Modern Buddy

what is the life expectancy of a well taken care of Buddy 125?

Maybe 50k 60k miles before serious stuff needs replacing. There are people who get the transmission belts, roller weights, and such replaced because they wear just like car parts do. Roller weights dont cost much, 15-20 dollars at most and only take 20-30 minutes to change, the belt can be done yourself too.

Are you serious, I didn't think any scooter lasted that long w/o a rebuild.

There are members riding 20k and 30k right now. Doesnt seem like they have had any problems so far. I'm sure the engine would need a rebuild sometime, but then again if you take care of it, it will last. Cars usually run 100k before problems start happening like crazy, but I've seen people who rode their cars to over 300k without a single problem. My friend had a ford truck with 250k on it, he has no mechanical problems. Besides a cracked windshield, but he got it fixed.

Depends on what you do to it along the way. The key to super-longevity is good maintenance. Stay on the schedule provided by Genuine. Check the valves, plug and carbs.

Performance mods can also effect longevity. If you're planning to do everything you can to the scoot to eke out every extra mph, you're going to be sacrificing a lot of future miles.

We have a member (or two?) who have broken 20K so far. The Buddys have only been in the US for a couple of years now, though so not a lot of riders have had the chance to put on those kind of miles.

Truth is, most people crash or sell their scoots before they get to 50K. (I'd say selling is the best way to go.)

One thing I myself dont get is how to adjust the valves, where are they located at, what tools what I need?

jfrost2 wrote:One thing I myself dont get is how to adjust the valves, where are they located at, what tools what I need?

I haven't done this myself. MV has a tutorial on setting valves for a GT. That should give you an idea of what's involved.

http://www.modernvespa.com/forum/topic6080.html

How many miles would you say the valves need to be checked?

jfrost2 wrote:How many miles would you say the valves need to be checked?

Every 4K or so.

I said i'll take my bike back to the dealer at 4-5k for them to check, I guess that's great timing!

on a sobering note, with 20725 total, and less than 8k on the second engine (first one lost to my not tightening the oil filter sufficiently), my buddy is deathly ill... on the down side, i am more than a little sad to not be riding it... on the up side, 1) i have a bajaj to ride in the mean time, 2) i have a complete, if injured, motor to scavenge if necessary, and 3) i am going to learn quite a lot about the buddy's 125 powerplant...

But with what they cost, I'd say getting 50 -60k care-free (relatively) miles is pretty good. Having to buy another one isn't like signing the next 4 or 5 years away for a $2-300 + car payment.

Its not a Buddy, but my 2004 Honda Ruckus 49cc has 18,000 miles on it, doesn't burn any oil, runs great. I have put on new tires Belt and rollers lasted until 16,000 miles. I change the oil every 800-1000 miles, no oil filter, just a screen.

I realize that a Honda isn't a Buddy, but the point is that if a 49cc motor lasts like that with regular preventive maintenance, I would expect the Buddy 125 to last twice that long.

Hey, I was NOT saying that Honda is superior. I expect to see the Buddy equal my Hondas in service or I wouldn't have bought one.

Dennis

lou76 wrote:on a sobering note, with 20725 total, and less than 8k on the second engine (first one lost to my not tightening the oil filter sufficiently), my buddy is deathly ill... on the down side, i am more than a little sad to not be riding it... on the up side, 1) i have a bajaj to ride in the mean time, 2) i have a complete, if injured, motor to scavenge if necessary, and 3) i am going to learn quite a lot about the buddy's 125 powerplant...

What's going on with it?

thanks guys now I've got to get me a Buddy. Is there really a 3 mo. waiting period?

tucks20s wrote:thanks guys now I've got to get me a Buddy. Is there really a 3 mo. waiting period?

There may be a wait for certain colors. Contact a dealer ASAP. Some will even take money down to hold one. They're going fast.

I think I've found one that has been turned over on it's side(some scratches and a broken turn light) it comes with a new turn signal and I do body/paint. Still waiting for a price though...