Modern Buddy

Hello! I'm new to this forum, and am looking to purchase a 170i in the next week or so. I am getting my motorcycle license this weekend. I am a newbie all around! My partner has a Piaggio 150 Vespa, and I am hoping this will be the start of many adventures together.

I am interested in hearing what people have to say about the 170i. I was originally considering a Kymco People, but after checking them out, I wasn't as impressed as I am with the Buddy's. I guess at this point I'm trying to decide between the Buddy 125 and the 170i, and there is a selling price difference of about $500.

Hoping to use this next year in nursing school to commute to clinicals, as well as commuting around town, and the occasional hwy ride with my partner.

Thank-you for any advice the forums can provide in advance!!

Welcome! Go for the 170i if your budget allows.

Neither of the 2 scooters you mentioned are ideal highway riders (read interstate). Off the beaten track backroad highways are fine. Both scooters will do 60 or 65, but not for extended periods of wide-open-throttle. And interstate speeds are usually 70 to 75.

Both scooters will be happier doing 45 to 55.

I've heard that customers are loving the 170i and they are selling fast. Any negatives to this bike?

hi all, im jimmy and i just got a brand new red buddy 170i delivered to my house . cant wait to register it tomorrow and ride it. i think i got a good deal as i paid exactly 3100 on my visa and i got a free helmet too!! i did not pay msrp of 3299 nor did i pay shipping/freight costs either. has anyone else experienced good deals?

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jimmy[/b]

Ordered from where at that price?

Another new Portland, OR buddy owner! There are a lot of you! I own a Buddy 150 but if I was in your shoes, I would jump at the 170i, especially with only a $500 difference.

Might be Portland, ME, ya know..... or TX, CT, TN....

I have one and I like it. It's quick off the line, good acceleration, can keep up with traffic and it's a hardy machine. Not really built for the freeway although you could do short trips on it if you have to. IMO the the green and silver colors look the best but to each his own. Probably a bit cheaper to get serviced at the shop than a Vespa. The Vespas are great to but rather high on the price tag. I still want a Stella but every time I have the money someting comes up and I have to wait another month. I look at it like a Vespa, in the the scooting world = Caddy and a Buddy = Mercedes sport series....

I have the 170i and it is a sweet ride. I also ride it near daily on the interstate, the 270 bypass (60mph speed limit), for a few exits at a time. There are some other 60 and 65 mph US and State "highways" around here that I cruise on. I'll tell you this though, if the conditions are not perfect I don't go near them. It is soooooo worth it for the 170i.

At first I did not care for the Buddy look, but it is growing on me, and if they made a bigger (framed) one with the identical look as my 170i, with a 250 in it, I would get that instead of the motorcycle I am dreaming of getting five years from now.

170i = Speed, comfort, and a trunk! (though they are refereed to as pet carriers, but my beagle wont fit.)

As everyone said above, the 170i is a great scooter. The only hesitation in recommending it to you would be, again as already pointed out above, it's not good for freeway riding. But if you can stay off the freeway, it'll do everything you need to do. Assuming the Portland you're in is Oregon, are you going to OHSU? I ride Terwilliger blvd into downtown most mornings and it's such a lovely commute on two wheels. A scooter is the perfect vehicle for that area.

The local dealership in Avondale (well, not really "local" at 85 BLOCKS West, but closest to Phoenix) has a banging deal on a couple of 170i's: $2599 +299 fees OTD. Of course, it's two months before my grant hits. Wasn't looking to spend on a new bike, but at that price it may be worth it. It's in a more rural area so who knows? One of those 170i's may still be around. They also have 4T Stellas sitting at 2900 and an orange Buddy 125 at something like 2200.

At that price, a Fuel Injected smallframe is very tempting....

Had my buddy just shy of a month now and loving the ride. I do 70 miles each day and most of it is on the highway hitting an average speed of 60bmph. I was Told that I'm not legal to ride the interstate as you have to have 250cc minimum to do so.

Anyways it's handling the commute very well. It's a great little runner and kicks arse on the Vespa just my opinion lol

Hello from one of the newest PDX Buddy owners! (Rock Creek area, actually) My wife and I just got our matching Buddy 170i's a few days ago. Like you, we were also looking at the People 150..what changed our mind? Umm..lets go to Escape from NY for pizza then hit the scooter shop at the end of the road just to see whats there. Two hours later, we were the proud owners of 170's! I felt like I sat "too high" on the People. The Buddy was a much more comfy fit. We had to take them home one at a time(kids in the car) and heading back to the west side up Barnes Rd was no problem at all!
So far,we're both in Heaven! Though, I did find out today thanks to Mr. Oblivious Van Driver that my horn IS quite loud! Bummed the weather won't be conducive to riding to work tomorrow

Four thumbs up for the Buddy 170i !

klr6773 wrote:...Bummed the weather won't be conducive to riding to work tomorrow ...

