Modern Buddy

I recently bought a rattler. The issue is I can't get my son off of it. I'm considering another scooter. Other than another rattler, what you get that is a 125cc or better? I'd like to spend $3500 or less. I was considering Buddy 150, People 150, Piaggio fly 150, or Zuma 125. Would you go up to a 250? I need to drive 50+ to keep up with traffic.

the first thing i'd consider personally is how far are the shops that service them away from you. i have a rattler and i love it, but i'd like to be able to do 55 or 60 so i too am upgrading to a 150 next year. probably the italia, i've not heard anything about the fly, which i do like the look of. the people 150 i've heard good things about though. i like the looks of the zuma 125, and hopefully it'll have some good reviews out by next summer. good luck with your choice, it's a tuff one.

I rode a Fly 150 around for a day. It was just around town, so I didn't have much of a chance to see what it was really capable of. It was pretty zippy, but the whole time I was missing my Roughhouse. Definitely not as nimble or fun to ride around, but it was pretty nice. I kept thinking it had died because it was so quiet.

We have dealers here in town for all of them. Because of the shortage, several are taking deposits. I don't want to put a deposit at eack store just to ride them when they come in or feel obligated to buy the one available, I'd rather wait. I do like the 2 yr warrenty on Genuine and Kymco. I think SYM offers one too.
I'm not sure on the Piaggio being built in China will do, but its supposed to be a good company.
I'm also 5'4 so height and weight may be a factor. I was just curious what other rattler/roughhouse owners would buy.
There is a rumor about a 200 buddy...might be worth the wait...

200cc Buddy is highly unlikely, but there may be another 200cc Genuine coming soon. Odds of you being able to get one for $3500 OTD are pretty low, though. I'm not sure you could even get a Buddy 150 for that much (unless you meant $3500 MSRP?).

Of those you mention, well, I like all of them. You should probably go around, sit on them, and get a sense for how they feel, how comfortable you are on them.

This thread discusses a number of current or forthcoming options for 125/150cc scoots in the under $3k range and asks people what they would get.

Hmmmm, that's a tough one. I'd roll the dice with the 125 Zuma. That way you'll have a sweet 2 stroke and 4 stroke Battle Scooter

Tried and tested for many moons...one scoot in the category you glanced at...the Helix 250. You can pic up a low mileage one up for the price range you're in (I paid $2600 for one that was several years old with a couple thousand miles)...plenty availability on parts....SOOOOO comfortable. I ride mine on 65 mph zones for twenty miles a stretch (takes me into the mid seventy mph). Mines gets upper 60's to low 70's mpg around here..my wife and kids just love riding on the back....plenty of storage in the trunk....3.25 gallon gas tank.

what's the supposed top speed of the zuma 125? about the same as a buddy i'd think?