Finally Got To See A Buddy...!

[Roose Hurro]

Capitol Powersports of Sacramento is listed on the Genuine site as a new dealer, but the actual dealer is Capitol Yamaha Seadoo, when you finally arrive at 4622 Auburn Blvd. Just a small, blue building with "Yamaha" blazed on the front, in very large letters. Well, I went there today, and they had two Blurs... a black/orange and a black/black... and four Buddies... a sunset, a red, a pink and a cream one. They also had a Vino 125 and a Vino 50... and a Morpheus. I asked about the OTD price and was quoted around $3500... of course, they offered credit, too. Sixty-nine a month, revolving charge. If not for my present employer only "granting" me 27 hours a week... and too many other debts, at present... and my need for a license and gear, as well (gotta look into those things, first)... I'd be a Buddy owner, today. Liked the Buddy look far better than the Vino.

Indeed, everything I've read here has only been confirmed (quality-wise). The Buddy fits me, feels solid, is super easy to get up on the centerstand, and feels very well balanced. It does indeed carry its weight low. I was also amused by the PGO "label", in small letters, imprinted on the top portion of the headlight's lense. Very subtle. All the screws for removing the bodywork looked easy to access, with just a philips driver needed. I even noted the Buddy had a much more substantial kick-starter than the Vino. Well, I didn't get to take a Buddy apart, nor did I ride it or even hear its engine run... and though I still drool over a Dragon Red GTS, there's a big difference between $3500 OTD and $7000 OTD... though, strangely enough, twice as much engine for twice the price makes sense. Of course, for the price of one GTS, I could have two Buddies. But, I'd be more likely able to afford $69 a month, compared to $170 a month. And for a little more, I could add a few choice accessories....

All I need is a decent, full-time job, a government grant to pay off my present debts... or a generous philanthropist who wants to see a poor guy get his Buddy (though I wouldn't turn down a GTS, either).

So... haven't got my scoot, yet, but I have seen the Light! And I've heard the casino they put up a while back, off of Hwy 65, has penny slots. Been thinkin' of goin' over there with a buck on my day off, just to see if I could do myself some good.........

Oh, yeah... I didn't have to drive all the way to Modesto to look at a Buddy!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Tbone]

Yeah, Trey from Genuine emailed me as the ink was drying from Capitol Yamaha signing the contract to distribute the buddy's! I was debating between driving down to SF or Modesto. Weirdly enough, it's about the same distance and time! My wife and I decided (being we are both originally from Fresno) let's support a central valley business. Not that the SF guys aren't AWESOME! In fact they were the ones, just talking to me over the phone that helped me narrow my search to the Buddy or Vespa LX150. For me, Vespa won out!

So far, as far as my limited research has shown me they are also the best place to get a helmet at a decent price!

Can't help you $$$ wise but as soon as you figure out your finances, I scoot into and around midtown daily. I haven't been able to physically meet up with any other scooterist from here or Modern Vespa...yet...but always looking for cool people to hang with and I definitely would enjoy some more recreational scooting!

Glad you found Capitol Yamaha and their selection of Buddy's. Let me know if you have any questions about gear, what you need to do to get your M classification and all of that jazz!

[brat]

as far as saving cash on gear. Try helmets on in the local stores and shop for them online. Most local stores will try to match or at least come close to the on line prices. Same with jackets, gloves and boots. Just make sure the helmet is either/and dot/snell approved.

Susan

[codemonkey]

$3500 seems like a lot for a Buddy. Mine was $3000 out the door (scoot, assembly, taxes & registration).

I'm in San Diego so taxes and registration should be the same as where you are.

[louie]

All I need is a decent, full-time job, a government grant to pay off my present debts... or a generous philanthropist who wants to see a poor guy get his Buddy (though I wouldn't turn down a GTS, either).

So... haven't got my scoot, yet, but I have seen the Light! And I've heard the casino they put up a while back, off of Hwy 65, has penny slots. Been thinkin' of goin' over there with a buck on my day off, just to see if I could do myself some good.........

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

don't forget the rabbit's foot.