Weather? What is this weather? Get some Frog Togs!

Capt_Don wrote:

klr6773 wrote:...Bummed the weather won't be conducive to riding to work tomorrow ...

Weather? What is this weather? Get some Frog Togs!

LOL...eventually! I begrudgingly go back to "real" life in my Honda Odyssey until then when it rains!

The 170 is a nice bike, and I'm not trying to talk you out of it. But don't discount the 125s...I ride the freeway each day (5 - 10 miles each way, depending on traffic and if I take any side roads) and both my stock Buddy 125s go 62-63 mph (70-72 indicated) on flat roadways. On an incline, they do slow down to 55. The 170s might do better on an incline...I don't know, as I've never ridden one.

My Buddy easily keeps up with my husband's Fly 150.

At any rate, all the Buddys are great bikes.

<humor> Neo, and I say this with all comradely good fellowship, you seriously need to buy the most un-moddable scoot out there and ride it completely stock. I'm thinking the 170i might be a very good scoot for you after all, as there's very little zoom-zoom available for it. Heed not the siren call of a Southwestern rattly-assed two-stroke! It can only lead to your doom! Time to beat your socket wrench into a ploughshare.

In the wee short time we've both been members of MB, you've (a) been lied to by sellers, (b) blown up a couple of sketchy rebuilt motors, or (c) just had a run of plain-dumb-bad-luck, or (d) all of the above. And that's just since we've known you here. One failure is happenstance, two is coincidence, but three might be Enemy Action. Skip the bargain used deals. As the great Judge Milian so often says, 'sometimes the cheap comes out expensive'.

I know it's Arizona, but is there a little black rain cloud over your head?

Words that should NOT be in your vocabulary: Used. Rebuild. Mod. Upgrade. Kit. Sieze.

Words that should be in your vocabulary: New. Support. Warranty. Roadside-Assist.

Go forth and make good choices! </humor>

The buddy 170i s a quick little machine. It's faster than the Kymco Like 200! The price difference is well justified. With the fuel injection you will not have to worry about gumming of the carb or draining the carb for winter. The machine will do 45-55 all day at a lower RPM than the 125 so longevity of the engine will be a plus! Plus the 170i comes in some sweet exclusive colors! If you can afford it, I would go for the 170.

I also say go with the 170i! I own one and love rideing it as much as possible.Great gas mileage and great speeds!! love it ,love it can't get enough of it.

ThreeSheets wrote:The buddy 170i s a quick little machine. It's faster than the Kymco Like 200!

That's because the Like is actually only 163cc. The Buddy is 168cc.

ravenlore wrote:

ThreeSheets wrote:The buddy 170i s a quick little machine. It's faster than the Kymco Like 200!

That's because the Like is actually only 163cc. The Buddy is 168cc.

163 is kinda Like 200, right?

pdxrita: yes, will be commuting to ohsu. am in portland, or, guys--home of the rain until july 5th! i've given it another week and am going to be purchasing the 170i in the next day or so, probably in the olive color. i saw a woman on one at a zoo concert last night with a brown helmet and orange jacket, and she was looking pretty good on that thing. if i had the extra $$, i'd be getting a stella.

also, just passed motorcycle training over the weekend--pretty excited for this new adventure to start!

klr6773: you guys must have been the ones who dropped the inventory down--there's just one olive one left, at least it was there on friday. hoping it will be there tomorrow. was in moto training all weekend and just got my m endorsement today @ dmv. am going down tomorrow to purchase. not sure if it's gone, but if so, i'll have to wait until july when their next shipment comes in--either that or commute down to eugene.

i'm surprised to hear someone on here getting a 170i at such a low price. classic scooters is selling them for nearly $3700.00

michelle_7728: I rode a Buddy 125 all weekend in moto training, and it was great! Of course, they wouldn't let us get up past 25mph max, so I don't know how it handles with higher speeds. Think the 170i will have a bit more power--least it should.

