New Buddy Owner, Couple of Questions

ItalianBoy · Post by **ItalianBoy** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 2:09 am

I had a minor accident a little over a month or so back and I just got the Buddy back due to part delays, etc. I noticed that there is a loose hose that is hanging down on the left hand side by the kick starter. What is this and should it be hooked up to something?

On a seprate note, I also only have a top speed of about 65 registered running at full throttle on a slight downward incline. I only weigh about 135lbs, but I've read that other people can get up to 75 without any problems. Anyone have any ideas about this?

Thanks in advance for the help, so far I'm proud to join the ranks of Buddy owners!

ScooterTrash · Post by **ScooterTrash** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 2:27 am

The hose is just a carburetor overflow (trim to hide). As far as the speed goes it depends on your elevation and the 75 mark is a freak thing mine goes 65

ItalianBoy · Post by **ItalianBoy** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 2:51 am

I believe this is different then the one going to the carb. The one to the carb is under the panel in the seat correct?

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:14 am

ItalianBoy wrote:On a seprate note, I also only have a top speed of about 65 registered!

Welcome to the jungle! only 65??? dude...its a 125!!! Thats pretty Buddy quick!

ItalianBoy · Post by **ItalianBoy** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:36 am

BuddyRaton wrote:
ItalianBoy wrote:On a seprate note, I also only have a top speed of about 65 registered!
Welcome to the jungle! only 65??? dude...its a 125!!! Thats pretty Buddy quick!

Yeah, I know, I didn't mean *only* I just wanted to make sure that there wasn't something wrong with the hose that would be causing speed related issues. Thanks for the welcome. I don't need to go over 65 anyway, makes my fiance nervous enough.

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:15 pm

65 indicated is pretty "normal" max speed, to do better requires one or more additional factors like downhill, tailwind, windshield, racing tuck, etc.

ItalianBoy · Post by **ItalianBoy** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 5:06 pm

I have been considering getting a small windshield for it. I've been reading that it helps to stabilze the bike some at high speeds. How do you guys feel?

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:15 pm

I'm all for small wind shields on looks. That's why I've got one on mine.

The medium and tall one's look dorky as snot to me but are more functional!

I like some of the cut down work people do here.

I say go for it.

tam · Post by **tam** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 8:41 pm

I got up to an indicated 78 before i ran out of road, downhill and 160lbs. Are you crouching down and tucking your legs in? It'll help squeeze out those extra miles

KidDynomite · Post by **KidDynomite** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:11 pm

Wow, I don't get it. I'm hitting 75 regularly and 80 on occassion and have actually hit 83 on downhill with tuck.

I'm 6'0" 180 lbs and anyone willing to tuck should be able to pull off the 75 I'm thinking.

I can't wait to get my roller/belt repair along with a cuppini bug shield to see what I can do.

ItalianBoy · Post by **ItalianBoy** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 12:25 am

tam wrote:I got up to an indicated 78 before i ran out of road, downhill and 160lbs. Are you crouching down and tucking your legs in? It'll help squeeze out those extra miles

That could be part of it. I'm still a new rider so I'm still trying to get my footing and see what works. I'll try that the next time I'm on it.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 12:59 am

I have to put my two cents worth in here. The Buddy speedometer appears to read 15-20% high so the operative word is certainly "indicated". I also have to ask why anybody would want to go 75 mph plus on a small frame scooter with 10 inch wheels. Time to consider a whole different bike if that is what you are going for.

toddrw2251 · Post by **toddrw2251** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:03 am

My Buddy with 350 miles on it tops out around 65 according to the spedo. I took a friends GPS with me today and apparently my 30mph is actually 25mph and 43mph is actually 35mph. It's to bad they don't have an adjustment screw for the speedometer.

ItalianBoy · Post by **ItalianBoy** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:51 am

Dooglas wrote:I have to put my two cents worth in here. The Buddy speedometer appears to read 15-20% high so the operative word is certainly "indicated". I also have to ask why anybody would want to go 75 mph plus on a small frame scooter with 10 inch wheels. Time to consider a whole different bike if that is what you are going for.

It's not that I want to go 75 mph persay, I had originally brought it it up because I had seen a loose hose and after reading that other people have riden at 75mph+; I wanted to confirm that there wasn't something wrong or that hose wasn't supposed to be hooked up to something.

