Buddy 50 stability?

[swells2012]

Hello all-

I am looking to buy a scooter for getting around Boston. I will primarily be using it for short trips- to work, grocery store, etc.

I am pretty much sold on the Buddy 50 cc, but my final concern is stability, especially on some of the more pot-hole filled side streets. How do people feel the Buddy performs in this area?

Thanks!

[Velma]

I recently acquired a Buddy 50 and use it for getting around Atlanta. We have some pretty brutal roads/potholes. But....I haven't had many issues. The only harrowing part was on a wet and slick day and unfamiliar street. So, personally, I think the stability is fine. You definitely have to be aware though.

I ran the primary roads that I scoot before getting on the scooter. It helped me be aware of where the brutal potholes/bumps/etc are. I've erred on the side of extra caution for now...

[TVB]

There are two ways to deal with potholes: a) get something big enough with a "forgiving" enough suspension that you can ride over them, or b) get something small and nimble enough that you can avoid them.

The Buddy is the latter. Its small wheels aren't great for riding over potholes, but those same small wheels and short wheelbase make it very good at quickly swerving around them. As long as I'm paying attention, most of the time I can avoid potholes just by pushing my hips one way or the other.

[gar1013]

With scooters, you're not dealing with a huge amount of suspension travel.

Either dodge them, or invest in a Motard/Dualsport and blast away.

[kooky scientist]

Get a Roughhouse 50. I have both a Buddy 50 and a Roughhouse 50.

[ender07]

Get a Roughhouse 50. I have both a Buddy 50 and a Roughhouse 50.

I second that, I have both as well and the buddy doesn't feel quite as good on bumpy & pothole filled roads as the roughouse does.

[Mary Somerville]

I have hit many potholes in this area. And I haven't had any stability problems--so far I've stayed vertical.

Damn--there's even one on my street that I hit every time. I swear really loud. 'Round heah that won't be noticed much though.

But as I recently said in a thread about the MSF course I took (I took the one at Bunker Hill CC): they put a 2x4 right in our path during some of the exercises. Not that I wanted to hit that--but I learned then not to freak out when I do. I think that's probably a bigger threat to stability--the freaking out. That memory comes back every time I hit a new pothole. It's quite a similar feeling.

I do not advise hitting them, of course. But they are manageable.

[Anthonyf953]

I agree with Mary. The potholes in Boston can be bad at times, but they are definitely manageable. Just stay loose and don't freak out and you should be ok. The first time I hit one I was holding on so tight I thought I was going over the handlebars. You'll get used to them.

[OldGuy]

Roughhouse 50, with its larger tires, is better for potholes. However, on any scooter, if you slide a couple inches further back on the seat when you go over a bump or pothole life will be better. Sitting further back takes weight off the front tire and allows it to go over the bump better.

But, sit in a normal position most of the time, this puts weight on the front and helps with stability and cornering.

As an owber of many motorcycles over the years (going back to 1971) I can tell you that scooters are a blast. Simple silly fun.

[TVB]

The best way to go over potholes on the Buddy (if you must) is with your feet on the fake-metal grips on either side of the seat. This puts them under your body, where they can lift your butt off the seat and act as secondary shock absorbers.

[rick71454]

Hello Swells2012:

If you want a 50cc scooter that can handle potholes, you might want to consider the KYMCO Agility 50. I copied and pasted the specifications of that scooter from the KYMCO USA website that are below the dashed line. Notice how much bigger the wheels and tires are than the Buddy 50, which as 10 inch wheels and 3.5x10 or 100/90-10 tires. It is also a wopping $500 less cost at $1499 compared to the Buddy 50 at $1999


I have a Buddy 125, but I just go around potholes.....if I happen to see them.

Thanks
Rick71454

-----------------------------------------
AGILITY 50 SPECIFICATIONS


Engine Type 4-stroke air-cooled
Displacement 49cc
Bore/Stroke 39x41.4mm
Cooling System Forced air
Ignition Electric w/kickstart back up
Gearbox Automatic CVT
Chassis Steel
Front Suspension Telescopic forks
Rear Suspension Single shock
Front Brake Disc
Rear Brake Drum
Front Wheel/Tire 120/70-12
Rear Wheel/Tire 130/70-12
Seat Height 31 in.
Wheelbase 44.5 in.
Fuel Capacity/MPG 1.32 gals./Estimated 87
Weight 203.9 lbs.
Available Colors Red, Silver, Blue
MSRP $1,499

Features analog speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge. Plenty of under seat storage and a 2 Year Factory Warranty.

[kungfooren]

I've owned an Agility 50 in Cambridge, MA and it handled the pot holes much better than my Buddy 50. The Agility, however, has a pretty high seat height and is much larger than the Buddy which I felt made it less maneuverable.

On the Buddy 50, I just try to avoid potholes and switching from the Shinko Whitewalls to Michelin S1s helped, too.

[gar1013]

If you're really worried about potholes, you should...



... cause a Ruckus.



http://powersports.honda.com/2013/ruckus.aspx

(couldn't resist: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Caruso#2000s)

[hal888]

The Buddy handles the potholes just fine...it is my kidneys and bladder that take the beating

[mukaiboston]

It's okay, but the small wheels make it a little difficult. Just try to avoid potholes and drive straight through them while holding on tight if you can't avoid them.

The only time a pothole caused a crash was when I was riding at night during a downpour and a pothole had filled up with water so I thought it was only a puddle.