I ordered are comfortable but I don't like them. The heal is made of foam and does not grip well. I have not ridden on them yet, but def would not recommend them.

Portland_Rider · Post by **Portland_Rider** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:36 am

Jrman wrote:As Randy Newman once said..

Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
To live

They got little hands
And little eyes
And they walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet

Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Round here

Short People are just the same
As you and I
(A Fool Such As I)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(It's A Wonderful World)

Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
To love

They got little baby legs
And they stand so low
You got to pick 'em up
Just to say hello
They got little cars
That go beep, beep, beep
They got little voices
Goin' peep, peep, peep
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
'Round here

Sorry.. just had to post it.

Jrman,

Obviously, sylviarose created this topic because she is challenged to handle a scoot due to her height.

I'm curious, why did you "just have to post it"? What is going on that would inspire you to make such a post? What is it that you are really trying to say?

PR

LisaLisa · Post by **LisaLisa** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:48 am

Yes, I second the boots thing. Boots are good- especially with oil resistant soles.

eldoroddo · Post by **eldoroddo** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:29 am

I had the wife try out different scoots at the International Motorcycle show last December. At 4'-11", the only bikes she could flat-foot were the Yamaha Morpheus and the Yamaha C3. The Morpheus is too heavy, and the C3 is only 50cc.

We're going to try thick soled boots and maybe cut down the seat.

GDP · Post by **GDP** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:02 am

Don't be afraid of shaving the seat yourself.
It's actually pretty straightforward and easy.
You will knock 1.5-2" off easily.

At 5'5" I only put down one foot or the other
on my Rough House (which stock, is a tallish seat).
I'm pretty comfortable on the scoot though.

If seat height is of great concern for your comfort
and confidence and if you can tolerate a 4t 50cc,
I have to say the Ruckus has possibly the lowest seat
height available because it is a simple tubular seat frame
in modular sizes.
Not a big fan of 50cc 4stroke myself though.

Other posters mentioned these scoots:
Websights say Kymco Sento 50 is 29.1"
and the Yamaha C3 is 28.9".

Stock Buddy is pretty low. Mojito (150cc) and Fiddle (125cc)
are pretty low too (29" range). Cut any of those seats down and you should
feel fine. All three of these scooters have low centers of gravity
as well and that is a huge part of a scooters perceived "size".

I know this is a Genuine forum but we are all scooter folks
and finding one you like (that fits!) is important. Just want to mention
other short options out there.

Glen

Post by **illnoise** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:12 am

The Yamaha C3 is the lowest I can think of.

I don't think that song is as insulting to short people as it is tiresome, but let's be respectful to everyone's height and musical taste.

Bb.

GDP · Post by **GDP** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:18 am

The only thing offensive is that it's such a crap song.
Waste of electricity.

ScooterTrash · Post by **ScooterTrash** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:25 am

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:57 am

Cool rims on those Ruckus'. I wonder if they'd fit the Buddy and if so, where did they get them?

R.McLeod · Post by **R.McLeod** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:07 am

I love how the guy is wearing padded gloves and flip-flops.

Jrman · Post by **Jrman** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:51 pm

Portland_Rider wrote: I'm curious, why did you "just have to post it"? What is going on that would inspire you to make such a post? What is it that you are really trying to say?

PR

Just having some fun like many others on this board do daily. I was just a fun parody from 1978. It was not intended to offend but if you were interested in the video you can find it here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NvgLkuEtkA

Post by **polianarchy** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:44 pm

The 2007 Sym Fiddle and the Honda Metropolitan & Ruckus also have low seats. And yes, you can shave down any seat to make it even lower. Have you tried a moped? Maybe one of those little Tomos or old Honda CBs might work better for you. Good luck! I also have a very short inseam of 27", but I was able to make the Buddy work for me. Wearing mondo creepers helps!

louie · Post by **louie** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:06 pm

the big ruckus has a shorter seat height and it's got 250cc's. it's not a traditional riding scooter but a bit more cruiser like. they were only sold here in 2005 and 6 but are available here and there. a dealer might could find a new one and have it shipped to a local shop.

