Modern Buddy

New to the forum and to scooters. I've wanted to get a scooter for years now but I was a bit discouraged to do so at 280lbs. However, after just losing 90lbs, I've decided to reward myself with a scooter. Since my partner is starting back at college and we are a 1 car family, it was pretty easy to justify the purchase with him

I am scheduled to take the motorcycle safety course at the end of the month (5/30-5/31). I have narrowed down my choice to either a Buddy 170i or Zuma 125. I'm leaning more towards the 170i at the moment.

I will be using this for both commuting and for pleasure. Currently, my commute is only 4 miles and the max speed is 40MPH so either of these will suit me fine. Living 30 minutes for DC, I would like something that I can take scenic back roads into the city and surrounding areas.

I can't wait to start riding!

Welcome to the forum and the scooter world!

The 170i is a great little machine, I had the chance to ride one more than once.

Also make sure to check out your local scooter club, http://www.turnbulldc.com/ and tell them the Italian guy sent you

More than anything, congrats on losing 90 lbs!

Welcome and nicely done! That's a fantastic goal, I think you should reward yourself with a scooter .

Nothing against the Zuma 125, as it is reliable and a fun machine, but I think you'll really like the 170i. The Zuma has a more 'off road' suspension, though if you took it off road you would hate your life. Stalwart machine.

The Buddy will be a lot zippier and be more flickable.

Welcome and well done at loosing 90 LB.

I would reccomend the 170i.

Thanks all! I'm entering my 30's this year in the best shape of my life and gaining greater interest in new and exciting things (rock climbing and skydiving are also on the schedule this year).

I'm most likely going to choose the 170i which is why I decided to make this post in MB. I have heard nothing but great things about both Genuine and my local dealer. In addition, I have found MB to be a more welcoming and helpful community than ZumaForums (based on the threads I have been reading).

I lived in Italy 3 years so I have been around scooters quite a bit but this will be the first time I own and operate one. I'm eager to get my Class M at the end of the month. In the meantime, I am reading Proficient Motorcycling.

@Lokky - Thanks, I didn't know about that group. I did find the Meetup.com group DC Spin Doctors.

nobylspoon wrote: I lived in Italy 3 years

ooh where about? I am from Milano!

Hope to see you at a rally or two this summer, I love talking about italy

Lokky wrote:

nobylspoon wrote: I lived in Italy 3 years

ooh where about? I am from Milano!

Hope to see you at a rally or two this summer, I love talking about italy

Such a beautiful city! I lived in Pordenone (between Udine & Venezia). I moved back to the US in 2006. Now that I finally have a job that includes vacation time, I plan to take a trip back in a year or two.

Hehe - according to family lore and legend, I'm ostensibly "padrone" by primogeniture to a small Abbruzzese village. One day I'd love to scoot that part of the countryside, just for kicks, but I haven't been any closer than Rome.

I stopped by my local Yamaha dealer to try on some helmets and noticed the 2013 Honda Metro. I have not seen the Buddy in person yet. How does it compare in size to the Met? I found the Zuma to be a comfortable size but the met felt way to small.

Just to be clear, I have no intentions of purchasing a metro, just curious how it compares in physical size with the Buddy 170i. It will be a couple weeks before I am able to make it down to the Genuine dealer to check it out in person.

The Buddy is larger than the MET . I found the Met way too small. I am a 6' so try everything and get what you like. For me. buddy 150 was perfect.

Good to know. Thanks!

I'm new to the forum too. I had a Honda Metro '06 50cc and loved it...for about 6 weeks - then I wanted a motorcycle. So off to MC class and off to purchase the Shadow. I traded the Metro in last fall on the cycle. This spring I got the itch for scooting fun again and just (yesterday) brought home my 170i. LOVE IT!!!! Scooter is for weekday commuting Shadow is for weekend treks and cruising. Best of both worlds.

You might find the 170i to be a good secondary highway cruiser. The more I
ride mine the more impressed I am by what it can do but then I run secondary highways, not X ways.

amyrob56 wrote:I'm new to the forum too. I had a Honda Metro '06 50cc and loved it...for about 6 weeks - then I wanted a motorcycle. So off to MC class and off to purchase the Shadow. I traded the Metro in last fall on the cycle. This spring I got the itch for scooting fun again and just (yesterday) brought home my 170i. LOVE IT!!!! Scooter is for weekday commuting Shadow is for weekend treks and cruising. Best of both worlds.

Excellent, that's exactly how I approach my scooters and motorcycles (although I do have a penchant for touring on the Stella also). Great to have you onboard!