Max turned 7,000 miles

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 2:45 am

on a long fast twisty ride over the mountains and out beautiful country roads. I just switched from 9.5gr rollers to 10 and the pull is still really great and i've got better top end so i'm pretty happy with the balance.
the ride was a couple hundred miles and i am consistently impressed with the handling of this marvelous little machine

RoadRambler · Post by **RoadRambler** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 4:24 am

You GO! Max and Batgirl! Impressed with your tweaking of Max's performance and the miles you ride!

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 12:48 pm

RoadRambler wrote:You GO! Max and Batgirl! Impressed with your tweaking of Max's performance and the miles you ride!

when i joined the scooter scene in 05, it was huge---i learned to ride from guys like Jess, Oz, Patrick (from MV) although i could never ride as well as they do, it's always been the goal. Having a Buddy has made it easier to tackle the twisties with confidence and enjoy doing so---before on bigger scoots, not so much.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 12:56 pm

Nice! And correct me if I'm wrong, but I have a hunch you may be the first Buddy 170i owner to hit 7K miles. Anyone else already cross that mark?

(and... 9.5g rollers? That is REALLY light! 11 or 12 is most common. Are you sure you're getting max top end?)

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 1:24 pm

Skootz Kabootz wrote:Nice! And correct me if I'm wrong, but I have a hunch you may be the first Buddy 170i owner to hit 7K miles. Anyone else already cross that mark?

(and... 9.5g rollers? That is REALLY light! 11 or 12 is most common. Are you sure you're getting max top end?)

9.5 was experimental, damn rocket take off which was a blast, but i pretty much melted them at about 2,000(?) miles--and top end was indicated 63 then it started to hiccup as if it was hitting a rev limiter or something. that's why i moved up to 10 --now i can hit i 70, although i know others are able to reach 75 right? i had the 11gr when i first put the varitor on and wasn't thrilled with the acceleration. Skooz-what are you rolling with?

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 1:54 pm

I generally use Dr. Pulley sliders rather than rollers though at the moment I am running a 100% stock setup. When I had my Dr. Pulley performance kit installed I was last using 12.5g sliders (3x12g and 3x13g) as I was doing a lot of longer WOT riding, so I sacrificed a little off-the-line performance. Prior to that I've tried both 11g and 12g sliders. With the 11g I could pop little wheelies! I actually had to be careful how I rolled on the throttle. But the RPM's maxed out early at higher speeds so I went up to 12g. I weigh 200lbs, so if I was a lighter person 12.5g would be ideal to me and the kind of riding I do.

Th stock setup I have now (with the stock rollers) is way sluggish off the line compared to my Dr. P setup but does cruise at higher speeds very nicely.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 2:41 pm

Go Batgirl!

Just getting to 2500 myself, looking forward to 7k!

Thanks for the info Skootz, I may go with sliders next service. I am happy with the performance both acceleration and top end, but I've been told by people even at the local shop that sliders rock.

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 3:27 pm

skully93 wrote:Go Batgirl!

Just getting to 2500 myself, looking forward to 7k!

Thanks for the info Skootz, I may go with sliders next service. I am happy with the performance both acceleration and top end, but I've been told by people even at the local shop that sliders rock.

btw, when Phil was here i asked him if they planned to design a Buddy with a bigger engine. you can imagine his answer

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 3:28 pm

Sounds like a beautiful road to reach a milestone! Congrats!

I too was surprised by the light weights you are running. But, if it's working the way you like, go with it!
I run 12g Dr. Pulley sliders in a Dr. Pulley variator. With the warm weather, I have hit 70 indicated recently at a personal weight of about 175 lbs.
This morning, I was cruising at 60 indicated with less throttle than usual so it should be a great mid-day ride from one work place to the next (~27 mile) and a great ride home this evening (~21 miles). Expecting 40 mph winds though, so we'll see

. Better not be like yesterday evening. My Adirondack chairs got blown around a bit!
I'm at about 27,530 miles so I am anxiously awaiting my 30k milestone!
I hope I am on a twisty stretch of road, too.

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 4:01 pm

Tocsik wrote:Sounds like a beautiful road to reach a milestone! Congrats!

I too was surprised by the light weights you are running. But, if it's working the way you like, go with it!
I run 12g Dr. Pulley sliders in a Dr. Pulley variator. With the warm weather, I have hit 70 indicated recently at a personal weight of about 175 lbs.
This morning, I was cruising at 60 indicated with less throttle than usual so it should be a great mid-day ride from one work place to the next (~27 mile) and a great ride home this evening (~21 miles). Expecting 40 mph winds though, so we'll see . Better not be like yesterday evening. My Adirondack chairs got blown around a bit!
I'm at about 27,530 miles so I am anxiously awaiting my 30k milestone!
I hope I am on a twisty stretch of road, too.

wow, closing in on 30,000--terrific!, but yikes on 40mph wind conditions, that wreaks havoc on a Buddy! regarding heavier weights, i'm sure to re-visit the 11 gr. since i often change my perspective as i gain more experience with this particular scoot.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 4:30 pm

I'm sure Phil's answer was "I really wanna but all you people better LINE UP when it happens..."

