New to Scooters as well as this forum

[Mystic Scooter]

I have never owned a scooter before and am the process of finding and purchasing the best one for me! Having done some research online and visiting dealers, I believe I have my choice narrowed down to either a Buddy 125 or the 170. I would like some advice on the pros and cons of the 2 models. I will be using it as my primary transportation to work which is mainly country roads. I have also looked into the Vespa 150. If someone thinks I would be better suited for another scooter please comment. Thank you in advance for all advice.

[skipper20]

I have never owned a scooter before and am the process of finding and purchasing the best one for me! Having done some research online and visiting dealers, I believe I have my choice narrowed down to either a Buddy 125 or the 170. I would like some advice on the pros and cons of the 2 models. I will be using it as my primary transportation to work which is mainly country roads. I have also looked into the Vespa 150. If someone thinks I would be better suited for another scooter please comment. Thank you in advance for all advice.

Either the 125 or the 170i would be a very good choice. I like the 170i as (1) I own one and (2) I like its fuel injection. But, you can't go wrong with either one. BTW, welcome to the forum!

Bill in Seattle but wintering in Arizona
'12 170i Italia

[skully93]

Welcome!

Of course we're a little biased here, but a Buddy is a great choice.

I chose a Buddy over a vespa for 1) cost and 2) maintenance. I do like Vespas and I think they are very classy, but I like the simplicity of my Buddy.

If you're choosing between a 125 and a 170i, I would say this:

1) do you have a garage where you can tend the battery? If not, 125 because you can kickstart it if the battery dies. However the battery is so stupidly easy to remove you might just tend it from time to time in the house like I do.

2) the 170i is fuel injected, which is friggin' awesome! Not like the carb on the buddy is hard to live with, but having 2 fi bikes and 2 carbed, the FI is fantastic when I change elevation by 5k feet .

There are also less 'performance' mods for the FI model, but I don't consider that a bad thing.

Right off the bat (because we will all point this out) the consensus is:

Take the MSF class
buy good gear
take the stock tires, set fire to them, and buy new ones (the stock tires are kinda hard crappy rubber that becomes useless in the cold)
Dr Pulley sliders are also awesome.

Enjoy!

[qballfc]

I own both a Blackjack 150 and a 09 Vespa S150 and I love both scoots. I am trying to give one up so I can purchase a new Vespa 300 and it is the Blackjack I want to sell. Blackjack is very fun and very quick, however, it has smaller tires and seems a little more "flimsy" than my S150. It all depends on which one my wife prefers to drive though. I don't think you can lose on a Buddy though. Great scoots

[Syd]

Welcome to MB, Mystic. Stick around, if you end up with either Buddy you will find a great deal of helpful information here. But as to your question:

I have never owned a Vespa or a Buddy, but what I have 'heard' people say in the forums when going from a Buddy to a Vespa is that the Vespa has a smoother, more refined ride, and better build quality. What I don't hear people say is that their Vespa is more reliable.

People here have gone more than 40,000 miles on their Buddys with little more than regular maintenance. People have done the same with their Vespas. Regular maintenance of a Vespa will cost more than regular maintenance of a Buddy. But you can't go wrong with either.

[Drum Pro]

If your a shorter person the Buddy will fit you better and is lighter than a Vespa. The Vespa is a smooth ride because of the bigger wheels. The Buddy is easier in terms of DIY wrenching. Vespa is class but class anything comes at a higher cost. As to get a 170I Vs a 125 the FI is totally worth it. You won't get the kick start but both engines are "bullet proof" and you should have no problems with them. In short the Vespa is like the "Cadillac" of scoots while the Buddy is like the sporty "VW" of the scooting world. Any which way you can't go wrong. And the Vespa will hold it's value more if you ever decide to sell up but that is a different debate.....

[Dooglas]

You did not tell us much about how you wish to ride or how you intend to use the scooter. Personally I think the Buddy 125 is a great ride it's class and, as Drum Pro said, the choice between a Buddy and a Vespa might hinge on your height.

[Mystic Scooter]

Thank you for all the advice....answer to questions...I am female 5'8". I will use the scooter to primarily compute to work and errands around my suburban neighborhood. My work commute is less than 10 miles. I mainly want it for sheer pleasure.

[Drum Pro]

Then any one that was mentioned should be ok. Scooters are pretty specialized. So someone who is 6' 8" is gonna have a bit of leg room trouble on a Buddy but not so much on a Vespa. And a higher displacement scoot will be heaver so a 5' 2" female might have trouble with the weight of the scoot and stopping. But given the info you posted you should be fine with any one you listed. A used one is good to start but a warranty is good for the piece of mind that you know you can take it in and it'll get fixed. Personally, if I where you, I'd look at the Piaggio Fly 3V 150cc....

[agrogod]

Pro: 125 has a kick start for back up starting

Con: 170 doesn't so if it doesn't start with the button your stuck

[Wolfhound]

All of the above is good advice. I would go with the Buddy 170i, have been very pleased with mine. If the battery goes dead you do have to recharge
as no FI scoot has a kick starter. If you are not a daily rider keep a battery
minder hooked up to keep the battery charged.

[Mystic Scooter]

Thanks again for great advice, one more question, my hubby has found a used Honda elite 108 only has 136 miles. He wants this one for himself as I am fairly sold on the Buddy. He is 6'4" ( a large guy) once again used for work commute and pleasure. Any comments?

[skully93]

the Elite series (and Helix...hell nearly any honda!) are bulletproof.

What year is it though? with that few miles, it may have been sitting a long time and need a lot of rubber replaced.

Then again, its' a honda, not like you can't get parts. you just have to be comfy taking a look.

[Syd]

Skully, I think the 108 is the recent Elite 110 (with a 108cc engine in it). So it could be 2010 or newer.

[toot]

I have owned both. I now have a 170. The 125 never seemed enough umph. The way they both handle is perfect for that flicking around twisty roads. The 170 gets me in front of traffic and to me feels more stable at higher speeds??? If you are just going a few miles in traffic the 125 is absolutely great. But if money is not a problem I would go for the 170. Unless you find a Black Jack. We'll that is a different story. Cool. Scooter.

[Dooglas]

....answer to questions...I am female 5'8".

At that height, you would not have any trouble with the seat on the 150 Vespa if that is your preference.

[skully93]

Skully, I think the 108 is the recent Elite 110 (with a 108cc engine in it). So it could be 2010 or newer.

Man, you could probably ride that the rest of your life then. Those things are ridiculously strong.

My Helix is 27 years old, was ridden into the ground, and it's only fault is that it starts hard (that and a bent valve stem that was my fault, so it will prolly rot until March). A newer Elite should do really well.

[ericalm]

Are you buying new? For country roads, you might actually like the forthcoming Hooligan. Same engine as the 170, larger tires, better brakes and suspension. A more performance-oriented scooter. Should be available this spring.