Modern Buddy

Hi,

Total newbie here. I've been lurking for a bit. I've started shopping and the Buddy 125 is on my list but I have one concern. My feet don't fit completely flat on the floor board. They fit but just not flat. I'm sure I'm not the only one with this problem so I was wondering how others compensate or if it just doesn't bother them. I'm female, 5'6" and wear a size 10 shoe. I know lots of guys ride the Buddy & most have bigger feet than I do. I'm concerned since I'm new & most shops don't allow test drives. Seems like I would be more comfortable and feel safer with a little more room.

Any thoughts/comments on how others feel &/or compensate for this would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

To be honest I don't think I ever actually ride with my feet flat. I have more of an athletic posture. My feet are further forward with toes and ball of my foot up against the front of the scooter. Sometimes one foot forward, one back. It varies. Sitting on a scooter is not a static experience. You move with the motion of the ride.

But I can put my feet flat (size 11). Even with passenger foot pegs installed.


PS Welcome to MB! Good first post.

Skootz Kabootz wrote:To be honest I don't think I ever actually ride with my feet flat. I have more of an athletic posture. My feet are further forward with toes and ball of my foot up against the front of the scooter. Sometimes one foot forward, one back. It varies. Sitting on a scooter is not a static experience. You move with the motion of the ride.

But I can put my feet flat (size 11). Even with passenger foot pegs installed.


PS Welcome to MB! Good first post.

I do that too- put them super far forward. I also cross them at the ankles sometimes. And, before I got my backpack, I had a duffel bag that I had to carry on the floorboard- I got used to riding with my feet high back on the silver passenger foot grip things, and that was fine, too (if you dont mind riding with your knees out some)

Honestly, I have kind of restless legs, so I change my position semi-frequently. But I am 5'4" with 9.5 shoe. I think you'll be okay

Ah, the eternal foot/leg length problem. Think I started a "highway pegs?" thread in 2008 about this very thing.

The only real fix is highway pegs. I've had pegs on another scoot (Z125), and the comfort level is fantastic.

Someone was looking into having them made for the Buddy not long ago, IIRC, to sell for about $125...think he was trying to begin production about November (?)...

On every scooter I've ever owned, I have to put my feet forward. It's completely normal, and you'll get used to seeing road flying just under your shoes after a few rides.

I had the same thought about the floor not being "big enough" at first, but I haven't had a problem. I move my feet around depending on circumstances, especially on long rides. More often than not, I put my feet on the fake-metal grips on the sides, which is a little better for riding on bumpy roads

I'm 6'3" — 205lbs — size 14 shoe. I fit just fine, granted not too much room to move my feet around but comfortable nonetheless. I sit all the way back on my seat and it's a pretty comfortable ride, plenty of room. Even though your shop doesn't offer test rides why not have them pull one out on the center stand, sit on it and see how your feet fit. move them around a bit and get an idea of how it'll feel?

Jenetic wrote:Hi,

Total newbie here. I've been lurking for a bit. I've started shopping and the Buddy 125 is on my list but I have one concern. My feet don't fit completely flat on the floor board. They fit but just not flat. I'm sure I'm not the only one with this problem so I was wondering how others compensate or if it just doesn't bother them. I'm female, 5'6" and wear a size 10 shoe. I know lots of guys ride the Buddy & most have bigger feet than I do. I'm concerned since I'm new & most shops don't allow test drives. Seems like I would be more comfortable and feel safer with a little more room.

Any thoughts/comments on how others feel &/or compensate for this would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

Same here i'm a size 13W and they don't fit but after driving it for a week I was fine with it.

redhandmoto wrote:Ah, the eternal foot/leg length problem. Think I started a "highway pegs?" thread in 2008 about this very thing.

The only real fix is highway pegs. I've had pegs on another scoot (Z125), and the comfort level is fantastic.

Someone was looking into having them made for the Buddy not long ago, IIRC, to sell for about $125...think he was trying to begin production about November (?)...

This seems drastic to me. I just move my legs- there are at least 4 different positions I can have my legs in, that keeps them happy. If you are so big/long legged that your ONLY solution, literally, for comfort are highway pegs, maybe you should get a small cycle rather than a scooter.

Or a MUCH bigger scooter.

LunaP wrote:

This seems drastic to me. I just move my legs- there are at least 4 different positions I can have my legs in, that keeps them happy. If you are so big/long legged that your ONLY solution, literally, for comfort are highway pegs, maybe you should get a small cycle rather than a scooter.

Or a MUCH bigger scooter.[/quote])

It is drastic, by jingo, but it feels great - for me. There's just some people for whom pegs put the feet out in comfortable array, especially on those long rides.

Motorcycles? Nah; had 'em big & small...had big scoots, too....with highway pegs.

Not a giant here, by any means: 32" inseam & size 10.5 feet...just a matter of individual differences, I guess...

redhandmoto wrote:

LunaP wrote:

This seems drastic to me. I just move my legs- there are at least 4 different positions I can have my legs in, that keeps them happy. If you are so big/long legged that your ONLY solution, literally, for comfort are highway pegs, maybe you should get a small cycle rather than a scooter.

Or a MUCH bigger scooter.

It is drastic, by jingo, but it feels great - for me. There's just some people for whom pegs put the feet out in comfortable array, especially on those long rides.

Motorcycles? Nah; had 'em big & small...had big scoots, too....with highway pegs.

Not a giant here, by any means: 32" inseam & size 10.5 feet...just a matter of individual differences, I guess...

Haha sorry- the way you worded it at first kind of came off as (to me) "everybody might need these to truly be comfy".

They definitely are a neato option though- and I imagine, like my footpegs, they also protect the bike well on a fall. Except not anywhere as cheap to replace $_$

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm going to do more shopping this weekend. I don't have this concern on the Piaggio Fly or the Vespas but I don't know if I want to spring for the Vespa being that this is my first scoot.

Off to the DMV to get my permit. Wish me luck!

^^^ Good luck! Let us know how it goes

LunaP wrote:

Haha sorry- the way you worded it at first kind of came off as (to me) "everybody might need these to truly be comfy".

They definitely are a neato option though- and I imagine, like my footpegs, they also protect the bike well on a fall. Except not anywhere as cheap to replace $_$[/quote]

Oh, no, foot-pego-mania may just be me and maybe three other people, worldwide. I re-read my first post, and you're right: it sounds like I think everybody needs them.

If I'm still on topic here (and apologies for the thread hijack if not), there's perhaps a very small number of people who are just happier with full-leg extension and room for a little lateral knee movement.

Pegs don't seem to have caught on in Europe or Asia...

I'm good to go! Permit in hand. It did take two tests but I got it! The questions are not written that well and there are occasionally pictures that are poorly drawn to add to ones confusion in case anyone is going for their written M1 in CA soon.

I'm going to check out more scoots this weekend and hope to make a decision soon. Tried on some gear today. So much to learn.

Thanks for the awesome resource Eric & everyone. You gals & guys are fantastic!

It's just a matter of getting used to. I have size 12 feets and have had no problem with foot position on my Buddy. As previously mentioned, there are quite a few positions available: both front, both back, left front/right back, right front/left back, feet crossed - first one in front, then the other, feet way back on the passenger pegs, toes pointing way out, toes pointing way in. As you can see, there are many options.

I have taken some very long rides and have used all the above and more.

Howard