Scooter Recommendations

cV · Post by cV » Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:45 am

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum... And, I'm thinking about buying a Stella 4 stroke. Would you recommend the Stella model as a 1st scooter for someone who has never rode a scooter before and also living in a rural area.

Thanks, cV

Silver Streak · Post by **Silver Streak** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:13 am

It all depends on your priorities and your skillsets.

If you like to (and can) shift gears manually, don't care whether you have the fastest 150 on the block, can repair the occasional wiring glitch, prefer classic Vespa styling to Transformers clones, and like really, really good fuel economy... then go for it.

If you just want a solid, peppy scooter, get a Buddy.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:18 am

People sometimes make a big deal about shifting. If you can shift a car, you can shift a scooter.
So, considering that you're posting here and about the Stella in particular, I'm assuming you like it best. If that's the case, I say go for it. I love mine, and have found no fault with it whatsoever.

Silver Streak · Post by **Silver Streak** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:35 am

Tom wrote:People sometimes make a big deal about shifting. If you can shift a car, you can shift a scooter.
So, considering that you're posting here and about the Stella in particular, I'm assuming you like it best. If that's the case, I say go for it. I love mine, and have found no fault with it whatsoever.

Nobody said shifting was difficult. Some folks like to do it; others don't. I do.

That's why I bought the Stella.

keith1295 · Post by **keith1295** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:08 am

I would say go for the Stella. I was a little nervous about the shifting but after a couple of hours it became second nature and now I cant ride enough....

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:02 am

I say go for it. I was originally going to get a Stella but opted for the 170I cos the fuel injection and it's a bit more pep. While I like my 170I, I would LOVE a Stella.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:14 am

Silver Streak wrote:
Tom wrote:People sometimes make a big deal about shifting. If you can shift a car, you can shift a scooter.
So, considering that you're posting here and about the Stella in particular, I'm assuming you like it best. If that's the case, I say go for it. I love mine, and have found no fault with it whatsoever.
Nobody said shifting was difficult. Some folks like to do it; others don't. I do.

That's why I bought the Stella.

I didn't mean you, but yes lot's of folks make a bigger deal about shifting- especially when considering a new scoot.

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:40 am

Silver Streak wrote:
Tom wrote:People sometimes make a big deal about shifting. If you can shift a car, you can shift a scooter.
So, considering that you're posting here and about the Stella in particular, I'm assuming you like it best. If that's the case, I say go for it. I love mine, and have found no fault with it whatsoever.
Nobody said shifting was difficult. Some folks like to do it; others don't. I do.

That's why I bought the Stella.

And while shifting shouldn't be a big deal there is plenty of people who, no matter how hard they try, can't seem to be able to learn.

The dealership here just sold a Stella with 50 miles on it that some guy bought for his wife. He tried to teach her how to shift, she didn't learn. They took it to the shop to try have them teach her and she still failed to learn. The Stella was left in their storage unclaimed for years until they had to declare it as an abandoned vehicle

Bcon · Post by **Bcon** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:15 pm

cV wrote:Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum... And, I'm thinking about buying a Stella 4 stroke. Would you recommend the Stella model as a 1st scooter for someone who has never rode a scooter before and also living in a rural area.

Thanks, cV

I've been a long time motorcyclist, so shifting isn't a big deal for me. However, I started my scooter obession two years ago with an automatic. In my garage, in chronological order, was a Buddy, a Buddy and a 2T Stella, a 2T Stella, and now two 2T Stellas. The Buddy was great, and much quicker/faster than the Stella. But, it just lacked something for me that the Stella doesn't.

I love tinkering with machines, and the Stellas never disappoint in that regard!

It all comes down to what you want personally. Buddy = fast, reliable, economical, great handling, simpler to ride. Stella = fun to shift, fun to tinker, blast to ride, more vintage style. Either would be a great choice in my opinion.

cV · Post by cV » Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:40 pm

Thank you...I really appreciate your advice. My interest in the Stella is half appearance and half it's fuel consumption. I really don't need anything extremely fast, just something that can keep up with 45 - 50 mph traffic. I wasn't sure how difficult the manual shifting would be...I've never used a manual transmission of any kind. I watched a youtube video and it didn't seem really difficult. After a few days I should get the hang of it. I'm definitely leaning more toward the Stella. Thanks everyone for the reply.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:50 pm

I taught myself how to shift a car and learned in the MSF class how to shift the cycle. I know it's different on a stella but the concept is teh same.

