New to the Buddy World

JoshuaKane · Post by **JoshuaKane** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:09 am

Hello:

I am a past Honda Elite 80 rider who is seriously thinking about purchasing a buddy 150 in the next few weeks. I have been doing a fair amount of research online and feel that the Buddy is one of the best looking scooters, as well as being a good value for the price.

I have been reading the forum's here and some of the new user type guides and posts. I still have have a few questions

The dealer closest to me still has some 125's as well as expecting some 150's in by the end of this week, what is the general opinion on the 150 over the 125? There seems to be a $400 price difference, and I am wondering if the extra 25cc is worth it?

What are some of the better/more useful accessories for the bike, that one should consider for purchase when picking up a scooter?

Thanks for the help in advance.

-- Joshua

robtaylor · Post by **robtaylor** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:24 am

welcome joshua
for the 125-150cc range the buddy is one of the best choices you can make.
the differences between the 125 and the 150? i'd like to know that myself.
at this point i'd suspect that in performance i.e. mph there won't be a heck of a lot of difference the new stock pipe probably makes as much differene as the 25cc's
the real answer is we won't know for sure until a few people log in that have 150's they have broken in and can compare to the 125s

the buddy 125 is faster than any other 125 i've seen

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:30 am

Welcome Joshua-

You'll love the Buddy.

As for the differences in the 150/125, there haven't really been any side-by-side tests done and from what I remember, I've read everything from a few more MPH on the top end, to quicker off the line, to more midrange torque. I can't imagine the 150's are THAT much faster than the 125s. You also get the really stinkin' loud Stebel Nautilus horn in the 150's. It's pretty much a truck horn which is a good thing. The "regular" Buddys have a pretty wimpy horn (as do most scooters).

Finally, of course the look is different. I have a 125cc Series Italia and bought it specifically because I liked the look. The Pamplona and St. Tropez seem to be really great looking scoots from the real world pics that are rolling in here on the site.

I guess my opinion is that I wouldn't buy the International Series Buddys JUST for the extra 25cc, but for all of those things combined, if I was buying now, I'd spend the extra and get one for sure.

Hope that helps a little!

OH- accessories- well, I'll be the first to talk gear. A good helmet (I prefer full face) and gloves, boots, and some kind of jacket (I'm four hours south of you and have a Fieldsheer High Flow mesh jacket that is as good as wearing a jacket can be in the heat down here) are a must in my book. Beyond that, there's topcases you can buy, rear and front racks, windshields, etc. Also performance stuff like pipes, rollers, etc. Lots of accessories for Buddys. For a good look at tons of accessories go to http://www.scooterworks.com/ and browse the Buddy section.

Parkerl · Post by **Parkerl** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:42 am

i have had my 150cc pamplona for about two weeks now. i went into my dealer the other day and the owner could wait to take a broken in 150 for a spine. when he came back he said that it was quite a bit faster then the 125's i would definitely pay the extra $400 for the 150.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:08 am

Parkerl wrote:i have had my 150cc pamplona for about two weeks now. i went into my dealer the other day and the owner could wait to take a broken in 150 for a spine. when he came back he said that it was quite a bit faster then the 125's i would definitely pay the extra $400 for the 150.

Hmmm. "I went into my dealer the other day and the owner couldn't wait to take a broken in 150 for a spin"? Did I get it?

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:38 am

To me, it's all about your needs... I really love the look of the Yamaha C3, & I ALMOST bought one, but it's just not practical to have a 50cc scoot around here anywhere. I was even a little worried that the 125s would have trouble climbing a few of the overpasses around here (since we don't really have hills or anything). I have a 125 Buddy and it FLIES

. I can easily go 55mph everywhere & can reach 65, but I try not to do that if I can since I'm still in my break-in period

... Anyways, my two cents: if you don't need the extra power, why pay for it? Whatever you choose, it's gonna RULE!!!

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:46 am

Extra 25cc wont give you much difference, just a few more miles per hour top end, and much more 0-30mph acceleration.

A 125cc can really go the same top speed (most of the time, depends of rider weight) but just slower because of 25cc less.

My opinion, I'd get a 125, more color options, but if you like the international colors the best, then I'd do that instead, It depends if you are willing to spend the difference, but if you are ok with it, go for it!

