Modern Buddy

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 12:43 am**

Not to beat a dead horse (I know there's a very recent post about this very subject)...

But, I went to a dealer today. He offered me a Psycho or a 170i for the SAME PRICE out the door. A great deal - I think - I will say that the price is well under $3,000.

This will be my first scooter (although I've been wanting one and doing research on them for years). I know that I want a Genuine.

I will use it back and forth from work (about 12 miles from my house). I will use minor roads (45-50mph).

Any guidance here?

Thanks!

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 12:55 am**

Get the 170i. Simply too good a deal to pass up. And I love the Psycho and advocate for it as a less expensive, Limited Edition scoot if its what you want. It's fun

But all things being equal in this case, even I would take the 170i.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:09 am**

Ooohh that's a tough call! Given your riding conditions, the Psycho would definitely meet your needs. But if it were me, I think I'd take the 170i.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:27 am**

I'm still trippin' on the *well under 3,000* part

buy the one that speaks to you, you cannot go wrong either way.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:33 am**

Ok....maybe not well under $3k.

To be exact, $2,900 ($100 is a lot for me).

Out the Door - prep and all.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:39 am**

A Neat Guy wrote:Ok....maybe not well under $3k.

To be exact, $2,900 ($100 is a lot for me).

Out the Door - prep and all.

My dealer has his Psychos at $3,199 and his 170s at $3,499 *before* taxes and fees.

Go for the 170 unless you hate the colors...

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:45 am**

Uncle Groucho wrote:
A Neat Guy wrote:Ok....maybe not well under $3k.

To be exact, $2,900 ($100 is a lot for me).

Out the Door - prep and all.
My dealer has his Psychos at $3,199 and his 170s at $3,499 *before* taxes and fees.

Go for the 170 unless you hate the colors...

i think i paid $4198 otd

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 2:08 am**

Go for the 170i. If he has another he wants to sell for that price, I'll take it if he's in my neck of the woods.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:17 am**

If it was the black jack or a 170I for the same price I'd go with the Black Jack. Since it's a Psyco 125 I'd say go for the 170I easy. Not to dis the psyco cos it's a cool bike but for that price that 170I is a steal.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:25 pm**

Yeah, no shit. My dealer currently charges 3900 for hte 170, then you have to title and register that bad boy.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:15 pm**

The salesmen was trying to get me to go with the Psycho...maybe because it's a little cheaper (sticker price) and he'd lose less money?

He also told me that the "extras" in the Psycho make it a MUCH better bike for handling and control...and he said that it's worth it over the 170i.

Anymore thoughts?

Sorry to belabor the point...just want to make sure that I make the right decision.

Thanks MB posters!

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:13 pm**

I'd still go with the 170i. If you buy the Psycho, you can't ever turn it into a fuel injected 170cc scooter. But if you buy the 170i, you could, if you wish, add the same components and turn it into a Psycho 170i.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:31 pm**

pdxrita wrote:I'd still go with the 170i. If you buy the Psycho, you can't ever turn it into a fuel injected 170cc scooter. But if you buy the 170i, you could, if you wish, add the same components and turn it into a Psycho 170i.

Agreed. You can always add the better brakes, shocks, flat black paint, and an eyeball to the 170i but you're not going to find a fuel injection conversion kit for the Psycho.

But if you're hoping to really hop up a scooter and change the displacement or airflow of the engine you're better off with the Psycho and its carburetor. It's much easier to swap out a jet than remap the fuel injection system.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:43 pm**

SuperFlyBuddy wrote:
pdxrita wrote:But if you're hoping to really hop up a scooter and change the displacement or airflow of the engine you're better off with the Psycho and its carburetor. It's much easier to swap out a jet than remap the fuel injection system.
Even hopped up, the Psycho will never achieve the performance boost the 170i will give you though. And remember, you can still boost the performance of the 170i with a performance variator, sliders, spring, and suspension. And don't forget performance black paint!

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:47 pm**

I just checked out the Psycho on the site. It's basically a new version of the Blackjack right?

Isn't this and the Blackjack "one seaters"?

IMO, I say pay the extra $300(?) and have the power than put $X amount to make it a 170i.

Would it be ok to compare and say "don't try to make a Honda into an Acura"? (no disrespect to either models.) Genuines are fun no matter what!

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:54 pm**

Disney wrote:I just checked out the Psycho on the site. It's basically a new version of the Blackjack right?

No. The Blackjack was a 150cc, the Psycho is a 125cc.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:23 pm**

Maybe to put things into perspective:

He offered a normal Buddy 125 $2,500 out the door.

I'm assuming that's a good deal too?

So, I guess the question is: which is worth the extra $400?

$2,900 for the 170i out the door?
or $2,900 for the Psycho out the door?
Or...since this is my first scoot - should I save $400 and stick with a normal 125cc?

Thanks everyone! I'm loving all of the input.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:37 pm**

I think 125cc is a good first scoot... That's what I had. I say start off small ( unless price isn't an issue for you). NOT TO JINX YOU, but as a first scooter (or anything) you'll eventually get bumps and bruises on the bike... Am I right guys?

