My wife and I still love our Buddies and commute and goof around on them all the time. But I had been longing to get out on the open road on two wheels. That can be hard to do with the mountain roads around Salt Lake City. So I added this to the garage last week:
It's a 2004 BMW R1200C. I bought it from a dealership in Fresno and rode it back to SLC via Yosemite and Nevada. It's a great machine.
So now I have the best of both worlds: a twist and go scoot for around town and a cruiser to get up into the mountains and out into the desert.
I was riding tonight and waved at all of the scooterists I passed. None waved back. Finallly a couple on scoots honked at me. Not all motorcyclists are anti-scoot!
beelzebubbles
Just out of curiosity, what made you decide on a motorcycle over say a big scooter (like a Burgman)?
I almost bought this bike back in 2001 but they were a bit too spendy for a first bike. To be honest, I never really considered a large scooter. I've seen several in the area and they look nice. But I was really after a small, compact scooter for around town and the whole motorcycle vibe for western road trips.
At this point I couldn't be happier. The Bud is well suited for commuting and traffic. After riding the motorcycle (which is a relative handfull), the Buddy is all about simple riding pleasure and economy.
Same thing happened to me. I am also from Salt Lake City and own a Blur 150 (my girlfriend has a Buddy 125) and wanted something to take up the canyons or get out on the highway. I added a Ducati GT1000 motorcycle to my bike collection. The scooter and cycle really complement each other. My biggest problem is the reduced mileage that my bicycle are seeing and making conyon climbs on my bicycle more difficult.
I went the the other way. I started on enduros way back, moved to cruisers and found myself liking the Vespas back in the late eighties early nineties. Picked up a very rough 1964 Vespa GL 150. I've still got the big bikes but they hardly ever see any use anymore since I got the new Vespa last year.
Still need to put that '64 GL back together though.
There are a few touring type of scooters and sadly I don't think with it's 125cc engine the Buddy is one of them. (with enough power/speed and all to handle long distance/mountain roads)
It's a nice looking bike!
"Life Is all about ASS! You're either covering it, laughing it off, kicking it, kissing it, busting it, or trying to get a piece of it!"
ScooterN2 wrote:Same thing happened to me. I am also from Salt Lake City and own a Blur 150 (my girlfriend has a Buddy 125) and wanted something to take up the canyons or get out on the highway. I added a Ducati GT1000 motorcycle to my bike collection. The scooter and cycle really complement each other. My biggest problem is the reduced mileage that my bicycle are seeing and making conyon climbs on my bicycle more difficult.
Enjoy the BMW and the Buddy.
Heh, you're me, except I bought the Buddy 125 after the GT. I originally bought the GT to "supplement" my Mojito 50. What color GT did you get and are you on the Ducati MS board?
Congrats on the BMW moo juice. I saw one of the cruisers a few days ago. Big bike. That's what I like about motorcycles though. You were drawn to a cruiser, I was drawn to a retro sport bike, others are drawn to pure sport bikes while others love Harleys. The variety is what it's all about. If I had the space I'd seriously consider adding a 1200GS or an F650 to my "stable" but, for now, 2 bikes is enough. Hell, I'd also consider a Triumph Tiger and a Ducati Hypermotard but I digress. I spent most of yesterday on my GT and loved every minute of it.
I don't get maxi scooters. The biggest scoot I'd ever consider would be a GTS, which I think I'd ride all the time and pretty much everywhere. If I was into touring, I might actually prefer a Burgman 650 to a touring bike but I'm seriously not into touring.
Andy
2006 Buddy 125 (orange), going to a good MB home
2009 Vespa 250 GTS (black)
2012 Triumph Tiger 800 (black)
2008 Ducati Hypermotard S, traded for Tiger 800
Not hate, envy. I'm not a huge fan of most MCs, but this is one I'd definitely consider. Beautiful bike! The BMWs just have an elegance that seems to be missing from most comparable bikes on the market these days.
gt1000 wrote:I don't get maxi scooters. The biggest scoot I'd ever consider would be a GTS, which I think I'd ride all the time and pretty much everywhere. If I was into touring, I might actually prefer a Burgman 650 to a touring bike but I'm seriously not into touring.
How about a GTS 400ie? Piaggio just announced an MP3 400 (very tempting as a touring scoot) and there are rumors that the same engine may go into a GTS next year. MP3 wins in terms storage, passenger comfort and stability and it's crazy fun to ride, but the GTS is the only modern scoot that I truly lust for [edit: aside from those I already own of course!].
Last edited by ericalm on Wed Jun 27, 2007 6:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
Thanks for the compliments on the bike. It looks even better in person IMHO. It seems to be a polarizing styling - either you like it or you think it is absurd. The trip was outstanding.
Keys
PostPosted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 6:05 pm Post subject:
Hmm. I take MY Buddy out in the desert and in the mountains...
Real men don't ride big wheels...
Real men don't start sentences with "Real men don't....". Oh wait.
Actually Keys, I haven't ever tried riding the Bud in the mountains around here. All of the canyons heading east out of SLC are fairly steep and long. Just riding up city hills, the Bud crawls to about 35-40 MPH. I weigh about 175. I would get eaten alive in Parley's Canyon if know the area.
Moo Juice wrote:Thanks for the compliments on the bike. It looks even better in person IMHO. It seems to be a polarizing styling - either you like it or you think it is absurd.
Really? I think all BMW bikes are perrty - even the sport bikes. Now that tank looks huge - it holds like 40 gallons right?
But seriously, nobody styles bikes as nice as BMW.
How about a GTS 400ie? Piaggio just announced an MP3 400 (very tempting as a touring scoot) and there are rumors that the same engine may go into a GTS next year. MP3 wins in terms storage, passenger comfort and stability and it's crazy fun to ride, but the GTS is the only modern scoot that I truly lust for [edit: aside from those I already own of course!].
Uh, yeah. That would work. It's not engine size I'm opposed to, it's bike size. The GTS, GTV, GT-60 are as big as I'd want my scooter. I did look at an MP-3 on my last trip to the dealer and it's pretty amazing. I'm planning on taking a little test ride sometime in July.
I too lust for the GTS. I love the look of the GTV and GT-60 but can't justify the price difference for an everyday ride, especially when I think the GTS seat just may be comfier. Whatever the look, these are true, do anything bikes, at least on paved roads. I will own one some day.
Andy
2006 Buddy 125 (orange), going to a good MB home
2009 Vespa 250 GTS (black)
2012 Triumph Tiger 800 (black)
2008 Ducati Hypermotard S, traded for Tiger 800
Nice, ScooterDave. The classic R bikes as the best. I would love to have an R26 or an R50 from the '50s but the prices are really climbing. Maybe someday.
