Modern Buddy

Hello all, pardon me for my first post being a waaaaaay over asked question of 50cc vs. 125cc but I would like to gain some perspective from multiple current users.

My girlfriend recently sold her car and we went down to a 1 car (well 4wd SUV) family that is pretty much only used for heavy objects, trips, and exploring/camping. We both started riding bicycles for virtually everything else for the last year or so and both our cars stayed mostly parked (especially hers so we sold it). With the money she bought a barely used 2012 Kymco Like 50 with a quality dealer installed 70cc kit + pipe. It was a fantastic deal and it rips pretty nicely. I wasn't planning on getting a scoot but well hers is a blast and I have always wanted one. My bike would still be my main transport but it would be fun/ convenient to have a scoot. So here are my options/riding conditions:

Riding conditions: I have no desire to do interstate/fast highway on 2 wheels yet (eventually a Ural + sidecar though). Therefore speeds of traffic are up to 45mph, and I could see going 55 rarely. Most speeds are 25 to 35mph. I will ride year round. I live in Fort Collins, CO which allows 50cc scoots to travel up to the speed limit or 40mph in the bike lane (really nice for congestion here). Very rarely would I ride 2 up (on 50cc) or have heavy stuff (SUV/bike trailer).

Scooter options:
1. Don't buy a scoot, keep on biking to save money/pollution/help maintain fitness....I do love biking
2. Finance brand new buddy 50 for partner (she likes it better than her Like) and I take the modded Like (I am 6' 170lbs so it fits nicely). Cost = 2300ish OTD

3. Finance brand new Roughhouse 50cc (take fishing/camping/can ride in bike lane, peppy, etc. really like riding it). Cost = 2300ish OTD

4. Finance brand new old stock 2009 125cc buddy. On sale for $1,895 OTD!!!!!!! Comes with 2 year warranty. But i need motorcycle class/endorsement/higher insurance cost. Can't ride in bike lane and skip some traffic.

5. Finance new 2009 old stock Aprilia Sportcity 125 for less than 2k with one year warranty.

Thoughts? Ideas? Help!

Thanks everyone!

The Buddy and Roughhouse 50cc are fine machines with fairly minimal maintenance. The warranty is your best defense if something goes wrong with it, which you won't get with a used scoot. Since you just want to ride casually a 50cc is probably your best option. Of course since you already have a Kymco, which I understand from others on MB is a descent scoot. And your GF likes the Buddy. Seems like a no brainer to me. Keep the woman happy get her the Buddy.
And keep up the bicycling its good for you.

Piratemcgee wrote:I have no desire to do interstate/fast highway on 2 wheels yet (eventually a Ural + sidecar though).

Sorry, no scooter advice, but I can go ahead and tell you now, you won't be doing any interstate/fast highway on a Ural either. 60 mph is starting to push it pretty hard. 65-70 mph (if you can even reach 70) is something's-gonna-break territory.

Just FYI. I have some experience with them.

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~SM

Swordsman wrote:

Piratemcgee wrote:I have no desire to do interstate/fast highway on 2 wheels yet (eventually a Ural + sidecar though).

Sorry, no scooter advice, but I can go ahead and tell you now, you won't be doing any interstate/fast highway on a Ural either. 60 mph is starting to push it pretty hard. 65-70 mph (if you can even reach 70) is something's-gonna-break territory.

Just FYI. I have some experience with them.

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~SM

That's plenty fast for me anyways without a cage. My moto is go as fast as you are willing to crash when on 2 wheels or on 4 in bad weather.

agrogod wrote:The Buddy and Roughhouse 50cc are fine machines with fairly minimal maintenance. The warranty is your best defense if something goes wrong with it, which you won't get with a used scoot. Since you just want to ride casually a 50cc is probably your best option. Of course since you already have a Kymco, which I understand from others on MB is a descent scoot. And your GF likes the Buddy. Seems like a no brainer to me. Keep the woman happy get her the Buddy.
And keep up the bicycling its good for you.

Oh I'll never stop biking, I've got a lugged frame bianchi with flat bars and hammered fenders that I've put several thousand miles on since last march. I love my bike and we just received a cargo trailer to bike even more.

