Modern Buddy

Not a Buddy not by a reasonable margin, but whats the opinions out there, highs and lows? R

From what I hear it's a good, reliable, well built, but somewhat benign scooter.

I believe it's engine has a reputation as a bit of a slug even for a 125cc.

I recently purchased a 2002 50 vino, I did it for reliable transportation for my Wife and step daughter here in Nags Head NC it is a very nice bike it had 350 miles on it. It is the 2 stroke version, after 2005 they went to a 4 cycle engine which does not have much get up and go. MzStella seems to like to ride with Vinny and we have over doubled the miles on it in 2 weeks. seems like a great bile and it's fit and finish is very good quality. Trust me it is not a rocket but there are things to be said for reliability.

When I was initially choosing a scooter, the Vino was a strong contender. If this is a case where you're looking at a good deal on a Vino, it seems like a good solid scooter. If this is a case where you're choosing, I think the Buddy is the better choice.

Here's a really good review that compares the Vino to the Buddy: http://www.justgottascoot.com/buddy.htm

I was ready to pull the trigger on buying a Vino before I discovered the amazing Buddy. Really glad that I looked around first! I mean, Vino is still Yamaha, which is a reliable manufacturer, but you know it's all about the Buddy...

Not sure where you are in New Mexico, but a quick craigslist search pulled some Buddies up.

125:
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/mcy/3022363606.html


50:
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/mcy/2984146129.html

Here's a nice review of the Buddy and a comparison to the Vino.

Moar reading!

http://www.justgottascoot.com/whichscooter.htm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 933AAB2aLk
topic71.html

The Vino is a nice scooter and has a cooler name than the Buddy.
I like the looks of the Vino, too.
But the Buddy will eat it for lunch then sit back and drink a Mojito.

I love posting this because it makes my Agility 125 seem like a super scoot. Yammy goes down starting at :47!

As said, a bit of a slug

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BfBhsJDy1Dw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I owned a Vino 125 for several years. It was a reliable scooter with an excellent build and finish. Yamaha dealers are common and support is generally good. I'd say the Buddy is a bit quicker but I've got nothing bad to say about the Vino.

Dooglas wrote:I owned a Vino 125 for several years. It was a reliable scooter with an excellent build and finish. Yamaha dealers are common and support is generally good...

And sometimes it does come down to nearby dealers. There may only be Honda and Yamaha dealers in rural areas.

My brother wants to get his kids scooters as soon as they're legal to drive. I drew breath to start telling him about Buddys when I realized it's simply not an option for him. The nearest Genuine dealer is 250 miles from him. Not that there's anything wrong with a Ruckus or a Vino or a Met. They'd be quality bikes with local dealer support...and come to think of it, I think I'll be ok with somewhat sluggish bikes in the context of adolescent nieces and nephew.

Dooglas wrote:I owned a Vino 125 for several years. It was a reliable scooter with an excellent build and finish. Yamaha dealers are common and support is generally good. I'd say the Buddy is a bit quicker but I've got nothing bad to say about the Vino.

I should also say I agree with this. I mean any 125 is not going to be a super scoot so meh. The Vino is a good scooter. And the Agility just has an especially peppy engine. The Vino 125 is just fine and on par with many. GET THAT VINO IF ITS GOOD

I like the chrome and what not on the Vino. I have become less a fan of the classic styling cues of the rear faring. If that is correct? You know, the way it sort of drapes over the engine and rear at either side? I like the way Buddy has them angled upward. It looks sharp and modern but still retains it's classic design and look. imo.

THank You one and All! R

Vino's are very popular, bulletproof, and efficient. I think they look good too!

All the yamaha scooters I have tried that are recent are slow, but most also get really high MPG that a buddy couldn't touch. It's all about what you're using it for, and lets face it, if you're in the 50/125 class and wanted faster, you probably should have bought bigger .

We have one. Yes, it's not as fast as a Buddy 125 but it's made by a company that makes motorcycles and it shows when you're working on it.

As someone who has owned several Yamahas, they are like their "Big 4" cousins: You cannot go wrong with the engineering. The Vino 50 I had years ago took a TON of beating and was able to hit 45mph after a pipe and new roller weights.

Sold it to my next door neighbor when I got the Stella because she needed wheels but didn't make hardly any cash (Full time community college student and worked part time at a pet store) and she ABUSED the poor thing. But, it always started. Sadly someone stole it a year after she got it people are dicks.

I like their look

LunaP wrote:I like their look

I was a hair's width away from purchasing a Vino125 as my first scoot before I saw the Buddy. I'm so glad that I hesitated. There were several aesthetic things that did sit well with me on the Vino including the large chrome headlight underneath the chicken wing handlebars and the squat looking back end matched by less-than-nimble handling. I didn't realize just how slow the Vinos were either, but I was encouraged by the Yamaha reputation for reliability.

The last time I encountered a Vino on the road in Westwood Village we were two up on the Buddy stopped at a light when a college kid on a Vino125 filtered his way to the front in the lane next to us. We smiled, nodded heads and issued the universal gesture of challenge. The light turned green, and we both took off. He was so far behind. Repeat two more times at the following lights. The last time my girlfriend said, "That scooter is SO slow". [She has her own Buddy 125, BTW]

The Buddy is exactly what I wanted in a scooter: quick, nimble, reliable, good looking and convenient.

Vino has a superb retro look....only comes with a 1 yr warranty

hardd1 wrote:Vino has a superb retro look....only comes with a 1 yr warranty

The 125 Vino is no longer imported by Yamaha, so you could only buy a used one anyway (or a 50).