Modern Buddy

I just bought a buddy 150 and was wondering whether a higher grade of gas will improve performance. When I bought the scooter the dealer said to put in 87 octane gas but when talking with other people it appears that they put the higher octane in.

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General consensus is that the best gas is the kind you get at a gas station. From a pump. That you pay a lot for.



What the above threads will show you is that anytime someone asks this question, a big long thread breaks out (I know, I've done it myself) and in the end there is no answer. However, in those threads (and perhaps even this one!) all of the below (and more!) will happen:

1. Someone will discuss the difference between RON, MON, and (R+M)/2.

2. Someone else will mention that high octane is only for high compression engines and therefore not the Buddy.

3. Someone else will then conjecture that the Buddy is high compression enough for high octane.

4. Someone will say "the Buddy gets great milage so why not spend the few extra cents on the good stuff" (added after the next post appeared because I forgot that one always comes up!!)

5. Someone else will say "sure it's not much extra but why pay it if you don't need to? This person usually has a financial planner and a great portfolio.

6. Someone will say to go with the sticker in the pet carrier.

7. Someone will say to go with the manual.

7a. Someone will then hijack the thread to talk about how poorly translated the manual is.

8. Someone will say go with what your dealer says.

9. At this point, there will be two people who will try to play trump cards. These cards will be the following:

9a. Someone will say that they have a relative who works for the oil industry who told them "yadda yadda yadda..."

9b. Someone will quote or copy/paste a POC Phil post where he says "yadda yadda yadda..."

9b1. IF, and only IF it's a full moon falling on a Friday the 13th and it's raining in Seattle, POC Phil will actually post on the thread. If that occurs you should pat yourself on the back. Twice.

10. The thread will die down a bit.

11. Someone will resurrect the thread by asking, "so did we get any definitive answer on this?"

12. The thread will then start to break up and disintegrate as jokes such as "what octane windshield should I use," "does my gas need to be ATGATT," and "why red is red" are posted by some of (but not limited to) the following members: buddyraton, kazoo, mikietaps, DennisD, illnoise, and many others (sorry to all other other funny people on the board, those were just the first I thought of).

13. After a few jokes, madtolive will come in and tell us what octane the zombies use. You won't want to see the thread when that happens.


And then the next time someone asks, this thread will be referred to by Piedmont.

Does that help??!

Have fun riding- put in whatever gas you think is best and enjoy your Buddy! And welcome to MB.com!

Since the Buddy gets 90+mpg, I can't see where the extra $.20 a gallon for premium will break anyone! That's less than a half cent a mile difference! There's my 2 cents.

The paid for by someone else kind. VespaFW sent me off with a full tank...'first one's on us, the rest are on you!'

Like that's going to be a difficulty? And for the record...Robbie told me plain ole regular works just fine...not that I doubted my gurus at Modern Buddy or anything!

1. Go to any station that sells gasoline.
2. Scan area for available pump.
3. Pull up to available pump.
4. Select CHEAPEST gasoline.
5. Fill tank with CHEAPEST gasoline.
6. Ride. Buddy will perform as designed.
7. Remember, it is a small machine, not a rocket ship. Enjoy and stop worrying about every little detail. Buddy will not melt in the rain. Buddy will not feel deprived. Buddy does not think. Buddy is not Hal. Buddy is machine designed and built by man.

Thanks for the laugh jmazza, I needed one!

OK, but what kind of oil should I use?

I think a welcome to the forum is due!!!

Welcome Chi town scoot!

I hope you enjoy the forum, there is TONS of good info in here, just poke around a bit, and when something happend with your buddy... one of its little quirks, you will know everything is allright, and be able to keep enjoying your buddy! Congrats on the purchase, and dont forget to post some baby pics*!!!

*you with your new buddy, or at least your buddy!!!

DennisD wrote:OK, but what kind of oil should I use?

Hey, no one had adressed it for the 150. It has an oil cooler. I'm paranoid.





Do you hear that helicoptor?





Where can I buy tinfoil? This aluminum nonsense just isn't cutting it.

If you were really from Chicago, you'd know that it's spelled "Chi-Tonw"

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?secti ... id=5192989

The answer is Yup!

thanks jmazza

That was aweome Jmazza!!!


