Modern Buddy

Hello everyone, newbie here. First of all this is a good looking forum with lots of good information. So here it is: I'm 37 yoa and weigh 270 lbs. I've been looking on the net researching my first scoot. Believe me, it has been exhausting and frustrating at times. I've changed my mind more times than I care to remember. I've looked at the inexpensive Chinese scoots, all the way up a vespa and an MP3. I think I have decided on a Buddy 125 because I like the retro look of it, and I called a dealer in San Antonio today who said with my weight, it should get to about 60 miles per hour. Now, I'm not looking for speed mind you, but I am also concerned that it gets me where I wanna go at a reasonable pace, say 45 miles an hour. And another thing, I have no local dealer in El Paso. The closest one is in Albuquerque, 4 hours away (concerns)? This scoot will be strictly for surface streets only and no freeway riding. Again, it will be first scoot. Are they easy to learn on? What about my weight? Will the scoot scream for relief?! Okay, let's hear it! Thanks in advance.

Hey Billy,
Welcome to MB, the buddy 125 is easy to learn on and is well behaved handleing wise. I go in at 210 lbs and the buddy has plenty of go and does not have any issue going along at 50 mph plus.
The buddy is a good choice for any scoot rider, all the rest is personal choice ie:, brand , colour, mods , etc., etc. So go out and ride !!!!

Hi Billy,

I got my Buddy 13 months ago after looking at the full range just like you. Get a Buddy 125 and for a little oomph without any mechanical modifications get a windscreen. The reduced drag / improved aerodynamics will increase your top speed 7-10 mph. Get the height that suits you. I purchased the short won from scootrichmond.com for $66.46 including shipping...that is an AWESOME price.

You will love it Buddy I have to admit I have the scooter bug and used the lame excuse because my teenage daughters love to ride my Buddy that I needed another scooter so picked up a Vespa PX-150 (4 speed manual shift) this weekend. Also the Buddy is highly customizable to make it uniquely yours. In about a week I will post a new thread with my latest paint and additional mirrors but here's a link to another thread showing her all tarted up.


WELCOME!

viewtopic.php?t=2000&highlight=tarted

I went through the same type of research about 3 months ago. I researched a lot of scooters before settling on the Buddy 125. I liked the retro look of the Buddy. It has plenty of power to carry both myself and my wife (a combined weight of about 295 lbs.) at 45-50 MPH (I am still breaking it in so I haven't pushed it any faster than about 50 MPH but it will go faster). I have been very happy with this purchase.

Even though I had not been on a motorcycle in 25 years, I was just amazed at how quickly I took to the Buddy. It was like getting reacquainted with an old friend. My wife had never ridden a motorcycle or a scooter so even though she wanted to drive it she was apprehensive at first. Despite any apprehension she might have had, she took to it very quickly and was very comfortable driving it after a few practice sessions. The fact that the Buddy is an automatic and you don't have to worry about shifting gears made it very easy for both of us.

One of the options I pondered was should I purchase a scooter off the Internet because I thought that I could get a better price. However as a first time scooter owner I recognized the value of having a dealer nearby. It is inevitable that things break down so the fact that I had a dealer nearby was the thing that sealed the deal for me. This is the only disadvantage that you may have with the Buddy, you don't have a nearby dealer.

Thank you all for your replies. This whole internet scooter thing has been exhasuting as I've said before. There are so many models and types to choose from. I know I don't wanna go the Chinese route (no offense to anyone who owns one). I got an out the door price in San Antonio for $2709.00. Pretty good deal I thought. The Dealer in Albuquerque has a sale going on now, but they're closed on Mondays, so it will have to wait until tommorrow. ANyway, thanks for your help again. I just may have found my scoot.

Billy

WOW! I think I'm sold just on the pics that twharton posted. That scooter is sick! Are the footpegs for the driver or passenger? And where did you get those chrome crash bars? Totally sick!! Hmmm.....orange with black old school hot rod flames.......I can see it now.

hey, billy. i think its some sort of tradition that bike shops are closed on sunday and monday. they like to golf, i think.