Since you need an MSF class anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about it. see if you cant try that and a Buddy before purchase!

Tam Tam · Post by **Tam Tam** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:49 pm

I own a Blackjack, and have had one prior buddy and a honda metro. I was looking for a scooter to ride two up on, and the shop in town had 2 '09 two strokes in stock. I did ask around on here if having owned a buddy, would I like a Stella?
I do remember two responses - one being that if I enjoyed 'the hot rodding' feel of the Blackjack, then I would enjoy riding & shifting on the Stella (It is a very proactive riding machine), and that I would NOT have to be afraid to turn a wrench...and I have turned a wrench now many times....each time swearing and saying, 'I'm gonna trade your vintage ass in for a honda!!!"...and then it starts and I smile.
The view against I've heard before - that a beginner scooter rider begin with a cvt and if the rider loves it and has a ball and wants more, then a manual is the next scooter they should get...
...or get a Stella off the bat...I mean, 30-40 years ago, I don't think there was really that much of a choice.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:52 am

For over forty years, 90% of the people riding scooters for the first time rode shifters.

I think it's easier to start on one than go from an auto to a shifter.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 10:20 am

You can learn how to shift...not a big deal.

The main question is what is the primary use going to be? For practical transportation with good performance, storage and excellent reliability the best bang for the buck is a Buddy 125.

For fun (for me) you can't beat a shifty.

As far as fuel economy I look at it this way.

Let's just for arguments sake say Buddy = 70 mph and Stella 4T=100mpg

Over 1,000 miles the Buddy will use about 4 gallons more gas or at $4/gal $16...yeah a savings...but you need to figure purchase price etc etc.

With a difference of fuel cost of $16 every 1,000 miles I would just get the one I wanted more!

lempira · Post by **lempira** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 4:54 pm

what Buddy said!

a twist n'go would be good for you.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 5:33 pm

"I would just get the one I wanted more" is absolutely the best advice going here. The fact that you posted here and regarding the Stella makes me think that the Stella is that one.. By all means, if that's the case- don't let a shifter dissuade you. It's as easy as it can be.

Between the Buddy and the Stella, I think you are looking at two great choices that will serve you well.. If I had picked a Buddy because I was nervous about shifting, I'd probably never have been disappointed with it. Unless of course, what I really had wanted was a Stella. Then I'd always be filled with jealousy whenever I'd passed one on the road. I'd always know that I settled for something less than what was in my heart. Framing the choices logically a la: "easier to ride an auto scoot" "Stella gets a little better mileage" "Buddy goes a little faster" etc, is kind of a silly practice in my opinion between two scoots that are already so similar in the practical sense (both very well supported, both great quality, both very reasonably priced etc)- but only if you have a stylistic preference already. Because there's just no accounting for taste! Let's face it, how many of us really are buying just for practicality? I think there are a few scooterists like this, but most of us are to some extent, giving a nod to our sense of taste- absolutely.

Buy what you like and you'll always like it. (Unless it's garbage- then it will disappoint. My own Vietnamese restoration story applies here- I'm sure the modern scooter equivalent would be a china-scoot story.)

lempira · Post by **lempira** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 5:49 pm

(both very well supported, both great quality, both very reasonably priced etc)

I would disagree with the "both great quality" part. IMHO

I think the Buddy is better in that department.

If you're out in in "rural" Kentucky and reliability is a factor go with the Buddy if you aren't used to wrenching stuff.

It must be said that while I haven't had any major problems with my Stella, there's still a bunch of small things that have to get fixed under warranty. But I'm not in rural Kentucky so it's not an issue.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:01 pm

lempira wrote:
(both very well supported, both great quality, both very reasonably priced etc)
I would disagree with the "both great quality" part. IMHO

I think I would agree with you on this actually. But the "Both very well supported" part works to negate this- from my experience. After all the problems I've had have all been electrical, and they were taken care of right away with no questions asked, never to return.

If you were to frame it differently, "Tom, would you buy a Stella from just any maker" I'd say nope. It wouldn't be worth the price unless it were coming from someone who I trust to warrant it. If neither came with a warrantee I'd get a buddy first, and then a used Stella (later) to learn to do things myself on.. With the warrantee, you're likely to run into whatever problems your Stella will have within the year and Genuine is going to fix them.

