Commuting Thoughts

scootnwinn · Post by **scootnwinn** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 8:02 pm

Hi guys I have searched (well not terribly hard but I did search) the forum for answers or general information but perhaps you all would be so kind to tell me what you think. I am considering a new Buddy 170i or a Stella to replace my 06 Burgman 400. I had a smaller Chinese bike before the Burgamn and I miss the smaller bike. My 20 mile daily commute (and yes I ride daily, year round I missed 10 days this winter...) involves about 8 miles of road with a posted speed of 60, followed by 2 miles at 55, followed by a stretch of about 4 miles at 45 then back to 55 for 2 miles and the rest is all in town. The Chinese scoot I had before had issues (oil leaking and fuel starvation at high speed WOT situations) with these speeds but it seems like a Genuine bike might tolerate short stints at WOT better. I would be interested in what you guys think about these bikes' suitability for my needs. I like the storage of the Buddy but the Stellas are beautiful bikes (not that the Buddy's are ugly) I am really not too concerned with be able to maintain more than 55 as the road I ride has huge shoulders and I am humble enough to just move out of the way. Anyway hope you all don't mind a newbie question and I look forward to your response.

Gratuitous pic of the Burgman and me because we all like pics right

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 8:30 pm

How packed with traffic are these roads?

I would think if there is sparse traffic and an extra lane, then the 170i wouldn't have a problem. The buddy is kind of tapped at those speeds with little to spare, so you don't want to be the guy holding up traffic.

The Stella might do it, but from what I've seen here on the other side of the Rockies is that it might be a bit of a struggle. The distance isn't that long though.

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 10:34 pm

I think I'd go with the Buddy 170i over the Stella in this case unless you can pickup a 2-Stroke Stella and modify it.

Your going to want to be able to do 60 which the 4T Stella likely won't do out of the box. I know mine can't go that fast.

scootnwinn · Post by **scootnwinn** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 11:14 pm

Thanks for the responses guys.

John what do you get for a top speed? Also what altitude are you at I know higher altitudes mean less speed and I am a mile high... The 2 year warranty on the Buddy is enticing as well...

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 11:30 pm

I'm 6'2 300lbs and I've seen a max of 52MPH on my 2012 4-T Stella.

I've got a small windscreen on it which should be helping my speeds out, maybe that's why I'm getting 52 instead of 50, I should do some comparison with and without soon.

My bike has had a hard life both before (Stolen and Recovered )and since (I ride it like I stole it because why not) I've bought it so it may not be the gold standard as far as Top Speed.

Oh and I'm in Tucson so we are at about 2600 feet.

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 11:55 pm

Out of the 2, I'd say the 170i hands down. The Stella is slower and heavier but the shifting is easier than I thought it would be. It's great if your not pressed for time and want a scenic drive. The 170i Is quick and nimble for it's size. Plus it's got EFI. As long as you keep up the maintance, The engine is rock solid. No need to worrry about shifting, carrying extra cables, and a vast array of tools for the "just in case". Not to put you off a Stella if that's the way your leaning cos it's cool too. Just a "different kinda bike" that takes some getting use to. If you want faster, get a used, low MI, in great shape Vespa 250 or 300....

scootnwinn · Post by **scootnwinn** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:01 am

I really am on the fence though kinda leaning to the buddy side. I like the looks of the Stella but I need function over form really besides that green and white buddy calls to me...

I really wish I could have both. The only thing I know right now for certain is the Burgman is more scoot than I need and it lacks something I can't describe. The Vespa S150 us on my list too but it seems line a lot of money for performance that is mediocre...

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:05 am

The Buddy 170i is much more functional than the Stella. Unless the Stella has been modded....

scootnwinn · Post by **scootnwinn** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:07 am

Unfortunately mod will be a distant dream on these it need to be right on delivery...

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:12 am

I'm not big on engine mods as the cost aren't for me and I like to keep my scoots stock. Anyways, the I think the 170i WILL fit your needs perfectly....

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:08 am

The 170i is more than fitting for that commute. My Agility sees 50-75 miles a day from speeds of 40-55mph and hasn't had a lick of issues in 6 months and 8,000 miles. The 170i has fuel injection and I believe an oil inter cooler. When it comes to reliable performance the Buddy wins over the Stella hands down. The Stella rocks, no doubt, but its not a hot rod that can go for 50k with 100% reliability like the buddy

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:16 am

As is known I had a Stella but traded it back in for a Buddy 170i last week.
I really liked the Stella but my worn out left wrist and elbow did not.
Took delivery Tuesday on the Buddy 170i and today was the first
time I got to ride it. I will have to say that the 50 miles I put on it here
in the NGA mountains made a believer out of me.. I am 6'1", 185 lbs.
with a 32"inseam and was more than comfortable riding it. I am a big fan
of the TGB line, own 2 of them now, but if I had started with the Buddy
I would probably be a 1 scoot owner. The Buddy is fast, responsive, and
a pleasure to ride. Had it up to 60 for a very short stretch(the devil made me
do it!!) and that was on 3/4 throttle. So, what Neotrotsky said.

scootnwinn · Post by **scootnwinn** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:34 am

Thanks guys the more I read here and elsewhere the closer I get to a new Buddy...

still shifting · Post by **still shifting** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:56 am

Perhaps to compare shop starting at Centaur Cycle in Santa Fe, there is a dealer in Las Crusus too, as well as Albuquerque. R

scootnwinn · Post by **scootnwinn** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:00 am

I have talked to Centaur quite a bit and they might be getting sick of my drooling and interrogations I will definitely be buying from them both Meg and Richard are great people I will be buying in May and they have an appointment for me to testride then...

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:11 am

still shifting wrote:Perhaps to compare shop starting at Centaur Cycle in Santa Fe, there is a dealer in Las Crusus too, as well as Albuquerque. R

I think you are referring to Solano Scooters in Las Cruces. Just spent the last three days working o'er there. I did drive by Solano, but it was 4A on Wednesday (after a 17 hour workday) and not surprisingly, they were closed. It's on the corner of Solano and Madrid on the north side of town and shares an old service station with an auto shop. The look to have the station office and one service bay. It was dark, but I did see a P-series Vespa in the front window and a white Buddy in the shop. I'll try to visit again during normal business hours.

still shifting · Post by **still shifting** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:58 pm

Yes, the folks at Centaur cycles are good people, we used to exchange books when they had a shop in Abq. The fellow in LC I have met and enjoy, tho I don't know him well, he was kind and honest with a nice lady who asked all the classic new rider questions one day while I was there. R