Modern Buddy

I was working at Highway 7 and I-25 (Children's North Campus) and needed to go to Longmont to look at a used car.
I took HWY 7 West to 287 and took that North to Longmont.
Well, it was OK when the posted speed limit was 55.
But then it was 60.
And then 65 .
I just opened 'er up and went for it! Since it was a warm day (Buddies run faster in the heat ) and hardly any wind, I was cruising right along at about 70 indicated. It probably didn't hurt that I was going down a slight grade, but man, what a rush!
I wasn't able to go near as fast on the way back but fortunately, traffic was very light.

On a 125?

chas wrote:On a 125?

150.
I've read other posts where folks have buried their speedo (and no, that's not a really deep wedgy with a European bathing suit!) but 70 indicated is pretty good for Denver's altitude.

Fun, ain't it?

Eeeeee! I did that Sunday on highway 34! 65 mph speed limit and got the Black Jack up to 72 indicated. Handled fine until the road turns to grooved pavement. Then it was pretty squirrelly!!!!

Tocsik wrote:

chas wrote:On a 125?

150.
I've read other posts where folks have buried their speedo (and no, that's not a really deep wedgy with a European bathing suit!) but 70 indicated is pretty good for Denver's altitude.

That's pretty crazy. I didn't think about the altitude part. You get any speed wobbles?

Fun, isn't it?

I go 72 indicated several times a month on my 125 (probably it's 62-65mph in actuality, but I've never GPSed it).

I can only think cagers are wondering how the heck our little scooters can go that fast. I always imagine they are giving me strange looks as I come off the freeway...or as they see me taking the on ramp.

...but yeah, uphill...not so much.

Yeah, you get the chance to really open up a scoot on that bit of 287. But I do agree, the rain grooves on most of it are a biotch. I ended up taking the back roads more often than not.

I've taken for granted the open roads we have here in San Diego. Many of the streets in North County are 55mph - no highways, streets. and get out east and you get twisties and WOT for what seems endless miles. I totally never noticed until I saw through the eyes of out of towners.

either my top case is holding me back or I just don't know how to get it there. I've never had it past an indicated 65 . Its ok, it is squirrelly at that speed!

skully93 wrote:either my top case is holding me back or I just don't know how to get it there. I've never had it past an indicated 65 . Its ok, it is squirrelly at that speed!

It's entirely possible. I have a completely unmodded 125 and I weigh almost 200lbs and have been able to get about 72-73 bmph's on a flat surface before I chickened out and slowed down.

chas wrote:...
That's pretty crazy. I didn't think about the altitude part. You get any speed wobbles?

No wobbles. And my front forks have been *slightly* bent for pretty much the life of my scooter .
I regularly ride 60-65 bmph for short stretches on Quebec Parkway, Colorado Blvd (or almost anywhere) but this was the first prolonged "high-speed" run.

There were several bikes on the road and I noticed one old grizzled HD rider coming the other direction. He was watching me (saw his head turn) and then finally tossed me a wave.
Respect.
JK. don't care what others think but I do dig getting waves from other bikes.

Tocsik wrote: don't care what others think but I do dig getting waves from other bikes.

Haha I'm with you 100% on that one. Makes my day every time.

The fastest I can go on the 170 is 72 buddy mph, which according to my less than acurate garmin is 62 mph. I wish it could go a little faster so I can go road tripping to Joplin (65 mph road most of the way) to get some Thai groceries and veggie stuff at the specialty store there. I hope my planned upgrades this summer will help, NCY performance trany kit, windshield, and better shocks.

skully93 wrote:either my top case is holding me back or I just don't know how to get it there. I've never had it past an indicated 65 . Its ok, it is squirrelly at that speed!

Mine was always roughly 65 until recently. She decided it was more fun to go fast!!!!

Nice! I haven't been able to get even to 60 since moving. I just haven't taken the Buddy on any roads that will allow it. I definitely feel that it doesn't want to get there like it did at sea level but I'd really like to take it for a ride and see what I can get it to sustain up here!

jijifer wrote:I've taken for granted the open roads we have here in San Diego. Many of the streets in North County are 55mph - no highways, streets.

This is Phoenix, and the east valley in particular. All of the streets are 45, but most go 50 or more. I don't like how the scooter gets squirrly at 55 bmph... but it does seem to be getting more comfortable.

jmazza wrote:Nice! I haven't been able to get even to 60 since moving. I just haven't taken the Buddy on any roads that will allow it. I definitely feel that it doesn't want to get there like it did at sea level but I'd really like to take it for a ride and see what I can get it to sustain up here!

