I have been considering getting a Buddy..

loon · Post by **loon** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:16 pm

And was wondering whether you people could tell me what to expect.

I've been lusting after an Italia, as they are to the Vespa what the Fed is to the vintage Leica (Fed is a Soviet Russian camera based off the German Leica design).

The brochure I downloaded off the Genuine site doesn't say much about it, nor does the rest of the site, really, unless I've not been looking hard enough.

Some questions I have:
1) What major differences between the 50cc and 125cc are there besides speed and gas mileage?
2) Is any one Genuine design superior to another?

I suppose those are all the questions I really have. I've never ridden any sort of scooter, though, so any insight you may have would be nice

x-mojito50mod · Post by **x-mojito50mod** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:27 pm

To answer your questions, in a nutshell...

1. Get the 125cc if you can afford it. You'll be much happier being able to keep up with traffic in most conditions, even if most of your riding is done at 40-45mph. I had a 50cc...too slow to be safe, unless you live out in the country. Plus, the 4-stroke will last a lot longer and is less maintainence...I blew up my 50cc by pushing it too hard!

2. Well, all of their offerings come from the same factory (PGO, Tiawan), so it's all about personal preference, and what your using the scooter for. Quality is about the same on all of their models.

Hope that helps, and welcome to a wonderful world of freedom from the cage and gridlock.

SI Kitty · Post by **SI Kitty** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:46 pm

Welcome Loon!

As X Mojito said, all Genuines are of similiar quality so you really can't go wrong on that aspect.

As for 50cc or 125cc also depends on what you plan to use it for.

However, I noticed that you said you never rode a scooter before. I started out on my Honda Metropolitan 50cc. A year later I got my Buddy 125cc as I would like to be able to ride with traffic instead of next to.

I probably would have never stepped up to the 125cc had I not "learned" on my Met.

Depending on your confindence level you may want to consider a used 50cc Honda or Yamaha (they hold their resale value quite well) to start with then move up to the 125cc or larger.

Also consider a MSF class, depending on where you live you may be able to take it on a scooter.

BTW Nice choice on scooter lust

I have the Italia and love it!

loon · Post by **loon** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:51 pm

I'm picky and superficial, and prefer the smoother appearance of the Buddy scooters... my first choice was a Vespa LX 150, but I am currently low on funds (as in, I'm an unemployed student that is currently looking for work somewhere around the Milwaukee area), so I can't really go that route.

I was looking at the 50cc ones originally, as there is quite a price difference (over 700 $, counting taxes!), but, as I am in a city, I'm not sure it would be smart to be drifting along at thirty with cars going sixty on either side.

I certainly plan on taking it slow and trying to stick to low-density traffic areas for a while after buying it, though, just to get a feel for it.

Is it difficult to maintain balance on one? I've never sat on one that didn't have the stand down to keep it up..

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:16 pm

I understand how a 50 is ok to start out with, but like a car, a scooter depreciates as soon as you leave the store, so why waste your time and money and have to resell? If you don't want to go fast right away the 125 is actually capable of going slow. Believe it or not, speed is controled by the rider. I was a huge chicken, I mean huge, and I "grew into" my 125 within weeks. When I bought the scooter I thought I would just drive 30mph around the neighborhood. INstead I use it for almost everything (ie 60 miles in last 2 days). a 50 would not cut it. I think it is dangerous to block traffic and have cars swerving around you. I drove a 50 not to long ago and I was a hell of a lot more scared on it than the 125. I keep up with the cars and have my rightful place in the car lane. People pass me no more than they would if I were driving a car.

weaseltamer · Post by **weaseltamer** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:26 pm

My feelings are very similar to that of everyone else so far. I had zero previous experience to my purchase in sept. 06. i took the moto safety course which helped a lot, and was completely ready for the 125 when i went to pick it up. i gave myself several days of parking lot turns and swerves to get a feel for her and then hit the roads. (with extreme caution)

codemonkey · Post by **codemonkey** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:29 am

My buddy is my very first 2 wheeled vehicle with an engine. I have a 125 and I've been really really happy with it. I took the MSF class on it and passed with flying colors. It was awesome and totally worth taking.

The only difference between the italia and the other buddies is the color and the white wall tires. They're identical otherwise.

loon · Post by **loon** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:51 am

yeah.. and just under a hundred bucks.

If I calculated right, a Buddy 125cc with taxes included will cost ~ $2745 and a Buddy 125cc Italia, after tax is added, will be ~ $2851.