After you're experience with a "smaller/beginners" bike, you'll have an idea of what kind of upgrade you would want later.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:47 pm**

I think Disney is offering up good advice. The 125 is a good beginners ride and a great alround scooter at a bargain price. You can't go very far wrong with it. After you have ridden one for a year or two, you may decide that a 250/300 is really your next aspiration. The performance difference among the several Buddy's is really not all that dramatic IMO.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:58 pm**

I guess it depends on your budget. If you're struggling to afford the $2,500 Buddy, then forget the Psycho and 170i. But if you're comfortable affording any of them, I would personally go with the 170i.

All 3 are fine scooters. I own a 125 myself. But that was because the 170i didn't exist. All 3 perform within degrees of each other on flat ground. But introduce a big hill into the equation, and the 170i wins hands down. I live around big hills. My 125 will drop to 45mph on big hills whereas my friends 170i keeps plugging away at 55mph up the same hill.

When it comes to displacement, all are fine for a beginner. If you're a new rider, there's not a significant difference in feel between the 3. You won't notice it. A 170cc is just as good of a new bike as a 125cc. A 250cc would also be a good choice for a first bike. Whereas a 650cc sportbike would not be as good of a choice for a first bike.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:57 pm**

k1dude wrote:All 3 are fine scooters. I own a 125 myself. But that was because the 170i didn't exist. All 3 perform within degrees of each other on flat ground. But introduce a big hill into the equation, and the 170i wins hands down. I live around big hills. My 125 will drop to 45mph on big hills whereas my friends 170i keeps plugging away at 55mph up the same hill.

When it comes to displacement, all are fine for a beginner. If you're a new rider, there's not a significant difference in feel between the 3. You won't notice it. A 170cc is just as good of a new bike as a 125cc. A 250cc would also be a good choice for a first bike. Whereas a 650cc sportbike would not be as good of a choice for a first bike.

Agreed!

I was able to ride on the highway with the 125cc as well. My speedometer hit right under 60mph (probably 55mph realistically)... but yeah, 125cc was good enough power for me when I was a beginner.

Posted: **Sun Apr 15, 2012 10:13 pm**

Get them both.

Posted: **Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:22 am**

I had started the other post about a Psyco vs 170i and I would definately take the 170i if it has the same OTD price. You are getting a bigger engine with EFI. I went with the 170i but wasn't given the same price option. I wish I was in your part of the country. My dealer said they would be lucky to have any on the floor soon and I believe them, since I have been in there 5 times and the inventory has greatly been reduced.

But, not having taken possession of the 170i, I'm still having doubts about the Psycho. I still believe that much of the hype and limited edition of the Psysho is just that, hype. But, only time will tell when all the Psychos are sold. I still think the 170i has the most possibilities and yes, Genuine will have other limited editions in the future. Like I said, I wouldn't count out a high performance 170i.

Posted: **Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:29 am**

yeah, go for the 170i at the same price. Hands down.

Posted: **Mon Apr 16, 2012 2:21 am**

skully93 wrote:yeah, go for the 170i at the same price. Hands down.

^^^ Agreed.

And you can always add the psycho bits to the 170 i later. They are available.

Posted: **Mon Apr 16, 2012 2:58 am**

scoot2work wrote: But, not having taken possession of the 170i, I'm still having doubts about the Psycho. I still believe that much of the hype and limited edition of the Psysho is just that, hype. But, only time will tell when all the Psychos are sold. I still think the 170i has the most possibilities and yes, Genuine will have other limited editions in the future. Like I said, I wouldn't count out a high performance 170i.

It's not hype but it is marketing. Just a little something slotted between the regular 125 and the 170i. If in the market today I would spend the extra $700 and get a 170i over a regular 125. If I had the extra $$$ to spend. But that is because of the kind of riding I do. Extra top end is extra top end

The wrench in the spokes so to speak, is athletics and handling at the limits. If you have to have the looks and style of the Psycho, it's a cool little scooter that you know besides a Blackjack or another 173 Psychos you have a somewhat unique scooter. So in looks and handling the scoot is somewhat special. And it's quality and not some ratted out POS someone painted in the garage

So far as the handling bits I assure its not hype. Thing is you won't know it until you push the scooter. Or you find yourself leaning, leaning, and leaning and the grin goes wider, wider, and wider as you do.

It's an evil little grin, too

Stopping is on a dime. As with the regular Buddy. But it's stronger under hard braking.

So the Psycho imo is for people who A) can live with a 125 and love it's style and handling or B) someone who has absolutely no use or desire for a 170cc scooter at more upfront cost.

With the Psycho they sort of get a concession scooter. Almost like "Ok it's just our old 125 for you but here is a kinda cool one with some shocks, forks, and brake upgrades."

I don't think it's meant to compete with the 170i. But hell if some are going to price them EXACTLY THE SAME, as said....170i is the best value as it's not a "Special Edition" 125 but a 170 in a somewhat different class, considering the EFI and bigger displacement

But rest assured the Psycho is not hype. But, it is just a scooter, after all

Modern Buddy

Psycho or 170i - SAME PRICE

Psycho or 170i - SAME PRICE