Commutin' or Cruisin'

pcbikedude · Post by **pcbikedude** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:09 pm

First, I have to say that my commute each day is much more fun riding my Buddy to work. Sometimes, I deliberately take the long way to work just to ride a few twisties.

I've been wanting to (go cruisin') take a 20+ mile ride to the beach and along the coast. I thought I could do it on my vacation. But noooooo. My 17 year-old daughter wanted to be taken places.

Just wondering who else uses their Buddy for commuting.

ThisDude · Post by **ThisDude** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:22 pm

That's me, I commute every day. In fact I'm commuting right now weird

mybuddy · Post by **mybuddy** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:27 pm

I bought mine for commuting. 21 miles one way.

Have not had much time to take mine out on an actual pleasure ride that often.

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:08 pm

I commute on the Buddy, that was reason #1 for the purchase. You're right, it is way more fun than the alternative (the bus in my case). I do enjoy a non-commuting ride once in a while, but not often enough. My commute is about 8 miles and I usually take a slightly longer route that allows me some twisties and a little over 1 mile of WOT fun on a multi-lane 50mph posted freeway.

There are lots of us who commute on MB. See the thread "How was your commute today?":
viewtopic.php?t=753

That thread was mostly done by those of us who commute even in cold weather, but not limited to that. It's full of commuting war stories.

jetboy · Post by **jetboy** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:15 pm

I initially bought the Buddy for just tooling around in my spare time, with maybe an eye toward commuting occasionally. I now find myself commuting at least one day a week and more like 2-3 when the weather's right. 17 miles each way from the 'burbs to downtown Denver. It's the best part of the day!

-jetboy

nonsense · Post by **nonsense** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:23 pm

I bought the Buddy for commuting. Since my '95 corolla has 221,000 miles on it I thought the Buddy could help me postpone a car replacement for a couple more years. So far 45 (indicated) miles every weekday since I bought it.

mikalius · Post by **mikalius** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:53 pm

I commute 30 miles each way, half of which is highway (55mph). I actually bought it for fun but it just turned out to be a good commuter vehicle too.

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:44 pm

Why I bought a scooter:
A. I've wanted one since I was 17
B. I work 6 miles from work. I've ridden my pedal bike (before running over a nail).
My 2nd job is 3 miles from my house and about 9-10 miles from the day job.
For the past 3 years my wife and I have been able to make do with 1 car. She recently got a new job, I'm in a new band on top of the 2 jobs...it was getting damn near impossible to coordinate who needed the car when, who could ride the bus from point A to point B.

So I got it to commute.

I was so hyper focused on retraining my brain to scan 12 seconds instead of 5-6 seconds ahead. I didn't really "enjoy" my rides. What I LOVED having was the freedom of my own transportation again! AHHH...you don't realize HOW MUCH you miss it until it's gone!

11 days into owning it I crashed. I then realized when it was me mainly riding the bus/walking how quickly we both adjusted to me having my own transportation!

I'd love to once I get her back, take a long land cruise via scoot.

I could look for alternative routes but at this time, by surface streets (My choice since my Vespa is freeway legal) There's only 2 ways over the river. No matter HOW I get there, there's still only 2 bridges and 1 freeway ramp that gets me from my house to my day job.

SteMer · Post by **SteMer** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:28 pm

Commuter here, too. About 6 miles round trip. Will take the "scenic" way home once in a while. Enjoy a club ride every now and then when I can fit it in. Love it.

StLScoot · Post by **StLScoot** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:50 pm

I've only had my Buddy since last Thursday, but have already used it for my commute both days this week, about 20 miles each way. I have multiple routes to choose from, but have been sticking to the most conservative (read: few stretches of open road with speed limits above 45). It's been great so far, especially in the mornings when it's nice and cool and the air is still fresh.

sparkle motion · Post by **sparkle motion** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:25 am

I definitely bought the Buddy for my commute. I work 4 miles from home, but by subway it's 50 minutes including 3 transfers (:wha:). I used to find myself sitting at work at the end of the day browsing the web, checking email, etc. because I dreaded the crowded, hot subway. Now it takes 20 minutes each way and I LOVE my commute.

