New to the scooter world! And extremely excited!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 7:08 pm

Hello everyone!
My name is Ali, I am from upstate NY (Saratoga area) and I just recently purchased a 2012 Buddy 170i. I am currently going insane waiting for it to arrive at my local dealer's location (Anca's/Schenectady Vespa), according to the wonderful guy that runs the dealership, Peter, it should be here around next Wednesday. I plan on having my boyfriend drive it home (we only live about 8-10 miles up a 40mph stop & go road).
Now, since I am new to the world of scooters, and am interested in maintaining my warranty for the next two years, I would like to know what the recommended break in procedure/period is for the 170i. I checked out the links for the service manuals and such, but there isn't much for the 170i, which I figured, since it's a new model.
I welcome any information that any of you would like to share regarding my new Buddy and Genuine in general, all is appreciated, and I'm sure will be very helpful!
Thank you all, have a wonderful day!

mrandmrslindholm · Post by **mrandmrslindholm** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 8:27 pm

Welcome to the world of scooters, Ali. As a new scooterist myself, I think you will find this forum extremely helpful. I have found so many wonderful bits of information on here. Congrats on the new (soon to be scoot) and have fun riding. What color did you get?

mhardgrove · Post by **mhardgrove** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 9:44 pm

Welcome to the forum and enjoy your scooter!

Post by **ericalm** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 10:14 pm

Congrats and welcome to the forum!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 10:57 pm

I got it the Zephyr Silver. It was really a toss between the BlackJack they had and ordering a new 170i, I really liked the BlackJack, but I would rather have something with a little more beef, that I wouldn't feel too bad customizing a little bit. Also, a fuel injected motor is a little more appealing than a carbureted one, at least up in the wonderful weather we have in this area.
I plan on riding it to and from work, my parents' houses, and on local day-trip type rides around the area with my boyfriend (there are a lot of nice scenic lakeside roads around here, for those who don't know the area). He has a 2009 Sportster, obviously I won't exactly be able to keep up with him on main roads, and I wouldn't consider riding my scooter on the interstates, so on longer trips I will be riding on the back of his bike as opposed to the front of my own

)

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 10:59 pm

AWinn6889 wrote:I am (...) waiting for it to arrive at my local dealer's

Welcome to scootering! The enthusiasm of new owners is what keeps this site vital and fun.

Have you ridden a scooter before?

MYSCTR · Post by **MYSCTR** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:20 pm

Welcome to the addiction!

Try the link below for what had got to be the best in scooter rides in your area! We loved it up there. Yes - these routes are for cyclists, yet you can take some awseome scooter day trips too when you are comforteable on your new scooter!

http://www.ilovethefingerlakes.com/recr ... ouring.htm

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:24 pm

I have ridden dirt bikes, four wheelers, and a few small motorcycles before.. but the closest thing that I can compare is a moped that I rented on Martha's Vineyard a few years back. My family has a small house there, and we usually only ferry one car with us (my dad's minivan... er.. silver bullet.), so my stepsister and I decided to get save a little more cash than usual for the trip and rent from a friend on-island, so that we didn't have to tag along everywhere with our wonderfully embarrassing parents.
Now I do know about the feelings about, and the differences between a moped and a scooter, and I can definitely appreciate them as totally different vehicles. While the moped was fun, and on MV, a very practical method of transportation, it would hardly be adequate in the area that I live in now.
BUT I didn't really want a motorcycle, I loved my dad's big bikes growing up, and I love my bf's Sporty that he got earlier this year, but I just don't see myself riding one around, it's just not my style. I love the look of scooters, and to me, they are just much more practical. I don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on saddle bags or big rear-rack bags to add storage because I have plenty under my seat. I do plan on getting black front (fold up) and rear racks for the Buddy from Scooterworks, but not really for everyday use. If we go on a long trip, or even a weekend trip, I would do just fine carrying the small things with me, and leaving the bigger, heavier things to the bf's beefy Harley. AND I still get that great wind-in-the-face sense of freedom!
Thank you all for the wonderful welcome, like I said, I am very excited, and going crazy waiting for my new scoot to arrive, and I can't wait to actually join such a wonderful community (The VW community is great, but a lot of them, at least in this area and CT, are horrified by motorcycles and scooters!) and join my new friend Peter for the local scooter get togethers!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:30 pm

Thanks for the link MYSCTR, I actually went to college in Rochester, and spent a fair amount of time in the finger lakes region. It really is beautiful, and maybe someday I will take a trip out there on the scoot!