Seems like it would be cheaper than just getting some other colour and then buying white walls to go with it. And I like the combo.. the colours are hideous on their own, but somehow look sharp together.

rob_fuel · Post by **rob_fuel** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 3:00 am

Speaking to the 50cc vs. 125cc discussion... Spring for the 125. It's worth it. And it's not too much bike. Just because you can buy something smaller doesn't necessarily mean that you need to. There are plenty of MC riders who begin with 800cc.

350kmi · Post by **350kmi** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 3:16 am

I'm guessing your in Milwaukee, WI? If so, one advantage of a Buddy 50 would be that it qualifies as a 'moped' in Wisconsin which means you wouldn't need a motorcycle license to ride it. That said, I've ridden in MKE (I'm in Madison but get east fairly frequently) and I feel much more confident in your city traffic with the extra power of the 125 engine. It does cost more, but I think that is off set by the extra speed making the bike more useful in that it can comfortable ride it all over town - rather than just to school or work via smaller streets. (Actually, I'm planning to ride my Buddy 125 from MSN to MKE - 80 some miles - this Sunday for a ride with some of the Sector 8 folks.) I’ve ridden both the Buddy 50 and the 125, to me they rode very similar - the 125 weighs a bit more but the balance really wasn’t that different. Are you shopping at Reina/Vespa MKE? When I bought mine there about a month ago the price difference between the standard colors and the SI 125 was $200, but they may have adjusted their prices since then. Also, the Italia only came as a 125cc.

loon · Post by **loon** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 3:25 am

Hm. I'm glad you posted!

I was hoping they (Reina) carried the Buddys. I saw one, but was too busy drooling over the pale blue LX to pay it much attention.

I will probably be shopping there, then, as it is much closer (ten minutes as compared to two hours) from here. And I heard about this credit union that could finance the entire cost of the scooter, with low interest.

I am originally from NY. And since my dad fed me a line of bull about needing insurance to get my driver's license in HS, I only have a learner's permit, so I figured I'd just forgo the auto license and get a motorcycle license.

ICEMAN · Post by **ICEMAN** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 3:45 am

50cc vs 125cc

I bought a Kymco Zx-50 2 stroke 2005 model, I bought it when I was activated for the military and was commuting about 4 miles one way on mostly flat road.......it was perfect..........

Until I got home.......I then wanted to use it too commute to work 16 miles one way with lots of hills........the little guy couldnt keep up........It was derestricted and I even disabled the REV limiter.......she would go about 47 mph on flat road but the hills were still the problem...not enough torque to get up the hills at a decent speed......it would slow down to around 25 to 30 Mph on roads that the speed limit was 45mph so you can see how this could be a problem...

My solution was UPGRADE it! I did to a 70cc! bought a Malossi 70cc cylinder kit and a malossi variotor kit.......man could she get up and go now...54MPH on flat road and maintain 40MPH roughly on the hills....

Problem fixed right? NOPE......I was running her to lean I think and burnt a hole right through the piston and now I Have it in pieces in my garage with metal shavings throughout the motor.......what I am trying to say here is once you get a scooter you will be wanting to ride it EVERYWHERE and you will not like it if you cant go up or keep up with traffic on hills, you wont like being restricted on what roads you can ride on safely......

I wish I would have bought the buddy 125 in the beginning but it was fun tinkering with the 50cc and I will get her back on the road pretty soon, 2 strokes are fun and peppy but it is no comparison to the buddy 125, if I had it to do over again I would not have bought a 50cc scooter........the buddy 125 gets better fuel mileage than my 50cc and has more power as well.........

x-mojito50mod · Post by **x-mojito50mod** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 3:45 am

Another thing to consider...
I have ridden a bunch of different scoots, and in my opinion, the Buddy (especially the 125..for getting out of bad situations, quickly) is a great starter scooter. It's small and light, and easy to handle. Unfortunatly (and I hate to ruffle any feathers) the Vespas, though pretty, and well made, take a little more getting used to. They have a higher seat and center of gravity, and they're heavier, which makes them a bit quarkier through turns. I had a 50cc Aprilia Mojito Retro for two years, commuted 12 miles daily, and had to constantly maintain and upgrade. I deresricted, then added a pipe, then messed with the rollers and the springs, a variator, and fianally added a 70cc kit and bigger primary gears. That's what melted my crankshaft and led me to the buddy. Out of the box, it does fine...no mods necessary, except maybe some cosmetics.

350kmi · Post by **350kmi** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 4:25 am

Yes, Reina is carrying Genuine again. They had Stellas when they were out, but picked up Kymco during the time between the Stellas and the introduction of the the Buddy. Vespa seems to be their main thing and they seemed hesitant to have two major competing brands with both Kymco and Genuine. I talked with Joe and Felipe Reina and they said they were so impressed with the Buddy when the Genuine rep. brought one by this spring they decided to give them a try on the sales floor. The Buddy 125s seem to be selling pretty well there - mine was from their second shipment and I only had two to choose from (red or SI - I went with red) unless I wanted to wait for the next batch. Are you near the dealership on Capital Ave. or the one downtown?