WHat is the power difference between the 125 four stroke buddy and the 110 two stroke rattler? I've heard two strokes are more powerful. Thanks again.

On the Buddy brochure I have the Buddy 125 has a weight capacity of 340lbs.

Can you do your own oil changes? Or learn how--there is a great thread showing how on this forum.

Remember to be good to your Buddy and don't go full throttle during the break in period.

I thought the Buddy needs to be checked by your dealer in order for your warranty to be maintained. Some do this at 180 miles, some at 500 miles...ask your scooter dealer.

Enjoy!

Hey Billywannascoot: I weigh the same as you, except I am 18 years older and rode Harleys my whole life, even sometimes on the job, but never had as much fun as with my Buddy 125. As far as your weight...it's fine! Just ensure your feet touch the ground almost flat so you can balance the Buddy and go enjoy yourself!

Billy.... got my Buddy 50 2 weeks ago .... my 1st scooter ..... I caught on real easy...

I think the 2 stroke has more power ... I heard the Rattler had alot of snap....

I think it kind of depends on your dealer about the 1st service thing.... I asked when I picked mine up and he said I could do it myself

Are the footpegs for the driver or passenger?

Well they are technically for the passenger but you can use them as the driver. All the bolt on chrome will be available from your dealer and you should also shop online. I've had great service / products / prices from the three vendors below. Individual results may vary. Some shops carry different stuff with a fair amount of overlap.

Tom

http://www.scootrichmond.com/

http://www.scooterwest.com/

http://www.scooterworks.com/

And another thing, I have no local dealer in El Paso. The closest one is in Albuquerque, 4 hours away (concerns)?

In a word, yes. Maybe not a deal breaker though. If you're comfortable working on your own bikes and ordering parts off the internet, go for it. Also, El Paso is a pretty big town, I'm guessing you can find an independent shop to work on your Buddy if you don't want to do it yourself. But, getting parts in a timely fashion has been an issue for some folks with local dealers. With no local dealer I don't know what you might expect. Of course, the one part you'll need for every service is an oil filter and that part is a Vespa LX part, so that's not a problem.

I really like my Buddy a lot. I've had it almost a year and almost 1800 miles and it's been completely reliable. But, if I had to travel 4 hours for the nearest dealer and service, there is NO WAY I would have bought it. It's my daily transportation, along with my motorcycle, and I have to depend on it. Your story may be different so only you can really decide this issue.

I did a LOT of research before deciding.

I decided I didn't want a shifter. Narrowed the field of scooters, someone to me in my mind.

I called a few trusted dealers, spoke to them about my needs and looks preference.

It came down to 3 bikes for me:
Yamaha Vino 125cc
Buddy Italia 125cc
Vespa 150cc

I never test rode the Vino though the place I went to is a Yamaha/Buddy dealer. For me and my intown riding needs, plus my love of the Vintage bikes -Vespa won out for me and also my wife who helped me in my research and decision.

The buddy is zippier (Faster) on intial throttle twist than my Vespa. I'll fully admit, it could be just in my mind but to me the Buddy didn't "feel" right and the Vespa did.

Sit and Test Ride each bike, only you will know what "feels" right to you!!!

As to the dealer being 4 hours away, that should be considered in your decision as well. That's a pretty decent haul if your scoot breaks down and you've got to take it to the dealer to get fixed. If there's a Vespa dealer closer, that might be a factor in it. Again, test ride each of them and decide from there.

For surface street riding 125-150cc will be plenty for you and your weight.
With the Vespa, you'll have to adjust the back shock to be more comfortable. Possibly adjust the tire pressure. Other than that, no worries.

I weigh more than you, and I can do 65mph+ (indicated) on my scooter. Just make sure you get the Buddy 125...NOT the 50cc!

Hey, and welcome. I'm weighing in at 220, and carry a 10lb chain and 10 lb backback, and on a flat got up to 65 mph. That's with no windscreen. I think you'll find the Buddy 125 has more then enough oomph. Again, if you decide on a windscreen and a Prima pipe, you'll get another 10 mph out of the Buddy (guessing here... someone correct me if I'm off).