JoshuaKane · Post by **JoshuaKane** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:50 am

Wow!

Thanks for all the speedy replies. I really appreciate all the advice and input.

I saw several Florida people post. I am in Orlando, and the closest dealer I can find is in St. Augustine. There is a dealer in Volusia County, but they need to be an "Authorized Dealer" to sell their scooters, and apparently there was some paper mix up, and they have the scooters in stock, but the state won't let them sell them until they finish the dealer paperwork.

As the dealership is over 90 miles away, and mostly highway, I was going to try to fit it into the back of the wife's mini-van, or possibly rent a trailer from U-Haul. Has anyone tried either of these options?

-- Joshua

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:49 am

I'm assuming the dealer in St. Augustine is Solano Cycle? That's where I got my scoot & they're cool... I never actually went there, as I had them ship it to Pensacola. I used to work @ Uhaul and unless they've changed their rates in the last few months, you can get a trailer from 15-25 bucks... They have a motorcycle trailer for about $25 per day, but the Buddy will fit in a 4x6 (open) trailer, which is only about $15, but doesn't have a ramp

. If you can rig some sort of ramp yourself you can save the 10 bucks. Either way, it's not too bad. Those are daily rates and you can keep the trailer as long as 24 hours or whatever you agree to (Make sure you allow yourself enough time to get everything done). They also have a 5x8 that is a little roomier if you would rather for about $20. Hope that helps! ~Cheryl

JoshuaKane · Post by **JoshuaKane** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:44 pm

KRUSTYburger wrote:I'm assuming the dealer in St. Augustine is Solano Cycle? That's where I got my scoot & they're cool...

Yes, you are exactly right. I spoke with Martin at Solano, he spent about 1/2 an hour on the phone with me explaining some of the finer points of the scooter, along with letting me know why it is one of his favorite rides.

I really hope they get the 150's in on Friday, if not I will be delaying my trip by a week.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:57 pm

Most dealers will deliver 50-60 miles for free in a truck or van, the extra 30, you could pay them, I'd give them 50-60 dollars to deliver, delivering in your own set up can be dangerous. Plus annoying, you'd have to remove the back and middle seat of a van to fit the bike in there.

She-Buddy · Post by **She-Buddy** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:13 pm

Wow! This thread is perfect for me and just what I've been looking for! I too have been torn between a 125cc and a 150cc. I really love all the photos people have been posting too as they've given me that "real world" sense of what the new line looks like.

Finding this forum and reading all the discussion has me anxious and salivating to get my Buddy! Unfortunately, my local dealer tells me I can't get either of my top two choices until May!

You guys know a way around that?

Buddy_wannabe · Post by **Buddy_wannabe** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:56 am

Are they going to stop doing the 125? .... if so I would go for the 150

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:40 am

She-Buddy wrote:Finding this forum and reading all the discussion has me anxious and salivating to get my Buddy! Unfortunately, my local dealer tells me I can't get either of my top two choices until May!

You guys know a way around that?

What are your top 2 choices? And why not until May? The dealer can't order any more?

There are 7 dealers in WI (unless you live in another Madison?). Maybe you can do some kind of transfer?

She-Buddy · Post by **She-Buddy** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:58 pm

My top two choices are the 125cc in Seafoam and the 150cc Saint Tropez. I have considered purchasing from other WI dealerships - in fact, I'm awaiting confirmation from one to see if they actually have these in stock.

There are a couple factors leaning me towards accepting the wait:
1) My local dealership is within walking distance from my apt.
2) I'd feel guilty asking my local dealership for servicing if I purchase the scooter from a competitor
3) I've been offered a couple monetary breaks from my local dealer
4) We're supposed to get at least 6 inches of snow today! The weather could trump any dealership in causing a delay in my leap into the world of scooting.

As for the 125cc vs 150cc; I'm constantly searching for reviews to assess the differences. Posts I've read on Modern Buddy have offered me the BEST so far.

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:54 pm

2) I'd feel guilty asking my local dealership for servicing if I purchase the scooter from a competitor

Actually, the dealers make their money on service and all the other stuff they sell. Bikes don't really have that much profit on them. And no, I am not trying to start over the dealer profit conversations again.