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 4:55 pm

skully93 wrote:I'm sure Phil's answer was "I really wanna but all you people better LINE UP when it happens..."

it was more like a resounding NO!

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 5:07 pm

heh. I bet if things go well for years on end they might make a different one, but right now it wouldn't make financial sense for them. Anything bigger than the Blur seems to sell slower.

I'd love to see a 250 or 300 injected engine, but really the buddy 150 is a ridiculously good machine, and Max there is the next evolution.

Oh well, with the $$ I'm saving not having the car and riding Yoda all the time, I should have no problems saving up for something different if I want it later. Right now, just loving what I have!

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 5:49 pm

I'm the Dr. Pulley slider contrarian. I think they're crap!

They're okay, actually, but I'd spent some time figuring out my ideal roller combinations and behaviors and wasn't happy with the overall performance when I swapped to sliders. (Acceleration curve too linear for my riding, which isn't a function of the weight but the shape, etc.) I also don't like how they wear down and get sticky when really worn. There's nothing that rollers can do that can't be accomplished with the right combination of sliders. It's just trickier to find that ideal combo.

batgirl101 wrote:
skully93 wrote:I'm sure Phil's answer was "I really wanna but all you people better LINE UP when it happens..."
it was more like a resounding NO!

There will be bigger-engined Genuines but probably not Buddys. You can (and should) only do so much in that frame!

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:30 pm

Me and my Buddy 170 hit 5k yesterday, I thought not bad for only having "Kaze" for 8 months, but now I see I need to do more riding

When I changed my rollers I went from the stock (?) to NCY 12g and didn't see any performance gain (top end). I am going to get a new clutch and variator next month and I'm thinking of going with a 1500 spring and 13g sliders, any thoughts?

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Tue Jun 05, 2012 8:41 pm

I think the 1500 spring, and other replacement clutch springs, engage the clutch at a higher RPM, meaning a point with hopefully more torque, aiming for better off-the-line acceleration. I don't think they do a thing for top end.

Heavier rollers/sliders, on the other hand (in the presence of no other mod) typically give better top end at the expense of the off-the-line performance.

So what you're proposing is going to change the performance curve by introducing two factors, _hopefully_ giving you a boost at the top end plus a compensation to the off-the-line start.

The prudent move might be to do the rollers first to see if you're getting the top end you so richly deserve

, then adding the spring if the top holds up. Otherwise you might be swallowing the spider to catch the fly, not knowing which change is making things more difficult.

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 1:59 am

I know the spring acts like the torque converter in a car. The higher the spring load the more rpms at launch or engage. Thats why I was thinking a 1500 would be good if I went to heavier rollers, kinda trying to have the best of both worlds.

Its worth a try, all be said though, I would like more top end so if the final trade-off is losing off the line performance then so-be-it.

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:07 am

2wheelNsanity wrote:I know the spring acts like the torque converter in a car. The higher the spring load the more rpms at launch or engage. Thats why I was thinking a 1500 would be good if I went to heavier rollers, kinda trying to have the best of both worlds.
Its worth a try, all be said though, I would like more top end so if the final trade-off is losing off the line performance then so-be-it.

i know i drove my techs nuts trying for the perfect combo of acceleration and top end, i was in the shop nearly every week tweeking something or other. thankfully i'm satisfied---for now

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:09 am

Skootz Kabootz wrote:I generally use Dr. Pulley sliders rather than rollers though at the moment I am running a 100% stock setup. When I had my Dr. Pulley performance kit installed I was last using 12.5g sliders (3x12g and 3x13g) as I was doing a lot of longer WOT riding, so I sacrificed a little off-the-line performance. Prior to that I've tried both 11g and 12g sliders. With the 11g I could pop little wheelies! I actually had to be careful how I rolled on the throttle. But the RPM's maxed out early at higher speeds so I went up to 12g. I weigh 200lbs, so if I was a lighter person 12.5g would be ideal to me and the kind of riding I do.

Th stock setup I have now (with the stock rollers) is way sluggish off the line compared to my Dr. P setup but does cruise at higher speeds very nicely.

what's your highest cruising speed?