I was wondering too, does anyone have a template for seat covers? I am good at sewing, and I know perfectly well how to create a template without tearing apart my seat, but if there is already one floating around out there I would happily use it to create my own, and possibly more for those interested!

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:37 pm

Congrats on the new scooter!! As for long distance riding, why not use the Buddy?!?! Plenty of people go multi-state or even multi-country on their scoots. There's two guys from Arizona who just rode from here to CANADA and back on their buddy 125's! And, me and a good friend are planning on riding to the Amerivespa rally this summer and back cross-country on Stellas. Sure, the 170i doesn't like freeway riding at long terms but the cool roads are OFF the freeways!

I just think the image of you riding alongside a Harley is just too good to pass up. Besides, I think scooter riders have more fun

Now, don't forget to post pics of the new ride!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:55 pm

Funny, I am actually planning on moving to AZ in a couple years once I finish college (once and for all!) The bf and I are actually planning a back-road cross-country trip at some point in the next couple of years, before we move of course, maybe we will do it on our wonderful two-wheel vehicles! I have a feeling my rear will be much happier on my nice squishy scooter seat, instead of my little leather-covered brick on the back of the motorcycle!

I will definitely be posting pictures as soon as I pick it up, maybe pictures of the two of us side by side at some point, so you all can have a few laughs

. Bf has a GoPro and lots of mounts for it, for his (ridiculously modified) VW GTI, the Harley, my VW Gettagon and sky diving(!!) so getting some really nice pictures shouldn't be a problem, we'll just have to throw a friend a couple bucks for gas to drive around with us!

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:08 am

AWinn6889 wrote: He has a 2009 Sportster, obviously I won't exactly be able to keep up with him on main roads....

Don't be so sure of that. I have a Buddy 125 (no mods) and I've had it up to 65mph (72 indicated) on many occassions.

I was behind a motorcycle in the carpool lane coming home on 405 (from Factoria to Renton, for those who know the area) the other day, and got a chuckle out of him continuing to glance back to see if I was still there, as the speed crept up to 65.

Also, my Buddy beats at least 95% of the cagers starting off from a green light.

MYSCTR · Post by **MYSCTR** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:45 am

AWinn6889 wrote:I was wondering too, does anyone have a template for seat covers? I am good at sewing, and I know perfectly well how to create a template without tearing apart my seat, but if there is already one floating around out there I would happily use it to create my own, and possibly more for those interested!

There is a Buddy owner in Plano that makes awesome covers - she made a custom pattern just for the Buddy seat. She had elastic around the whole underseat seam so it just stayed on without any straps or snaps. Seems like like lost her link. We traded seats a while back.

Mtlgrlie · Post by **Mtlgrlie** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 12:46 pm

Hey! Welcome to you and your new scoot!

And we live right outside of Saratoga....

We have a Blackjack and a Pamplona!

I would also love to know what you think of the Vespa shop....they sell genuines in the store or just service them? I need to get my first service and bought mine in Boston.....looking for a trustworthy place.

Happy scooting and see you on the road!

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:11 pm

Welcome!
Once your scooter is broken-in, you will probably dust your bf's Sporty off the line. He'll probably end up getting a scooter after riding yours, I predict!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 3:34 pm

@ Michelle and Tocsik, as far as off the line goes, I'm sure he will probably still beat me, in my experience driving a standard/manual shift car, it's fairly easy to take an automatic, even if it is a smaller car, with a bigger engine, and more lightweight. I drive a 2001.5 VW Gettagon (Jetta wagon with a golf front end), it's a decently heavy car, and only has a 2.0 4-cyl in it; BUT if I am on my way home from work and some ignorant teenager in mommy's Automatic Mini-cooper S tries to race me off the line, I can blow it away in seconds, just because I can shift much faster than the automatic transmission can. We will see though once I get my scoot broken in, I'll keep ya posted on my Buddy vs. Sporty experiences! I don't doubt that I will be able to get it up to 65 (or more) because I'm a pretty small person, and all of the reviews I've read of the 170is seem to have the same consensus, they only had the scooter for a day or two to test it out, and the only person they had on hand at the time was around 6 feet tall, and 220-230 pounds, and they got it up to about 60-65. I am a foot shorter and 80-100 pounds lighter (depending on what time of year it is!), but when my bf decides he wants to be a big funny jerk, and takes off out of nowhere going up to 80, I have a feeling I will be left in his dust.
@Tocsik, he saw your post, said no way lol in a friend of ours words, "You (bf) would look like a gorilla on a unicycle!"

