So excited, reserved a Buddy St. Tropez!

[IndieJones]

It'll be my first ever scooter and I can hardly wait! I was tempted to bring home the cream 125 they had in stock, but a couple week wait for an extra bit of oomph and that gorgeous paint job seems worth it. (oh I hope it's only a couple of weeks, he said March which seems like a big window to me)

I was only able to properly test drive the 50cc as I haven't gotten a license yet. But my general reaction was: "WHEEEEEEEE!!!" It felt so much better than the vespas I've test-ridden. No matter what size vespa I tried, I felt very uncertain with steering, but the buddy just seemed so intuitive and smooth to me. Of course maybe it just seemed that way because I was already smitten!

And, the 125cc at least, seemed so easy to manage. That balance was great, it was easy to hold, easy to reach the ground, easy to push off the centerstand, easy to reach all the controls with my thumb. A really big factor was that it felt very easy to reach the brake levers. My hands are on the small side with short stubby fingers, so I find it a stretch to reach most brake levers. And the underseat storage looked huge in comparison to others.
Practical considerations aside, the deciding factor was that I fell in love with the Buddy!
I'm sorry to blather on, but I'm just so excited I could burst!

[shark]

I'm sorry to blather on, but I'm just so excited I could burst!

<-------"Put's on his rain suit and goggles!!"

And welcome to the forum..

[Sharon]

Congrats! I had the same reaction to Vespa vs Buddy. Buddy wins hands down!

[IndieJones]

Well, the dealer ended up not accepting any money down. He wants me to look at the St. Tropez in person when it comes in and make sure it's the one I want. He promised not to sell it to anyone else, and I'll be the first person he calls when they show up. He also mentioned the Kymco People 150 again, saying the handling is better with the larger wheels. It is true that our roads are a little on the rough side. Not so much giant gaping potholes and protruding mancovers (although we have those too), but mainly just chewed up pavement wearing through the last poor patch job. I swear they're about 5 years behind on road repair around here!

Is there really that much of a difference between 10" and 16" wheels at 30mph and under? Am I making a mistake? Even if I am, is the Buddy so cute I don't care? (probably! ) I should be taking the class in a couple of weeks so chances are I'll have my license by the time my new shiny soft blue scoot comes in so I can actually test drive it. (class == license w/o the dmv trip)

[EP_scoot]

The big difference between small and large wheels comes with stability at speed. That said, even at smaller speed, going over rough pavement, dirst roads, the larger wheel will be more stable (potholes, cracks, raised edges, loose gravel, etc, etc).

The smaller wheel will be more nimble and easier to maneuver at smaller speeds. Then again, once you figure out counter steering, large wheel bikes perform just as well.

If you like the Buddy, get the Buddy. Unless there are a lot more things you like on the Kymko besides the bigger wheels.

[The Ninja]

I looked at the People when I bought my Buddy. It just didn't have the same soul the Buddy had. I hope you enjoy your new scooter. Welcome to the addiction.

[illnoise]

Ride both first if you can. Buddies are great, but there's no perfect scooter for everyone, and both are good bikes. Remember you might end up riding hundreds of miles a day on it, you might find you prefer the ergonomics of the Kymco. Look at the geometry, where you sit, where your hands and knees and elbows bend… is there room on the seat to move around when your butt's getting sore, is there ample space for your feet, and is it where you need it? Are your knees smashed into the floorboard? how does the storage compare?

Your dealer is smart. Think of it as getting married. Girls have a lot of different qualities, and guys have different needs. There are a lot of factors in finding the right match. Don't just marry the first hot chick you meet until you're sure you're getting the whole package you want. The Buddy might be that package, it's a great bike, but don't buy it on looks alone.

On the other hand, your dealer knows the 150 Buddies are going to fly out the door and the Kymco models are getting a little stale on his floor, so don't let him talk you out of a Buddy if that's what you want. Even if you end up liking the Kymco better, you might want to see if he can sweeten the deal a little.

Bb.

[IndieJones]

On the other hand, your dealer knows the 150 Buddies are going to fly out the door and the Kymco models are getting a little stale on his floor, so don't let him talk you out of a Buddy if that's what you want.

Bb.

Very true. As I was fruitlessly searching for parking (again) in my car today I started to question my decision to wait an uncertain amount of time for a Buddy rather than buy a People right now. Then a black and silver Buddy zipped by and I almost wrenched my neck turning to watch it!

They just look like more fun to me. And when it comes to getting married, no matter how well the practical stuff lines up, it won't work out if your intended doesn't make your heart thrill!

[Drumwoulf]

It felt so much better than the vespas I've test-ridden. No matter what size vespa I tried, I felt very uncertain with steering, but the buddy just seemed so intuitive and smooth to me. Of course maybe it just seemed that way because I was already smitten!
And, the 125cc at least, seemed so easy to manage. That balance was great, it was easy to hold, easy to reach the ground, easy to push off the centerstand, easy to reach all the controls with my thumb. !

Yas, the Buddy is extremely "easy" to handle, especially seeming so to new riders... Which is why you need to be extremely careful with one and not get over-confident. More one-vehicle accidents are caused by eager new riders thinking that their Buddy can go and do anything with ease. But all scooterists need to be careful of road surfaces, oil, sand, leaves, potholes, tar cracks, molded white lines, etc, and especially those of us who ride on the smaller 10" wheels!
If you haven't already done it, get yourself a copy of David Hough's "Profficient Motorcycling" and read it thru; the info contained therein could save your butt! Also take a MSF riders' course as soon as you can (if you haven't already...)

[IndieJones]

I pre-ordered the brand new version of the book. It's coming out in March. I will certainly take the MSF course. I haven't decided wether or not to take it the first weekend in March or the second weekend.