However, now that I have a scooter, I'm dying for more cruisin'!

vincent · Post by **vincent** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:31 am

I'm another Buddy commuter. My commute is 6 miles each way and usually takes about 20 minutes depending on the Atlanta traffic. Its cool to read about other Buddy commuters. I just wish there were more of us here in Atlanta. Then we could all gang up and demand that the city create scooter lanes and make motorcycle and scooter parking a requirement for new developments.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:58 am

I bought the Buddy for commuting. Since my '95 corolla has 221,000 miles on it I thought the Buddy could help me postpone a car replacement for a couple more years.

I'm in this boat. My car is approaching 200k and I cannot afford to buy a new (or used) one right now.

I commute about 9 miles each way to work (that will change, I hope, as I meet tomorrow to discuss a job offer closer to home). I love it but Tulsa streets--which often appear to be used by the National Guard for mortar practice--can be a real pain to drive on in a Scooter! Lots of possible pitfalls.

I'm hoping to take a cruise or two this Fall. Just gotta get settled and organized. Too much going on to free up a day right now....

sparty · Post by **sparty** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 1:06 am

I ride my Buddy to work every day, which is about 10 miles each way. It is amazing that my suv uses more gas in one day than the Buddy in a week.... The best benefit from riding to work is being able to park at the premium motorcycle parking, which saves me a least 10 mins a day of walk!

ThisDude · Post by **ThisDude** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 1:54 am

Hey pugbuddy, I think you should have gotten a kymco. Those big wheels really smooth out road irregularities like potholes. Potholes scare me.

rajron · Post by **rajron** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 3:37 am

I use my Buddy to commute to work with.
And use her to run errands when not working.
And, I use her for leisure on none working days.
I tend not to ride the Buddy at night for safety reasons.
I still use the car on bad weather days and longer trips.

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 4:42 am

My habits are a lot like rajron's except for the car part. I get to drive the car now and then, mostly on weekends. If the weather is really bad I'll catch a ride with someone or take the bus. If the weather is passable I'm on either the Buddy, the GT or my road bicycle.

For my 4 mile commute the Buddy is the steed of choice. It's a 10-20 minute ride, depending on traffic and how I catch the traffic lights. That's not even enough time for my GT to warm up, so I always take a long way to work when I'm on that bike. I use the Buddy 4 or 5 days a week for the commute and for errands. I use the GT for longer trips, highway trips and, most of all, fun excursions into the mountains. There's nothing like a 100-200 mile day in the mountains on a good motorcycle. The bicycle now is purely for pleasure, or exercise, depending on my mood.

I too try not to ride at night. It has nothing to do with me being seen by others, rather, it's the fact that I have trouble seeing road hazards like potholes or gravel at night. As the days get shorter I will ride after dark, I mean, I have no choice. But it's always on roads I know and with an extra margin of care.

ICEMAN · Post by **ICEMAN** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 6:20 am

I bought my scooter for commuting and that is 16 miles each way, I have a full rain suit and a helmet with a full face shield-no chin guard........even if it is raining I ride to work and the F-150 sits at home.

A week or two ago I knew it was going to rain and I suited up before my ride to work, on the way I am riding next to this poor guy on a harley as it was pouring down rain, no helmet..no rainsuit...just T-shirt and jeans..I am sure he looked COOL when the sun was shining!! LOL!!

I have over 2200 miles on my buddy which I only purchased a few months ago, I have also taken it on 2 longer trips which was about 75 to 80 miles each way and I look fwd to riding it every day........Never get tired of it and I will ride it all winter long as long as the temp is above 30 degrees, any colder than that the ole hands start to freeze but I will look at options to see if I can find some better winter riding gloves etc.....the cuppini windscreen should be delivered tomorrow and depending on how that keeps the COLD off of me I may be able to ride in colder temps.