@MYSCTR, I did see a link on another thread to a website run by a girl making custom seat covers in that area, but it said in big letters across the top "CLOSED", the explanation below was that she doesn't have the time to make them anymore. I planned on doing the same basic thing though, heavy duty elastic around the under seat seams to keep the fabric taut and secure without having to use velcro or snaps of any sort, well, maybe a little velcro, I just like the sound it makes

. We'll see though, I have to experiment with my own a bit before I can really decide to start making these for other people.

@Mtlgrlie, Nice to meet someone in the area! The Vespa place, Peter, his dad and his brother are great guys. I bought my Buddy from them, and they usually only have one or two in stock at a time, but they are happy to order one for you if they don't have what you're looking for. They definitely service the scooters there! I know the main business is about rebuilding various parts of cars and such, but they take good care of their scooter customers as well. Actually, the first Buddy I sat on there was one that a customer brought in for service, it was an Italia. Then I went back a couple weeks later to take a look at the BlackJack Peter got in, it was ordered for someone else in Rotterdam who has since not come to actually purchase it, so I was offered the chance to take that one home with me for a slightly lower price than the 170i. I actually live in Burnt Hills, a wee bit south of Saratoga, and I was in downtown last night for dinner, can't wait for track season to be over! Less crazy tourists on the roads!

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 3:57 pm

Welcome to the scooter world.

As far as breaking it in? Make sure to go easy on the throttle the first 50-100 miles, just like any other new motor. The big deal is make sure you do the first oil change early, just like genuine suggests. They do shed some metal in the first couple of hundred miles (far less than the boyfriends sporty

). And, its important to do the first oil and filter change.

Other than that? Ride and have fun

I think you will be pleasantly suprised as far as being able to ride with the sporty. Yes, he will have more top-end than you and on the big hi-ways he will run away if he wants to. Around town and back roads you guys will TOTALLY be able to ride together.

Enjoy, and stay enthusiastic!!! Its a blast!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:47 pm

Thank you so much Viney. I really appreciate the tips all of you have been giving me, it's making me even more excited to get my new scooter on the road!

I'm thinking a cool sugar-skull fabric for the seat, should be easy to find since El Dia De Los Muertos and Halloween are coming soon, any thoughts? What did you use for your custom seat covers?

chloefpuff · Post by **chloefpuff** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:48 pm

Just had my Buddy out on a ride in the country and since the road was long, straight, and flat, I decided to push her to see what she could do. (I generally just commute around town with her.). Yup, she can do 65 mph. I was a little pink blur blowing past the farms and cows.

Now on your Blur, I think you'd leave me in the dust.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:59 pm

I'm getting a Buddy 170i, not a Blur... but I'm sure with the little bit of extra engine and the fuel injection it may be a wee bit faster than your 125, or 150 (not sure which the pink ones came in).
Thanks though, it's nice to get info from people who have everyday-first-hand experience!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:43 pm

Just thought of another question, I am looking at options for rear racks for the 170i, will the ones sold for the 150 fit?

I'm still on the fence about a front rack, depends if this has the little perforated circles on the front faring like the BlackJack I checked out.. I would definitely want a front rack if it does.

I was looking at these from scooterworks:
http://www.scooterworks.com/Buddy-Foldi ... 2C383.aspx

http://www.scooterworks.com/Rear-Rack-B ... 7C386.aspx

jeff from pa · Post by **jeff from pa** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:52 pm

From what I understand the rear racks will work. And the front rack also works--The holes are not visible from the outside like on the Black Jack. They are "perforated" on the inside.