I'll also note that I switched from a Vespa ET4 to the Buddy. The Vespa was a very nice bike, but I was always worried about the metal body getting dinged/scratched as it doesn't bounce back like plastic and will rust if not touched up.. I also like the handling of the Buddy better (shorter and lighter) and despite the smaller engine their speeds are pretty matched.

You might also want to check out section8sc.com to see what the local scooterist are up to.

maxxim58 · Post by **maxxim58** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 4:52 am

If you are using a scooter to commute in any type of traffic even local roads you will need the power to get out of any possible dangerous situations that might come about. I agree with the other posts that you will get tired of an underpowered scooter.

Spend the extra dollars it could save your live and prevent an minor accident.

Cagers have no patience for slow drivers of any sort and a scooter is virtually invisible to them..they are too busy on cell phones, drinking coffee, smoking, fooling with the radio, yelling at their kids or spouse, putting on make- up, combing their hair, shaving well you name it they generally do not pay attention.

You will need to have the ability to get quickly out the way in a tight situation. A 50cc will not have that ability in normal traffic.

Take the MSF first..then decide...

RIDE SAFE...MAXXIM

gogirl · Post by **gogirl** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:19 am

Hi all, New person here. I also was unsure which scooter brand, size to choose. I am not an experienced rider. After riding both the Buddy and Vespa, we decided the Buddy had lower and less stiff seat, less stiff to manuver than the Vespa and so would be easier for me to handle. BTW, I believe the 50cc and 125cc are the same size frame, just different size engines. Thanks in part to all your helpful comments, advice & experience here we ended up with TWO Buddy 125's from a Vespa Dealer. I don't think you can go wrong with either brand BUT 125cc is the best choice unless you have a compelling reason for a 50cc Before I rode I thought balance was an issue, now I know it is just confidence.

gogirl

luv-r-buddys · Post by **luv-r-buddys** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:03 pm

My first ever scooter is a Buddy 125, my oldest daughter told me I would never be sorry getting a 125. She said it was sometimes necessary to have that extra "oomph" to get out of a sticky situation and also to keep up with traffic. The Buddy is a dream scooter to learn on and knowing I have the extra power when I need it is a good feeling. If you can afford it, go with the 125, you will never be sorry.
Luv-R-Buddys

loon · Post by **loon** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:29 pm

350kmi wrote:Yes, Reina is carrying Genuine again. They had Stellas when they were out, but picked up Kymco during the time between the Stellas and the introduction of the the Buddy. Vespa seems to be their main thing and they seemed hesitant to have two major competing brands with both Kymco and Genuine. I talked with Joe and Felipe Reina and they said they were so impressed with the Buddy when the Genuine rep. brought one by this spring they decided to give them a try on the sales floor. The Buddy 125s seem to be selling pretty well there - mine was from their second shipment and I only had two to choose from (red or SI - I went with red) unless I wanted to wait for the next batch. Are you near the dealership on Capital Ave. or the one downtown?

I'll also note that I switched from a Vespa ET4 to the Buddy. The Vespa was a very nice bike, but I was always worried about the metal body getting dinged/scratched as it doesn't bounce back like plastic and will rust if not touched up.. I also like the handling of the Buddy better (shorter and lighter) and despite the smaller engine their speeds are pretty matched.

You might also want to check out section8sc.com to see what the local scooterist are up to.

I'm near the downtown location right now (I live in Bayview atm).. what is the one on Capital Ave like? Is that where the pictures of the "Vespa Boutique" on their site are from?

I saw a picture of a Stella, and think I like it almost as much as, if not more than the SI, but I looked on the Genuine site, and all I saw for it was accessories, like sidecars and so on.. no price quotes for the actual scooter >_<

I like the site you put up the link to. I think I'll bookmark it.

x-mojito50mod · Post by **x-mojito50mod** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 7:22 pm

Re: the Stella...LML, India, the company that made the Stella had a labor dispute and closed it's doors=no more Stella!

loon · Post by **loon** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 7:51 pm

x-mojito50mod wrote:Re: the Stella...LML, India, the company that made the Stella had a labor dispute and closed it's doors=no more Stella!

O_O

Keys · Post by **Keys** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:40 pm

HOWEVER, the dispute has been settled and the LML Star (marketed worldwide and is the same as the Stella) is back on the market. Speculation is that the Stella will be returning to these shores shortly.