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:27 am

batgirl101 wrote:
Skootz Kabootz wrote:I generally use Dr. Pulley sliders rather than rollers though at the moment I am running a 100% stock setup. When I had my Dr. Pulley performance kit installed I was last using 12.5g sliders (3x12g and 3x13g) as I was doing a lot of longer WOT riding, so I sacrificed a little off-the-line performance. Prior to that I've tried both 11g and 12g sliders. With the 11g I could pop little wheelies! I actually had to be careful how I rolled on the throttle. But the RPM's maxed out early at higher speeds so I went up to 12g. I weigh 200lbs, so if I was a lighter person 12.5g would be ideal to me and the kind of riding I do.

Th stock setup I have now (with the stock rollers) is way sluggish off the line compared to my Dr. P setup but does cruise at higher speeds very nicely.
what's your highest cruising speed?

Speedo burried. GPS'd at 76mph is my top speed. TeacherQuinn swears she had me clocked at over 80 on the downhill stretch of 101 coming into San Luis Obispo but I don't know. This was in stock setup a few years ago. My Dr. P setup cost me about 8-10mph off the top end. Now, with my scooter at 23,000 miles, on level ground I can cruise at +/- 70 indicated depending on conditions.

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:54 am

Skootz Kabootz wrote:
batgirl101 wrote:
Skootz Kabootz wrote:I generally use Dr. Pulley sliders rather than rollers though at the moment I am running a 100% stock setup. When I had my Dr. Pulley performance kit installed I was last using 12.5g sliders (3x12g and 3x13g) as I was doing a lot of longer WOT riding, so I sacrificed a little off-the-line performance. Prior to that I've tried both 11g and 12g sliders. With the 11g I could pop little wheelies! I actually had to be careful how I rolled on the throttle. But the RPM's maxed out early at higher speeds so I went up to 12g. I weigh 200lbs, so if I was a lighter person 12.5g would be ideal to me and the kind of riding I do.

Th stock setup I have now (with the stock rollers) is way sluggish off the line compared to my Dr. P setup but does cruise at higher speeds very nicely.

what's your highest cruising speed?
Speedo burried. GPS'd at 76mph is my top speed. TeacherQuinn swears she had me clocked at over 80 on the downhill stretch of 101 coming into San Luis Obispo but I don't know. This was in stock setup a few years ago. My Dr. P setup cost me about 8-10mph off the top end. Now, with my scooter at 23,000 miles, on level ground I can cruise at +/- 70 indicated depending on conditions.

76 actual!

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 4:07 am

batgirl101 wrote:
Skootz Kabootz wrote:
batgirl101 wrote:

what's your highest cruising speed?
Speedo burried. GPS'd at 76mph is my top speed. TeacherQuinn swears she had me clocked at over 80 on the downhill stretch of 101 coming into San Luis Obispo but I don't know. This was in stock setup a few years ago. My Dr. P setup cost me about 8-10mph off the top end. Now, with my scooter at 23,000 miles, on level ground I can cruise at +/- 70 indicated depending on conditions.

76 actual!

Yep. That's my record. There's actually a video of it around somewhere. I was fully tucked and WOT (and with a song in my heart). But it's my top speed record. I can't maintain anything like that speed all day long. You know, max speed fluctuates with up hill, down hill, wind, temperature, engine tune, etc, etc, etc... But I can maintain +/- 70mph indicated all day long. Give me a downhill stretch and I can bury the speedo which is roughly 70mph actual.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 4:19 am

2wheelNsanity wrote:When I changed my rollers I went from the stock (?) to NCY 12g and didn't see any performance gain (top end). I am going to get a new clutch and variator next month and I'm thinking of going with a 1500 spring and 13g sliders, any thoughts?

Transmission voodoo is a bit unpredictable from person-to-person and scoot-to-scoot. The variator, clutch and spring will help but as for your ideal weight for rollers/sliders, it's somewhat trial and error. If switching to sliders, consider going slightly heavier than rollers that work for you. But since you're not satisfied with 12g you might just have to play with a couple different setups.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 4:20 am

Skootz Kabootz wrote:Nice! And correct me if I'm wrong, but I have a hunch you may be the first Buddy 170i owner to hit 7K miles. Anyone else already cross that mark?

Yes! One of the LA riders who bought one of the first ones sold here racked up 8K in just a few months. He's probably way past that by now. He's ridden with us a few times.

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 1:15 pm

Skootz Kabootz, wow nice job, great speed numbers

/envy. If my 170 could do what your scoot does I would have almost no need to get a bigger (cc) scoot.
I think the 125's and the 150's are more tunable, due to the carburator set-up. There is a ton lots of performance stuff like big bore kits, 4-valve heads, etc. The only thing I can play with on the 170 is the transmission. Currently the best I can do on a flat is 55 GPS or 65 speedo

, and thats wide open in a full tuck.
I may have found my solution, a used 2009 Vespa GTV 250. The listing has it as a GTS250 but its clearly a GTV. Hidious windscreen! http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2009 ... -104115056
Time to save some money

, second job time.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:15 pm

Heh. well if you go to pick that thing up, let me know. I'm not 'close' to loveland but it's not a ridiculous distance. might have to get into the truck to come meet you

.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 5:06 pm

2wheelNsanity wrote:... best I can do on a flat is 55 GPS or 65 speedo , and thats wide open in a full tuck.
I may have found my solution, a used 2009 Vespa GTV 250. The listing has it as a GTS250 but its clearly a GTV. Hidious windscreen! http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2009 ... -104115056
Time to save some money , second job time.