MYSCTR · Post by **MYSCTR** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:45 pm

[quote="AWinn6889@MYSCTR, I did see a link on another thread to a website run by a girl making custom seat covers in that area, but it said in big letters across the top "CLOSED", the explanation below was that she doesn't have the time to make them anymore. I planned on doing the same basic thing though, heavy duty elastic around the under seat seams to keep the fabric taut and secure without having to use velcro or snaps of any sort, well, maybe a little velcro, I just like the sound it makes

. We'll see though, I have to experiment with my own a bit before I can really decide to start making these for other people. [/quote]

Sounds like you got the right idea... the gal locally was another that sells under Itsy Finds online yet never had the store at the link you saw. I think that was another. Have to post pictures when done cause it seems quite a few Buddy riders like them and can't get them.

PS - Any add on parts for the 125/150/170 will all work as the Buddy body is the same.

Mtlgrlie · Post by **Mtlgrlie** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:55 pm

I have the front rack on my BJ along with the back rack. The front was much harder than I anticipated with the flat black paint!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 10:04 pm

Great! Thanks everyone!
Thankfully I won't have to worry about the flat black paint on the Silver 170i (one of the other things I thought about, seeing as my bf's flat black helmets seem to show a lot more scuffs and dirt than my gloss pink ones!) and he painted the front of his 97 Jetta with matte black plasti-dip, which also shows dirt and light scrapes much more than my silver Gettagon does.
I figured the body was the same size, but as I haven't gotten to see a 170i yet, I only saw the BlackJack and the Italia, I wasn't completely sure. Thank you for clarifying!
I would say give me a couple weeks to get the whole seat thing together, I do still have work and school on my plate, and I'm not sure if the sewing machine we found in the storage area under our stairs works yet, if it doesn't I have to borrow my mom's

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 10:09 pm

These are some fabrics that I found online, that should be at my local fabric store:

Usually they have a wider selection in-store than they do online, so maybe I'll find something better. Or I may just choose to go with something totally different. I'll have to go to the store to see what they've got, maybe later this week.

pairofscoots · Post by **pairofscoots** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:23 pm

Welcome! You definitely will learn a lot being a member of the forum. We have had our scoots since 2009 and still enjoy them!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:26 pm

Thanks!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 11:36 pm

So my bf just discovered this lovely little jewel. How to get green lights to recognize you on a scooter or motorcycle, without a hassle... or a "green light box".

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-trigg ... een-78256/

Meresankh · Post by **Meresankh** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 12:13 am

AWinn6889 wrote:I don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on saddle bags or big rear-rack bags to add storage because I have plenty under my seat.

That made me laugh, because that's how it starts. You think you're fine with the space available under the seat until you realize you need that space to carry things like your scooter cover, your heat-reflecting seat cover, some bungees, a bungee net, your scooter locks, a couple of compact fold-up shopping bags, a spare face shield, a small took kit, and a first aid kit at all times. After you get all that in there, there's no room for a purse, or groceries, or stuff from Target. So, then you need a topcase, one with lights that wire into the brake system is nice. And it needs to be big enough to hold a FF helmet, in case you want to lock the helmet up in the bike. And then you realize that saddle bags would be awesome for... You get the idea. Then there's all the customization and bling to make your scoot uniquely yours. Then there's all the gear for you to wear, and...

See, they sell you the scooter by telling you it will save you a ton of money. What they don't tell you is that you're going to spend all that saved money on the scooter anyway.

Anyway, welcome to the wonderful world of scootering and to ModernBuddy!

BTW, all those fabrics you posted are pretty cool. The first one is my favorite. Definitely post pics of your seat cover after you get it done.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 12:46 am

I actually already have all of the gear. I've been riding motorcycles and offroad vehicles since I can remember. I think I have 6 helmets right now actually, and two jackets, a couple pairs of goggles/glasses, a few pairs of gloves and liners, boots, and a small First Aid kit, and toolkit... While I don't really plan on using the scoot for shopping much, I do already have a pretty large rear-rack/sissy bar bag from motorcycle-superstore that the bf and I share.

