Modern Buddy

Hey, the Genuine Rattler is now 110cc's of 2-stroke power.
A very unusual setup for this country, but I hear it actually passes emissions tests... (Outside of CA, that is...)

Anyone here got one? How does it perform? Is the higher seating position comfortable?

Thankz,

I haven't ridden on it, but did sit on one at the dealer, seating felt comfortable to me but very different foot position from the Buddy. I liked it and would have seriously considered it for purchase had it been available last year when I bought the Buddy.

SethXYL (at Metro Scooter and a member here at MB) has ridden it, says it's a blast. He fired it up for me on the showroom floor (after opening a nearby door for air). Sounds very cool.

I've got one right now. In brief:

- It really leaps off the line.

- The seating position is strange, but the front footrests are kind of cool.

- The gas tank is small, and a little more susceptible to overfill issues with the evaporative emissions stuff.

Want to know more? Check out the next issue of ScooterWorld magazine.

lobsterman wrote:I haven't ridden on it, but did sit on one at the dealer

Yeah, I saw a picture of one.

I've ridden them, they're awesome! If you're considering one you should just do it... They fly off the line faster than buddies and have some very unique styling. The gas powered rear shock is awesome. The motorcycle handlebars are awesome. The riding position is awesome. The rattler is rad, go get one.

the 2 stroke sounds really cool. I rode one before I bought my buddy. quick and fun. Very neat ride

I test rode it at Amerivespa, and it was really fun!! I liked the putt-putt... Seat was odd, and too tall for 5'0" me. I'd get it cut down anyway. Not in the budget, but it would be an awesome city bike!

maryvu

I got to ride one today at Motorsports' Anniversary. Good news, it is available in CA. It has a catalytic converter.

It isn't a very good comparison between the Buddy and the Rattler. They are complete different scooters. But if you insist:

Tires are wider than the Buddy,
Ride was harsher than the Buddy but it is what you expect for a combo street/off-road bike.
Acceleration is better than...
Cornering is better than...
Handling overall is worse than...
Quieter than...
Seating position is taller than the Buddy and is awkward but comfortable.
Nice aggressive look.
Engine sounds very unique.

Overall, a very cool ride though.

I took my friend to look at scoots and she loved the 110 Rattler and bought it. So far so good. She loves it. I have ridden it a few times and it really sits different. But I like it. I also love the way you can put your feet so they can hang out the front kinda like highway pegs. I also like the digital speedo. What a great idea but they should have put a clock on it. It really shines up great at night which is a huge downfall on some scoots. The handle bars are very cool also. I like them because they are not all covered in cheap looking plastic. The black wheels are very nice looking along with the lower profile wide tires. The only downfall I noticed is the rear turn signals as one is loose. It looks like if someone tightens the bolt to tight it pulls the shaft out of the plastic and lets it wobble. Even my Big Max has flexable rubber mounted rear signals. Time will tell on how it does but looks good so far.

Pcbikedude.

You stated "overall handling is worse than..."

Please elaborate.

Thanks,
--Keys

After riding my friends buck ten. I do not think it handles worse than. Seems to me it sits a lot higher than a buddy so you turn the wheel less and just lean around turns even at slow speeds. You can use your body weight a little better. Would'nt that make it handle better or sportier. Where as the buddy you have to turn the wheel and then also lean into the turn which is actually doing a couple things instead of one. Just pondering!

Sorry Keys. I was kind of tired last night and was trying to save a little typing. Then "than..." statement was just comparing the Rattler with the Buddy.

When I stated that the handling is worse than the Buddy, the ride is rougher, turning is not a competent feeling, and doesn't have the top end power to climb (street) hills.

Further eloboration, I took this scooter on a very rough residential road. I felt every little bump and it made the ride very nervous. Next, the Buddy has a lower center of the gravity and weighs more than the Rattler. In cornering this gives the Buddy a feeling of gripping the road tighter. You feel like you can lean harder on the Buddy in turns. Finally, I climbed a short not very steep hill. The Rattler hit the top end of the throttle. The Buddy had plenty more left.

That doesn't make the Rattler a bad bike. Quite the contrary. It's just different from the Buddy. If you are looking for the Rattler to ride and handle like a Buddy, get a Buddy. If you want a sportier anc cool looking bike, buy the Rattler.

Mind you this is only based on a short 5 min ride. This is only one old guy's personal opinion. I like the tame scooter ride that the Buddy, Vespas, and Kymcos give you.

Haven't ridden one, but I have sat on one at the dealer. Didn't like the riding position at all, and taking it off the stand and putting both feet down was awkward. The floorboard is wide and shallow. Not good for my 30" inseam or size 12 boots. Also not fond of the instrument panel.

But, there is a place for this scoot and I can see its appeal for some riders. Just not for me... at all...

I rode one at Mo'sports' bash myself, and was duly impressed. I own an ET-4, and a GTS250ie (with an out of warranty broken waterpump right now....6000 miles) and I was HOPING for a CA legal Stella. Those are easily several months if not longer, off I'm told.

Anyway, I liked it so much, I bought one! RED. I'd always pined for a Zuma, but 50cc doesn't really cut it for me. Plus the 2 year warranty (I'm warranty vulnerable right now....my GTS250ie)

It DOES leap off the line, and the suspension will be great on the sun wreaked, pothole infested roads in town here in sunny Temecula. The off-roadiness of it was appealing, as there is lots of gravel and sandy shoulders around here. The floorboards are a few inches HIGHER than either of my Vespas, which will take some getting used to. But in the end, for 2600 bucks, I think it's a lot of "casual use" (in town, carefree, just scootin' type use) scooter.

Time will tell. I'm jonesing to ride it!

Let us hear more as you put some more miles on it. Good looking bike.

I've been looking at getting one of these for camping trips. My friends and I camp on family-owned property about 2 hours away, and I would love to be able to just bungee on a weekend's worth of gear and scoot down there, dirt roads and all. Then, be able to hit the trails (nothing major) and have fun at the same time.

I got to repair one at the Scooter shop where I work. The back end was all messed up becaused the customer wheelied it over taking off at full throttle. I guess that says something about the power of the little beast.

Stampede wrote:...the customer wheelied it over taking off at full throttle. I guess that says something about the power of the little beast.

Wow, you really think they weren't trying to do a wheelie?