Having said that, I'm a bit tempted by the 125s, as they're great for commuting around town, which is what I'll be doing 95% of the time. Think it might be nice to have the power, though, for hwy travel when I go on rides with my boyfriend, who has a piaggio vespa 150.

anemone77 wrote:klr6773: you guys must have been the ones who dropped the inventory down--there's just one olive one left, at least it was there on friday. hoping it will be there tomorrow. was in moto training all weekend and just got my m endorsement today @ dmv. am going down tomorrow to purchase. not sure if it's gone, but if so, i'll have to wait until july when their next shipment comes in--either that or commute down to eugene.

i'm surprised to hear someone on here getting a 170i at such a low price. classic scooters is selling them for nearly $3700.00

LOL..Yeah, we didn't think sharing was going to work! We took both of the silver they had. However, we have yet to get the endorsements,so I really can't play much. Working retail= hard to get the weekend off. Should be able to go soon,though at this point not even worried about taking classes together. I also know the endorsement will drop our insurance on them too...
I tried to wheel a deal but he wasnt budging on coming down off of the scooter. Gave us the helmets ($120 each) and offered half off the top boxes, (but off of like $375 each), I said thanks but no thanks! Really nice experience with all in the shop,so I couldn't get mad.

Hope you get yours soon anemone77!

anemone77 wrote: if i had the extra $$, i'd be getting a stella.

I just got my brand new leftover 2009 Stella for $2699. They're out there.

anemone77 wrote:Having said that, I'm a bit tempted by the 125s, as they're great for commuting around town, which is what I'll be doing 95% of the time. Think it might be nice to have the power, though, for hwy travel when I go on rides with my boyfriend, who has a piaggio vespa 150.

My partner rides a Buddy 125 and likes it very much. I have ridden on an LX150 Vespa with her quite a bit and the two scooters paired up well together. (here I'm assuming your partner has a carbed LX150 rather than the new LX150ie)

My partner rides a Buddy 125 and likes it very much. I have ridden on an LX150 Vespa with her quite a bit and the two scooters paired up well together. (here I'm assuming your partner has a carbed LX150 rather than the new LX150ie)

Hey, he has a PX 150.

Just got my first scooter about 3 hours ago. Buddy 170i. I really dont have anything else to compare it to (Scooter wise) but I will say that so far I am really enjoying this bike! Plenty of pick up even with my girl on the back. Does 55-60 actual gps speeds easily but I havent pushed it past that as it is still breaking in.

You should take the Team Oregon class--it was incredibly helpful and well-done. I learned a lot. Quite a few didn't pass, but Classic actually supplies them with 125 Buddy's, which is what I rode all weekend, though was the only one in the class that did.

I hope to get somewhat of a deal when I buy in the next day or two--at least on helmet and/or case. When I took the Team OR class, a coupon was supplied for Vespa Mil. for complete reimbursement on Team OR class ($179), free helmet, 20% off gear, and free delivery upon purchase of Vespa. We'll see . . . I'm not even sure what's in stock at this point. They are selling their 170is like crazy right now (hey, you took the last of the silver!).

Getting pretty excited, though, especially after reading through this thread.

Also, getting a feel for the 125 over the weekend in training, I really loved riding it, so think the 170i will be an improvement on that. However, with little riding experience, I might be a bit naive.

I figure the 170i is a good starting point for me . . . can upgrade to a Stella or Vespa in a few years if I want to . . . and the Buddy 170i is a good starting place financially as well.

anemone77 wrote: I figure the 170i is a good starting point for me . . . can upgrade to a Stella or Vespa in a few years if I want to . . . and the Buddy 170i is a good starting place financially as well.

Hey, I do not want to knock the Stella, or even a Vespa, but moving from a 170i to either of them is a downgrade. To upgrade from a 170i you would have to get:

F14 Tomcat, with stain resistant plush seating, cup holder, and an iphone charger.

A Constitution class starship...

Welcome!

I am partial to the buddy, but I also have a Kymco. Both seem to be excellent machines, but for the 'smaller' sized scoots I just really love the Buddy. the bigger tires on the People will server you well if your roads are crap, but here in Denver we have more of OFF ROAD in some spots and it does fine.

Post up some pictures when you guys pick em up!

anemone77 wrote:Also, getting a feel for the 125 over the weekend in training, I really loved riding it, so think the 170i will be an improvement on that. However, with little riding experience, I might be a bit naive.

I think the 170i is is a good choice for you. That hill up to OHSU is a pretty good climb. The 125 can certainly do it (I've even seen Honda Metros coming off of that hill!), but the 170i will completely eat it up with no questions asked. If I had the dough, I'd spring for a 170i in a heartbeat.

anemone77 wrote:Hey, he has a PX 150.