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 1:31 pm

I LOVE my commute on my scooter. I hate the dang ol' SEPTA bus. Thank ye gawdz Pinky T & I are together, again! It's five miles each way; a straight shot on urban slow-poke roads. My commute via bus takes 30-45 minutes, but via scooter only 15-20...unless I take Broad Street, then it's 10-15! But I found that I am really taking my life in my hands by using Broad during rush hour.

Jersey drivers!!!

cowgirl helmet · Post by **cowgirl helmet** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 4:18 pm

Poli, I was appalled

at the very idea that you'd consider scooting on Broad Street! Even when I lived in Philly that would have constituted taking your life in your hands -- and I left Philly in 1980.

But I chuckled with glee to see you use the expression "Jersey drivers!" I've been mumbling that to myself on the Beltway a lot lately (we seem to be suffering an infestation of Jerseyites on our roads down here), but haven't heard anyone else say it in years.

I think it's time for a visit to my old home town.

ETA: Oh! On the commute question: I will resume commuting to work on my Buddy once I get my M certification. It takes about 40 minutes door to door, which is about what it takes me to drive to the Metro, hop the train, get off, and walk across the National Mall to my office. I can park free in my building's garage, where the Buddy can sit safely among motorcycles, protected by security guards who are fascinated by the whole idea of a scooter.

I haven't had any major qualms about scooting at night or in the rain, since I used to do both of those things regularly while bicycling, and the scoot is far more visible than my bike. As long as I've got the proper gear, it's all good. And in the recent heat, I don't even mind getting caught in a rain shower -- at least when I'm on my way home.

Cruisin'? Haven't tried it yet. That will happen once I have the coveted M.

rablack · Post by **rablack** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 6:52 pm

Another 6 mile commuter here. The scooter makes it a great way to start and end the day.

pcbikedude · Post by **pcbikedude** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 6:56 pm

I'm thinkin', "I'm blowin' out this place early on Friday and take my cruise to ocean." Put on the helmet with flip-flops on my feet, shorts on, T-shirt...whoaa..that's a Harley dude.

Then life will be a beach!

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:02 pm

cowgirl helmet wrote:Poli, I was appalled at the very idea that you'd consider scooting on Broad Street! Even when I lived in Philly that would have constituted taking your life in your hands -- and I left Philly in 1980.

But I chuckled with glee to see you use the expression "Jersey drivers!" I've been mumbling that to myself on the Beltway a lot lately (we seem to be suffering an infestation of Jerseyites on our roads down here), but haven't heard anyone else say it in years.

I think it's time for a visit to my old home town.

Let me know when you visit, and we can ride around together! Wait, of *COURSE* you'd scoot up, right? Route 1 all the way!

I've done Broad Street maybe three times...once in the morning, and twice on my way home. I figured I have this nice armored jacket and I've been riding steadily for over 6 months, why not give it a try? Well, it's been confirmed: it's not ME it's THEM! Stupid stupid JERSEY DRIVERS!!!

Hehehehe....

BTW, Who's worse: Jersey Drivers or M-ssholes?

I personally think Memphians are the worst I've seen so far in my short but happy life. Hmmmm....

pcbikedude · Post by **pcbikedude** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 10:38 pm

polianarchy wrote: BTW, Who's worse: Jersey Drivers or M-ssholes? I personally think Memphians are the worst I've seen so far in my short but happy life. Hmmmm....

H3LL-A drivers are pretty bad. Sorry Ericalm and his better half GatsbyGirl. The first time I drove through LA I though I was going to die!

JNV · Post by **JNV** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:18 am

Both my wife and I use our scooters for commuting. And of course just for cruising on the weekends.

