Modern Buddy

I rode a Buddy 50 around the dealer's parking lot a few weeks ago and now I'm hooked! My four day MSF motorcycle course starts on the 23rd of this month which qualifies me for a Michigan motorcycle endorsement (we only have one "CY" and it is required for anything over 50 cc). I will probably be getting a Buddy 125 or 150, or a Vespa LX 150.

I have been doing quite a bit of reading on this forum and elsewhere, including the crash thread and would like some advice. The course that I will be taking is clutch and shift motorcycle based. What should I keep in mind while taking the course? What are the handling differences between a 250 lb. scooter with 11" wheels and a motorcycle? Also, I will be riding at 55 mph regularly to get to work and back, will these bikes be adequate (have enough extra power at that speed to be safe)?

Yea, alot of people ride at full throttle for long periods of time, just break it in first before you try it.

Also, I think the buddy is a great beginner bike. The LX150 is a good bike too, but priced alot higher since it's from italy, made of steel, and is a vespa

The difference of a scooter vs motorcycle isnt that major. On a MC, you really need to use the skills they teach you in the MSF, and plus, you gotta shift. On a scooter, you can use the same skills, but no shifting. A MC is heavier too, I'd say the ones in the MSF are 400+ pounds compared to the buddy being 223 pounds.

Learning to ride a MC isnt as scary as it seems, they build up confidence quickly at that class. I rode a nighthawk 250, great bike (except after a girl rear ended me and wrecked her bike in class) Good times!

I haven't taken any safety classes (I know, I know, I should), but I can say with the Buddy 125 I can go 55 pretty easily, 60+ is do-able, but kinda of straining it IMO. Others' 125s are faster than mine , I don't know why... The 150 would probably be better suited since you'll be able to hit those higher speeds with ease. Also some of that depends on your body weight.

I can't speak for the LX150, since I've never ridden one. I can imagine with the weight of the scoot, the ride might be a bit smoother, but with slower acceleration and slightly lower top speed.

If you like shifting from your MSF class, look into a stella, they are nice bikes! The stella has the best looks of any scooter I have ever seen (well same as P series, so both look nice )

Damn, I like this place. Two replies in 10 minutes!

I have to admit to being slightly nervous about this whole thing. I'm 21, have driven almost 100,000 miles, have perfect driving record, and no wrecks, but plenty of close calls. Like last week when a lady almost sideswiped me as she was changing lanes; she smiled and waved at me when we stopped at a traffic light as if it was no big thing (I drive a sunburst orange Dodge Caliber with running lights by the way. Kind of hard to miss.).

I really want to go into the as informed as possible and appreciate your help.

You're alot older than I am, if I can pass the class and pick up a 400 pound bike, you can do it too. A tip during class room time, they have 120 some questions for the entire class to answer, you might have to read a paragraph or two to the teacher/class to answer the question, mark that paragraph with the question number. That way when the written test comes, you can just check your questions earlier in class, and then flip right to the paragraph with all info so you can make the right choice on the written test. Usually it's 50 questions, but they are easy. It may depend on what state you live in too, their course may be slightly different.

Just be glad you're taking your class in nice shining spring/summer weather, I took mine in cold wet rainy, foggy, 30 degree weather.

I don't really think there's that big a difference between the dainty motorcycles in the MSF class and scooters, except that the scooter is far, far easier to move around when it's turned off. I also like the no-shifting part - you can focus on what's going on around you instead of trying to get the bike in neutral.
What you really need to take away from the class is the rules of the road for motorcyclists and the maneuvering skills you learn. They're pretty universal.

Welcome to the scoot life. You'll do fine on you MSF class just try to imagine the instructor w/no close on and you will become much more relaxed and speed right thru it w/flying colors.

I'm glad that you are getting some ride time in the MSF class under your belt instead of getting out on the open road like a rebel w/out a cause first. Other's on the road will appreciate it, believe me.

If you plan on purchasing before your course, you may be able to use your scooter to take the safety course. In my state (PA) all you have to do is tell them in advance

addictionriot wrote:If you plan on purchasing before your course, you may be able to use your scooter to take the safety course. In my state (PA) all you have to do is tell them in advance

Unfortunately, no can do on that. You can't even provide your own motorcycle. Plus, there is no easy and inexpensive way for me to legally get it there without an endorsement.

