Buddy Basket--what do you use it for, how well does it work?

diane · Post by **diane** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 8:36 pm

my apologies if this topic has already been covered on the forum. i tried using the search function but couldn't find anything specifically relating to my question.

i just got my new buddy 125 and went with the wicker basket option. used it for the first time today. thought it would be perfect for picking up some produce at the local veggie stand. i put an empty canvas bag in the basket which flew out after a few blocks. my husband picked it up and put it in the glovebox of his vespa.

we got the produce stand and filled our bag and put it in the basket. it was sort of flopping around and at one stop sign, i needed to readjust it. sadly, one tomato did not fare too well.

but everything else was mostly okay.

so finally getting to my actual question here--for those of you that have opted for the basket, how do you use it? what have you hauled in it, what was a mistake to carry in it, with the wicker basket specifically, how do you tie items down in it, etc? i'm afraid to put my purse in there for fear things will blow out of it.

just looking for any thoughts, suggestions, advice, etc.

thanks!
-diane

megaterium · Post by **megaterium** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 10:26 pm

Hi Diane, I recently traded the metal basket for the front rack, but the basket was very useful (just liked the look of the front rack better, but everyone has their opinion-my fiance preferred the basket). The metal basket was great for groceries, but I had to be careful to "wrap" them appropriately with the bag-fold it down so the wind could not catch it, or if the groceries were heavy enough (it doesn't take much) just put them in the basket and forget about the bag. The metal one is the perfect size for a 6 pack

I'm pretty sure that's why my fiance misses it.
Personally I wouldn't put my purse in anything other than the under seat storage, I'd be worried about it flying out of the basket.
I moved to KC from STL a few years ago, where do you live? We're getting married in Lafayette Square in a few weeks.

Shellee · Post by **Shellee** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 11:45 pm

How about a bungee net? They fold up really small so you can keep it in the storage compartment. You can find them at most motorcycle shops or on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-VEGA ... enameZWDVW

~ Shellee

Joel Belsky · Post by **Joel Belsky** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:14 am

Diane: I would advise you against putting something valuable like your pocketbook in the front wicker or metal basket because someone could just reach in and steal it while you are stopped. Put anything valuable under the seat. Don't be a victim!

un_designer · Post by **un_designer** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:21 pm

bungee nets are the best! i have one of those and i use it all the time, when putting grocery or odd-shaped items in the rear metal basket. then there's no worry of things flying off.

i agree w/the other posters, though, about leaving valuables in the front basket... don't give anybody a reason to even be considering stealing anything from you. use the underseat storage

Shellee wrote:How about a bungee net? They fold up really small so you can keep it in the storage compartment. You can find them at most motorcycle shops or on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-VEGA ... enameZWDVW

~ Shellee

diane · Post by **diane** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:14 am

thanks to everyone for your responses.

am i seriously the ONLY Buddy owner with the front wicker basket?!?! oh my.

un_designer--i'm not sure what you mean by the "rear metal basket"? is this an accessory i am unfamiliar with? i only know of the rear rack and top cases. please elaborate!

shellee--the bungee net is a thought. they are just so big. it seems like i would have to somehow wrap it around the basket a few times or something. have you tried using it on the Buddy basket? if so, do you have the wire or wicker basket? my husband has a bungee net and it's several times the size of the basket. i'd love to know how you get it on there. i also think there is a difference between the wicker and wire baskets as far as attaching bungee cords to them. the wicker one seems to have a tighter weave to it. i could be wrong.

joel--thanks for the word of advice. i do store everything under the seat right now. but the basket has to be useful for something right? i am just trying to figure out what can go in there that will stay put.

megaterium--i think that is what i will have to do, sort of wrap stuff up in there. i tried that with the produce bag but it still did so much shifting in there that i had to readjust. i guess it's all just a learning process.

and hey--if anyone out there has the front wicker basket accessory, i would love to hear from you!