ThisDude · Post by **ThisDude** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:33 am

From someone with East coast experience and west coast neutrality I would have to say Massholes are worse. New Jersey drivers are generally just in a rush to get where they're going and will drive like it. But Massachusetts drivers seem to go out of their way to be rude to you like aggresively tailgating and passing you only to just slow down to get back at you for leaving a buffer zone in front of your car and when I was on a sportbike even spitting on me for going slow, but not less than the average speed of traffic. I hate digital driving either full gas or full throttle is how they drive.

cowgirl helmet · Post by **cowgirl helmet** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:23 pm

polianarchy wrote:Let me know when you visit, and we can ride around together! Wait, of *COURSE* you'd scoot up, right? Route 1 all the way!

As soon as I get that magic "M," I'm gonna head north on my Buddy. I might start with a trip to Newark, DE, though -- my sister and her husband and kids live there, and I haven't seen 'em since March or so. After that, though, it's Philly or bust. (Can't wait to go over the Conowingo Dam on the scoot -- I love it even in the cage.)

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:37 pm

cowgirl helmet wrote:As soon as I get that magic "M," I'm gonna head north on my Buddy. I might start with a trip to Newark, DE, though -- my sister and her husband and kids live there, and I haven't seen 'em since March or so. After that, though, it's Philly or bust. (Can't wait to go over the Conowingo Dam on the scoot -- I love it even in the cage.)

Fun! I bet the kids will LOVE your scooter.

Riding over the dam was a bit daunting the first time, but on the way back from the Charm City Scooter Rally, it was AWESOME! Enjoy.

scaps · Post by **scaps** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 6:53 pm

I just bought my Buddy 125 last Saturday (7/28) to use for my daily commute. I live a mile and a half from work, where I get to park in a garage across the street from my building, next to a bunch of motorcycles, all on my company's dime.

I bought it to replace my 05.5 Jetta TDI (Diesel), which I bought in 2005 to save on gas (42+ mpg) for my 40 mi/day commute. Since I moved so close to my new job, it started to seem like a waste to have a car that doesn't even have time to warm up on my commute.

I am in the process of selling my car, and after that is done I will buy a cheap truck or anything that will fit the scooter, in case of a breakdown or harsh weather.

I know that I am still a rookie, but so far, my rides to work and home have been the best parts of my day. I have taken it on a couple 10-12 mile runs, but nothing longer than that yet. Waiting to get my endorsment to do anything to long.

I have owned it for 7 days and have 106 miles on it.

I think I made the right choice.

un_designer · Post by **un_designer** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:37 pm

neither

i work 33 miles from home, so i bicycle to the bus station, and take the bus to work. when i used to work 2.5 miles from home, i walked and took a free shuttle.

i use MyBuddy© mostly for going to the store, the gym, getting grocery, etc.

petunia · Post by **petunia** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:03 pm

I had not intended to commute with my scooter ... then my pick-up truck's radiator sprung a leak and with all sorts of stuff going on I started to scoot to work. I'm lovin' it!

I was apprehensive at first because my work hours are all over the place sometimes driving home at 2am through some pretty isolated streets. But I'm very comfortable with the 13 mile each way drive now. It is a blast when there is very little other traffic around and a great way to unwind after work. And it is way more fun to scoot than drive my truck. So now I'm using my Buddy for commutin' and cruisin'.

Sweeper · Post by **Sweeper** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 3:19 am

I just got my Buddy last week, bought it to commute. Yesterday was my first day commuting on it and I must say I was so nervous about it I felt a little sick, but once I pulled into the office parking lot, I was disappointed that I was there already and had to get off.
I ended up leaving early so I could just ride some more!

pcbikedude · Post by **pcbikedude** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:11 pm

No strictly pleasure riders out there (don't get dirty minded here)?

So the Buddy gets the dirty work all week and the Vespas get taken out for-show on the weekends?

BTW, why is this forum been so quiet for the past couple of weeks?