--Keys

loon · Post by **loon** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:09 pm

rablack · Post by **rablack** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:12 pm

One more vote for the 125 over the 50cc. I commute on flat roads and still wish I had the extra umph in traffic all the time. I got the 50 so I wouldn't have to mess with going to the DMV for a motorcycle license (don't need one for the 50) but now wish I had put up with the hassle in order to get the 125.

loon · Post by **loon** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:26 pm

I don't have a driver's license, though, so I doubt I could drive a 50cc even if I did want to...

Do you suppose it's easier to get a motorcycle license than an auto license?

BlueMark · Post by **BlueMark** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:05 pm

loon wrote:I don't have a driver's license, though, so I doubt I could drive a 50cc even if I did want to...

Do you suppose it's easier to get a motorcycle license than an auto license?

Nope, not easier, pretty much the same. You need to know all of the same traffic laws to pass the written test, plus some extra ones for the "M" license. The road test is probably a bit harder for the "M", but at least you don't have to parallel park.

Get your temp and then take the MSF course over a single weekend - you'll get all the experience you'll need to pass the road test - but in most cases won't have to take it if you pass the MSF course. THAT is a much easier process than taking driving lessons and getting a cager license.

-Mark

loon · Post by **loon** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 12:29 am

So.

I went to Reina today at 11 30, and it was closed, even though it was supposed to be open at eleven.

My boyfriend said we could go back on Monday.

I'm impatient.

My best friend and I went tonight and I filled out all the paperwork.

Joe Reina gave me a hundred dollar discount on my Buddy Italia because he said that the other shop should have been open..

If the paperwork all goes through ok and I get the loan, I get the Buddy on Monday night!!!

And.. I might have gotten a job while I was there today, too. I think he liked that I am proficient in French and Italian (and know some German and Spanish), and he complimented my "strong European handshake" (except I'm from NY, and told him so earlier in our conversation.. but that's fine. I like being classified as a Euro).

Needless to say, I am completely ecstatic, as, honestly, as geeky as it may sound, I would love to work around scooters all day.

And I just wrote a blog instead of a reply post >_<
Sorry. LOL.

loon · Post by **loon** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 12:33 am

He and I went to the Reina downtown location in Milwaukee.

She and I went to the other one, that is twenty minutes further from me.

350kmi · Post by **350kmi** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 12:47 am

Yeah, in WI you need at least an auto driver's license to ride a 50cc bike, 'M' endorsement for anything larger engine wise. I agree that taking the Motorcycles Safety Class is a very good idea particularly as you don't currently have any license. To get a learners permit you go to the DMV and take a written test. From there you can join the MSF course, which seems like a lot of fun, and they even provide the bikes and helmets, or practice on your own with your bike and take the road test on your bike within 6 months. Check out http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/dr ... torcyc.htm for more info. For a list of MSF course locations see: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/veh ... aining.htm

Reina on Capitol (Dr. not Ave., my mistake) is the main dealership where most of the stock is kept and most repairs are done. Its a lot bigger than the shop downtown. They also have their car lot out there - need an Alfa or Ferrari? Its worth the trip if you can catch a ride out the there, its about 25 minutes from Bayview by freeway.

350kmi · Post by **350kmi** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 12:49 am

I need to hit refresh more often...

loon · Post by **loon** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 12:50 am

I was just out there.

Joe Reina is a very kind man.

I think I like how they run.

loon · Post by **loon** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 12:52 am

350kmi wrote:From there you can join the MSF course, which seems like a lot of fun, and they even provide the bikes and helmets, or practice on your own with your bike and take the road test on your bike within 6 months. Check out http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/dr ... torcyc.htm for more info. For a list of MSF course locations see: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/veh ... aining.htm

Which courses are the least expensive, though, without sucking?
I'm not sure I'm employed yet, so I am severely lacking cash...
I would like to look into one of those courses, though

I heard I could take the road test within one week after getting my permit.. is that right?

codemonkey · Post by **codemonkey** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 12:58 am

In california, you can't get a motorcycle license without having a driver's license first.

350kmi · Post by **350kmi** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 1:16 am

I'm not sure if you need an auto license before getting a motorcycle license in Wisconsin. Something to check out. A week sounds about right for the waiting period form permit to road test, but when got my license (in 2001) the DMV had a 2 month waiting list for testing.

Modern Buddy

I have been considering getting a Buddy..

I have been considering getting a Buddy..

POWER EQUALS CONFIDENCE ON THE ROAD

I have been considering getting a Buddy

Sweet baby Jesus..

EDIT.