Looking at Buddy 125 this Friday!

mattsyd · Post by **mattsyd** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 6:21 am

I'm going to look at a Buddy 125 that's for sale on Friday for $1100.
I'm told it's a 2007, has 1200 miles, slight cowl damage on the handlebars (can't even see it in the photos, very minor), and gets about 60mpg. So I have a few questions:
1 - How many mpg should I get from a 125 (I was thinking it should be closer to 75-80mpg)? And what could be the issue (besides human math errors) if 60mpg is really low for this scooter, like I think it is?
2 - What other common mechanical/engine/moving parts should I be the most concerned about when doing a short quality inspection before purchasing?
3 - What is the top speed of a well taken care of stock 125? What kind of acceleration should I see out of a well taken care of stock 125?
4 - How often should oil changes have been performed? Should transmission fluid/oil have been changed? And, at what point?
5 - How much would you be willing to pay for this scooter if it starts with no problems and seems to be running well to the average person?

avescoots1134 · Post by **avescoots1134** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 12:37 pm

The Buddy 125 is a great scoot! 2007 is getting old now, so you'll need a little maintenance.

*Tires. With only 1100mi, they are most likely the original tires.

*Belt. Mileage wise, you're generally good on a belt for at least 8K miles unless you do a bit of highway runs. In your case, that belt is getting old and you should replace it.

*Oil. You'll have to assume the bike has only had a first service in 2007 unless they can prove otherwise. The oil and filter is almost 9 years old.

With that little mileage, everything else should be in tip top shape. As always, check the oil and make sure it at least registers on the dip stick.

If you brought this into the shop it would be in the ~$400 range. I wouldn't let this worry you too much, at $1100 it's still a good deal if there isn't much body damage.

avescoots1134 · Post by **avescoots1134** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 12:45 pm

To answer a few more questions, 50MPH (actual speed, not indicated speed) is a safe top speed to expect from a Buddy. It'll have a little more left but any faster starts to feel sketchy on the small frame.

60MPG or less is about right if you're pushing it. It's the Prius theory as we call it. They get great MPG around town but once you hit the highway, the little engine is working hard!

KrispyKreme · Post by **KrispyKreme** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 1:38 pm

avescoots1134 wrote:To answer a few more questions, 50MPH (actual speed, not indicated speed) is a safe top speed to expect from a Buddy. It'll have a little more left but any faster starts to feel sketchy on the small frame.

60MPG or less is about right if you're pushing it. It's the Prius theory as we call it. They get great MPG around town but once you hit the highway, the little engine is working hard!

60ish mpg is about right. The 10 inch wheels do feel sketchy at top speed but MANY people ride their scooters WOT, so you can get used to it. My 150 tops out around 65gps and I feel perfectly comfortable with it.

lovemysan · Post by **lovemysan** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 2:47 pm

At that price you will be lucky if it's still there Friday. My 2006 buddy 125 would hit 62 indicated with 220 lb rider. I didn't gps check it but suspect that to be 50-55 ish

mattsyd · Post by **mattsyd** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 4:00 pm

Thanks for the help guys. I was hoping he was just calculating the mpg incorrectly because I'm really liking the 90mpg I get on my Buddy 50 right now. 😎 But it's definitely not a deal breaker. And it's been on craigslist for a while, so I'm not too concerned about it riding away before Friday. The main reason I think he hasn't sold it yet is because he lives way out in the middle of nowhere. Im driving about 1-1/2 hours to look at it. Hopefully it's in good shape.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 4:22 pm

mattsyd wrote:Thanks for the help guys. I was hoping he was just calculating the mpg incorrectly because I'm really liking the 90mpg I get on my Buddy 50 right now.

It is possible to get 90 mpg with a Buddy 125. As others said, when you push it hard the mileage drops. The same is true of a Buddy 50, for that matter.

mattsyd · Post by **mattsyd** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 4:28 pm

Cool... I think I'm pretty easy on my scooter, I normally don't go over about 40-45mph. So maybe I'll get a little better than he does.

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 4:31 pm

My worst tank ever was 57 mpg. But my Buddy was having a few mechanical issues on that tank so there was lots of running at idle on the stand trying to diagnose. My best tank ever was 113 mpg riding at a constant 35 mph in the mountains.

If you check Fuelly, you'll find most people get around 85 mpg. Of course it depends on your weight, height, average speed, and riding style. I ride WOT most of the time with lots of lights and stop signs and still get 85 mpg.

george54 · Post by **george54** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 11:40 pm

$1100 is a very fair price. Its a steal if they can prove its had oil and gear oil changed and the damage really is minor. If it was mine, it would have had yearly oil changes each riding season no matter how few miles I rode, but don't expect that. Maybe it was changed once with that low miles.

george54 · Post by **george54** » Sat Jun 27, 2015 10:32 pm

Well, did you see it yesterday?

mattsyd · Post by **mattsyd** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 12:48 am

Eh... Nope.
We we're unable to meet up because he was out of town longer than he thought. I should be looking at it Monday morning though. I'll give y'all an update after I see it.

mattsyd · Post by **mattsyd** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 5:20 am

Well, mechanical issues with my and my wife's car have prevented us from going to look at the Buddy. The trip is way too far for our Buddy 50, haha. I'll let yall know if h make it out there before he sells it.