Yeah. We need a local Buddy Scooter Club here that includes group rides for 125's and up! Many of the clubs try to keep the rides "do-able" for the 50cc scooters which is nice, but it would be great to get a bunch of scooters together that could really tear it up!
I mean no offense to the 50cc riders!

There's a run along Riverdale Road that is sweet and I'm sure there are other great roads out there that you guys know about (Stanley Lake?).

Sunday, I took off on Hwy 7 and just headed West. It eventually turns into Arapahoe in Boulder. I was hoping to end up at Chataqua Park but I just kept going on Arapahoe and ended up at Eben G Fine Park right along Boulder Creek. It was beautiful! Hung out there for a while to clear my head then jumped on Canyon and headed back to the 'burbs of Thornton.

Yooo crazzzy

The fastest I've gone is probably 50-55mph. I'm afraid my tires are gonna melt.

Tocsik wrote:
There's a run along Riverdale Road that is sweet and I'm sure there are other great roads out there that you guys know about.

As someone who just moved from Thornton I can HIGHLY recommend Riverdale. My ride of choice for just cruising close to home. I just wish it were longer!!!!

un_designer wrote:Yooo crazzzy

The fastest I've gone is probably 50-55mph. I'm afraid my tires are gonna melt.

I'm afraid I'm gonna sneeze inside my full face helmet at 65!

I had my speedo up to 52, going downhill, (I only have a 50cc), so I am guessing that I was actually doing about 45-46 mph. Regardless... I think I was saying weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee all the way down the hill. What a thrill.... Not a 60mph thrill, but I'm a newbie and I'm happy with 45mph... Downhill.

I got up to an indicated 60 today, on my 50cc I've pushed the needle to the pin, and that kinda scared the the crap out of me....

Capt_Don wrote:I got up to an indicated 60 today, on my 50cc I've pushed the needle to the pin, and that kinda scared the the crap out of me....

How did you manage that? We're you going downhill? I'm still breaking mine in, and I know it gets faster later on, but 60? I'm impressed. The first time I did it I was a bit worried... This time it was on a long smooth stretch and no cars or anything around, so I just went with it. Weeeeeeeeeee

skully93 wrote:either my top case is holding me back or I just don't know how to get it there. I've never had it past an indicated 65 . Its ok, it is squirrelly at that speed!

I have a Coocase Wizard topcase on mine.

Seems to me that after I got 5K on my Buddy, it seemed to go a little faster, but that might be my imagination. Do you have a windshield on yours? Before I got a windshield on my "new" Buddy 125, it was scary going fast on it, as I was getting buffetted all the time and it just seemed "squirrelly" as you put it.

Mutt the Hoople wrote:

Capt_Don wrote:I got up to an indicated 60 today, on my 50cc I've pushed the needle to the pin, and that kinda scared the the crap out of me....

How did you manage that? We're you going downhill? I'm still breaking mine in, and I know it gets faster later on, but 60? I'm impressed. The first time I did it I was a bit worried... This time it was on a long smooth stretch and no cars or anything around, so I just went with it. Weeeeeeeeeee

I might not have been clear, I was in my 170i today and that went 60.

When I took my needle to the pin on the Arrow I was going down a very steep hill.

How funny- since I got my Buddy I have been been riding up and down Riverdale almost every weekend, just to get some miles in as quick reward if pressed for time. It is such a pretty ride. I've only hit 55mph so far, but that was on Huron up to the Cheeky Monk, and as you know, that is speeding (35 zone). But I've never been able to speed on my scooter before!

It's been so nice this week, that I think I am ready to ride it to work in Louisville. I can't wait!

OK, this all sounds like a good excuse for a Northern Meetup, maybe in July? I drive mine up Arapahoe the back way into Boulder on Tuesdays sometimes, and it seems pretty chill. Maybe Saturday Morning ride to Tee and Cakes! (I just had chunk of cinnamon roll from them yesterday, and it was sooooo good).

I haven't gone over 60 indicated yet.. I got scared. We have a lot of long open parkways/country roads around here so plenty of places to open her up... whenever I feel ready.

If you guys do a colorado meetup between june29-july13 .. can I stop in even without my scooter? lol

opposable_thumbs wrote:As someone who just moved from Thornton I can HIGHLY recommend Riverdale. My ride of choice for just cruising close to home. I just wish it were longer!!!!

I'm with ya there! I'll take Riverdale from McCay to Hwy 7 (where it ends) and then turn around and do it the other direction. At that point, I usually cut back up 128th at the golf course to head home. I live in Signal Creek so I get the short twisty around Eastlake, too.

skully93 wrote:OK, this all sounds like a good excuse for a Northern Meetup, maybe in July? I drive mine up Arapahoe the back way into Boulder on Tuesdays sometimes, and it seems pretty chill. Maybe Saturday Morning ride to Tee and Cakes! (I just had chunk of cinnamon roll from them yesterday, and it was sooooo good).