The roll bag on top is detachable... so if I get a front rack, I can put the little one on the front, and the big one on the back. The little one could fit any small necessities, a few water bottles, some granola bars and snacks or whatever, and the big one can fit a FF helmet and tons of other stuff (though, I would probably make him take the big bag anyway if we were going somewhere together).
Plus, I have a really nice backpack (with lots of fun reflective stuff!) that can easily fit my helmet, purse, mass amount of keys, and anything else I may need to carry.
We don't usually do any big time grocery shopping because it's just the two of us and our dogs, so I could easily carry what we usually buy in my backpack or on a rear rack with a milk crate and my bungee net... but if we do go all sorts of crazy, say, for something we would have a lot of people over for, like a BBQ or a party, I have a 'Wagen for that!

I liked the first fabric best too, it's a little more subtle than the other two... BUT I found that things with lines in the pattern, whether implied or not, can get very frustrating! In the spring I helped do a headliner in our crappy old beater Jetta (it looked like the previous owner threw a cup of coffee at the roof..?) and after our first attempt, we found another fabric with no lines, just skulls and crossbones strewn about somewhat randomly. Anyway, I still want to stop by JoAnn's and see what they have, and maybe a couple other local fabric places in the area. They are all within a couple miles of my job, so someday soon when I'm not spending my free time pumping water out of our first floor studio, laundry, and guest room (gosh darn Irene... and this 5 day long "heavy at times" rain storm!!), I will get right on that!

These were a couple others I was thinking of...

I also plan on using one of these, maybe the same that I use for my seat (so they match!), to do the headliner in my wagon, which is also silver and black.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 12:53 am

Hello and welcome Ali! I know you posted on my "Buddy 170 for sale" thread but I missed this one until now! Welcome and keep us updated on your scooting and "decorating". The 170 is a fun scooter and I expect you will enjoy it greatly! God bless!

P.S.--Bag-wise, for short trips, this thing ROCKS for a scooter!

http://www.lapolicegear.com/tabaoutbag.html

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:48 am

AWinn6889 wrote:So my bf just discovered this lovely little jewel. How to get green lights to recognize you on a scooter or motorcycle, without a hassle... or a "green light box".

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-trigg ... een-78256/

We have a FAQ for that! viewtopic.php?p=247000#247000

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:00 am

pugbuddy wrote:Hello and welcome Ali! I know you posted on my "Buddy 170 for sale" thread but I missed this one until now! Welcome and keep us updated on your scooting and "decorating". The 170 is a fun scooter and I expect you will enjoy it greatly! God bless!

P.S.--Bag-wise, for short trips, this thing ROCKS for a scooter!

http://www.lapolicegear.com/tabaoutbag.html

Awesome, I will have to look into that, $20 +shipping doesn't seem too terrible either!

ericalm wrote: We have a FAQ for that!

I don't think, out of all of the threads and things I have been lurking on, that I have even checked out the FAQ yet! I will have to do that now-ish.. while the carpets and furniture are drying downstairs. Thanks!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:48 pm

Good news! I got my motorcycle permit today!
Haven't heard yet about the arrival of my Buddy... I asked Peter (Schenectady Vespa) a couple days ago what the ETA would be, and he said he would contact his regional rep... no news back yet. It's getting a bit annoying, but oh well, good things come to those who wait right?

Meresankh · Post by **Meresankh** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 12:30 am

Congrats on the M-class!

And, yes, good things come to those who wait. Trust me, if patience is a virtue, it's the only one I've got.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:46 am

AWinn6889 wrote:
pugbuddy wrote:Hello and welcome Ali! I know you posted on my "Buddy 170 for sale" thread but I missed this one until now! Welcome and keep us updated on your scooting and "decorating". The 170 is a fun scooter and I expect you will enjoy it greatly! God bless!

P.S.--Bag-wise, for short trips, this thing ROCKS for a scooter!

http://www.lapolicegear.com/tabaoutbag.html
Awesome, I will have to look into that, $20 +shipping doesn't seem too terrible either!

ericalm wrote: We have a FAQ for that!

I don't think, out of all of the threads and things I have been lurking on, that I have even checked out the FAQ yet! I will have to do that now-ish.. while the carpets and furniture are drying downstairs. Thanks!

Shipping and Handling is $10 so be prepared. But it's worth it!

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 3:20 am

Tactical Bail-Out Bag: the (no, not really) Official Bag of ModernBuddy !!!

I love mine, but I need either a slightly bigger bag like the Jumbo, or a slightly smaller laptop. I can work it in there, but it's reeeealy tight. Maybe if I removed one of the zipper pulls....?