But back to my point- all of those better/ worse arguments in quotes are different (slightly) between Stella and Buddy. For sure Stella wins some, and Buddy wins some. My point isn't that they are the same on each, but that they are close enough that it really doesn't warrant ruling either one out on that basis.

With all that we've said here I would not recommend the Stella to these groups of people:

1. Those who have it in their hearts to own something else. Get what you want, you deserve it.

2. Those who live too far away from the dealer. It's a very good point lempira made. You will likely need to bring it back on something minor. If that's a HUGE inconvenience for you, you may not enjoy the scoot as much. I've utilized my warrantee no less than 2 times already- all very early on in ownership. It's fit as a fiddle now.
3. Those who want to buy a cute scoot for their summer home in _____ and plan on leaving it there. You may not ever find that you have a problem till your warrantee expires, lol. But you probably will end up selling it really cheap to some cool kid who knows how to fix it, so never mind- buy the Stella.

4. Those who are absolutely unable to shift a vehicle manually. My sister is one of these. I tried over and over to teach her stick, and she can't get it. She's smart and coordinated- no reason she shouldn't ride a scoot, but just not a Stella.

desmolicious · Post by **desmolicious** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:03 pm

lempira wrote:
(both very well supported, both great quality, both very reasonably priced etc)
I would disagree with the "both great quality" part. IMHO

I think the Buddy is better in that department.

Agreed. I don't know anyone with a Stella that has NOT had problems.
Great customer service is very different from great quality.
The Buddy is a much higher quality scoot.

Tack One. · Post by **Tack One.** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 11:27 pm

I've been reading this forum since I picked up my 4T stella the weekend before last, but this is the firs time I've posted. being new to the stella as well I thought maybe it would be useful for you.

I'm one of those weirdos who made it into their 30s without ever getting a dirvers license. I live in a busy east coast city with good transportation so owning a car doesn't mater much. I've always loved the classic scooter aesthetic, and I just decided to pull the trigger last month.

the concept of shifting isn't difficult at all, you'll understand it within an hour. in practice it's somewhat trickier with stop and go traffic on busy streets where things jump out at you. I would say that it took me realistically a whole week of riding to feel like I knew how not to stall it out, and to down shift and not have it break hard.

I've ridden twist and go's on resorts and things, and there is NO QUESTION that shifting makes it more fun. the feeling of the gear clicking in and the pull of speed under you is great.

you'll have to remember to drive with the gas tank lever on, or the choke pulled or any of the other quirky things that will make you stall out, but that comes fast too.

it's so super fun, and the looks are easily the best in market. I think you'll love the stella.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 12:29 am

desmolicious wrote:
lempira wrote:
(both very well supported, both great quality, both very reasonably priced etc)
I would disagree with the "both great quality" part. IMHO

I think the Buddy is better in that department.

Agreed. I don't know anyone with a Stella that has NOT had problems.
Great customer service is very different from great quality.
The Buddy is a much higher quality scoot.

Again I never said the same quality, but I'll have to agree to disagree with anyone who says the Stella 4t is not great quality. Is the Buddy better quality? Maybe. But is a modern Vespa even better? Maybe. Obviously it's a scale and the opinion is subjective in some things, but I've had poor quality and the difference is night and day between that and the Stella.

lempira · Post by **lempira** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 2:15 am

but I've had poor quality and the difference is night and day between that and the Stella.

If you're referring to the Viet-bodge you referred to earlier it isn't a fair comparison.

lempira · Post by **lempira** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 2:24 am

Would you recommend the Stella model as a 1st scooter for someone who has never rode a scooter before and also living in a rural area.

No.

I fold.

Bcon · Post by **Bcon** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 12:48 pm

You buy a Stella because you want to ride a scooter
Your Stella breaks and you need to fix it
You fix it, because you know how to fix tractors, and a Stella is like a tractor
Your Stella runs great and your neighbors think it's reliable and fun
Your neighbors tell their friends, and one of their friends steals your Stella because it's so great
Don't have your Stella stolen, buy a Buddy.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:26 pm

lempira wrote:
Would you recommend the Stella model as a 1st scooter for someone who has never rode a scooter before and also living in a rural area.
No.

