From a Met to a Buddy... a good fit?

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 4:29 am

I've become very interested in the Buddy as my next scoot. I've been riding for almost 7 years out on country roads on a 49cc Honda Ruckus and Honda Met.

I am ready to go for more power since I moved back into the burbs.

I want an all around scoot to use for commuting, tooling around town, and country back road day rides (or longer).

I am not interested in a maxi-scoot, but something in the 125-150cc range.

The Met fits me "ergonomically" like a glove. I am hoping that the Buddy will offer the same comfort and handling.

BTW, I am 5'4", 29 inseam, shorter arms.

What do you all think?

phatch · Post by **phatch** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 4:54 am

Do it. I have a friend about that height and she fits the Buddy well. Compared to my friend's 50 cc Yamaha C3, the Buddy MOVES!

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:14 am

I can't speak about a Honda cos I haven't ridden one, but the Buddy is "mint". You'll enjoy it. Fact!

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:53 am

If I have to go used, what changes have occured in the 125 Buddy from 06 to the present, if any?

Any thing to watch out for?

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:50 am

you have a pretty good inseam for a shorter person. i am 6'3 and have just three inches on you at 32in. i can flat foot and pretty much overwhelm the scooter standing over its seat, but with my butt still planted firm. sounds like a good fit for you, you are an experienced rider, and its a great scooter. no reason not to go for it as long as speed limits do not exceed 50mph and / or you have no serious hills or long grades to tackle

no real changes have occurred that i know about. maybe a few minor QC issues corrected and some minor improvements over the years, but its essentially the same scoot so far as i know. cosmetic things like the headlight got a bit bigger, different shape, etc. but nothing you might notice if not pointed out

edit: just thought i'd mention a low profile seat is also available for Buddy.if for any reason you want your feet closer to the ground it will take about 1 1/2 or 2in off the seat height. looks sharp, too

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 12:35 pm

Whimscootie wrote:If I have to go used, what changes have occured in the 125 Buddy from 06 to the present, if any?

The 06 had a smaller headlight and shorter mirror stalks. Very little change the past 5 years.

I wouldn't expect any fit problems with 29-inch legs. The Buddy is something like 50 pounds heavier than the Metro, which is significant, but it's one of the lightest in the 125-150cc class. Definitely peppier than a Metro.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:15 pm

I stepped up from a Honda Met to a Buddy myself, don't think I'll ever 'look back'
As much as I enjoyed riding the Met it just didn't have the Ooompf to sometimes deal with the south-central Pennsylvania country roads I regularly ride. The Met is a great 'in town' ride the Buddy is better suited for everything else for me. (Except the highway)
I liked the Met, I love the Buddy!
I still haven't sold the Met however, I will still ride it once or twice a year.

I'm 5'8"ish with orangutanian long arms and a 30" inseam so my 'fitment' on the Bud wasn't an issue. Try one on for size if you can, as others have stated, a cut down seat is available to help you feel better about your shorter legs and flat footing, something I find I really don't do, as I've noticed that I sit so far back on the seat I usually just place the balls of my feet on the ground at stops.

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:36 pm

It will be a perfect fit for you. As others have said, the '06 had a smaller (and therefore less effective) headlight. I'd avoid those if you can for that reason.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:44 pm

Should be fine. I'm only a few inches taller than you, with a 30" inseam. A friend who has similar dimensions but is nearly 6' is comfy on it too. I think your size the buddy will be a real performer.

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:27 pm

Well, it's been 7 months since I posted my questions about the Buddy 125 and I am still riding the Met.

But I DO have it up for sale! Once it sells I am going to look for a used Buddy 125 or 150 as a possible next scooter.

I'd love to find a Black Jack or Psycho that I could afford, but I will have to see what is local at the time that the shopping commences!

I also have some other scooters in mind, but this post is about the Buddy!

Meanwhile I've had enough time on the Met in this suburban area that I live in to realize very clearly that the 49cc just doesn't cut it here.

I've got 45mph access roads to residential areas and these roads have no shoulder. I've got some nice country roads about 20 minutes away, but you have to ride on those 45-50mph roads to get there and they are up and down hill and curvy.

On the Met I am an accident waiting to happen as I am just "in the way".

Now on this new scooter, whatever it will be, I hope to commute to work 22 miles one way on back access roads averaging 35-50mph.

I also hope to use the scooter for long, leisurely rides on country roads where 45-55mph is more common with little traffic.

I might even be able to join in some local club rides with this scooter.

So guys, do you still think a Buddy 125 or 150 will cut it for these types of use?

I also really need to test ride one here soon.

Thanks for any further comments!

jd · Post by jd » Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:45 pm

Stop messing around and get on with it before you lose the riding season!

I assume you've listed the Met on Craigslist. Best place I've found yet for that. Have sold several mopeds and scooters that way.

I also note several low-mileage Buddy 125 bikes on Craigslist in Cincinnati. No need to buy new, and don't spend money on a Blackjack or Psycho. Coming from a Honda Met, a plain old Buddy 125 is going to feel like a crotch rocket to you.

The Buddy is perfect for the kind of riding you're describing. It will cruise all day at 50 MPH and give you 55-58 MPH if you need it for short periods. (This is GPS speed, not indicated speed.) I ride with several groups and I've always got the smallest displacement of anyone else in them once the 49cc bikes are excluded. The Buddy has to work a little harder to keep up with the 300 cc and 400 cc bikes, but it's never a problem. And I can catch 'em on the curves anyway because the dudes on the 400 cc Majestys and Burgmans won't take them as fast I generally do...and I'm no speed demon. The Buddy is just extraordinarily nimble for a scooter. It's the easiest thing I've ever ridden. It will take you all of five minutes to love it.

jd

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 8:11 pm

Yeah, I've been looking at those scooters on Cincy CL and yeah, mine is listed there too.

