125 2009 vs 2013

Mcanaves · Post by **Mcanaves** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 3:03 pm

So, I've finally made the decision to be picking myself up a scooter for my basic transportation needs. I've also settled on the Buddy 125 as being rather ideal for what I intend to use it for (basic, close commute travel with an occasional 2-4hr drive). I'm really running into only one issue, though.

All my local dealers are trying to sell me on a 2009 Buddy 125. I'm not opposed to going for the not so newest model, especially being that it is my first scooter investment, but I'm trying to get a general opinion from some experienced riders.

Is there anything wrong with the 2009 models? There seems to be an overabundance of new 2009s in my area and I want to make sure there were no factory issues and whatnot that were discovered later.

How do they compare to the 2013 models? For general commuting, I'm sure there can only be so much difference on a day to day basis, but I will be doing an occasional 2-4 hr drive with them. Is it worth the extra investment to grab a 2013 for that reason? How much more reliable will one be over the other?
I appreciate any feedback I can get on all this.

On a side note- Psycho Buddy vs Buddy. Seems to be simply aesthetics differences, and nothing really performance wise. I feel that outside from looks, the only benefit to getting one of those would be resale value, yeah?

Thanks again guys.

Tldr; 2009 buddy, or 2013?

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 3:07 pm

The 2009 and the 2013 Buddy 125 are identical. Go for the best deal.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 5:47 pm

Hi, Mac,

Genuine appears to have 'over-ordered' 2009 scoots from PGO in Taiwan, based perhaps on the surge in gas prices (and scooter popularity) in 2008. There are, consequently, still zero-mile 2009s in inventory all the way here in 2013.

As Dooglas points out, no changes have been made to the 125 since 2009. The last change was the redesigned headset and headlight in 2007.

I would, however, negotiate a new battery from the dealer, if the scoot on the sales floor already has one. A 2009 battery that's been filled and installed might not have a lot more longevity left. I'd inspect the tires as well for dry rot.

Finally, the Psycho has the same engine as the basic 125, I believe, but has better brakes and shocks for a more sure-footed ride. Somebody jump in here: did the Psycho get an upgraded final-gear set? Can't remember.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 5:52 pm

There's an oversupply of 2009 units because 2008 was a boom year for scooter sales (gas prices going up) so dealers ordered 2009 bikes expecting more of the same. Then the Great Recession hit, gas prices went down, and money got tight, so dealers found themselves holding a lot of bikes with no buyers.

As long as you're buying it new-from-dealer, you'll get the same warranty, and the dealer should take care of any issues that arise form the bike sitting (e.g. weak battery). I'd take a deal on a 2009.

I don't remember the specific, but the Psycho does have some performance tweaks in the transmission and suspension over a standard 125.

Mcanaves · Post by **Mcanaves** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 6:49 pm

Awesome. Thanks for all the help guys.
Just picked up a new 2009 for 27 out the door; just waiting to pick it up!

BeefSupreme · Post by **BeefSupreme** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 7:34 pm

Last October my girlfriend got a "new" 2009 Buddy for $2,000. It had just been sitting on a show room floor of a power sports place for 3 years. They did put in new fluids and a fresh battery. They had it on ebay for $1,900, she called and offered cash, they negotiated 2k. Considering msrp is 2700ish she got a pretty good deal. I'd say go for the 09.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Tue Oct 08, 2013 1:57 pm

I've had 3 bikes from 2009, all were excellent, so it's a good year! Of course, only one of them is my Buddy....

If they're offering the same warranty and everything, go for a deal on the '09.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Tue Oct 08, 2013 1:59 pm

Mcanaves wrote:Awesome. Thanks for all the help guys.
Just picked up a new 2009 for 27 out the door; just waiting to pick it up!

Congrats on the new Buddy!

scootERIK · Post by **scootERIK** » Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:12 pm

A 2009 won't have as good of a resale price as a 2013. A quick look at KBB tells me you need to get the 2009 for at least $400 cheaper to be a good deal(I would push for $500 myself,) and that assumes all the rubber parts are still in good shape and it has a need battery.

Also, a fair number of 2009s have had stator issues. Not a big deal if it fails under warranty, but if it happens after it is a little pricey unless you do the work yourself. My first one failed at 4,500 miles.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:42 pm

Actually, once the bike is several years old - the difference in resale is negligible. And, any indication that a failure of a stator on a 2013 Buddy is any less likely than on a 2009 Buddy after a similar period of use? Always risky to generalize about fairly rare events.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Tue Oct 08, 2013 4:26 pm

Dooglas wrote:Actually, once the bike the is several years old - the difference in resale is negligible.

Right. There's a significant difference in resale price between a 2009 and 2013 in 2013. The difference won't be as much in 2017.