EBee · Post by **EBee** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:57 pm

I have the metal basket in front, and bought a bungee net http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=39079 I hook it under the basket into one of the woven holes and it works quite well, not too big at all. I've really stuffed the basket full and the net holds everything in (more than I have a right to put in there I'm thinkin'...) Before I had the net I was riding home with a few grocs and a container of fresh spinach flew right out of my basket and into traffic! Needless to say I was too embarrassed and a little nervous about stopping to retrieve it so I just rode on...

I've heard comments that the basket is a "girly" accessory so maybe most don't like it cos it takes away from the edgy look, but it only adds to the versatility of the ride for me. The only concern I've had is that when I stuff the basket full and high, it obstructs my headlight somewhat.

ryder1 · Post by **ryder1** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:06 pm

The dealer where I purchased my Buddy had small bungee nets too.
Shocking pink one--I should have bought it for my Pink Buddy.

twharton · Post by **twharton** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:10 am

Here's a link to a thread showing my basket among other things.

viewtopic.php?t=2000&highlight=tarted

un_designer · Post by **un_designer** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:41 am

diane,

it's not an official Buddy accessory, just a metal basket (the type that you can find at many bicycle stores). i just tied it to the rear rack with removable zip ties. i like to lug things home on my scooter, that are odd-shaped. so this allows me a lot of flexibility.

tuscadero · Post by **tuscadero** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:05 pm

I have the wicker basket and I use it to carry my shoes,I wear riding boots, and sometimes my water thermos. I have not had any problems but I have not tried carrying produce.

doc · Post by **doc** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:34 am

My wife has a wicker basket. She is about to replace it with the rack, however. The wicker has begun to pull away from the metal bracket.

diane · Post by **diane** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:56 pm

thanks very much to my fellow wicker basket friends out there!

i tried using a bungee net on the basket and, unlike the wire basket, the weave is way too tight for it to work.

i am starting to see why not many people have gone with this option.

i'm discouraged to hear from doc that the wicker on his wife's basket is pulling away. perhaps this was not the best accessory to choose after all. oh well, live and learn.

for now i will continue to place a bag in the basket and weight it down and secure as best as possible.

thanks!

doc · Post by **doc** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:34 pm

diane wrote:thanks very much to my fellow wicker basket friends out there!

i tried using a bungee net on the basket and, unlike the wire basket, the weave is way too tight for it to work.

i am starting to see why not many people have gone with this option.

i'm discouraged to hear from doc that the wicker on his wife's basket is pulling away. perhaps this was not the best accessory to choose after all. oh well, live and learn.

for now i will continue to place a bag in the basket and weight it down and secure as best as possible.

thanks!

On secuing items in the wicker basket, my wife uses a 24 inch bunge cord and couples the hooks to each other at the bottom of the basket...it has worked so far.

I looked at the basket this morning and the metal brace has already begun to deteriorate and is showing signs of rust...an issue I am also noticing on other parts of her Buddy (rear rack bolts etc..).

I recently added a top case to her scoot and also noticed the low quality of both the top case and the rack "plate" used to secure it to the rear rack.

While the Buddy seems to be a reliable scoot so far (no problems in the first 1200 miles so far), some of the accessories are disappointing. I realize that Genuine is trying to hit a specific price point in the market, but they may be doing a disservice to the brand they are trying to build with low quality accessories....

meg · Post by **meg** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:05 am

i thought the wicker wasn't real reed wicker but plastic... oh well... i'm thinking of getting one...

could you guys who have gotten other type of baskets and non genuine stuff post pics of it? i'm very curious

Jules · Post by **Jules** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:53 pm

Hi Diane:
I use my basket all the time, it is the black one not the wicker one. I put my roller blades and go to the park, groceries, a laptop, I live by a winery so I stop and get wine (I don't drink it while driving), I have had plants in it, clothes and a cat (he just sat in it while it was parked).

I do always bungee everything in just in case. My husband talked me into getting the basket and I am glad I did.

Jules

Modern Buddy

Buddy Basket--what do you use it for, how well does it work?

Buddy Basket--what do you use it for, how well does it work?

Front Wicker Basket