Modern Buddy

Got my new Buddy Italia 125 last night. This thing has some serious zip!!! Just learning the ropes but I can see there is much fun in my future with this little gem. I am totally psyched but concerned about Florida drivers. They are oblivious. I have no experience, but seem to be manuevering pretty well so far. Need to perfect left turns a bit. Someone recommended I get a motorcycle license, but I also see in my area that they also offer scooter classes. Anyone have thoughts on this as to which is better???? Also anyone have thoughts on storing it in the house vs. outside??? Ciao!

I'd take the scooter class, if I were you. The motorcycle class is going to have a lot of stuff that doesn't apply to you. Shifting, downshifting, etc.

Concentrate on good braking technique and looking much further ahead than you are used to from driving a car. As for the turns, they are MUCH easier when you look through the turn. Look where you want to be, not right in front of the bike.

Congratulations on the Buddy purchase. They seem like pretty good machines.

Congrats on the new scoot! "Olive Oil" clever Hope you enjoy many MANY miles of great riding.

As far as storage, keeping it in doors does sound great to me for extra security if it's convenient to do so (but I don't know about the whole keeping fuel in doors safety laws and such) if you keep it outside definitely get a good motorcycle cover, chain lock, and disc lock.

Here's some talk about scooter security: www.modernbuddy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=434

also to help you get started check out: www.modernbuddy.com/forum/topic1354.html

Happy Riding

I would still recommend the motorcycle class. Most of it still applied to the scooter and when they were working on shifting, it gave me extra time to practice (they actually gave me scooter specific things to practice.)

And I don't know about Florida, but in California, you still need a motorcycle license to ride a scooter.

Congrats on the purchace of your new olive green buddy! I just love the SI styling, its the perfect retro-modern ballance for me.

Reading Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough may help you with those turns and other technique issues, it did for me.

Good luck!

scooterstud wrote:Congrats on the purchace of your new olive green buddy! I just love the SI styling, its the perfect retro-modern ballance for me.

Reading Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough may help you with those turns and other technique issues, it did for me.

Good luck!

This is most excellent advice. Coincidentally, I just checked "Proficient...", "More Proficient..." and "Street Strategies" out of the library AGAIN last night. I've got to buy those eventually.

-Jetboy

jetboy wrote:

scooterstud wrote:Congrats on the purchace of your new olive green buddy! I just love the SI styling, its the perfect retro-modern ballance for me.

Reading Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough may help you with those turns and other technique issues, it did for me.

Good luck!

This is most excellent advice. Coincidentally, I just checked "Proficient...", "More Proficient..." and "Street Strategies" out of the library AGAIN last night. I've got to buy those eventually.

-Jetboy

Wow, I did not even know there were more books! I'll need to check them out (no pun intended).

I own all the Hough books and read them cover to cover before my MSF class...now I plan to re-read them and solidify everything I learned in class. They are GREAT books...I actually found one of them at a used bookstore (imagine!!)

Bonjourno,
Stupid things can happen....stay focused.....
Thanks to all who responded to my first posting. I appreciate all the great advice and book references. Last night while pushing "Olive Oil" into the house , I lost my balance a little & I ran over my foot and broke my big toe. MMMMMmmmm...so much for storing her in the house. Guess she was heavier than I anticipated. Guess I can think about that for the next 3 weeks while I can't ride. Arrrrrggggggg.... I get into a scooter accident and I'm not even on the scooter.!!!!My friends seem to be taking great pleasure in this story as I am trying to present it in a comical way....but seriously I WILL be taking everyone's advice and WILL definately be signing up for the safety classes!!!!! Thanks for the great advice. Ciao!

Why can't you ride with a broken toe??!! I thought this was one of the huge advantages to a scooter over a motorcycle, where you need both hands and both feet.

OK, so it won't be stored in the house.

I assume you don't have a garage to store it in, or that would've been the first option.

Lock it to something solid & tall. Consider buying a bike cover for it, one that is weatherproof yet breathable. I had one for my Suzuki SV650, which kept it looking new for a few years before I got a garage. Mine was a Nelson-Rigg, and it even had heat resistant panels in the lower part so you could put the cover on while the bike was hot.

Then, you would have most of the advantages of a garage without even having one.

Thanks JeremyZ I think I will take your advice about getting that cover for my scoot. Also I think I am getting a shed along the side of the house to store it in. Yeah normally I think you could ride scoot with broken toe but I had 2 other surgeries on that foot so doc wants me to be extra cautious for a bit. Guess I'll have to play it by ear...have great day!

I too rec'd my Series Italia this past Tuesday, May 22nd here in St. Louis. She came with one cream walled tire and one white walled tire. Are there really cream walled tires to match the Series Italia? I do like the cream wall better, but the dealer says it may just be a discoloration. They are working on getting me matching tires nonetheless. I haven't named her. I got her plated and insured before she was delivered to us on Tuesday. Tomorrow I am taking the test for my permit. And as soon as I can I will take the MSF class which will fulfill the skills part of my cycle license. My turns to the left are also pretty shaky, but I think practicing this weekend will improve that. Good Luck on your speedy recovery. Bienvenido! rsenal9

Now time to start up the Flamingo Park scooter gang.


John, Peter, and Buddy Love