I am definitely looking forward to the course and don't mind the whole learning with a clutch part. Hey, maybe Dad will let me ride the Harley. My major concern was handling differences. In the dealer's lot the scooter felt kind of twitchy and unstable, but that was probably because I spent most of the time around 10 mph, and the fastest I got going was 25.

socialENIGMA wrote:Plus, there is no easy and inexpensive way for me to legally get it there without an endorsement.

You can get a permit by just passing the written/eye test.

Without any experience, any bike will feel twitchy and unstable, especially at low speeds. Once you learn to ride, the buddy will fill smooth, unless you are on a bumpy road

I own both the Vespa and a Buddy. You can read my oft-requested comparison of the two (as ell as others' thoughts on this) here.

jmazza wrote:

socialENIGMA wrote:Plus, there is no easy and inexpensive way for me to legally get it there without an endorsement.

You can get a permit by just passing the written/eye test.

Even with the permit I could not get it to class without significant inconvenience to others. "You must also be under the constant visual supervision of a licensed motorcycle operator who is at least 18 years old."

Thanks ericalm for the comparison. I read it before and it was very informative. I think I am a bit more well suited to the Vespa LX. I sat on both at the dealer and I felt kind of cramped on the Buddy. I am not going to be hot-rodding it; I want to enjoy a nice conservative cruise around town, so based on your review and others it appears that the Vespa's handling will fit my riding style better. Also, I like the styling of the Vespa a bit more (no offense). The pointy back end of the buddy isn't very attractive to me and the zip-tied reflectors look like a cheesy afterthought, but I guess that's not to difficult to correct with a couple of nice saddle bags and different reflectors.

Unfortunately, this decision is probably going to come down to cost. Do I spend the extra two grand or not?

I just completed the second day of my MSF Basic Rider Course. I'm taking the four day version because the website said that this version offers more time to practice... Well things are going OK, they have us on either 125 or 250 cc Suzuki's. I'm on a 125. I'm doing reasonably well leaning and maneuvering, but I am having major problems with the damn clutch. The bike I had the first day had an extremely firm clutch lever that only had about half an inch of throw. The bike I am on now is much better, but I'm having serious trouble doing the low speed stuff because I can't quite get the "friction zone" thing right.

Because I am going to purchase an automatic scooter, I'm not too concerned about it as far as my day-to-day riding and safety go, but I want to pass the test at the end so I can get my endorsement and scooter. I'm compensating for my lack of clutch skill by riding the rear brake for the figure 8 in a box and tight weaves.

Any other advice you guys have will be appreciated. I'm really excited about this scooter thing and want to pass.

All I have to say is thank god I live in Florida....Here, you take your written exam and eye exam, if you pass, you get a 90 day temporary permit to practice and get to the riding portion. You do not have to be within arms distance of a licensed rider, etc. Heck, as unresponsible as it is, I know several people who have been riding for 5+ years and never have gotten their license.

I passed!

Congratulations! Now ride safe and have fun.

socialENIGMA wrote:I passed!

Congratulations! Now the fun begins and you can start test driving. If I were you, I'd test drive all the scoots you're interested in on the roads you'll be regularly using. If that's not possible, try to find similar roads with similar speed limits.

If you're serious about riding regularly at 55 mph my feeling is that the 150's you're considering are not the best choices. Yes, the Buddy and the LX can easily cruise at 55 or 60 but once you hit 40 the acceleration slows and once you hit 60 you have precious little reserve for evasive action. Of course, much depends on the actual roads you're traveling but, around here, if I know I'll be riding above 50 mph for an extended period, I don't take my Buddy.

When you test ride the 150's, be sure to test out at least one 250 for comparison. Don't get me wrong here, I prefer the small frame by far but I use it where it works and switch to something bigger when I know it won't.

chancerbeans13 wrote:All I have to say is thank god I live in Florida....Here, you take your written exam and eye exam, if you pass, you get a 90 day temporary permit to practice and get to the riding portion. You do not have to be within arms distance of a licensed rider, etc. Heck, as unresponsible as it is, I know several people who have been riding for 5+ years and never have gotten their license.

All I have to say is thank god I don't if that is the prevailing local attitude. If you intended this to be helpful advice to new riders (thats what this string was about), then you missed the mark.