Considering a Buddy 49cc >>>

[stormybuddy]

Drove one today and I was shocked to the acceleration. Question, will this 2 stroke go 40 MPH + ? And how durable is the engine. I also drove a Vespa 50LX and it was sloooooooow.

Opinions, please. Thanks in advance...

SB

[Keys]

If you have your dealer de-restrict it, yes, it will do 40+ mph. As for longevity, I haven't heard of any blowing up. Bear in mind that a 2-stroke engine will not last as long as a 4-stroke, but it will have more power and will ultimately be less expensive to both rebuild and to modify for performance gains. In fact, there is already a 70cc kit on the market.
If you are dead-set on a 50cc, you'd be hard pressed to find a better product. Either the Buddy, the Rattler 50 or the Black Cat. They all use the same drivetrain.

--Keys

[peabody99]

I have driven a Buddy 50 derestricted ( actually a buddy twin the Bubu). it was a terribly abused , poorly maintained rental yet it held its head high and was still better than a new Vespa 50 which was a dog. The bubu topped out at 40-45 mph or so and got there rather quickly. the problem is you are still on a "side of the road bike" when you are full throttle in the 40s and thus are a hindrance to cars who will run you down and pass you without care. In both cases on the 50's I felt very vulnerable in typical driving situations with cars bearing down on me. I think 50cc's could really only make sense for a beach rental or extremly conjested (thus slow) urban traffic. I use my Buddy everywhere and need it to keep up.

I have zero mechanical sense but I am quessing you will wear out an engine quicker if you are pushing it to the limit all the time. I recommend the 125, it (at least the Buddy) will keep you up with traffic very easily in the 40+ range and most important give power spare. I know it is more money but very well spent, esp if the scooter lasts longer . Still is you are asking- the derestricted BUddy 50 is heads and shoulders above the Vespa 50

[JeremyZ]

I came from a Honda Metropolitan, which was pretty fast for a four-stroke 50. (42 mph)

Like the others said, it is perfect around town, but if you want to do anything other than that, plan on riding the shoulder and having cars blast by 6 inches to the left at 60 mph.

The Buddy 125 is what, $500 more? It will maintain 55 no problem, still gets terrific economy, and is very quick for a 125.

Another option, if you can wait a month might be the Rattler 110, two-stroke. It is said to have the same top speed as the Buddy 125, but with better acceleration.

The more I ride my Buddy, the more I like it.

[Marnor]

I'm totally pleased with my 50.

I could always use some more umph, but the decision fell on the more convenient side of the hassle v. performance debate.

My wife and I suffered two car deaths in the course of two months. We desperately needed a second vehicle to supplement public transporation for simple transit. We didn't need a full-on auto, so we settled on a scooter. Frankly, we didn't have the time, inclination, or disposable cash to deal with motorcycle testing, registration, beefed-up insurance, etc. We needed to be road-ready, asap. And parking on the sidewalk has huge benefits.

That said, I commute 2-3 miles each way in really congested downtown Atlanta traffic. The scooter's manueverability has actually shortened my time of commute by a couple minutes. There aren't many roads I need to travel that exceed speeds of 45-50 mph, so I'm rarely pushed to the side of the road by traffic. The tiny engine is really felt on hills, but a few simple modifications have made them more manageable.

For simple functionality, I'm really pleased we decided on the 50. My next scooter will be a 125 or 150 for pure novelty...but, for now, I'm happy.

[bamboo]

I second the previous posting. My wife and I needed/wanted cheap fun transport. A 50 was just the right fit. I am having mine derestricted for the hills, and feel it will be a good fit until next spring when I'll be looking for a used 125 buddy or 150 vespa. After riding for a few months, I think a 50 is a good learning bike that fits some people needs and not others.
Bamboo