I have to say, my scooter rocks. Plus I am lucky to have NoHo Scooters to maintain it. How many miles are on your scooter? Mine was well broken in when I hit my all time record speeds.
I'm saving up for a GTS300. (seems to be taking forever... sigh) It is fun to push the Buddy's top end but really I need another scooter more suited for longer distances at higher speeds.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:05 pm

Skootz Kabootz wrote:Yep. That's my record. There's actually a video of it around somewhere. I was fully tucked and WOT (and with a song in my heart). But it's my top speed record. I can't maintain anything like that speed all day long. You know, max speed fluctuates with up hill, down hill, wind, temperature, engine tune, etc, etc, etc... But I can maintain +/- 70mph indicated all day long. Give me a downhill stretch and I can bury the speedo which is roughly 70mph actual.

The video kind of focuses on my LX speed but your reaction at the end is still an all-time classic!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/liqN2JTXPWQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:24 pm

SO MUCH FUN!!! I'm grinning ear to ear just thinking about it again.

I would love to go there and ride it again someday. I do have better speed rated tires now... hmmmm

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:50 pm

Skootz Kabootz wrote:I would love to go there and ride it again someday. I do have better speed rated tires now... hmmmm

I know so many people who have done or are doing the CA-1 route in recent months. I think about doing it again ALL THE TIME. Just need more vacation time!

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:19 pm

these were my 9.5 rollers after waaaay too many wheelies...

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:35 pm

My 170 can't do a wheelie. I've tried but nothing. I begining to feel like I got a lemon compared to everyone else.
Skully, unfortunatly I don't have that kind of money to get the Vespa yet, I'm currently making payments on my 170, but I'm going to make an effort to save as much as I can. I just thought that an older Vespa 250 might be just what I need.

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:39 pm

2wheelNsanity wrote:My 170 can't do a wheelie. I've tried but nothing. I begining to feel like I got a lemon compared to everyone else.
Skully, unfortunatly I don't have that kind of money to get the Vespa yet, I'm currently making payments on my 170, but I'm going to make an effort to save as much as I can. I just thought that an older Vespa 250 might be just what I need.

wasn't trying for a wheelie, but once it happened, it was such a blast i kept doing it. wasn't worth tearing up my rollers for though---well maybe it was...

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:37 pm

batgirl101 wrote:these were my 9.5 rollers after waaaay too many wheelies...

Damn!

Those are the most chewed up rollers I have ever seen! How was your variator after having those in there?

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:45 pm

Skootz Kabootz wrote:
batgirl101 wrote:these were my 9.5 rollers after waaaay too many wheelies...
Damn! Those are the most chewed up rollers I have ever seen! How was your variator after having those in there?

good question---i'm assuming it was ok, otherwise i'm sure they would've let me know, time will tell..

batgirl101 · Post by **batgirl101** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:50 pm

Skootz Kabootz wrote:SO MUCH FUN!!! I'm grinning ear to ear just thinking about it again. I would love to go there and ride it again someday. I do have better speed rated tires now... hmmmm

hell, i was grinning just watching! was that Amerivespa in San Jose?

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:10 pm

batgirl101 wrote:
Skootz Kabootz wrote:
batgirl101 wrote:these were my 9.5 rollers after waaaay too many wheelies...
Damn! Those are the most chewed up rollers I have ever seen! How was your variator after having those in there?
good question---i'm assuming it was ok, otherwise i'm sure they would've let me know, time will tell..

You're lucky if you managed to get down to the metal cores and not score the ramps on your variator.

batgirl101 wrote:hell, i was grinning just watching! was that Amerivespa in San Jose?

Yup. (You were there, right?) This was on our ride back Sunday. Since we left the BBQ late afternoon, we just hopped on the freeway and put the Buddy 150 in front. We managed to shave a couple hours off riding from SJ to SLO the way we came up, via CA-1, but were just as exhausted after spending so long on the freeway after several days of serious scootering.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 2:04 am

Yup Amerivespa. (Also so much fun!) It was a great ride back after an incredible weekend. I had only been riding less than a year back then so I had full-on scooter lust/love, road-trip extasy going on. I was the smallest scooter (by 40cc) so I was totally pushing it the entire way trying to keep up with everyone. Absolutely amazing how well the Buddy performed. The whole trip was 1200 miles and I'd say 1000 miles of it was WOT.