Then what I said is true in spades. A Buddy 125 has no trouble riding with a PX150. (the Buddy will outrun the PX if necessary )

Tomorrow's the big day! Picking it up around noon. Who here thinks the $375 case is a good idea? Jacket recommendations?

That's a really pricey case. It must be a Givi? Unless they offer you some sort of really sweet deal on it, like 50% off, I'd hold off and shop around a bit. As for jackets, that's a whole other shopping experience. I have a Corazzo 5.0 that I love, but some people don't like them for various reasons including the fact that there is no liner. I wear a fleece under mine most of the year. You'll need to think about what you needs are, what sort of fashion statement you want to make, and how they fit and decide from there. Good luck!

They won't go lower than 25% on the case--think they are the Givi color-matched top cases, and they are quite expensive. Definitely not a priority right off. Might start with a Corazzo jacket for summer weather, then get something more heavy duty, along with rain gear for all other seasons.

anemone77 wrote:You should take the Team Oregon class--it was incredibly helpful and well-done. I learned a lot. Quite a few didn't pass, but Classic actually supplies them with 125 Buddy's, which is what I rode all weekend, though was the only one in the class that did.

Yup, definitely taking Team Oregon, just hard to get a whole weekend off.

Yikes! What makes people not pass? What happens if you don't pass- do you have to pay all over again? Wife already owned scooter so she planned to take the shorter class. I planned to take the full class..

klr6773 wrote:Yikes! What makes people not pass? What happens if you don't pass- do you have to pay all over again?

My experience was that quite a few of the people who didn't pass dropped out due to frustration at not being able to complete some of the practical exercises. Neither the written or practical sessions are really difficult but you do have to focus. The instructors are trying to help everyone pass who sticks with it. The procedure used to be that you got one "do over" at no cost if you did not pass (i.e. you could take the course once more). Don't know if that is still true.

klr6773 wrote:

anemone77 wrote:You should take the Team Oregon class--it was incredibly helpful and well-done. I learned a lot. Quite a few didn't pass, but Classic actually supplies them with 125 Buddy's, which is what I rode all weekend, though was the only one in the class that did.

Yikes! What makes people not pass? What happens if you don't pass- do you have to pay all over again? Wife already owned scooter so she planned to take the shorter class. I planned to take the full class..

My understanding is that you just have to pass the Range part of the course, but that if you don't pass the written test, you can take it one more time (I think they might charge you to re-take it, but not the full amount). With the range, if you fail one of the maneuvers outright the first time, they usually let you try it again. Not sure if you get more than one re-try.

My advice for the written test is to actually read the workbook, and pay attention to the points that the instructor emphasizes. There definitely ARE some tricky questions. As for the range, if you know how to ride a scooter, just ride like you normally would and try not to stress out too much on getting everything just so. I passed, but I noticed that I messed up the most when I was trying too hard to concentrate on what the instructors were telling me to do. I think if I had just done it how I normally would have in a real-life situation, I would've been just fine.

anemone77 wrote:Tomorrow's the big day! Picking it up around noon. Who here thinks the $375 case is a good idea?

I think it's kind of a rip-off. Even if it includes a rack, the top case, and installation, it would have to be a pretty impressive, large top case, which I'm pretty sure it's not. All that said, I myself went for it. Granted, I debated for a while about it, but considering that I was able to put it on the loan from my credit union, paying $375 over 4 years vs. the out-of-pocket cost of a rack and top case now, plus the time to install it, all made it a much more attractive option to just go for it. But yeah, if I was paying for the scooter outright, there's no way I'd pay $375 for a top case.

PeteH wrote:<humor> Neo, and I say this with all comradely good fellowship, you seriously need to buy the most un-moddable scoot out there and ride it completely stock. I'm thinking the 170i might be a very good scoot for you after all, as there's very little zoom-zoom available for it. Heed not the siren call of a Southwestern rattly-assed two-stroke! It can only lead to your doom! Time to beat your socket wrench into a ploughshare.

In the wee short time we've both been members of MB, you've (a) been lied to by sellers, (b) blown up a couple of sketchy rebuilt motors, or (c) just had a run of plain-dumb-bad-luck, or (d) all of the above. And that's just since we've known you here. One failure is happenstance, two is coincidence, but three might be Enemy Action. Skip the bargain used deals. As the great Judge Milian so often says, 'sometimes the cheap comes out expensive'.

I know it's Arizona, but is there a little black rain cloud over your head?

Words that should NOT be in your vocabulary: Used. Rebuild. Mod. Upgrade. Kit. Sieze.

Words that should be in your vocabulary: New. Support. Warranty. Roadside-Assist.