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:13 pm

What is up with all the Vespa bashing lately?

Dave

nonsense · Post by **nonsense** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:24 pm

piaggio envy?

pcbikedude · Post by **pcbikedude** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:59 pm

ScooterDave wrote:What is up with all the Vespa bashing lately?

Dave

I'm just jealous that I can't afford one of those pretty little scoots. We all can't be all married to supermodels. But what we have is perfectly serviceable. (Oh, oh, I'm going to get it for this comment!

Don't hurt me! )

louie · Post by **louie** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:31 pm

cowgirl helmet wrote: That will happen once I have the coveted M.

you can have the coveted M in Alabama by answering 20 questions. try as many times as you like, $5 a pop. You'll need a drivers license to play.

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:38 pm

ScooterDave wrote:What is up with all the Vespa bashing lately?

Dave

I have never bashed a Vespa.

I hear you did recently though.

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:18 pm

lobsterman wrote:I have never bashed a Vespa.

I hear you did recently though.

Bwa ha ha. You are a funny guy. Real cute there Lobsterboy.

Yes, I did bash the LX150 into the back of a car and my knees & shoulders are still sufferning.

Dave

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 5:18 pm

pcbikedude wrote:I'm just jealous that I can't afford one of those pretty little scoots. We all can't be all married to supermodels. But what we have is perfectly serviceable. (Oh, oh, I'm going to get it for this comment! Don't hurt me! )

My wife and I saved up for a few months to afford mine. Had I known 11 days later I'd crash it and it'd be over 2 months of waiting (SUPPOSEDLY by the 28th I'll FINALLY get her back) I'd have waited longer to buy.

I can't speak for anyone else but me, This Vespa rider loves all scooters and scooterists. Especially those black one's since it's the fastest pigment and looks the best w/ chrome

I have no lack of love for the Buddy. Almost got an Italia. I steer people interested in scooters to the Buddy because it is a great ride, and not as expensive as the Vespa.

urprincessin2001 · Post by **urprincessin2001** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 11:24 pm

My husband and I purchased a pair of Buddy's for communting. Our communte about 4 miles. We like having both scooters gives us some flexiblity that we didn't have we carpooled together.

Love communiting with my Buddy. I always have a smile on my face when I get to work.

Tim Mace · Post by **Tim Mace** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 11:58 pm

My Vanagon is rotting in the driveway......neglected since I got my Buddy.
Now I get better mileage in the VW ,0+gal./wk. I pleasure drive my 125
to work. 7 mi.ea. way.I 've got so many routes I never get bored.Neghborhoods and shade 90% of the time. Quite a step up from the moped I began riding when the gas price stared to escalate.

AgentKestrel · Post by **AgentKestrel** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:46 am

Mine is for both, and when ever I need to run about. It is also a very good stress reliever.

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:06 pm

AgentKestrel wrote:Mine is for both, and when ever I need to run about. It is also a very good stress reliever.

+1

Definitely agree there. My commute is 38 miles each way + whatever running around I need to do while on the job.

Ketty · Post by **Ketty** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:53 pm

We just purchased our Buddy (125 Red) on Saturday and intend to use it for commuting about half of the time, pleasure all of the time. We (husband and I) won't commute, though, until one of us gets our license. Can't wait! We put 100 miles on it this weekend cruising around town, a huge grin on our faces the WHOLE time.

redcass · Post by **redcass** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:54 pm

I use mine for commuting and errands around town. I have a short commute. But Sunday I took my first out of town trip, got the speedo to 60mph, and rode a lovely route around a nearby lake. It was a great trip, and my new icon photo was from that excursion.

Riding my Buddy around always improves my mood. Sunday I had to really work at keeping a huge-ass grin off my face.

Modern Buddy

Commutin' or Cruisin'

Commutin' or Cruisin'

commuting

Communtin' or cruisin'

commutin or cruizin