I start high, go low on the price. Such a pain to sell on CL and even to buy sometimes as people just don't answer phones, email, or text.

But I am a persistent person!

Got to sell the Met to get the dough for the next scoot and I sure hope I get a bit of riding in this season.

"Season" for me means November-ish, so I think it's possible!

"Crotch rocket"?

So it sounds like you think the 125 will give me all the power I need?

Th17kit · Post by **Th17kit** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 8:12 pm

Get one! I'd recommend a 150 if you can find a good deal but only cause I have one and it really flies. With the Cuppini short windscreen it will do about 70 actual and it really loves curves and turns. They are so much fun.

Christophers · Post by **Christophers** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 8:26 pm

I second JD's advice. There's no need to hold out for a Psycho or a Blackjack. A stock Buddy 125 will be perfect for you. We still have a stock Buddy 125s in the stable that my girlfriend uses daily - she prefers it over the Blackjack or Psycho.

I also moved up from a Honda Met to a Buddy 125, and I rode the 125 happily for three years before looking to upgrade to the Blackjack/Psycho. I only chose to go for the Blackjack/Psycho because I do a lot of 'adventure' rides, and the upgraded suspension of the Blackjack/Psycho are useful for hard/high speed cornering. They're actually a little too stiff and less comfortable for riding around town which is one reason that my girlfriend prefers her Buddy 125 over either of my two scoots.

jd · Post by jd » Sat Jul 27, 2013 8:52 pm

Crotch Rocket

chloefpuff · Post by **chloefpuff** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 1:08 am

Hi Deb,

I'm 2 inches shorter than you (5 foot 2) and have no problem handling the Buddy. And I can't flat foot it, so I expect that it will be even more manageable for you.

Hope you get a cool color!

Tam Tam · Post by **Tam Tam** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 2:27 pm

I started with a Met, and 4 months later, upped to a buddy 125 and have not regretted it for one sec.
The met was a great scooter, well built and all, but did not have the power.

And as far as size, a young lady in our club has both, and she is under 5ft tall, and does just fine on both!

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 11:01 pm

Well, I've decided that I am going to save up to buy a used (maybe new) Buddy 125 or 150.

I may not be riding it this season, but I definitely will have it come springtime. Or it could happen in the fall, depending on finances and availability.

Anyway, I'm keeping my Met and enjoying it's zippy little 49cc ride and awaiting my bigger scoot with eager anticipation.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 12:01 am

My SO is 5'3" and the Buddy fits her great. She tried a Met before she picked her Buddy 125. The Met just did not have enough acceleration. She loves the performance of the Buddy.

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:30 pm

I've traced the back roads route to my new job which starts tomorrow.

It is most 2 lane roads, speeds varying from 35 to 55 mph. Mostly around the 35-45mph range. At one point I am on a 4 lane road with the speed limit around 45 if I recall correctly.

No interstate riding.

25 miles one way.

I am thinking that the Buddy or the Agility could handle this commute easily.

I lean toward the Buddy for comfort. I lean toward the Agility for a higher profile in traffic.

I've seen a lot of commuters on Buddys around here and they look really, really small going down the road.

Of course I do too on my Met but I am hi viz all the way, including a bright neon yellow motorcycle flag.

Decisions, decisions....

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:42 pm

Whimscootie wrote:I've traced the back roads route to my new job which starts tomorrow.

It is most 2 lane roads, speeds varying from 35 to 55 mph. Mostly around the 35-45mph range. At one point I am on a 4 lane road with the speed limit around 45 if I recall correctly.

If traffic is heavy, a 4-lane road is likely to be aggravating, but if traffic is relatively light, they can be fairly good to ride on: drivers who want to go faster than you can just change lanes and pass you.

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 2:27 pm

I am going in today to pick out a color on a 125!

Danielm · Post by **Danielm** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 4:12 pm

Congrats! Looks like you'll need to change the address of your blog, hah.

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 4:44 pm

Probably won't 'cause it involves losing all my contacts, etc.

"Ruckus Scooter" as in "wild, fun, happy, etc."..that'll be the interpretation!

LOL

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 5:44 pm

What about the "49cc" part of the address though?

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 7:35 pm

Yeah, bummer! Changing that address messes up contacts too. It will have to do...

Anyway, for now I still have the Met and I "might" be getting a Buddy soon. Not sure when yet. Just checking out what's available....

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 4:14 pm

I sold my Met yesterday and on the same day put a deposit on a Psycho!

I will be picking it up in about 2 weeks. I am going to add a rear rack and windscreen, otherwise it is perfect as it is!

Psycho Number 123!

SO excited and happy!

My Met went to a good home to be a companion to another Met belonging to a mother and daughter who both want to ride.

I will try to post a pic when I can!

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 4:51 pm

Whimscootie wrote:I sold my Met yesterday and on the same day put a deposit on a Psycho!

Congratulations on the new Psycho. Looks like the riding season has mostly gotten away from you, but you will be familiar with your new bike and ready to put a bunch of miles on it when the spring weather starts to break.

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 5:02 pm

Thank you!

Naw, in Ohio you can always get some riding in November through March.

I played golf one year all through January! LOL

RoadRambler · Post by **RoadRambler** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 5:20 pm

Modern Buddy

From a Met to a Buddy... a good fit?

From a Met to a Buddy... a good fit?

met to buddy

UPDATE: Bought a Psycho!

Re: UPDATE: Bought a Psycho!