Buddy's BROKE! Help!

Magmir · Post by **Magmir** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:20 pm

I got a new Buddy 50 yesterday. I rode a few miles yesterday and for around 30-45 min today. An hour later I hopped and and it wouldn't start!!! The starter makes a sound, but the engine doesn't "catch." If I gas it at the same time I'm hitting the starter, it will come on but die if I don't keep gassing it. Anyone know what's going on?!?!!?

Magmir · Post by **Magmir** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:08 pm

Well, I kept on messing with it and it still wouldn't start. If I gassed it while pressing the starter button, it would come on but sputter and die. I tried kick starting it and it came on (only b/c I was gassing it) and stayed on. I gassed for while and it stayed on this time. I turned it off and started it w/ the button and it fired right up. What do you guys think the issue is? Also, is there a way to check the oil? Should I just add some? If so, can I just go to Lowes and buy a 2 stroke oil? Presumably it had a proper amount of oil when sold?

Magmir · Post by **Magmir** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:38 pm

Update: I went out again and started it using the electric starter (and a little gas). It fired right up. I turned it off and re-started, no gas at all, it started in less than a sec. I repeated, it started every time.

What do you guys think the problem is/was?

Also, when it's on the center stand and on, the back wheel does not rotate at all.

merlin · Post by **merlin** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 1:51 am

you may have flooded it. press the start button and give it a little gas. it will break in soon and it will be a little more forgiving then.

vitaminC · Post by **vitaminC** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:40 am

Read the owners manual. I think you'll find that it suggests not giving any throttle while starting it. It has an automatic cold-start system that will adjust things as needed when starting it. Adding more throttle could just cause problems...

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:09 am

vitaminC wrote:Read the owners manual. I think you'll find that it suggests not giving any throttle while starting it. It has an automatic cold-start system that will adjust things as needed when starting it. Adding more throttle could just cause problems...

Yeah. The manual will also show you how to check the oil.

If you're having trouble starting, don't continue giving it gas. You may just have to hold the electric starter a bit longer. If it still won't go, try kickstarting. If that works, you may have a problem with your battery or electrical.

The battery may not have been fully charged when delivered. Or the connections may be loose. You can check the cables; the battery's under the rubber floormat. If you're really having a problem, particularly with a newly-purchased scoot, call your dealer.

sunshinen · Post by **sunshinen** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:20 am

The first couple of times I started mine, when brand new, it was tricky. Not sure why. It went away immediately and has never happened since. Maybe the battery just needs a little juice to realize it's being used? [Edited to add: Actually, at the time I felt like the gas just needed to be worked through or something, as mine had been sitting for a couple of weeks]

I have the 125, when I start it, the back wheel races until it is warm. So you might want to check the idle setting.

Magmir · Post by **Magmir** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:27 am

I looked through the manual earlier for checking the oil, and for two-stroke it just said add oil, whereas for the four stroke it showed where the dipstick is. Am I missing something?

I think it was just a case of new scooter jitters like sunshinen had. Regardless, I'm taking it in on Friday to get de-restricted so I'll mention the problem to the dealer and see if he has any explanations.

Besides the problem, I had a blast riding the scoot today. I can't wait to have it de-restricted, but it still had some good pep I thought. I think it handles better than the 2003 ET-2 I had too. I would say my only complaint is that I can't get the mirrors just right.

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:38 am

You add the oil into the hole where the dipstick is.

The mirrors require a little trial and error to get right. They do rotate on the ball joint attaching them to the stems, but they're a little stubborn and need a little force to unstick them at first.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:41 am

The oil reservoir is accesed from under the seat on the Buddy 50. Its a rubber cap in front of and to the right of the fuel tank cap (on the 125 there is a knock-out there). They don't come with much oil in them from the factory so make sure you put some in before the engine seizes. Use a good quality 2 stroke oil for injector equiped engines. Don't use the cheap weed-wacker oil. I use BelRay, Maxima, Motorex, etc... You should be able to get it at any motorcycle shop. Walmart has Mobile 1 2-stroke oil but I would hold off on the synthetic oil for the first tank full (about 1000 miles).