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 8:09 am

AWinn6889 wrote:@ Michelle and Tocsik, as far as off the line goes, I'm sure he will probably still beat me, in my experience driving a standard/manual shift car, it's fairly easy to take an automatic,...

Yep, that's obvious...kinda goes without saying....I merely meant that we here on the forum have a pride in our scooters as they are darned spunky....as well as fun, reliable, etc, etc.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:28 pm

michelle_7728 wrote: Yep, that's obvious...kinda goes without saying....I merely meant that we here on the forum have a pride in our scooters as they are darned spunky....as well as fun, reliable, etc, etc.

Well I'm glad to hear about how spunky they are! I still haven't gotten mine yet, soon I hope!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 5:41 pm

Well I've gotten my "small motorcycle" cover, and my rear rack and bungee net are on their way!
Still waiting on the most important part though, the scooter!
Peter "the Vespa Guy", from Anca's contacted his regional rep and is awaiting reply on the shipment status of my Buddy... hopefully I will know by tomorrow when it should be here!
Hoping sometime within the next couple of days though, as the estimated 1-1.5 weeks for arrival will be up tomorrow and the weather here is supposed to be nice for the next week and a half-ish (minus one day of possible stray thunderstorms), and I would like to get some riding in before it starts getting too cold!

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 5:51 pm

AWinn6889 wrote: would like to get some riding in before it starts getting too cold!

You could always ride all winter long, as long as there's no snow and/or ice on the roads.
Many of us do......

Tenchi · Post by **Tenchi** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:00 pm

I was originally from Rochester, MA, but live in California, and I took my wife on a trip to MA and rented moped there to see the sights. Nice place. Hope to go back some time.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:23 pm

KABarash wrote:You could always ride all winter long, as long as there's no snow and/or ice on the roads.
Many of us do......

I really don't plan on putting it away until the first snow fall... which can either be before Halloween, or not until Christmas.
But, where I live in NY, there is pretty much always snow/ice/slush on the roads in winter. I will definitely be taking it out for a short trip here or there to keep it in good running condition, but I don't plan on driving it to work or classes. It is very common here to have sudden and unexpected lake-effect snow squalls and whiteouts, which are not exactly ideal riding conditions.
Last I saw, you said you were in PA, and I totally commend you for riding in the winter, as I know how cold and crappy it gets here in the wonderful northeast.
Unfortunately I have a rare blood disorder in addition to "Reynaud's syndrome," which both make it very easy for the blood vessels my hands and feet to freeze, and I mean REALLY freeze, like crystallized blood stuck in frozen capillaries freeze. No matter what I do or how many layers I put on when I am skiing or snowboarding, they ALWAYS do this, I've tried everything that my doctors and family that are nurses/practitioners have suggested. It is very painful, and can very quickly lead to frostbite and necrosis. I usually have to go inside frequently or put my hands in my jacket against my chest to keep them warm (even those little hand/foot warmer packets don't help). So, as much as I would like to ride all year long, I think winter trips that would last more than 10-15 minutes would be out of the question.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:28 pm

Tenchi wrote:I was originally from Rochester, MA, but live in California, and I took my wife on a trip to MA and rented moped there to see the sights. Nice place. Hope to go back some time.

This area is beautiful this time of year, especially as the leaves begin to change... we have one that's starting too look a little orange. My sister has a timeshare in Lee, Mass. and I plan on taking the back roads on the scoot there to visit in a few weeks, and maybe give my nephew a little ride around the parking lot.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 9:31 pm

I have finally received news of my absentee scooter. It should be here in another week/week.5! Because the Z Silver and the BR Green colors are so popular, my local place was only able to get in a couple of the Mocha colored 170s that were ordered at the same as the others. I think Anca's is going to start keeping a few Buddies in stock because they seem to move them quicker than the Vespas and Piaggios.

On another note, I should be getting my black rear rack and bungee net from Scooterworks today! The UPS guy didn't make it to my house before I had to leave for work though, so I will have to check them out when I get home later!

In other news, I just saw a Pink Buddy here at the mall, and a Piaggio MP3 cruised by a couple minutes ago. Good to see a nice upswing in scooter riding in this area!