Thanks for the advice on the 50cc, kinda of the direction I am leaning. The price of the N.O.S. 125's is just so tempting. Does $2,235 seem reasonable for a new OTD buddy 50? Her 70cc is plenty fast for me.

That sounds about right with taxes and prep. And if you derestrict the Buddy it can probably keep up with the Like.

Can you find the 50cc-at-the-speed-limit-in-the-bike-lane rule in the local or state law books? That seems awfully generous - too generous, in fact.

I do not know CO law, but I do know that "no license needed under 50cc" is widely quoted even when it is not true. That said, if you can find it in the books, get the lady the Buddy - as long as you can comfortably afford it - and keep the Like.

The Buddy 50 price seems right. However, check with your dealer and see if they de-restrict as part of that price (my dealer did on my Roughhouse). If they do not, you can use this as a bargaining point on price.

You already know what a 50cc is capable of, so I won't waste your time extolling the virtues of them.

Piratemcgee wrote:The price of the N.O.S. 125's is just so tempting.

Especially since the difference would more than pay for the licensing course. Most of the time when this question comes up, someone comments that you can do everything with a 125 that you can do with a 50, but if it gives you access to bike lanes that may not be true in your area. That makes this an unusually tough decision.

Piratemcgee wrote:Does $2,235 seem reasonable for a new OTD buddy 50?

Sure is. Typical dealer mark-up for prep/taxes/etc varies by location, but I paid more than that for my Buddy 50 a few years ago (same sticker price).

Tip: Since it sounds like you want it derestricted, ask them if they'll do it for you: it's a quick operation for them (tougher for you if you don't own the tools) and a cost-free way for them to "add value" and close the sale. Easier than trying to talk them into including a helmet, for example, because the helmet costs them money.

I know the bike lane thing is surprising but it's on the books. They tried to restrict it to 30mph but it was unreasonable so 40mph is enforced on low power scoots (50cc). It makes the choice incredibly hard especially since bike lanes are VERY common here on all but residential streets. It's really a dream town for scooting/biking.

The dealer here is wonderful and automatically derestricts all the scoots before putting them up for sale. I hit 40-45mph indicated on a brand new roughhouse. You guys really think a stock buddy 50 will keep up with the modded (jetted, variator, expansion pie, 70cc cyclindered) Like 50 2 stroke?

Oh an CO does require a drivers license and insurance to operate a 50cc. "M" endorsement needed for higher.

Here is one thought: if the prospect of getting a motorcycle license is influencing you, consider what getting a license actually entails.

If you have a motorcycle license, it means that you have demonstrated a certain minimum aptitude on a bike, along with understanding the theory.

Let me put it another way... Regardless of what you do, take the MSF class and get your endorsement. You'll pick up valuable survival skills, as well as the benefit of professional instruction. Plus, the class is pretty fun.

Should have mentioned I fully plan on taking the class. My gf is already signed up I'm just not sure when I can do it due to work travel it probably won't be till August. Plus I want to make sure she's happy (I still have a car haha). I eventually want a Honda trail 110 so I have to take it anyways. Plus I completely agree it's valuable info.

I think the most likely scenario is she will get the 125cc buddy since she doesn't like being in the bike lane on the scoot (can't blame her) and this is now her primary (other than bike transport). The 125 is torquey, cleaner, quiter etc. The Buddy fits her much better than the huge Like and I think she has slight buyers remorse (she wanted it badly because of styling even though it's big). For me it's all fun and the Like fits me about the same as the roughhouse.

Piratemcgee wrote:Riding conditions: I have no desire to do interstate/fast highway on 2 wheels yet (eventually a Ural + sidecar though). Therefore speeds of traffic are up to 45mph, and I could see going 55 rarely.

Well, having owned a Ural, let me start by saying that Urals aren't really for interstates/fast highways either. Now, on to scooters. If you are looking at a mix of city/suburban/ and side road types of riding - then you would really do fine with a 125 Buddy in my opinion. The price is right, the bike is easy to ride and reliable, and it has a nice mix of capabilities for the riding you want to do.

^After reading your last post I have to 180 and agree with Dooglas's recommendation. Since you are taking that MSF class just pull the trigger and go with the higher cc option.