Kurzer · Post by **Kurzer** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:28 pm

Check page 14 of the 50 service manual.

topic1094.html

okc beer buddy · Post by **okc beer buddy** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:39 pm

When I first started out, there were a couple of times when mine wouldn't start, no matter what I tried. THEN, I remembered that the brake handle has to be depressed before the scooter will start. It's a safety feature on automatic scooters, according to my local shop. I don't know if that's what's going on, but I haven't had any more problems with starting, which is a great thing. I still cannot get it to kickstart, so one day I may be screwed...

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:27 pm

Dave wrote:The oil reservoir is accesed from under the seat on the Buddy 50. Its a rubber cap in front of and to the right of the fuel tank cap (on the 125 there is a knock-out there). They don't come with much oil in them from the factory so make sure you put some in before the engine seizes. Use a good quality 2 stroke oil for injector equiped engines. Don't use the cheap weed-wacker oil. I use BelRay, Maxima, Motorex, etc... You should be able to get it at any motorcycle shop. Walmart has Mobile 1 2-stroke oil but I would hold off on the synthetic oil for the first tank full (about 1000 miles).

I've never ridden a Buddy 50. Doesn't it have an oil warning light? I mean, I wouldn't live and die by the light but after your first couple of times filling with 2 stroke oil you'll be able to safely predict the mileage you can get from a full reservoir.

Magmir · Post by **Magmir** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:52 pm

There is a warning light for the oil. It started up fine again today and gave me no problems at all.

Going back to the oil, I know where you add more oil in, but I can't locate a dipstick for checking the level of oil. The manual only mentions a dipstick for 4 stroke (I presume the 125) versions.

jgalar · Post by **jgalar** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:53 am

I have never seen a 2 stroke engine that had a dipstick for the oil tank.

There may be an inspection window to view the oil level or you may just have to look into the tank with the cap off. The oil is injected into the engine as it is running. The ratio of gas to oil injected will be in the neighborhood of 30:1 to 50:1 depending on engine load and throttle.

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:16 am

Indeed, there are no dipsticks in 2 stroke-land (no crying in baseball?).

I have no idea how big the Buddy 50's reservoir is. My old Mojito would go at least 300 miles on a full reservoir (about 3/4 litre) but the Buddy could be very different. You can either trust your warning light to tell you when to add oil or ask your dealer; they should have a good idea of the mileage you can expect. Maybe more 50 owners will chime in with their experience.

Blindly trusting the oil light is kind of like blindly trusting the neutral light on a motorcycle. When the light comes on, all you really know is that the bulb is working. Keep track of your mileage between topping offs and everyone stays happy.

thatguy · Post by **thatguy** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:02 am

okc beer buddy wrote: I still cannot get it to kickstart, so one day I may be screwed...

Just in case no one mentioned it, you should not hold either of the brake levers down while kick starting. You only depress the brake lever to use the electric start. Also make sure the kill switch is set to the run position and the key is on

You might want to give it a try after the bike is warmed up just to get a feel for it. Uusually you will only need the kick starter if there's a problem and it's good to have it figured out before hand so you know you've got it down. When the bike's warm it easier to start up. Then give it a try after letting the bike sit overnight.

The kickstart obviously was not designed for regular use so it's a bit akward.

paige · Post by **paige** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 4:21 pm

My dealer had a buddy that he used for the shop that he never put the battery in. Just kickstarted it every time. But...he is scooter shop guy, so YMMV.

Kurzer · Post by **Kurzer** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 4:53 pm

paige wrote:My dealer had a buddy that he used for the shop that he never put the battery in. Just kickstarted it every time. But...he is scooter shop guy, so YMMV.

I have a TN'G Venice 50 that I do the same thing with. It's set up for "spirited" scooting on twisty roads, but no electrical system so the kickstart is all it's got, never had a problem in 8 years with it like that.

jgalar · Post by **jgalar** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 1:56 pm

You are also frying your charging system as it uses the battery to regulate charging!