Sounding like a great idea, skully. Let's keep this in mind and start a "Northern Meetup" thread soon to work out some details!
Heck, we could even grill some burgers at my place or ?...

I hit indicated 70 if I ride WOT going downhill. I'm afraid to go faster than that though, and when I notice that I hit it I slow down

i hit 70 indicated every day on the way home from work down Freedom Parkway in Atlanta (slight downward grade). this is even before i got my Prima pipe . . .

Riverdale and Eastlake are both fantastic! I just moved from 128th and Holly. Sad to leave but down there a few times a week anyway. I've always wanted to ride out to Barr Lake but never got it done (yet). I bet between all of us northerners we could come up with a pretty fantastic route for a group meet up!!! Count me in for any group ride!!!!

AlleyOops wrote: If you guys do a colorado meetup between june29-july13 .. can I stop in even without my scooter? lol

Of course!!!!!! I might even have a scooter you could borrow to ride if you wanted!

black sunshine wrote:i hit 70 indicated every day on the way home from work down Freedom Parkway in Atlanta (slight downward grade). this is even before i got my Prima pipe . . .

Does the Prima add a tad of top end? I'm thinking of getting it just because I want one. I like the sound!

Probably will get a windshield in the fall.

OK, I feel silly- I am still having trouble figuring out what "road" Hwy. 7 actually is. Can you help me out here? I don't usualy go by highway names or numbers, but street names instead- like I know Federal is some sort of Hwy. but it is still Federal to me.

And Skully- where do you begin on your tracks up north that turn into Arapahoe in Boulder?

I always know Hwy 7 as Arapahoe on the east side of Boulder (east of 28th Street) because I used to take that to work on my scooter sometime. There's also another stretch from Boulder to Lyons that's also called Hwy 7

This may help...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_State_Highway_7

Dracolibris wrote:OK, I feel silly- I am still having trouble figuring out what "road" Hwy. 7 actually is. Can you help me out here? I don't usualy go by highway names or numbers, but street names instead- like I know Federal is some sort of Hwy. but it is still Federal to me.

And Skully- where do you begin on your tracks up north that turn into Arapahoe in Boulder?

I live in North Thornton (about 136th and York) so, for me, Highway 7 is the one that goes between Brighton and Boulder. There's a Home Depot, Costco and Daveco Liquor (I think it's in the Guinness book of records for biggest liquor store) right there.
It crosses I25 about 8 miles north of the 136th ramp on I25.

Oh, and it's 168th Avenue

Dracolibris wrote:
And Skully- where do you begin on your tracks up north that turn into Arapahoe in Boulder?

So far this is the route I take. There could be much better routes, it's just what I have figured out so far:

I take 8th to Federal, Federal all the way to 144th where it weaves and becomes Zuni. Took Zuni to Dillon Road, to 96th. 96th north weaves a tad and becomes 95th, and then I take that to arapahoe. I have been getting off arapahoe at 55th and taking that to Pearl Parkway, because there is a lot of construction and general bullshittery along some stretches of Arapahoe.

I'd be interested in hearing about your routes around, since you guys live 87 blocks north of me. Sounds like an excuse for some road trips .

skully93 wrote:

Dracolibris wrote:
And Skully- where do you begin on your tracks up north that turn into Arapahoe in Boulder?

So far this is the route I take. There could be much better routes, it's just what I have figured out so far:

I take 8th to Federal, Federal all the way to 144th where it weaves and becomes Zuni. Took Zuni to Dillon Road, to 96th. 96th north weaves a tad and becomes 95th, and then I take that to arapahoe. I have been getting off arapahoe at 55th and taking that to Pearl Parkway, because there is a lot of construction and general bullshittery along some stretches of Arapahoe.

I'd be interested in hearing about your routes around, since you guys live 87 blocks north of me. Sounds like an excuse for some road trips .

Highway 7 is also called E. Baseline Road. Sheesh, lots of aliases!

I'm pretty sure Federal becomes Zuni and 144th becomes Dillon.
You could actually take a left on 136th or 144th from Zuni and from either of those roads, make a right on Lowell Blvd. Stay on Lowell and will dump out right on 168th/highway 7/Baseline Road.
For more fun, turn right on Sheridan instead of Lowell. Sheridan Blvd turns into Sheridan Parkway which winds around a bit and also dumps out on 16th/highway 7/Baseline.
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Indeed. I never use numbered road names for anything other than major freeways, because the way that roads come and go and acquire different names around here can be really confusing. My preferred way of providing directions is the southern california way: cross-streets. That way it's absolutely clear where you are.