I fold.

And for me, yes with the mentioned caveats.

I actually understand your point of view and consider it a fair representation considering the troubles you've had. I'm also simply speaking from my experiences which have been great. Any wise buyer should read both sides before choosing..

cV · Post by cV » Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:03 pm

When you say "wrench work" on the Stella, do you mean minor maintenance? Is it something a local mechanic could fix easily? Or, is it usually something that should be brought to an authorized Genuine Mechanic?

After reading the comments I'm on the fence with the Buddy 170i and the Stella. I think I would be happy with either one.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:45 pm

cV wrote:When you say "wrench work" on the Stella, do you mean minor maintenance? Is it something a local mechanic could fix easily? Or, is it usually something that should be brought to an authorized Genuine Mechanic?

After reading the comments I'm on the fence with the Buddy 170i and the Stella. I think I would be happy with either one.

I have been taking anything that pops up to the authorized dealer mechanic.. Just because everything that has come up has been covered there for free. That has been: starter going out or getting 'stuck' in the start position, headlamp going out (lowbeam only) when I shift past 2nd gear, and a weird stalling issue that turned out to be related to the emissions junk- solution: don't fill the tank up all the way.

I have also taken the Stella there for scheduled services- but that costs money. If you feel like it and you're handy, you can probably do some or all of this yourself.

Silver Streak · Post by **Silver Streak** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:59 pm

cV wrote:When you say "wrench work" on the Stella, do you mean minor maintenance? Is it something a local mechanic could fix easily? Or, is it usually something that should be brought to an authorized Genuine Mechanic?

After reading the comments I'm on the fence with the Buddy

So far, only two minor issues have come up with my Stella 4T... both of which I easily fixed myself without the bother of riding 50 miles to the dealer.

The first was a stall and refusal to electric start after I bumped it down off the center stand. It turned out to be just a loose fuse in the fuse holder. All I had to do was snug up the clip in the fuse holder.

The second was the stalling issue that Tom referred to. Having owned several late-model scooters, reading the forums regularly, and knowing that I had perhaps overfilled the tank, I knew what the problem was immediately. It was -- of course -- the notorious evaporative emissions system charcoal canister full of gasoline keeping the tank from venting. This happens to ALL scooters that use this type of evap system, and it was easy to fix by disconnecting the system and installing a vented fuel cap.

So far, the problems have been no big deal.

smarkum · Post by **smarkum** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 2:57 am

I owned a two stroke Stella 2008 that I purchased, new in July of that year. I promptly put over 10,000 miles on it and did all of the work on it myself with some occasional help from my gang. I messes with jetting, put on a 226 hotwing beast of a pipe, and never had to deal with the 2 stroke oil messes i was so often told about. I did however often smell of two stroke scent. And had gunk imbedded in my hands and nails. And i learned to love tinkering with the engine and learning, more than I ever thought I WOULD CARE TO. It was a total scootering experience. Now in my life I crave for a scooter to ride and, quiver a bit at the idea of firther experiences... So my beloved Stella went to a new home in February and a twist and go took her space in the carhole. I love Buddy, but, it is an entirely different experience. I am thrilled that I learned what a two stroke scoot was all about amd I am very proud of all i learned.but, I cannot express how AWESOME ot is to hop on buddy , turn the key, press the starter and scoot with no worries except checking my humongous smile to ensure i don't swallow a mouth full of bugs.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 3:42 am

cV wrote: I really don't need anything extremely fast, just something that can keep up with 45 - 50 mph traffic.

I think this is the real key, not the shifting. I'm sure you can quickly acquire the skills to ride a shifty. My question would be what you want to do with the scooter. If 50 mph traffic is your requirement then a Stella should serve you just fine. (though, out of curiosity, where do you live that no one drives faster than 50 mph???)

cV · Post by cV » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:05 pm

Decided against the Stella and on an Oxford Green Buddy 170i. It should be delivered this weekend. My wife and I are very excited . Thanks for the advice everyone.

lempira · Post by **lempira** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:12 am

Decided against the Stella and on an Oxford Green Buddy 170i. It should be delivered this weekend. My wife and I are very excited . Thanks for the advice everyone.

I think that is a very wise choice.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:19 am

Can't go wrong, congrats on the new scoot!

Modern Buddy

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