Modern Buddy

Good morning fellow Genuine fans. I'm a long time scooter owner and have owned many over the years. I just came back from a two hour ride on my 125, and started thinking about why this scooter is so great. So, in Rob Gordon fashion, here is my list:
1) Overall size, build quality and general vibe of the scooter.  It's built like a high quality Pit bull.  Zero to 50 is a blast, and it will stay there for hours on end.   2) Factory side stand comes as stock equipment.  You don't see this from Piaggio.  3) Built in dash cubby will hold a water bottle and sunglasses.  4) Hazard lights and 12 volt outlet come standard with the scooter.  5) Ease of maintenance and availability of parts. The engine uses the same oil filter as Piaggio and Polaris.  Getting to the fluids is a breeze.  Valve adjustment is about the easiest I've ever done.  No list would be fair without adding my CONS, so here are mine:  1)  Proprietary disposable air filter.  Come on PGO, even a $8,500 Vespa lets me wash and re-use the air filter.  2) I hate having to dissect the head set to get to the brake fluid reservoir. Suzuki Burgman isn't so vain as to hide the reservoirs.  Why did PGO make it so?  These two gripes aren't a deal breaker by any means, but it would have been nice.  

I have a few things that would go in my top 5, Deedee:
1 Can be kick started
2 Flat seat; tall riders can slide back on the seat without a hump interfering.
3 Plenty of aftermarket performance parts available, including big bore kits
4 No ECU computer - Performance mods can be handled with an inexpensive jetting change - rather than an ECU reflash or replacement.
5 Classic styling (like a Vespa). I don't like a scooter that is styled like a sport bike.

Great additions to the list. I forgot to put flat floorboard.

If you're buying new, the Buddy 125 is awesome. But if you're shopping used, the problem is that the Buddy 150 exists and they usually sell for about the same dough, and the Buddy 150 is 20% more Buddy-er!

The only thing I would change on the Buddy 125 is to make Alloy Wheels available. Steel wheels require periodic maintenance when you live near salt water.

I asked my local dealer about replacing the steel wheels on my 2015 125 with the factory alloys available on current models, and he said they would cost $500 each. I told him I'll stick with the steels for now. The alloys are pretty sharp, though.

Steel wheels bend; alloy wheels break. Hit a pothole wrong with alloys, you're out $500. Hit a pothole wrong with steelies, and you can whack 'em back into shape with a hammer. I don't own anything with alloy wheels.

eliu01 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 3:50 am I asked my local dealer about replacing the steel wheels on my 2015 125 with the factory alloys available on current models, and he said they would cost $500 each. I told him I'll stick with the steels for now. The alloys are pretty sharp, though.

Wow. I might pay 4 or 5 hundos for alloy wheels, but not a grand. I don't hate sanding and painting that much.

Best thing about the Buddy 125 is that I like the Buddy 150 better. I have both.

I still recommend the Buddy 125 to anyone who listens. As much as I love my Liberty a tad bit more I hate being a prisoner to the "computer scanner" and Piaggios dealer network never being close by. I miss simple modding and kick start back-up but the Liberty 150 has been a little tank.

Don't the newer Buddy scooters come with alloy wheels? I haven't seen a new Buddy in a long time. Only the 50cc Rough House scooter.

Wife has 08 Buddy- agree with the kick start, centerstand, easy maintenance! Ours is foam green which is
It always starts with a touch of the button.
A con for me, is the cheesy bodywork, had to fix broken tab on nosepiece. Currently using a zip tie at handlebar cover due to broken tab.
BTW I washed the air filter with degreaser and water. But have a spare in tool box.

I have 08 Burgman 400. The starter died one day 30 miles from home. NO KICK START. It's tow time now I carry a spare starter.

As far as steel wheels, clean with steel or scotch brite pad, spray with rust oleum, Voila, looks good again

That definitely sounds like a guy that lives near the Gulf!

sc00ter wrote: ↑Sat Apr 02, 2022 2:49 pm I still recommend the Buddy 125 to anyone who listens. As much as I love my Liberty a tad bit more I hate being a prisoner to the "computer scanner" and Piaggios dealer network never being close by. I miss simple modding and kick start back-up but the Liberty 150 has been a little tank.

Don't the newer Buddy scooters come with alloy wheels? I haven't seen a new Buddy in a long time. Only the 50cc Rough House scooter.

My wife's 2019 Buddy 125 has alloy wheels. They do look nice.

eliu01 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 3:50 am I asked my local dealer about replacing the steel wheels on my 2015 125 with the factory alloys available on current models, and he said they would cost $500 each. I told him I'll stick with the steels for now. The alloys are pretty sharp, though.

I was at my dealer today and asked about the alloy wheels and was told around $170 each.

One more thing I like about the 125. This is a tremendously reliable scooter. We have one which is 15 years old and it runs today as well as on the day it was new. In fairness, we have kept it completely stock and my partner doesn't put high mileage on it - but it has done everything asked of it!

After putting a few more miles on my 125, I have some additional pros and cons.
Pros: I like how you can open the seat w/ the scooter still running.
Cons: Everything about the rear rack sucks donkey dick., stator sucks. Genuine must have bought leftover inventory from the Tao Tao people., Spark plug cap sucks. It wears out way too soon. Clutch assembly needle bearing is pretty weak. I'm still loving my Buddy, but the quality isn't near that of my 50cc Yamaha as the miles ring up.

I have another item for the love column. The stock Yar Ton horn. This thing sounds like a freight train when I lay on the button. I hoard them when I come across a wrecked or donor Buddy. I've installed them on 2 Yamaha C3s, 1 Burgman 400, and on my recent Piaggio BV250 purchase. Most piaggio and Vespa horns are a joke, they sound like a kazoo. I don't use my horn often, but when I push the button, I want attention.

I never added my 5 favorites:
1) Simple to service. From oil changes to valve checks, easy!
2) Parts support and accessories galore. Oh, and performance parts as well.
3) No computers, EFI or ABS. Well, the 125 and 150's are basic technology.
4) Known quality and value.
5) Do it all size. Not to big or to small. Plus it goes fast enough for surface street commutes.
But no list of praise is complete without gripes:
Prima rear rack stinks. We NEED to find that elusive aluminum rear rack they get over in Taiwan and bring some stateside.
Flip out foot pegs from the factory would be the best! I gave away my homemade ones I got from a member here to a new member here. I rarely ride a passenger but it would be nice to have just in case.
Dead lights being on from the factory. Yeah, its easy to hook them up but why does Genuine just not do it already?