Used Vespa 150S or Buddy ?

jsm · Post by **jsm** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 2:28 am

Looking at used Vespa 150's, but I really like what I'm hearing about Buddy's performance and reliability. I really like Vespas but am wondering if the price premium is really worth it. Does the Buddy 125 compete with the Vespa 150 or do I need to look at the 170i?

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 3:12 am

Well the Buddy will be a little quicker of the line and if you go that way get the 170I. Although it's plastic they are cheaper to get body parts if it goes down. I still think that the Vespas get more respect though. They are both good scoots and equal in terms of reliability if you take care of it.

OldGuy · Post by **OldGuy** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 3:14 am

I think the 170i would cost less than the Vespa and also ought to really outperform it. I am no exert but I suspect the Buddy 125 might be slightly less performance than the Vespa, but not too much.

I have a Genuine Roughhouse, my wife has a Vespa LX50. I am impressed with the Genuine's quality and the straightforward way it is made. The Vespa is of good quality and looks cool but I don't like working on it; it doesn't seem as mechanic-friendly.

It may also depend on your size. The Vespa may have be a little more roomy, and the Buddy more compact. Sit on them both for a bit. See how the foot-room, the reach to the hand grips, and etc. feels. Also, try leaning them both or rolling them around. You may find the Vespa feels more hefty (because it probably is), and could be harder to maneuver around in the garage or whatever... Depends on your strength too.

I'd say get the 170i if you can, and if it fits you well. But if you love the Vespa, they are very good scooters

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 3:20 am

^^^ this totally sums it up...

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 9:45 am

I agree with Drum Pro. My choice would be the 170i. I have never ridden a Vespa but do think that they are a quality product. However for the buck spent the Genuine 170i is the best buy.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 2:59 pm

The 125 is carbed and the 170i is fuel injected so that may affect your choice. I find the 125 to be a very spirited performer and a reliable ride. Course, I also have an LX150ie

. Sometimes nothing less than a Vespa will do

. Your call.

Christophers · Post by **Christophers** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 4:48 pm

OldGuy wrote:I think the 170i would cost less than the Vespa and also ought to really outperform it. I am no exert but I suspect the Buddy 125 might be slightly less performance than the Vespa, but not too much.

I have a Genuine Roughhouse, my wife has a Vespa LX50. I am impressed with the Genuine's quality and the straightforward way it is made. The Vespa is of good quality and looks cool but I don't like working on it; it doesn't seem as mechanic-friendly.

It may also depend on your size. The Vespa may have be a little more roomy, and the Buddy more compact. Sit on them both for a bit. See how the foot-room, the reach to the hand grips, and etc. feels. Also, try leaning them both or rolling them around. You may find the Vespa feels more hefty (because it probably is), and could be harder to maneuver around in the garage or whatever... Depends on your strength too.

I'd say get the 170i if you can, and if it fits you well. But if you love the Vespa, they are very good scooters

Each of the points made here seems accurate by my experience, but I can speak a little more towards the Buddy 125. We have a couple of Buddy 125s and a Vespa S150. The 125s are faster off the line than the VepsaS150, even with a heavier rider, but the S150 clearly pulls harder in the top. The Buddy 150 is equivalent or matches the speed of the Vespa 150 in the middle/top. I have no direct experience with the 170i versus either the S150 nor the Buddy 125/150.

The S150 is taller and feels like it has more room. The Buddies are more compact and manageable around the garage. They ride accordingly.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 4:58 pm

And, for what it's worth, the Vespa has somewhat larger patches of rubber on the road than the Buddy 125. The Buddy uses 3.5"X10" tires (90X100-10 equivalent). The Vespa uses a 110/70-11 on the front and a 120/70-10 on the rear.

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:48 pm

Hey jsm, first off, welcome to Modern Buddy!

I see that you currently have an ET2. Do you have a dealer that services your ET, or do you do the work yourself? If you have a decent local Piaggio dealer, I would take that into consideration in making a decision. For me, another plus to the Vespa is the Malossi 190(or 187) kit is an upgrade that will definitely make it go.

P.S. I hope ericalm will forgive me for posting this since Motor Sports Scooters is a Modern Buddy sponsor. No endorsement is given or implied. IMHO. YMMV.

jsm · Post by **jsm** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 9:44 pm

Thanks, I do my own maintenance. I'm 6'4" so I'm thinking the Buddy might be kind of tight.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 9:57 pm

I am 6'1" and find the 170i comfortable. however, at 6'4" you might be cramped for leg room.

jsm · Post by **jsm** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:11 pm

I think if any of the Buddy's have a kick start, I'll get one, if not well.....

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:26 pm

The 170i does not have a kickstart. To my knowledge you will not find any
scoot with fuel injection that has a kickstart.

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 11:26 pm

Wolfhound wrote:I am 6'1" and find the 170i comfortable. however, at 6'4" you might be cramped for leg room.

Yeah, the Buddy scooters are a little tight for me at 6'3" with a 32" inseam and a size 11 shoe.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 11:31 pm

I have a 32" inseam, size 11W shoe 6'1" but for some reason my 170i is the most comfortable scoot in my collection. It has become my favorite ride.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 11:34 pm

jsm wrote:I think if any of the Buddy's have a kick start, I'll get one, if not well.....

As wolfhound says, the Buddy 170i does not have a kickstart. The Buddy 125 and the discontinued Buddy 150 do.

Christophers · Post by **Christophers** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 2:45 am

jsm wrote:I'm 6'4" so I'm thinking the Buddy might be kind of tight.

You're too big for the Buddy. The Vespa will suit your needs better. If I were in your shoes and looking for a Vespa I'd look for GTS 250ie as a better fitting ride than the current crop of 150s.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 4:55 am

No, you aren't necessarily too big for a Buddy. Only you can really decide that. Go sit on the two, ride them if possible, then decide.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 7:18 am

Wolfhound wrote:I have a 32" inseam, size 11W shoe 6'1" but for some reason my 170i is the most comfortable scoot in my collection. It has become my favorite ride.

i feel the same. 6'3 with a 32in inseam and size 13's, here. the only thing which i consider when riding is the thickness of the soles of my shoes, and the overall bulkiness of them. the Buddy offers less room on the floor then my Agility, so my size 12 shoes (true size is 12.5 so i wear three sizes of shoes 12 through 13) "fit" better. however i use that upward curve at the front of the floorboard to extend the foot room and its very nice to do

i also used the rear passenger rests sometimes, too. Buddy just feels sporty

oh, op? get the Buddy. its a blast. but...."try it on" first. it might not be for you. i just hope it is for scooting sake. it felt too small to me at first but now it seems perfect. you may feel more or less

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