I must be crazy: the Buddy isn't *THAT* good. Is it?

[AxeYrCat]

So I went to the local Vespa dealer today to see what they had in stock.

While I really love riding my Triumph, it's not nearly as practical as a commuter (for any number of different reasons), and I'm seriously considering getting back into the world o' scootering.

Having said that, I'm sort of a speed freak, and so I figured the GTS 250 would be the Vespa for me. And then I rode it. Actually, even before I rode it, it felt strange. And riding it was fine, but everything felt like it was in the wrong place. After I went for a quick spin (very quick — it wasn't a demo unit so I felt fortunate that they gave me any seat time), I checked out the storage, both in the front and under the seat: Not much other than one's gloves would fit in the glove box, and my full-face didn't fit underneath the seat. D'oh.

So, I mention to the sales guy (and the sales manager, who'd taken an interest in me) that I wanted to love it, but just didn't.

The sales manager suggested I go out on the 150 S, which felt tiny compared to the 250, but more engaging to ride — that, though, at the expense of high-speed stability. Damn. I didn't even check out the storage, but the front storage area was about 1/3 the size of the Buddy's. I really didn't like the placement of a lot of the controls, I couldn't get comfortable on the seat, and where the crap is the horn?? Oh, wait... there doesn't seem to be one. No big deal as I'm not too crazy about the aesthetics anyway.

I seem to remember the Buddy doing just about everything I wanted it to do (granted, high-speed-stability still a factor), and at about half the cost of the GTS — which I ultimately decided that I did really like, but not for $6,600 out the door (that's TWO Buddy 150s!!).


Am I romanticizing it in my head, or is the Buddy really that good??

[MikieTaps]

the buddy IS actually that good!

[jetboy]

I think you know the answer!

-jetboy

[jmazza]

I've not compared the two... well, actually I've not compared the Buddy to ANYTHING (other than sitting on a few other scoots) but the only thing I DON'T like about the Buddy is the smoothness (or lack thereof) of the ride. Even high speed stability feels great to me.

Sure, I'd like more top end but I'd also be dangerous with it.

So, I don't know if it's THAT good, but I sure love it.

[Dooglas]

Sure, the Buddy is that good. There are really only two things the GTS has that the Buddy does not. The first is sustained higher speed capability at the cost of lower speed manueverability. The second is the Vespa look including that beautifully painted all metal body. If you want (or need) those two things (and can afford it) - get a Vespa. Otherwise, ride a Buddy like the rest of us.

[MarsR]

Yeah, the Buddy IS that good. You know how when you buy something new that to start with seems pretty cool, but after awhile you start looking at other things that might be better? Well, when I first picked up my Buddy, I thought hey, this is pretty cool. But the more I ride it, the more I like it. And after more than a year now, I really like it!

[jrsjr]

Am I romanticizing it in my head, or is the Buddy really that good??

It's the other way round. The truth is that despite the oceans of hype on our sister site about the Vespa GTS250ie, it really isn't that great, certainly not the be-all, end-all that the hype would lead you to believe. If it were that great, it would be one of the best selling scooters in Italy, where folks know a thing a two about scooters. Check this sales chart for 2007 Italian scooter sales. Do you see the Vespa GTS250ie? Keep looking, it's way the heck down the chart at number 13.



And the Buddy, it's not perfect, but it is what it is, which is a terrific, reliable, reasonably-priced, cute, quick scooter, with decent support and parts availablity and a great, supportive online community.

[BuddyRaton]

October 5, 2006

An excellent write-up!

Obviously, I have a Buddy already, but it makes me happy to hear other people post very positive reviews because it justifies the purchase. Actually, at this point, it's not even justifying it, it's all just gravy now.

Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side.

Is a Buddy THAT good?

WHY RED IS RED!

[AxeYrCat]

It may end up being the Stella side...

There are several available used (and reasonably priced, I might add), and I can actually find new ones too.

Much more difficult to find Buddies. Anywhere!!

[goofy_foot]

It's the other way round. The truth is that despite the oceans of hype on our sister site about the Vespa GTS250ie, it really isn't that great, certainly not the be-all, end-all that the hype would lead you to believe. If it were that great, it would be one of the best selling scooters in Italy, where folks know a thing a two about scooters. Check this sales chart for 2007 Italian scooter sales. Do you see the Vespa GTS250ie? Keep looking, it's way the heck down the chart at number 13.