JNV · Post by **JNV** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:40 pm

I had the seat on my buddy shaved down about 3/4 of an inch for my wife. It is still not low enough so a motorcycle mechanic that does custom work is making me a pretty cool looking, very low seat. It will eliminate a bit of underseat storage. It has been my experience that if you need some custom work to a scooter, the mechanics that work on European motorcycles seem to be more scooter friendly (unless of course you have o good scooter community where you live).

chloefpuff · Post by **chloefpuff** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:55 pm

The Yamaha Vino also has a low seat height, comparable to the Buddy. The Vino's is 29.9 inches.

Drumwoulf · Post by **Drumwoulf** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:06 pm

I think possibly the lowest stock seat on any scooter is on the Yamaha Morphous... (25")
However it's a looooong, very low, somewhat heavier scoot, and as it's a 250cc it costs a bit more also.
But the thing skims along the ground like a dream, has EFI and is fast, and looks like miniature '65 Cadillac!!

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/produ ... image.aspx

Also there's the no longer made but very dependable 250cc Honda Helix, with a 26" seat height.
Shorter people have been enjoying riding these scoots for years,
and you can get a good buy on a decent used one nowdays too...

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/mot ... 27404.html

BeetleGoose · Post by **BeetleGoose** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:24 pm

My cousin in the P.I. decided to "lower" his seat by adjusting his suspension on his Honda Wave. I wonder whether the same thing can be done on the Buddy. It probably isn't recommended though because the floorboard/centerstand would then be closer to the ground.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:16 pm

The Sym Mio (50cc) is also pretty low.

Seat height on the Aprilia Mojito seems quite a bit lower than the Buddy to me (it may be an illusion!). It and the Sym Fiddle may be the lowest of the larger (125/150cc) scooters.

sylviarose · Post by **sylviarose** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 2:30 am

Thank you for all your helpful ideas. I plan to talk to one of our local guys who makes custom seats for motorcycles, but may be sympathic to Buddy owners. Then I'll try out the other scooters you listed. Thank you, I'm hopeful again that I can get one!

BigColdMartini · Post by **BigColdMartini** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:35 pm

I test drove a Sym Fiddle 125 over the weekend and it actually seemed slightly higher than the Buddy (maybe it was the wider seat). It was a sweet ride though. Very smooth and the red metallic paint with the tan seat really looked nice. Performance and acceleration didn't seem to be as good as the Buddy. The Buddy almost feels like a rocket compared to the Fiddle.

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 6:15 pm

BigColdMartini wrote:I test drove a Sym Fiddle 125 over the weekend and it actually seemed slightly higher than the Buddy (maybe it was the wider seat). It was a sweet ride though. Very smooth and the red metallic paint with the tan seat really looked nice. Performance and acceleration didn't seem to be as good as the Buddy. The Buddy almost feels like a rocket compared to the Fiddle.

Hmm, that made me wonder. Maybe not only shaving some off the top, but the sides might work. Because you're right, the width would make a huge difference.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 6:18 pm

chloefpuff wrote:The Yamaha Vino also has a low seat height, comparable to the Buddy. The Vino's is 29.9 inches.

Yes, but it is wider than the Buddy. Makes a difference. My wife reaches the ground more on the Buddy than the Vino 125.

Post by **polianarchy** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:52 pm

BigColdMartini wrote:I test drove a Sym Fiddle 125 over the weekend and it actually seemed slightly higher than the Buddy (maybe it was the wider seat). It was a sweet ride though. Very smooth and the red metallic paint with the tan seat really looked nice. Performance and acceleration didn't seem to be as good as the Buddy. The Buddy almost feels like a rocket compared to the Fiddle.

Perhaps you saw the 2008 Fiddle II. I referenced last year's Fiddle, which is very similar to this year's Mio.

Modern Buddy

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