Modern Buddy

Although I've been riding for 2.5 years, I've never taken the MSF class. I've got my M endorsement, but that's all. Well, my wife and I are signed up for the next available class in June ($200 each...). Although I'm sure we will learn some stuff to help us be safer scooter riders, we're taking the class to get a feel for riding motorcycles. Our scooters have been great and, don't worry, we are keeping them... but, we just want to be able to take some longer trips without holding up traffic. 100 miles or so against the wind gets old fast. We are probably going to end up with a Yamaha R3 for me and a Ninja 300 for her. I cannot wait. Finally saw the R3 in person and damn, that's a pretty bike.

If you're wanting a motorcycle for long trips, a sport bike isn't the way to go. Their riding position is horrible for long rides.

I'm looking at small motorcycles too. After a few weeks on my new Buddy I'm rethinking what I want from a motorcycle. My 650 weighs 490 with a full tank of gas & the wheelbase is 14+ inches longer. Getting it in & out of my crowded garage requires me to back out one car, pull out the bike, then park the car. The Buddy? Just roll out & ride. Under 65 mph the Buddy is more fun because it's insanely nimble & responsive. Since I got the Buddy I've ridden it almost daily. Been on the bike once in 6 weeks. Yep, I have a battery charger now. Once in awhile I like to cruise around 80+ on the highway & that's what the bike's for but a 250 will do that. The bike on my radar is the KTM 390 Duke, just arrived in the USA. Way cheaper than what I paid for my bike 8 years ago. Anyway, I think you'll enjoy the MSF class. I took it 22 years ago when the military required me to for owning a motorcycle. Glad I did. Rode little Honda 250 Nighthawks, fun bikes. One guy there was about 78 & wanted to get a Honda Helix after seeing one. Never rode before but he passed the course.

The riding position on the entry-level bikes is much more upright than most sport bikes, so I'm fairly confident I'll be comfortable enough. What's not comfortable is tucking down as far as you can on a scooter for 150 miles just to maintain 50mph against the wind.

The age old dilemma what to purchase motorcycle vs scooter? I have had both - four Harley Davidsons, three previous scooters and now a Buddy 170. I was very comfortable riding interstate highways on a Harley but would never ride on a highway for any length of time with any of my previous scooters including a 250cc and my Buddy. That said - I gladly give up highway riding for my Buddy 170. It is far more practical for everyday trips and long weekend rides. It does 50-55 mph easily for miles. A Harley was an ego trip for me to see if at my age (60 plus) and size (5'3") I could handle riding one. They were great on the interstate but not too convenient for me otherwise. The practicality of the Buddy 170 means years of happy riding for me.

I rode a Ninja 250 for about 30,000 miles on all kinds of roads, and it makes a good light weight touring bike, but eventually it became uncomfortable for longer rides: the pegs were too high, and my legs didn't have enough circulation. I actually fell a couple of times when I stopped, and couldn't get my foot off of the pegs because my legs were asleep. But that was after 3 hours of riding without taking a break; an hour or two was fine. It certainly was a very fine bike, fun to ride and fast enough to ride almost anywhere. I am sure that you will enjoy your new rides.

the little 300's are amazing tech, but you can find some older models cheap to see what you like. The good thing about a few year old 250-500 is that if you take care of it, they can be resold for most of your value down the road (hint, buy Winter sell Summer).

I have no problem buying used if it's the right bike, but I'm pretty much in love with the Yamaha R3. Seriously considering selling my Aprilia and finding a 2 stroke Stella as well.

The R3 does tick a lot of good boxes! not too sporty (I have a short torso and don't like the aggressive riding position) but still fun.

One day when I'm rich I will own a Ducati Scrambler.

A Kawasaki EX250 from Craigslist is a great way to determine if you're headed in the right direction without losing $'s.
As noted above, you can buy and sell them "right" and they're a really good piece of kit.
The R3 is also my favorite if I was to step back into the shifter-bike world. The seating geometry looks good and with a "double-bubble" windshield and a couple of teeth larger countershaft sprocket, would make a great allrounder (?).

skully93 wrote:One day when I'm rich I will own a Ducati Scrambler.

I had a Ducati Paso 750. Sold that last summer and now I have my scooter. Ducati's are a lot of fun and unique but also a large pain as the dealerships kept going out of business.

ffeingol wrote:

skully93 wrote:One day when I'm rich I will own a Ducati Scrambler.

I had a Ducati Paso 750. Sold that last summer and now I have my scooter. Ducati's are a lot of fun and unique but also a large pain as the dealerships kept going out of business.

They are also VERY expensive to maintain. I do love their looks though.