Another question... Would a 5.5mm disc lock work for a 170?
If not, what should I be looking for?
I do not need anything super fancy as my scooter will be garaged at home when I am not on it anywhere, so I'm not worried about anyone yoinking it from the street over night... Like my car, I will always be parking it in the far corner of the parking lot, which I can easily see from behind the counter of the store where I work. I would just like to lock it up while I am here, or wherever else I may travel... I already have a nice long cable lock. I just don't want any of the teenage mallrats getting any bad ideas!

I was looking at the TriMax 5.5mm, about a third of the way down the page.
http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/scooterlocks

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:24 pm

The Trimax 5.5 is only $12.94 at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W0RQCI

It comes with three keys, a reminder cable, and a nylon pouch. I'm pretty sure the 170i has the same brake disc as the 150s. Only the Blackjack has the NCY disc.

I got mine a few weeks ago and love it. I opted for a non-alarmed disc lock plus the Gorilla 8007, which adds tilt and power sensors to the shock sensor like on the Xena.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:57 pm

PeteH wrote:The Trimax 5.5 is only $12.94 at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W0RQCI

I got mine a few weeks ago and love it. I opted for a non-alarmed disc lock plus the Gorilla 8007, which adds tilt and power sensors to the shock sensor like on the Xena.

Thanks for the link and the info. Very much appreciated!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 1:51 am

Rear rack, bungee net, free Genuine keychain and a box of grape heads!
Scooterworks is pretty awesome! UPS, not so much, the box was pretty banged up. When I worked at FedEx boxes in such condition were sent to QC and repackaged before they were taken to their destination!

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 5:34 am

AWinn6889 wrote:
KABarash wrote:You could always ride all winter long, as long as there's no snow and/or ice on the roads.
Many of us do......
I really don't plan on putting it away until the first snow fall... which can either be before Halloween, or not until Christmas.
But, where I live in NY, there is pretty much always snow/ice/slush on the roads in winter. I will definitely be taking it out for a short trip here or there to keep it in good running condition, but I don't plan on driving it to work or classes. It is very common here to have sudden and unexpected lake-effect snow squalls and whiteouts, which are not exactly ideal riding conditions.
Last I saw, you said you were in PA, and I totally commend you for riding in the winter, as I know how cold and crappy it gets here in the wonderful northeast.
Unfortunately I have a rare blood disorder in addition to "Reynaud's syndrome," which both make it very easy for the blood vessels my hands and feet to freeze, and I mean REALLY freeze, like crystallized blood stuck in frozen capillaries freeze. No matter what I do or how many layers I put on when I am skiing or snowboarding, they ALWAYS do this, I've tried everything that my doctors and family that are nurses/practitioners have suggested. It is very painful, and can very quickly lead to frostbite and necrosis. I usually have to go inside frequently or put my hands in my jacket against my chest to keep them warm (even those little hand/foot warmer packets don't help). So, as much as I would like to ride all year long, I think winter trips that would last more than 10-15 minutes would be out of the question.

Yeah, I'm near Harrisburg.
I grew up on the ocean on Long Island, spent 2 years in the Adirondacks, on Cranberry Lake, where -20* in February was considered a warm day. I have spent the last 30 years working out doors as a Land Surveyor. I too suffer from Reynauds and have suffered severe frost bite too many times to mention. (I've even fought with the Docs to keep toes that should have been amputated due to frostbite) I know how uncomfortable it could be, even now sitting in my room where it is almost 80* my hands and toes are cold !
Because of this I have no feeling in my fingertips, but it sure makes cooking simpler, I don't need hot pads to get stuff out of the oven!

I've learned to dress for the cold, when it's hot out there's just so much to take off!

Wool is my secrete, wool socks, wool gloves, wool sweaters, wool hats, (wool skivvies.....) Man made fibers just DON'T CUT IT!

Dress well and ride happy, I ride just because sometimes....
I get a kick out of the looks people give me from their car windows when I'm riding in the cold, as long as there's NO snow and/or ice on the roads.
It's cheaper than medication!!!

Oh, BTW: I just finally looked at a map, Burnt Hills, My daughter lives in Bennington VT not too too far from you.
I remember the morning I went up to visit right after my grandson was born in November four years ago. I walked out of the motel at 0700 it was -20* out, I loved it!!!

Modern Buddy

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