Modern Buddy

I'm a brand new Buddy owner and I want more speed. What are the best modifications to achieve max speed with few problems?

Well, if you look like me, one good mod would be to lose 30lbs.

LOL! I'm actually pretty small. About 115lbs. I've been reading the forum and it's kinda like trying to read chinese. I'm hoping you guy could suggest the best performance parts to do the mods with.

The voodoo guys here drive the 125s they hit some nice speeds.
I imagine one will be along shortly. Their scoots look like this though

let it break in. We've got a buddy 125 rider here in town that's maybe a smidge lighter than you who can bury the needle on her stock 125 - that is indicate 80mph. She also got 10k miles on stock tires so wow! what i wouldn't give to be 110lbs!

search the forum as this question is asked a lot. there are clutch kits and springs, variator weights that can be swapped but unless you're over 1.5k miles you're not really seeing all your buddy can do just yet.

That's my advice. Though I'm on a 09 Buddy 125 kitted to 161cc. I weigh a LOT more than you. I put the kit on at 3500 miles. I ride a ton on country roads and over mountains and into deserts so I needed to be able to climb a little better than a stock 125 under my weight. Kitting it costs a lot more to maintain and is likely shortening the life of my scooter. At least it's fun to ride while it's alive!

jijifer wrote:let it break in.

+1, you will gain in performance and gas mileage as the scoot breaks in and probably will find, as jijifer said, that you will be able to go as fast as you would want to go on such small wheels.

Welcome!

-v

Ok good to know that I shouldn't need to add much. The buddy is a 2007 125cc with 132 miles on it. The lady never drove it! I'll break it in and see how it goes.

perhaps you can pedal faster... LOL

I guess the break in period is a better idea!

nateandcourt wrote:The voodoo guys here drive the 125s they hit some nice speeds.
I imagine one will be along shortly. Their scoots look like this though

Hey, where'd you get the photos of my engine rebuild? Are you stalking me?

Yeah, what Jijifer said is right on, you should wait till about 1500 miles before doing any mods. It will really wake up about 1500 then you can decide if your performance is enough, or if you want more.

You can make the Buddy crazy fast(mine does just shy of 90mph), but its a slippery slope and the 125 is already pretty quick for what it is.

a wind sheild in the front and a tail wind

drop a 161 kit in there with big valve head. best bang for your buck imo

gearhead wrote:drop a 161 kit in there with big valve head. best bang for your buck imo

I'd say a good trans kit is worth more.

the dr pulley clutch is $240. the 161 kit is selling for $150 right now.

gearhead wrote:the dr pulley clutch is $240. the 161 kit is selling for $150 right now.

A Koso clutch is $30 on eBay. Thats what I run.

gearhead wrote:the dr pulley clutch is $240. the 161 kit is selling for $150 right now.

Can't do the $150 161 kit without the $180 Prima exhaust and $10 for new jets = $340. This is also a big labor job!

New clutch, springs, variator & weights are less than $150 (and new weights by themselves will give you more performance for only $25!)

I know buy a blur

Top speed can be achieved by transmission upgrades. It's cheap and always worth it. Dr. Pulley variator, Kevlar belt, and some type of clutch system. I have a MRP red clutch and I like it, it was around $35 bucks. I wouldn't worry to much about big bore until you have played with the transmission because it's not really a DIY job unless your mechanically inclined. Slider weights are also a great purchase. Torque is what the BB kit is all about. Get to your fastest speed as fast as possible. I love mine.

My dad is a mechanic. labor is not an issue. I just wanted to know what the best investment is for speed. It sounds like I need to ride it awhile before anything can be done anyway. I think for now I'm going to invest in chrome. Suggestions on that?

chrome pegs

Consider black chrome parts - rather than just chrome - for a sporty look.

We did this over a red 125 and it looks great!

Flames. Everyone knows flame paint jobs make everything go faster.

The Prima exhaust made a huge big difference. Very noticeable power.

I agree, the Prima exhaust and variator mod made the bike feel more zippy (not to mention sound like a beast).

You mean the 125 doesn't go fast enough for you?

I would consider the wheel size / engine capacity / brand upgrade. A used kawasaki ninja might be just what you're looking for.

After reading everyone's replies it sounds like the Buddy will be plenty fast enough after it's broken in. Sounds much eaier (cost effective) to maintain too. I'm going to look at adding some chrome and maybe have the seat re covered.