Go forth and make good choices! </humor>

I think the key is simple, bad luck.

God knows it's not my mechanical skill: Our Tracker/Vitara is well only 160k miles, and whatever it's tried to throw at us has been easily rectified. Then again, I grew up on Suzuki trucks. My old Stella led a HARD life and ran for 25k well. Aside from two bounces and a few snapped clutch cables, it held well and true.

This year has been abuse to no end, and the amount of demand on the scooter is probably more than a small bike can take at 80 to 120 miles/day commuting, and HARD commuting in Phoenix. But, as of today we are FINALLY finding luck: Just landed a roller derby contract to do their sound production and my wife just landed a MAJOR full time gig with the fed gov't that will lessen the need to be in 3 places at once. A Stella is in my sights again, since I know it's a bike that can take the hits. We were thinking of a PCX150, but it's so bland and boring that I really can't pull the trigger.

That and she's now been thinking of her own "cute" scooter: Honda Cub/Symba. Again, sticking with something that can't be killed. And, to be fair the P200e never did "fail", except in emissions and the state environmental department. Otherwise, it ran pretty well and never a hassle. Had we been stable then as we are right now, I would've just pulled the engine and done it over. But, not the option then.

The range test is where most of my class failed. They just weren't getting it. The instructors said some classes all pass and some mostly fail. In my opinion, the written test was easy, but I read the workbook three times and paid attention in class.

Good news everyone! I bought my Buddy 170i in Italia today! Got a 5.0 Corazzo jacket, rear top case, and helmet. Pretty beautiful day to be out riding, too. I couldn't be happier with the bike. Rode it to Lake O. and back, and it's a nice ride.

My 170i's name is Poquito, his plate says PKETO. Silver/Blk. Got him this spring, purchased from Scoot Over in Tucson, delivered to my door in Surprise by Ron for an unbelievable $60!

I now have about 2100 mi on PKETO, and can reeeally tell how nice and broken in he is... meaning, during the break in period and right after (up to 1k) you could feel him "reaching" for 55, and he didn't want to stay up there.

Now? All day at 60 w/room to spare. My daily commute is 27 mi one way, about 10 of that on Loop 303 (55 limit), the remainder is on Happy Valley Rd, which should be renamed Death Valley Rd....speedsters! I'm happy to have a bike that can keep up w/cagers, and not feel too pushed around. I don't compete, just hold my own. Regardless, I'm regularly doing 60 then 55 on HV Rd.

The laws here say you can't take a scooter on the I-17 or the Loop 101 where posted limits are 65 mph... and I wouldn't want to! However, the 303 is a 55mph, and the US60 (to Vegas) is 45, 55, 65 depending on where you are. I live off the 60/303, so just getting out of my neighborhood, I have a 65 limit area to go through. Since to me, that is a LIMIT, I do my 55-60 and get by just fine. Carefree Hwy is 55, and most parkways are such.

I go everywhere. Tempe, Scottsdale, CaveCreek, Bartlett Lake...and 2 weeks ago I took the back way to Prescott. From my house, that's about 83 mi one-way, up Yarnell Hill (1200 to 6500 elev climb). Handled it easy, going about 45 except on the switchbacks, but still (dare I say it) way more fun than my MINI! (sorry!) It was about 108 when I left the valley, about 70 at the top of the hill in Yarnell, and then about 75 in Prescott. Between the trip up and back plus the riding around up there, I spent 5 hours in the saddle, and about 1.5 gallons of gas. Saddlesore and happy the next day though!

(How do the IronButts DO it???)

Bottom line, sooo happy I got it, don't think I'd be happy with anything else. Oh, I'm getting 83mpg when i use it just for my daily commute on that regular ride.

anemone77 wrote:michelle_7728: I rode a Buddy 125 all weekend in moto training, and it was great! Of course, they wouldn't let us get up past 25mph max, so I don't know how it handles with higher speeds. Think the 170i will have a bit more power--least it should.

Having said that, I'm a bit tempted by the 125s, as they're great for commuting around town, which is what I'll be doing 95% of the time. Think it might be nice to have the power, though, for hwy travel when I go on rides with my boyfriend, who has a piaggio vespa 150.

We had a Buddy 125cc and a Vespa EET 4 150 at the same time. The Buddy is quicker. When we decided to sell one of the smaller scoots after buying a GTS it was the Vespa not the Buddy we chose to sell. Still have the Buddy and it will go back into daily commuter use when my youngest son turns 15 less than a year from now. (Age for a restricted m/c license in Texas.)