I'm not sure that's an entirely fair assumption you're making:

Statement 1: Italians know a lot about scooters
Statement 2: The GTS isn't at the top of the list

Therefore: The other scooters above it on the list are better scooters.

There are a few more considerations in that mix such as Italians need a CHEAP yet reliable vehicle to get around on. I would argue that if cost were no consideration for the average Guisepe buying a scooter, the Vespa GTS 250 would be higher up that list.

Still, I agree with what I believe is your overall premise: bang-for-your-lira DOES play a major factor and Vespa is pricing themselves out of the market both here and abroad.

The GTS is a great (albeit overpriced) bike. The Buddy is a great bike AND a fantastic deal.

[louie]

And the Buddy, it's not perfect, but it is what it is, which is a terrific, reliable, reasonably-priced, cute, quick scooter, with decent support and parts availablity and a great, supportive online community.

first off i wouldn't mind seeing those top 3 available in the us. of course if they were we wouldn't be having these conversations here... would we?...because genuine wouldn't have had a niche to fill.

glad they did.

secondly, well put jrsjr. which are the same reasons i bought a civic 17 years ago, sold it to a friend last year, and why my mate is buying it back.

it's good and good for you.

[jrsjr]

I'm not sure that's an entirely fair assumption you're making...

I'm not sure, either, but I am sure that the GTS250ie has become the sacred cow of the USA scooter scene. As you say, it' s a great, albeit overpriced, scoot.

[SteMer]

Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side.

Exactly what I was thinking. Let me remind you what you gave up...

[jfrost2]

The buddy is awesome and the best 125/150 cc bike you can get for the price in general. It's light, fast, cheap, and one of the best looking.

High speed stability is a issue for all bikes with small wheels, but it isnt like it's impossible and highly unstable.

I'd so, go for a test ride if you can, and see if the buddy still does what it did for you back then, and maybe more!

[SteMer]

It may end up being the Stella side...

When the time comes, I might be looking at a Stella myself (but don't tell anyone). I know Seth has increased his up to a 180 or something like that. And man is he fast. If you can do the same thing, I think you'd love it. Welcome back to scooterland...maybe.

[jfrost2]

Yea the stella can use 99% of the parts for a p series vespa. Same body, same engine, different manufacture. Really anything that fits on a p will go onto a stella, even mechanically.

[goofy_foot]

Yea the stella can use 99% of the parts for a p series vespa. Same body, same engine, different manufacture. Really anything that fits on a p will go onto a stella, even mechanically.

The reed induction under the carb is really the only mechanical difference between the Stella and the new PX. Some of the old Stella cranks were inferior quality though so the Piaggio crank was more reliable. Same size piston, bearings, and crank though.

Stella has a more modern reed valve induction that can be tweaked even further by adding some performance Yamaha YZ 350 (Dirt bike) reeds. The Vespa PX 150 doesn't have that.

If you ride them both, bone stock, you'll notice that the Stella is faster. The Stock PX feels kind of wimpy until you rejet it.

[peabody99]

Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side...Come back to the Buddy side.

Exactly what I was thinking. Let me remind you what you gave up...

just where is Scum Buddy these days?

[AxeYrCat]

I sold it to a lady in Cincinnati who uses it as a commuter (or at least, I think she does).

I recall her name being either Jen or Jenny... I have her info somewhere.


Her husband contacted me a few months ago asking about starting issues — I responded with a list of likely culprits, but I never heard back.

[iinigma7]

Was the sales guy at Vespa named Ron? I emailed Vespa of G-ville a couple of weeks back asking if there were any scooter clubs in the area. A guy named Ron emailed me back saying that he was trying to start one up and I should come by to sign up. I wrote him a nice email saying that I rode a Buddy and wondered if it was a Vespa only club (and also tried to convince him that Vespa of G'ville needs to carry Genuine [as if])...haven't heard back from him yet. Oh well.

[AxeYrCat]

I didn't actually talk to the guy who does scooter sales. I talked to one of the cats who normally sells BMWs because the guy [presumably, Ron] who deals with scooters was busy with other customers.

He worked a pretty decent deal with me, though, but I don't think I'm really interested in a GTS anymore.



It's a decent dealership... The sales manager and his wife ride Vespa 150s when they're not on their big bikes.

[iinigma7]

Ah. That's cool.