Buddy 170i 100 Mile Review

mkydsm · Post by **mkydsm** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:46 am

So I have hit just 100 miles on my new 170i, and am starting to use it much more since I moved into the city (Chicago). Initial impressions are that it performs as I expected, but is lacking in other areas.

The good- The scooter is quick, nimble, and is starting to break in. The fuel injection helps and it starts/runs very smoothly. Overall the performance and fuel economy is great, and was what I was looking for. The flat black color looks great, but is also hard to keep clean.

The bad- the rear brake is making some kind of horrendous tapping/slapping/ticking sound when applied. I am taking back to the dealer this Saturday... hopefully I don't get charged for whatever may be wrong with it. It also sounds like an unrelated bolt is loose in the back somewhere, which I have yet to find. The front fairing makes a lot of vibration noises. The rear fairing under the rear rack mount is already cracked, which is pretty disappointing seeing as how I just bought it. Its some kind of stress crack, not a fall or anything (see pic). I don't know if that's covered under warranty..

Overall, the engine performance is where I expected it to be, which is great. But the exterior feels cheap and not what I expected for paying so much to get this model, not to mention having a problem with the rear brake straight from the factory. If I were to buy it again, I would be willing to pay maybe $1,200.00 less.

Picture below of rear fairing crack, under rack installed at dealership.

wheelbender6 · Post by **wheelbender6** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 2:02 am

The crack in the fairing is baffling. Overtightening the rack bolts wouldn't cause it, as the rack bolts to the frame. The noise under braking is weird too. There isn't much in a drum brake to go wrong. Its basically held together by springs.
-The power in my Buddy 125 increased steadily during break-in until around 500 miles. Some owners feel there Buddy getting stronger until clocking 1.000 miles.
-I hope your luck with the Buddy improves. Mine has been problem free.

jrstone · Post by **jrstone** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 4:22 am

I dunno... I think that over-tightening the middle bolt on the rack could stress the plastic enough to make it crack. I would make them fix it.

craftynerd · Post by **craftynerd** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:52 am

When I put my rear rack on, it seemed to me that if I overtightened the bolt that the plastic would easily crack, so maybe that's what happened to the back of your Buddy.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 3:21 pm

jrstone wrote: I think that over-tightening the middle bolt on the rack could stress the plastic enough to make it crack. I would make them fix it.

I agree. Others have reported cracking of a rear panel due to over tightening of one of the rack bolts. Presuming the dealer mounted your rack, I'd go back and ask them to repair the problem.

mkydsm · Post by **mkydsm** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 2:45 pm

Went to the dealer on Saturday, as for the rear brake, they think that something is wrong with the drum/hub assembly that is off center. They are going to order the parts which will be under warranty. They seemed like they might just be guessing but oh well.

They were just as baffled by the crack on the rear fairing, as wheelbender6 mentioned the rack bolts directly to the frame and does not touch the plastic. They said it might be from closing the seat to hard? I think I would have noticed if I broke the plastic, and I dont slam it down either. Maybe having my girlfriend on it, and slamming on Chicago potholes (craters) may have busted it. She is only 95lbs so I would think the scooter would be designed to handle it. Either way I am on my own to fix it.

Thanks for the input, also does anyone know if the Blackjack or Psycho rear fairings are the same as the flat black 170i? I cant seem to find them for my specific model.

Thanks!

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 4:17 pm

If THEY put the rear rack on of course they are going to say they don't know how it happened. I'd challenge that one.

They should be able to order you a replacement panel for that that particular part.

thatvwbusguy · Post by **thatvwbusguy** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 2:01 am

The seat has bumpers built into it, there is no way closing the seat too hard would crack a rear panel.

The quality of the rear rack is not very consistent. I have seen a couple that had to be bent in a vise so they would align properly with the mounting holes. This is most likely due to a lack of attention when jigging the parts up for welding.

Over tightening the rear rack definitely can crack the panel. I watched my friend Matt do it right in front of me. If the shop installed it, the repair is unquestionably on them. If they don't agree, call Genuine and tell them what's up with one of their authorized dealers trying to pull a fast one on a new customer. It should be replaced under warranty without question.

All flat black panels should be the same.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 5:59 pm

Even if it was just entropy, they should replace it. It costs them hardly anything compared to a lifetime customer.

Duggle · Post by **Duggle** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 6:56 am

mkydsm wrote:Went to the dealer on Saturday, as for the rear brake, they think that something is wrong with the drum/hub assembly that is off center. They are going to order the parts which will be under warranty. They seemed like they might just be guessing but oh well.

I have the same problem. I just bought a brand new Buddy 170i for my wife on Saturday, Aug 16 at Vespa Motorsport (ScooterWest). Right away when riding it home for her I hear a loud clicking when the brakes are applied, quickly narrowed it down to the rear drum (Thanks sooo much setup mechanic for noticing this glaring defect on your test ride). The clicking coincides with the rotational speed of the wheel, sounds like once per rotation, as if there is a bolt head or something making contact with the brake shoes when the brake is applied. There is also a pulsing effect of the braking that is really noticeable at lower speed while stopping. If I had to guess I would just say that the drum is off center, not machined round when manufactured or something like that.

Took the scooter back to the shop yesterday, Wed. Aug 20 and they didn't have time to go take it for a test run so I left it. Didn't hear anything from them today so I called before closing time to see what they found and was told that they would take a look at it next Tuesday. My wife was hopping mad. She just got a brand new scooter that should work correctly and she wants to ride it. She called them right back after me and told them what she thought about it, Kevin said they would try to take a look at it tomorrow.

So far this is not showing Vespa Motorsport to be a great business. Most (good) places will try to sell you something that works correctly and if it doesn't then they will try to make it right, even if they have to take the parts off of their own scooters in stock.

Duggle · Post by **Duggle** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:27 pm

A good update... They called this morning (Friday), said that they confirmed the brake problem and will order parts under warranty. I can go down and pick up the scooter (since it's ok to ride), then when the parts arrive, schedule an appointment for the repair (and probably time for first service at the same time). This is completely acceptable since we'll be able to use the scooter in the meantime while we wait. Wife is once again a happy scooter rider and happy customer.

I imagine that there will be other Buddys with this same brake drum problem. Could have been a bad batch in manufacturing or something. And... hopefully when the shop gets the repair parts for ours the drum will be nice and round.