I like DennisD post, as well. It's a slighlty modified lawn mower engine. The basic design probably hasn't changed in 15 years. You don't need the good stuff.

Keep track of Octane and MPG for a tank. Then switch to another octane and compare your results.

Your own riding style will vary the mpg...depending on if you accelerate full throttle when taking off or whatever.

You'll find out which octane gives you the best MPG

ryder1 wrote:Keep track of Octane and MPG for a tank. Then switch to another octane and compare your results.

Your own riding style will vary the mpg...depending on if you accelerate full throttle when taking off or whatever.

You'll find out which octane gives you the best MPG

The station I use has 3 different octanes. Should I try all of them? Would it make any difference if I mixed them? I'm not sure what to do.

danno wrote:Since the Buddy gets 90+mpg, I can't see where the extra $.20 a gallon for premium will break anyone! That's less than a half cent a mile difference! There's my 2 cents. :-)

If 20¢ a gallon was no big deal, why did half of america head to the scooter store when gas went from $3.90 to $4.10? : )

I get what you're saying, and you're right, and with the mileage they get, it isn't a huge difference, but it's just funny to me that a lot of people buying these things to save money on gas are putting premium in them, and there's been absolutely no quantitative evidence that premium is better, or even different in a Buddy.

I refer you to jmazza points 2, 4a, and 8b. : )

The problem is the name "premium." premium gas isn't BETTER or CLEANER or more FASHIONABLE, it just has DIFFERENT characteristics and happens to cost more to make. If you want to argue that the documentation requires high-octane gas, that's a fair argument (I would argue that enough experts have explained why the documentation is wrong), but don't argue that you're somehow 'pampering' your scooter by using a different fuel grade. You're not choosing Haagen-Dasz over store-brand, you're choosing a different product with different characteristics. That doesn't make it better for any application. It seems that in practice, both happen to work equally well, so why bother?

Bb.

ryder1 wrote:Keep track of Octane and MPG for a tank. Then switch to another octane and compare your results.

Your own riding style will vary the mpg...depending on if you accelerate full throttle when taking off or whatever.

You'll find out which octane gives you the best MPG

In principle, that's the best advice yet, compare them and see how they're different.

In practice, so many factors affect your mileage and it can vary so much even on the same gas, that I don't think you'd get accurate results.

And for that matter, mileage is only one factor that a change in octane would affect, you'd also be interested in a change in power, engine temperature, emissions, residual carbon buildup in the engine, engine life, etc.

There's lots of anecdotes of people "feeling more power" with high-octane, but testing it scientifically is nearly impossible, and I think a lot of the power/mileage/etc. changes can be marked up to wind, road surface, weight, traffic conditions, and even a little bit of wishful thinking.

Bb.

you guys are all forgetting that we allready determined that Windshield Gas is the best!

Unless its not windy, or you have a 3/4 helmet with 9 gram weights...

I put a windshield on a couple of weeks ago and now a matching top box. Should I rejet?

DennisD wrote:I put a windshield on a couple of weeks ago and now a matching top box. Should I rejet?

That depends... why red is red?

The manual says:

"Windshield gas better mileage delivery. red? rejet your top box for 103 octane race gas, performance. When properly completed top box accelerate smoothly."

MikieTaps wrote:

DennisD wrote:I put a windshield on a couple of weeks ago and now a matching top box. Should I rejet?

That depends... why red is red?

The manual says:

"Windshield gas better mileage delivery. red? rejet your top box for 103 octane race gas, performance. When properly completed top box accelerate smoothly."

Is that 103 octane Asian, Euro, or American? I'll be travelling in Canada without the windshield. If I have to rejet everytime I travel or the weather is windshield changing, should the box be while red is red??

I'm so confused!!!!
Please help!