Anyhow, I've never taken Federal past 92nd before. Doesn't it get really fast past that? I am chicken so I usually take the "scenic" route

http://bit.ly/MtWNBb is the scenic route i take, with alternate streets along most of the way depending on how I feel on the particular day/traffic.

Yesterday, though, was bad. I didn't realize that Sheridan's all torn-up for construction from 72nd Ave to the 36. I ended up going north on Wadsworth *Parkway* by accident. That was my "accidentally going fast" moment on scary grooved road. I'd never been on that road before, even in a car. Suffice to say I will be avoiding it from now on. Wobbling side to side on grooved road with a 55mph speed limit is scccaaaaarrrry!

I have gone 70 on a 150 italia before, but im 5'9 and 155. Its pretty fun on a little guy like these. Feels a lot faster than it looks!!

Tocsik wrote: I live in North Thornton (about 136th and York) so, for me, Highway 7 is the one that goes between Brighton and Boulder. There's a Home Depot, Costco and Daveco Liquor (I think it's in the Guinness book of records for biggest liquor store) right there.

I've seen an orange Buddy 125 at the Buffalo Wild Wings there numerous times.

Daveco is the largest liquor store in the world I believe! They are also in the Post for not paying taxes. Heh I still shop there!

I usually take 144th/Dillon, etc to Boulder. Works like a charm and not too speedy for my taste.

Federal is 55mph after 92nd, but you rarely get that speed due to traffic. I am somewhat of a chicken on the Buddy and haven't had any issues with it so far, only people being angry that I zip past them up a hill...

skully93 wrote:Federal is 55mph after 92nd, but you rarely get that speed due to traffic. I am somewhat of a chicken on the Buddy and haven't had any issues with it so far, only people being angry that I zip past them up a hill...

Yep. There's a stretch of Federal headed North where you go downhill with a posted speed limit of 55 .
It's so cool.

skully93 wrote:

black sunshine wrote:i hit 70 indicated every day on the way home from work down Freedom Parkway in Atlanta (slight downward grade). this is even before i got my Prima pipe . . .

Does the Prima add a tad of top end? I'm thinking of getting it just because I want one. I like the sound!

Probably will get a windshield in the fall.

i think that it does! my biased perceptions aside. and it DOES sound nice!

Thanks guys! Looking at all your directions and maps, I now have a much better idea of some alternative scooter routes that I have never thought of before. I know why I had no clue where Hwy 7 was- I just don't get up that far north, and only go to Brighton when I get called for jury duty or get a craving for a kraut burger occasionally. It's amazing how much more territory I feel has opened up to me with the extra speed of my new 150cc! I do still need to be cognizant of husband's speed though, so the quieter roads will be ideal for us.

I rode my scooter to Louisville for the first time today (yay) but it wasn't as fun as it should have been (boo). We live right around 88th and Washington, (by Skyview HS), and I did not like the grooved pavement on 88th in the construction zone, at all. But I rode that to Huron, Huron up to 144th into Dillon Road, north on 96th and bingo- there was my work! It was much more windy than I thought it would be, so I got wobbled a few times, but I made it. Here's to more sunny riding days.

heh well i think i'll just hold off on checking out federal north of 92nd for a group-ride then. i don't have any reasons to go up that way, but would be curious to see what the roads are like one of these days.

@Dracolibris if you click on the googlemap link in my previous post, there's a detour through main street of louisville. there's really nothing there, but there is a yummy bakery on the corner of pine & main that i sometimes stop by.

un_designer wrote:heh well i think i'll just hold off on checking out federal north of 92nd for a group-ride then. i don't have any reasons to go up that way, but would be curious to see what the roads are like one of these days.

@Dracolibris if you click on the googlemap link in my previous post, there's a detour through main street of louisville. there's really nothing there, but there is a yummy bakery on the corner of pine & main that i sometimes stop by.

Nothing there? But I am here!

(I work at the library, right in the heart of downtown Louisville.)

Dracolibris wrote:

un_designer wrote:heh well i think i'll just hold off on checking out federal north of 92nd for a group-ride then. i don't have any reasons to go up that way, but would be curious to see what the roads are like one of these days.

@Dracolibris if you click on the googlemap link in my previous post, there's a detour through main street of louisville. there's really nothing there, but there is a yummy bakery on the corner of pine & main that i sometimes stop by.

Nothing there? But I am here!

(I work at the library, right in the heart of downtown Louisville.)

...and Elizabeth's Embellishments (where I get many of my wife's gifts) and that Antique store (forget the name) and the Peach Festival and Cinnamon Festival and Farmer's Market......