Modern Buddy

Here are the most commonly talked about comparisons between the Buddy 125 and Fiddle II 125 on the sales floor at the local SYM and Genuine dealer.

Accessories:
Sure, the Fiddle scores points in the economy department via included windshield and rack installed (A ~$150 value in Buddy accessories)...
The naked Buddy has the added element of FUN in customization, and WAY MORE accessories! The option for baskets or a rack ON THE FRONT are a huge win for the Buddy, and that is without even mentioning the Prima Performance Exhaust.

Style:
The Buddy has styling that is the most appealing to the widest demographic of people, an original design. Please China, don't clone the Buddy! The Fiddle looks like a Vespa clone. Oh, and the Fiddle has a "rose" colored back-lit odometer assembly for night riding. Buddy wins, again.

Performance:
Buddy wins in acceleration, top speed, fuel performance, and maneuverability. Buddy wins!

Engineering:
SYM has an outstanding reputation, and great warranty. My educated guess is that the ceramic coated cylinder technology implemented in the SYM line will add longevity to the life of the engine. Also, they have a magnet in the oil screen! PGO has an outstanding reputation, great warranty, and MORE engineering! Hooray for a spin-on oil filter, Buddy wins again.

Warranty:
2 years parts and labor on each. Buddy gets 2 years road side assistance. Not only have I ran a buddy out of gas, but Genuine customers use their FREE TOWING with the added PEACE OF MIND they don't have to transport a Buddy with a flat tire. Buddy WIN!

What one has, the other doesn't:
The Fiddle features a powder coated black wheel (compared to the Buddy's steel grey) an electric seat opener, and a "security" feature that is pretty much a kill switch under the seat. The Buddy features the cup holder and 12V adapter, LED brake light (compared to the Fiddle's incandescent bulb), and STEBEL horn. The Fiddle's features are not nearly as usable and thought through when compared to what the Buddy has that the Fiddle doesn't. Buddy wins.

Passenger:
More room on the seat on a Fiddle, but the seat is so defined there is no sliding back when without, AND the Buddy makes your passenger get closer Buddy win!

Foot room/legroom:
Fiddle has more room on the foot board, but the riding position is so defined it's hard to do much with that foot room when your tush is planted in a fixed place on a hard foam seat. I really don't like the seats on the Fiddle. Buddy wins.

Cold weather commuting:
Fiddle could have won this one with the wider leg shield, windscreen, and "tucked behind" the handlebar feeling. But the Buddy starts better in the cold (thanks Buddy carb for priming my engine). Little win for the Buddy, but if you wear a Prima Scooter Kilt then it's a HUGE win for the Buddy because of the added style points.

Price:
At the dealership, the Fiddle II includes an installed windscreen and included rear rack at $400 less than a naked Buddy 125. If you're okay with no place for your coffee and no 12V adapter, the Fiddle II is the most bang for your buck ride, and wins this category.

Maybe I'm just bias:
Think to yourself, this is coming from a daily driver viewing each scooter as a way to replace a vehicle with doors. Also, from someone that just purchased their 2nd Buddy (5th scooter), and is posting in a Buddy forum. Don't get me wrong, I've ridden the Fiddle a lot, and I have a lot of respect and confidence in SYM.

Conclusion:
Okay, so they're both nice scooters. The real question is whether or not the Buddy is worth the extra $400 (make it $550 when outfitted with a rack and windscreen). The Fiddle currently seems to be the most worthy competitor for the Buddy. Honda and Yamaha were out of the running a long time ago, and we won't go down the what about a modern Vespa route. Obviously, the Buddy is the real winner.

Feedback Wanted!

Which of the above points (or others) were most important in your decision to purchase a new Buddy versus purchasing a Fiddle?

To be perfectly fair, half of those criteria are purely subjective, especially on look, fit and other rider-centric criteria. And, dealer support is a huge and variable factor. When I bought my scooter, Genuine bikes were almost automatically off the list because the local dealer has such a horrible reputation. Sure they have a great rep and warranty, but those don't help when the local dealer isn't trustworthy. But, now that another shop is taking over the distribution I am hopeful.

Both are great bikes to be sure, and obviously the Buddy is the hometown favourite, but if Ihad actually seen a SYM Fiddle II in person in stock when I was ready to buy, I would of probably pulled the trigger on the SYM

Buddy = more fun

and it looks modern and old school. win / win

iamryan25 wrote:The Buddy features the cup holder

Pre-gen-u-bin, I wouldn't trust the little cubby area to hold a whole lot. I've heard of too many people losing stuff (coffee, cell phones, etc.) when they hit a bump and it flew out.

iamryan25 wrote: Passenger:
More room on the seat on a Fiddle, but the seat is so defined there is no sliding back when without, AND the Buddy makes your passenger get closer Buddy win!

Eh, I think having a passenger is important enough that I'd dock this one from the Buddy for the Fiddle. Me and my girlfriend can fit, and go places on it sometimes, but she's on the smaller side and we're both fit, and it's still a tight ride.

iamryan25 wrote:but if you wear a Prima Scooter Kilt then it's a HUGE win for the Buddy because of the added style points.

Even though I have one (a Corazzo), I think they actually look kinda silly.

iamryan25 wrote:The Fiddle currently seems to be the most worthy competitor for the Buddy. Honda and Yamaha were out of the running a long time ago, and we won't go down the what about a modern Vespa route.

I think you're leaving quite a few other options out. If you're just narrowing it to more classic-looking scooters in the 125cc category, you might have a point, but you didn't specify, so I would posit that there's also the Lance scooters, the current Elite 110, the Kymco Like 200, the new Kymco Compagno 110. Of these, the Like stands out to me as the best potential competitor, but I think points can be made for the others as well.

-edited to add that I noticed Yamaha is still making the Vino, so there's another one to add to the list.