mayhem performance

j490p · Post by **j490p** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:41 pm

so, the white sands mayhem the longest ride i have ever done on a scooter. here's how it went:

my buddy 125 did a great job on the trip. for those who don't know, i traveled from new orleans to pensacola for the rally and back. the bike exceeded my expectations.

the average speed was 55 to 60 miles an hour. due to the lead bike being a larger cc, i had to go WOT for several periods, however, my buddy had no complaints or problems. just for my own personal reasons, i opened my bike up through a straight stretch across a long bridge. speedo read 70mph. the best part, i was going against the wind. what made me smile the most was that several of the people riding in our group who did not know me asked about my bike. they could not believe the take off and speed of my buddy. one 150 cc vespa rider could not believe that i had a 125cc bike.

before the trip, i installed some maxxis white walls. what a big difference it made for the ride. when i traveled from N.O. to mississippi i had the stock tires on. MAJOR difference. the bike handled the road like a champ and that includes a couple of batches of rain. i will say, however, that i felt a little shake at times. i'm gonna have to do a search to see what's up. but, based on the road conditions in various places, my next purchase is going to be some performance forks and shock.

for those who are thinking about a windshield, my opinion...... GET ONE. it made all the difference in the world, especially when it came to rain, bugs, wind, sand, and some patches of cool air at night.

my buddy did a great job. i was glad to see such a great turn out of genuine products at the rally.

oh, i know i mentioned it before, but i'm so proud and happy.......
my buddy won an award for best modern scooter.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:36 pm

One Vespa rider said, "Man, those Buddys are fast!"

Yes they are.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:01 pm

That is some serious riding, I don't see how you could still want to ride when you got here!
After I finally got to sit down for a few hours yesterday when I stood up my legs were so stiff
I was walking around like a robot. As BuddyRaton mentioned, some people buy scooters to
take leisurely rides on the weekend, people that buy Buddies get them to ride the snot out
of them. And I see it everyday. Also, way to clean up on the raffle prizes, did you buy a lot of
tickets or just get lucky?

j490p · Post by **j490p** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:20 pm

I bought an extra 10. It paid off. I gave away some of the gift certificates to the guys in my group. They have vespas and they could use them more than me.

My pride and joy was receiving the award for best modern. I totally did not expect that at all. I wanted to thank everyone who voted for my buddy, but, I didn't want to turn it into an academy awards thing.

It was odd. Most of the people who knew nothing about the buddy were impressed. Especially when it came to speed. The conversation usually led to this, "that's a 125"!?

Now, for all those out there who want to make some money, here's something for you to think about:
Make a seat specifically for the buddy series that is comfortable!!!! The seat on the buddy is big and everything, but, let's face it, it could be a LOT more comfortable. Had a guy in my group who installed a new leather rider/passenger seat to his vespa. When you sit on it, it feels like sitting on a cloud. If not, I will have to mod the seat.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:24 pm

That's why I bought an extra seat, I'm gonna re-shape it and add some gel or something.
Wish I had more time, I haven't started on it and I bought the seat a long time ago...

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:41 pm

KRUSTYburger wrote:That's why I bought an extra seat, I'm gonna re-shape it and add some gel or something.
Wish I had more time, I haven't started on it and I bought the seat a long time ago...

Just goes to show, if you lived up north where it snowed for 3 months or more you could get a lot more done instead of just ride, ride, ride in the sun!

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 6:21 pm

j490p wrote:The seat on the buddy is big and everything, but, let's face it, it could be a LOT more comfortable...

Funny how things are different for different people. When we rode the 1200 miles to Amerivespa and back, I was particularly impressed by how comfortable my St. Tropez was for the entire ride. I wouldn't change my seat for anything.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 6:46 pm

j490p wrote:Now, for all those out there who want to make some money, here's something for you to think about:
Make a seat specifically for the buddy series that is comfortable!!!! The seat on the buddy is big and everything, but, let's face it, it could be a LOT more comfortable.

That's about a 200-mile ride, isn't it? That's the longest single day I've done, and I'd have to agree that even though the Buddy seat is very nice for short distances, it gets a bit uncomfortable with that distance. At least it did for my 44-year-old fundament with 220 pounds resting on it. I took lots of breaks and shifted my weight around by shifting my legs forward, back, together, apart, etc.

j490p · Post by **j490p** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:52 pm

I think if nothing comes out, I will break down and spend the money for a pro.

I mean, the framework is there. I bet someone can use better foam and better materials for an awesome seat.

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:28 pm

wow, that is well over 200 miles each way! were your speeds indicated or actual?
either way good work. I agree the seat is not a touring seat, lol. I think the Buddy is far more capable of long distance riding than the average rider. the arse and low back pain sets in about at about 50-70 miles for me depending on the condition of the road. I think my Buddy daily record was about 130 miles, but boy was my tail numb. I am not sure how much further I could have gone.

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:30 pm

Skootz Kabootz wrote:
j490p wrote:The seat on the buddy is big and everything, but, let's face it, it could be a LOT more comfortable...
Funny how things are different for different people. When we rode the 1200 miles to Amerivespa and back, I was particularly impressed by how comfortable my St. Tropez was for the entire ride. I wouldn't change my seat for anything.

my guess is, you are a whippersnapper.

j490p · Post by **j490p** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:51 pm

actually, after the trip, the meet and greet, and the night ride, my back finally gave out. i wanted to go on the saturday daytime ride, however, my back forced me to stay in my hotel room.

initially, i had my small luggage strapped on the passenger portion of the seat against my givi top case. it was the perfect back rest for me. however, someone insisted on taking it off and transporting it in the follow vehicle (truck). big mistake. the reason is because another rider on a 150 cc bike had his bike loaded down with a lot of crap. the truck driver insisted that the rider remove his cargo because he couldnt keep up with the pace (55 to 60 mph). he also insisted that i remove my pack because "if the 150 cc cant hold the speed, there's no way the 125 cc can keep up either". i didnt argue.

i will put it as blunt as i can.......my buddy, with the small amount of mods i have, can and will smoke most of the 125 and 150 cc stock bikes. my buddy has and will hold the 55 to 60 mph speed. not to mention i had it WOT for several extended periods with no problems. there were other instances where 65 mph was the norm. once again, no problems.

sorry for going away from the issue.

anyway, the speeds were indicated. but, i will mention that the trail vehicle gave us his speed while he was following. oddly enough, his speed almost matched the speed indicated.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:01 pm

I was with you on the ride from Fort Morgan. I can guarantee that the Buddy will hold its speed with you and your luggage. My big butt goes 225lbs and I couldn't run WOT without leaving most of the bunch. You weigh nothing near that. Having missed a ride I'll bet you speak up next time someone wants to say what your scooter will do. Sorry you missed out, hope the back is ok now.

Dennis

j490p · Post by **j490p** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 12:16 am

you know, i didnt want to stir the pot. i was concerned about the other riders who couldnt keep up. but, trying to tell someone about the specifics about my bike and what it can and can't do on the of the road is futile.

the next time i travel on a trip like that and i do have a trail vehicle, i might consider putting my luggage in the vehicle before the trip. but the next time the luggage is strapped down and we are rolling, TO BAD, it stays with me.

oh, by the way.....i was able to carry a whole bunch of stuff on my bike. with the givi topcase, the under seat storage, and my luggage, i was able to carry everything from the rally, which includes my schwag, the two raffle prize bags i won, and, of course, my beloved award.