Only stuff I find that works:

RACING NITROMETHANE
VP Nitro 100™ and VP Nitro 85™
VP Racing Fuels produces VP NITRO RACETM racing nitromethane
VP NITRO RACE is of the highest purity and consistency. Used by top teams in drag racing around the world
VP NITRO RACE satisfies NHRA specifications for Top Fuel and Funny Car at 90% and 96%.
Available in 400 pound drums (about 42 gallons).

this is awesome. I love this board.

we were supposed to let this die out for a few days before going here but since we've jumped the gun let's all start the zombie countdown...

rajron wrote:Only stuff I find that works:

RACING NITROMETHANE
VP Nitro 100™ and VP Nitro 85™
VP Racing Fuels produces VP NITRO RACETM racing nitromethane
VP NITRO RACE is of the highest purity and consistency. Used by top teams in drag racing around the world
VP NITRO RACE satisfies NHRA specifications for Top Fuel and Funny Car at 90% and 96%.
Available in 400 pound drums (about 42 gallons).

Do you use this in your Buddy? Do you suppose I could carry some extra if the windshield so under the seat or maybe with a trailer for the drum and a line to the rejeted carb. Can I use the same spark plug and what color should it be if the fuel is towed in the drum behind? Should I do a plug check each time I shut the engine off? Do I have to fill out any paperwork for it if when changing the windshield after the border cross into Canada?
This could work! My Buddy will be much more efficient and will red why not! Under the warranty of course with manual pages.

DennisD


are you sure you arent the other DennisD???

Caught! Don't tell DennisD!

jmazza wrote:
12. The thread will then start to break up and disintegrate as jokes such as "what octane windshield should I use," "does my gas need to be ATGATT," and "why red is red" are posted by some of (but not limited to) the following members: buddyraton, kazoo, mikietaps, illnoise, and many others (sorry to all other other funny people on the board, those were just the first I thought of).
!

Break up? This is the point where it finally startstoget interesting!

WHY IS RED RED!

BuddyRaton wrote:

jmazza wrote:
12. The thread will then start to break up and disintegrate as jokes such as "what octane windshield should I use," "does my gas need to be ATGATT," and "why red is red" are posted by some of (but not limited to) the following members: buddyraton, kazoo, mikietaps, illnoise, and many others (sorry to all other other funny people on the board, those were just the first I thought of).
!

Break up? This is the point where it finally startstoget interesting!

WHY IS RED RED!

HAHAHAHAHAH!!!! I didnt even read that! I love getting called out for stuff like this!

Maybe this will work and help boost mpg.

Now with nos... which would be better with my 103 octance race gas, wet or dry delivery? 10 or 50 shot? 1 sprayer or two?

I dont have a windshield, have 9.5 gram weights and I am a total D-Bag. How would that effect the various setups?

MikieTaps wrote:Now with nos... which would be better with my 103 octance race gas, wet or dry delivery? 10 or 50 shot? 1 sprayer or two?

I dont have a windshield, have 9.5 gram weights and I am a total D-Bag. How would that effect the various setups?

All calculations take the windshield into account. Without it you will have to restrict the total D-Bag factor and increase the solatiage by 3.

It will work but the numbers won't be accurate and if you can't depend on the data you should just use 87 octane south of the northern border, anyway.

DennisD wrote:

MikieTaps wrote:Now with nos... which would be better with my 103 octance race gas, wet or dry delivery? 10 or 50 shot? 1 sprayer or two?

I dont have a windshield, have 9.5 gram weights and I am a total D-Bag. How would that effect the various setups?

All calculations take the windshield into account. Without it you will have to restrict the total D-Bag factor and increase the solatiage by 3.

It will work but the numbers won't be accurate and if you can't depend on the data you should just use 87 octane south of the northern border, anyway.

I just did the math. You're going to need the big one. No, make that two. Oh yea, and you're going to need it by tonight...

GFridrich3 wrote:

DennisD wrote:

MikieTaps wrote:Now with nos... which would be better with my 103 octance race gas, wet or dry delivery? 10 or 50 shot? 1 sprayer or two?

I dont have a windshield, have 9.5 gram weights and I am a total D-Bag. How would that effect the various setups?

All calculations take the windshield into account. Without it you will have to restrict the total D-Bag factor and increase the solatiage by 3.

It will work but the numbers won't be accurate and if you can't depend on the data you should just use 87 octane south of the northern border, anyway.

I just did the math. You're going to need the big one. No, make that two. Oh yea, and you're going to need it by tonight...

There are always spares on the shelf. Never less than 4. We're serious about this stuff.

WAS THAT A FAST AND FURIOUS REFERENCE?!?!?!

You sir get my applause.

