Modern Buddy

Hey everybuddy. I just got my Buddy 125 about a month ago and I love it. The thing is great, everything about it is great. I got it used but it was in great shape, and I couldn't have asked for a better bike. My car driving friends are very jealous.

Unfortunately, though, I've managed to bang the thing up some. I hit a piece of something in the road and fell over. Thankfully I'm okay, nothing more than some bruises and shredded gloves gloves and a jacket. My bike, though, got it's left front blinker busted (so the rear one now blinks twice as fast), and the topcase mounted on the rear broke. The plastic broke in places, which I would be fine with, but its locking mechanism also fell out.

I feel terrible, like I've betrayed a friend or something. I honestly want to buy it a present and say I'm sorry. I was hoping you guys could tell me how to go about getting a new topcase? Preferably for not too much money. I'm a college student, cash is tight, and the reason I picked a scooter in the first place was to save money. I've seen some photos on these forums of people that have a sort of cylindrical leather case on the back, too, and I was wondering if that is from Genuine or just something that they've attached.

Any help you guys could offer me would be hugely appreciated. You've got a really great community here, thanks for your time.

-Erik

Hey back atcha' Erik. That's too bad about your fall. It's good to hear only your bike broke and not any of your bones.

You asked about that bag some people have. It is a Prima case, you can find it and many other accessories at http://www.scooterworks.com/. Personally, I use a Givi top case because I can lock it. The Prima bag should be less expensive than a top case.

You mentioned you hit something in the road. Do you know what it was? There is a thread here for "who's crashed". viewtopic.php?t=635&highlight=crashed

If you post your experience there it may help somebody else from suffering the same fate. Ride safe and keep two wheels down Erik.

Welcome, though we both probably wish it was under better circumstances.
Shad and Givi cases have excellent reputations, as well as Coco (?). If that's out of your budget, here's another option. I'm assuming you have the rear rack since you had a top case.
I use a set of Rok motorcycle straps I picked up for about $10. I'll use them to secure anything from my tool box for going to the studio on campus to my large Timbuk2 messenger bag. They'll hold much, much more than the rear rack will, so it's definately secure and avoids the hazards of bungee cords. The best part is when I'm not hauling anything on the rear rack they fold up tiny and live under the seat!

Welcome to the forum, sorry to hear about your mishap.

I know how you feel about marring a new (to you) scooter. Unfortunately, I've been through that too and it's a fairly common thing to happen. Best thing to do is chalk it up as a lesson, work on becoming a better rider, and be grateful you weren't injured along with the scooter.

There are two companies that make the roll bag for the rear rack, Prima and SX Appeal. They're very similar, though people have had problems with the straps breaking and color fading on both versions.

The Buddy top cases are actually less expensive than the SX Appeal roll bag ($149) and the same as the Prime ($129). Motorsport (http://www.scooterwest.com) actually has some Buddy cases marked down to $79 right now, though—pretty good deal. They also have a lot of the Shad cases in Buddy colors for about $170. Honestly, the Shads are probably better quality than the Buddy cases, which are a bit flimsy. At $115, the Givi E30 is probably the best of the bunch in terms of quality and overall value. It may not accommodate some full face or modular helmets.

Cheshire wrote:Coco (?)

Coocase, maybe? They're very nice, and I think all models come with light kits. They're also a bit pricey IMHO. I also don't get the utility of a remote lock for a top case!

Coocase. Yeah...what he said. I've seen them recommended here in the same breath with Shad and Givi, so I didn't want to leave them out. I'll just butcher the name instead.

Hey, since you are considering the roll bag, it sounds like locking might not be such an issue. If you just need to haul stuff, a great option (especially for a college student budget!) is a good 'ol milk crate. You can attach one very easy to the rear rack and get a motorcycle bungee net for $4.99 to cover the top.

I'm just sayin'....

I second the milkcrate. You can haul your backpack which is often safer than wearing it if you're a newer rider (for balance reasons), and go to the market (I got an entire Thanksgiving dinner for 7 in my crate). It's not waterproof, obviously, but when it's really raining, I just wrap stuff up one of those reusable grocery totes made out of #2 bottles.

How to install: http://www.cocktailsatfive.com/scoots/milkcrate/

Then take the money you would have used to buy a fancy case and replace your jacket and gloves.

siobhan wrote:I second the milkcrate.

Yep. Milk crate, and if you have some kind of moral hang ups about snagging a real one, head over to any office supply store and you can get one for about $10 (the look of disapproval on my 11 yr old's face at the idea of her mother lightfingering one sent me to the office supply store )

Zip tie that puppy to the rear rack and it provides a TON of storage space, also it provides excellent tie downs for any additional stuff you might put on the seat behind you. Get a bungee net and you are all set.

And, you don't go riding around on a scooter looking too "matchy-matchy".

-v

I would take this chance to incorporate your dummy lights.

Im assuming you broke your DOT regulated turn signals, there fore i would definetely use this opportunity to stream line my buddy.