Just pointing out that I am pretty sure servicing your scoot, regardless where you bought it, would be OK with them. If it is a warranty item, Genuine pays them, if it is your fault, you pay them. That is why they are there.

But if you can be patient and buy from them, well, icing on the cake.

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:41 pm

EP_scoot wrote:Just pointing out that I am pretty sure servicing your scoot, regardless where you bought it, would be OK with them. If it is a warranty item, Genuine pays them, if it is your fault, you pay them. That is why they are there.

The first part, yes, for sure, but Genuine might require warranty claims to be handled through the original dealer. I'd say if you bought one and then moved, it wouldn't be an issue, but if there are two dealers near you, you might have to handle warranty claims through the original dealer. Call a third dealer that's nowhere near you, and ask them. : )

She-Buddy · Post by **She-Buddy** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:07 pm

Call a third dealer that's nowhere near you, and ask them. : )

Great idea, thanks! As I'm expecting one to call me back, I'll use that opportunity to do so.

Here's hoping we both get through this "Winter's Last Stand," illnoise. And quickly.

JoshuaKane · Post by **JoshuaKane** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 11:12 am

Well I made the 100+ mile drive from my home outside of Orlando up to St. Augustine.

I arrived at the Buddy dealer, and they had two of the 2008 Buddy's in stock, a blue and green one. I talked to the owner for a bit, and then took the buddy for a test drive along some of the back roads, and then onto A1A. The ride was great, and the scooter was very peppy.

I got back to the dealership to find some of the folks who worked there entertaining my son, by taking him for a ride in a "Scoot Coupe", which is basically a 3 wheel beach buggy like scooter. The owner was talking to my wife, and more or less just hanging out and making sure everyone had fun.

I ended up opting for the 125, as the 150's had not arrived as of yet, and the dealer assured me that there would be more then enough pep in the 125 to get me back and forth the 3 miles to work, and to tool around town. The 2008 also has the same horn as the 150's so it is plenty loud.

About 30 mins later I was walking out the new owner of a baby blue scooter. Amazingly the scooter, and four people were able to fit back into the Mini-Van and make the drive back without incident, I was worried most of the trip back that a short stop, or turn would be an issue, but it was not.

I have only put about 17 miles on my Buddy since Friday, but it has been lots of fun. I can't wait to break it in a bit more, and once again enjoy my drive to and from work.

-- Joshua

She-Buddy · Post by **She-Buddy** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 3:40 pm

Congratulations Joshua!

So you were able to fit the Buddy in a minivan?! Did you have to remove or make particular adjustments to the seating?

There's a dealership about an hour away from me who expects to receive both the 125 in my preferred color, and the 150s sooner than my local dealership.

If these can fit in a minivan, I may have less of a transport issue than I thought.

I hope you have a blast on your new scoot!

JoshuaKane · Post by **JoshuaKane** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:17 pm

Yes, we have a Town and Country Mini-Van. the bottom seats fold flat to the floor, and the front ones come out. We put down the larger section of the 60/40 split, and remove the front seat. This allowed us to put the buddy in and still have room for the two kids in back.

I would suggest bringing some towels and leaning the buddy against the side of the van. At first we had the kick-stand down, but it made me nervous, as the bike shifted when I would break. The opening of the tail-gate was just about 40". We had to angle the top some to the side, but the bike fit in. I would venture to guess that we could have gotten 2 of them in.

There was some minor plastic scratching on exit, but that was my fault and completely avoidable.

-- Joshua

zemacar · Post by **zemacar** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:07 am

I just saw this thread tonight. Having a Honda Elite 80 myself, I was going to tell you that the 125 is so much more fun. But you've already had lots of advice and gone and got your new scoot. Congratulations!
I was interested to hear that you crammed it into a T&C. I have one of those also. When I brought home the Honda last year, it (just barely) fit into our T&C, and we had to remove its mirrors. Was any surgery involved to get your buddy in?
I picked up my new seafoam green 125 just today - in my Ranger. I had the Genuine windshield installed. When I saw it in person, thoughts of an Italia quickly dissipated. It's a nice green.
Cheers,
Cara

JoshuaKane · Post by **JoshuaKane** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:29 pm

We just had to remove the mirrors from the buddy. It was very simple to do.

Also the buddy 125 beats the Honda Elite 80 hands down.