MikieTaps wrote:WAS THAT A FAST AND FURIOUS REFERENCE?!?!?!

You sir get my applause.

Thank you. ::Bows::

Unfortunately, I am dating myself with that reference considering I saw that one opening night in the theatres. (after graduating college)

Still the only "halfway decent" F&F movie IMHO....

So it was, so it was. Very good.

GFridrich3 wrote:

MikieTaps wrote:WAS THAT A FAST AND FURIOUS REFERENCE?!?!?!

You sir get my applause.

Thank you. ::Bows::

Unfortunately, I am dating myself with that reference considering I saw that one opening night in the theatres. (after graduating college)

Still the only "halfway decent" F&F movie IMHO....

now you shut your dirty mouth! those are the finest 3 movie films EVER PRODUCED!!

I have seen all three of them opening night in the theatres... the first one came out a few months after my 16th bday.

*now as a disclaimer i really dont think they are fantastic movies... but they are entertaining. And my group of friends and I were totally into the street racing thing in high-school / college.

MikieTaps wrote:

GFridrich3 wrote:

MikieTaps wrote:WAS THAT A FAST AND FURIOUS REFERENCE?!?!?!

You sir get my applause.

Thank you. ::Bows::

Unfortunately, I am dating myself with that reference considering I saw that one opening night in the theatres. (after graduating college)

Still the only "halfway decent" F&F movie IMHO....

now you shut your dirty mouth! those are the finest 3 movie films EVER PRODUCED!!

I have seen all three of them opening night in the theatres... the first one came out a few months after my 16th bday.

*now as a disclaimer i really dont think they are fantastic movies... but they are entertaining. And my group of friends and I were totally into the street racing thing in high-school / college.

And the initials of the leading man are what? Yeah, that says a lot!

PW?

I'm going to lock this thread, just because I can. You people are all nuts. : )

OP: Ignore everything after the first three posts.

illnoise wrote:I'm going to lock this thread, just because I can. You people are all nuts. : )

OP: Ignore everything after the first three posts.

Lock it and put it in the tech library, you mean?!?!?

illnoise wrote:I'm going to lock this thread, just because I can. You people are all nuts. : )

OP: Ignore everything after the first three posts.

IBTL..... woot!

illnoise wrote:I'm going to lock this thread, just because I can. You people are all nuts. : )

OP: Ignore everything after the first three posts.

If he ignores everything after the first three posts he will never get to this one...so then he will read to here...and then ignore everything but the first three posts...and then...

Well...that should at least keep the OP busy for awhile!

The last time I went to the gas station, I put my hands on the buttons for all the different grades and hit them all at the same time....the one that I actually hit first lit up....I am gonna keep trying and it will probly be different each time....

UrbanBuddy82 wrote:The last time I went to the gas station, I put my hands on the buttons for all the different grades and hit them all at the same time....the one that I actually hit first lit up....I am gonna keep trying and it will probly be different each time....

Not scientific but could produce the long sought after correct octane mix necessary for maximum performance from the Buddy. Do you plan to maintain records of amount of what octane purchased? You can then go back and calculate the octane based on remaining fuel in the tank of the same or previously calculated octane and figure out how to premix and add without going to the station. This will involve the aforementioned fuel bottles stored under the seat or towed behind.

*Bump

scenario:

me: italia, seattle to new york, regular gas, speed limit.
mikie taps: damned red buddy <g> with primo pipe, seattle to new york, premium gas, 'what's a speed limit?'

question: who would get the best mileage and get there first? discuss.

scullyfu wrote:scenario:

me: italia, seattle to new york, regular gas, speed limit.
mikie taps: damned red buddy <g> with primo pipe, seattle to new york, premium gas, 'what's a speed limit?'

question: who would get the best mileage and get there first? discuss.

Is this a remake of The Tortoise and The Hare? Because if it is, I want my money back...I seen this one already.

bunny wrote:

scullyfu wrote:scenario:

me: italia, seattle to new york, regular gas, speed limit.
mikie taps: damned red buddy <g> with primo pipe, seattle to new york, premium gas, 'what's a speed limit?'

question: who would get the best mileage and get there first? discuss.

Is this a remake of The Tortoise and The Hare? Because if it is, I want my money back...I seen this one already.

Too late! You hit the submit button!