[Roose Hurro]

Tbone... I was looking towards Modesto, myself, mainly so I wouldn't have to deal with Bay Area traffic, one way streets, "The Bridge", and that toll road I can't seem to avoid, on the way back. Modesto's a straight shot down the freeway, less chance of getting lost. But then, unless they delivered, I'd be stuck... and, ever since I've wanted a scoot, I've wanted to ride the scoot home. Not being freeway legal, I couldn't begin to think how to get my future Buddy home, if fortune smiled on my finances. With a local dealer available, now, if I can manage a Buddy, I can now ride it home, easy. Would just need someone to follow behind me, to bring me back to the dealer, to pick up my cage.

Yeah, I drool over the Vespa, but it may just be too rich for me. Just looking over the Buddy, I know I'd be happy with it... of course, I'd be happy with any scoot, so long as it got me on two wheels. Glad you could spring for the LX150. The more I look at the LXV... and the GTS... the more I love about the Vespa style and substance. But I'm a realist. For me, reliability, economy, durability, value... the Buddy just makes sense. It has everything I need, even though my "wants" scream for more.

Well, if (when? ) my fortunes change, I'd really like to meet up with others... a stop-off at Naked Coffee, and a cruise afterwards, would be a great way to hang! As for gear, I already found my head is a perfect fit in an Arai Ram II, size M. Unfortunately, the one on sale for $200 at A&S got bought out from under me, before I could come up with the cash. Actually turned out to be a good thing, since I needed that money to pay the water bill, anyway... (Last of my tax returns, gone...)

So, all I need to find is a similar helmet, with the same fit... or better yet, a modular that is just as light and comfortable as that Arai was. Jacket?... I've been looking at that Coretech denim, a pair of kangaroo-hide gloves (felt very comfy), and a nice, lightweight, all-weather pair of boots I've forgotten the make and model of.... Have to look into a pair of Draggin' Jeans... oh, but I just remembered! A&S BMW also had complete Coretech suits, two-piece matching jacket and pants, on sale! Probably don't have any left, now, but I really liked them. Seems the way it always goes with me... every time something's on sale at a great price, I don't have the money for it...

Thanks for the offer of help... take a rain check, for now? I've looked into the MSF, and I have their literature. I'll certainly need all the help I can get to make my transition to two-wheels. I've had my Bianchi Milano up to 31.9 mph, so I've felt the windblast and handling at that speed (skinny tires and aluminum frames are really exciting at that speed... brakes were excellent, thankfully ) I've also ridden sandbag on the back of my uncle's Goldwing, so I know what it's like to tour from that perspective... loads of fun! (Except for the helmet pinching my ears, and the fact I was just a sandbag... really wanted a bike of my own!)

Brat... I've favorited all the links I've found, here and on Modern Vespa, and I've been trying on helmets every time I stop by a cycle place, as well as looking over all the other gear, to get an idea of prices and fit and such. At the very least, I'll be getting a helmet like the Arai Ram II... a 3/4, at the very least, unless I can find a modular that fits just as good. None of that "novelty" junk! I know, buried somewhere, I have an old helmet that used to be my grandfather's/uncle's (?)... that could do me as a temp solution, while hunting, if worse came to worst (and if I can find it). Might come upon the money and the deal for a scoot, before I find the right helmet...! Though Leon did tell me helmets are only good for about five years.........

Codemonkey... I was also surprised by the OTD price quoted, since it was pushing around eight-hundred over the base price. I got the quote from Leon Carado, so if any of you speak with him, perhaps you can find out what's what with that, compared to other dealers in California... after all, they are in Sacramento, Kapitol of The State. Maybe there is some hidden fee in there, somewhere. Of course, it could also be the Sales Tax, since the percentages do vary, throughout the state. I've recently heard about a sales tax increase in Placer County, so that could be a factor. Still, it does seem a bit high. When the time comes (if there is a Buddy in my future... fingers crossed), I'll be certain to look into all the fees and taxes, to make sure everything is on the up-and-up. I also have the thought in my head... it may have to do with the financing. Perhaps the cash price is less? Sorry, guess I didn't ask enough questions....

Louie... forget the rabbit's foot! I wanna find a lamp to rub....


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------