Keys · Post by **Keys** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:28 am

I have to totally disagree, here, Dooglas...I have owned over 60 of the "big wheels" over the years and have roadraced and built choppers and restored and changed and performance enhanced and just about anything you can think of with a two-wheeled conveyance. If I wanted another, I would HAVE another. I love the "grin factor" of scooters. And I also love to wring every erg of power I can out of a small engine. If I could, I'd try for 90 mph out of mine. Not so much to go 90 mph, since I can find small motorcycles that will do that (Kawasaki Ninja 250), but for the challenge. And because if I can accomplish it, the scooter still has a bigger "grin factor" than the comparable motorcycle. ...and I've never had an instability issue with 10" wheels and I have had my speedometer pegged at over 80 mph on my Buddy.

--Keys

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 4:52 am

Dooglas wrote:I also have to ask why anybody would want to go 75 mph plus on a small frame scooter with 10 inch wheels.

Because I can.

Dave

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 4:33 pm

Great answer dave!

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:32 pm

Well, okay, fellas. If you want to push the envelope, even push it a whole lot, I am sure not the one to tell you you can't. I will tell you, though, that there is a reason why bikes built for high speeds have different frames, different suspensions, different steering geometry, difference wheels, different brakes, different tires, etc. That is why many of us own more than one scooter and/or motorcycle - we try to match the bike to the task.

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 1:34 am

Dooglas wrote:That is why many of us own more than one scooter and/or motorcycle - we try to match the bike to the task.

I will make you a deal. You ride the way you want to & I will ride the way I want to.

The beauty of it is... I can take my scooter(s) and do all the things I want it to do. I was riding 2 up on a club ride last night and maintained 60+ mph on my LX150 going down some killer back country roads. By your logic, I should not have been on a scooter but something a little sturdier. Had I been by myself and not had a very good looking girl with me, I would have easily achieved 70+ mph on that road. I do it because I can and if I have to explain it to you, you will not get it.

Get a little more seat time on the scooter and you will understand.

Dave

voodoosix · Post by **voodoosix** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 2:10 am

i dont think because the scoot could do 70+, means that people will be running around at that speed constantly. my P200 would do it and the speed was nice to have when needed but i didnt push it that high unless i needed it- 10 inch tires were never a problem.

the key is knowing when and where to do 75 and when not to. most cars and motorcycles on the road are capable of more speed than the vehicle is capable of handling (and more importantly- more than the operator can handle). just running down the road at 75 wouldnt be a problem at all, maybe more wind buffeting than some would be comfortable with. youd definately get into trouble if you tried pushing the suspension and frame beyond its limits through a turn- no matter what the speeds were.

BlueMark · Post by **BlueMark** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 12:44 pm

ScooterDave wrote:Had I been by myself and not had a very good looking girl with me, I would have easily achieved 70+ mph on that road.

Hmmmm .... so switching to a not quite so good looking girl is good for how many extra mph?

I'll have to give that a try!

-Mark

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 2:57 pm

Dooglas wrote: Well, okay, fellas. If you want to push the envelope, even push it a whole lot, I am sure not the one to tell you you can't.

ScooterDave wrote: I will make you a deal. You ride the way you want to & I will ride the way I want to.

ScooterDave -

I think I made it pretty clear that I'm not telling you how to ride. Likewise, you are not going to convince me that riding down a steep hill two up at 75+ is the height of cool. Why not just leave it at that. Deal?

Ajax · Post by **Ajax** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:51 pm

ScooterDave wrote:I should not have been on a scooter but something a little sturdier. Had I been by myself and not had a very good looking girl with me, I would have easily achieved 70+ mph on that road. I do it because I can and if I have to explain it to you, you will not get it.

Get a little more seat time on the scooter and you will understand.

Dave

I can only verify that the girl was very good looking (and really nice) and that our group rides can reach speeds of 65+ comfortably. Carry on.

Modern Buddy

New Buddy Owner, Couple of Questions

New Buddy Owner, Couple of Questions

Re: New Buddy Owner, Couple of Questions

Re: New Buddy Owner, Couple of Questions

The need for speed