First scooter purchase, 50cc or greater??

Krylon80 · Post by **Krylon80** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 4:46 pm

Hey All,

I'm new to the world of scooters and this forum and I was hoping there were some out there who could help a guy out with some advice. My girlfriend and I live in Boston and after not having any motorized vehicles for years, we're contemplating getting a scooter.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has created two vehicle classes for scooters: up to 50cc engine, up to 30mph top speed="Moped"; over 50cc, over 30mph="Limited Use Vehicle (LUV)".

Many people prefer to get Moped-classified scooters because you don't have to pay for insurance, license plates, titles or inspections, and you can ride in bicycle lanes. An LUV-classified scooter requires all of this and you cannot ride in bicycle lanes.

We would prefer a Moped-classified scooter as we'd rather not deal with any of the additional bureaucracy or costs of operating an LUV-classified scooter. Our concern is that while most of the time there will be one rider, we would like to get a scooter that could also accommodate two riders and we weren't sure if there are any 50cc scooters that were capable. We are both smaller than average, mind you (I'm 5'8" 150lbs, she's 5'0" 120lbs).

Thanks!

tortoise · Post by **tortoise** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 5:53 pm

For posting the same query on NUMEROUS scooter forums! Per this thread . . also appears to be aligned with the "laws don't apply to me" crowd.

Krylon80 · Post by **Krylon80** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 6:13 pm

Because there aren't different people with different insights on different forums. Right. Settle down.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 6:22 pm

Whether you prefer to ride a 50 or a larger scooter is one discussion (and one you are evidently only asking about relative to 2-up riding). My input is that 50s really don't pack 2-up very well. In Oregon, you aren't even allowed to ride 2-up on a 50. Whether you want to duck in under the radar on licensing is a different discussion (and the main one you do appear to be asking). Obviously I don't live in Mass, but I have in the past. My perspective is - why would you want to own a scooter with no registration and no insurance, and why would you want to ride with no rider training?

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 8:12 pm

My opinion is to get a higher cc than a 50. I hear in Boston you don't need to register a 50cc but they also can be stolen and never recovered easier that way. Plus it's always good to have a little more power when you need it. I'm not knocking a 50cc as plenty of people like them but for me I wouldn't get one. Especially a Buddy because they are all essentually the same size scoot. A theif, if they wanted to keep it and had the money or know how, could just swap the engines. The post above is right about wanting to do 2up riding. In that case a 50cc isn't gonna cut it...

Tazio · Post by **Tazio** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 9:35 pm

My opinion is to move out of Boston.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 10:02 pm

(Ignore Tortoise (wherever you run into him). He's got issues.)

As much as I love my Buddy 50, I wouldn't recommend it for much two-up riding. Even with a combined weight of only 270lbs you'll start to bog down going up hills, and there just isn't a lot of room for two on the seat. Think of it like a bathtub: fun to share once in a while when the mood is right, but not something you'd want to do too often.

Even for one-person riding, it's important to be realistic about what a 50cc scooter can do. With the import speed restrictions taken off, you can probably do 40mph on level ground, so a 45mph road that isn't too busy might be practical, but anything posted at 55mph with more than a little traffic gets pretty dicey, because everyone will want to pass you, and there probably won't be a bike lane to swerve into when they get too close.

If you've been living without a vehicle, you understand the need to plan around that particular limitation. With a 50cc scooter you need to do the same sort of thing. You need to forget about interstates and most federal and state highways, and find surface streets that go safely where you want to go. It can be rewarding, because 35mph travel is a different and (IMHO) usually better way of getting places. You can go lots of places and do lots of things with one (I've been to most of the state of Michigan on mine), but you have to do it by roads less traveled.

Post by **ericalm** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 10:18 pm

tortoise wrote:For posting the same query on NUMEROUS scooter forums! Per this thread

Yeah, so? That's allowed.

Tortoise has earned a ban for his constant hostility to new members despite many warnings. We've tolerated it for a very long time but it's apparent he has no constructive interest here other than to harass others when instead of just walking away.

Adios.

skipper20 · Post by **skipper20** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 5:56 pm

Think bigger than 50cc for riding 2 up. You should be looking at a minimum of 110 to 125cc.

Bill in Seattle
'12 170i Italia
'11 220i Blur
'08 Alitalia Sport City 250

Tazio · Post by **Tazio** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 9:12 pm

Sorry about my Boston comment earlier. I hate Boston except for the USS Constitution, Breed's Hill and the Sam Adams Brewery.

125cc Buddy at least would be great from all standpoints. Bigger is better. 50cc is just to limiting. In some places they are great.

I have a friend who has many scooters, (up to 650cc) but spends his summers on an island where his Vespa ET2 is perfect

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 9:18 pm

While I realize there are folks to whom "under the radar" is a very important consideration, my opinion of 50's has declined from "might be appropriate as a first scooter" to "dangerously unable to keep up with traffic under ANY circumstances"

125cc's is the learner size in much of the scooter-riding world, and I think they've got it right. 125cc will enable you to keep up with urban traffic on surface streets comfortably, though i wouldn't recommend highway riding. 125cc's will also facilitate 2-up riding for folks of the body types you describe.

To answer your question, I sincerely believe that the performance and usability advantages of a 125cc bike absolutely justify the minimal effort required to get legal.

Also, welcome to MB!!

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 10:34 pm

I think 50cc's are awesome things, and they have a great place in the community, as well as urban runabouts.

That being said:

If you're riding 2-up all around, you might want to get a 125cc+ beast.

Ask yourself these questions:

What is the average speed of where I wanna go?
Do people even go remotely near the speed limit, or is it 10+ over?
What are the reactions to a slower vehicle? Are people tolerant?

A lot of us bemoan that you can be doing 50 on a scooter in a 45, and people will still fly by you dangerously because 'you're just on a scooter'.

My final 2 cents:

A great majority of my local community members that have had single vehicle accidents were people who refused to take an MSF class. Less than 2 years later, almost none of them are still riding, and a couple of them have lasting injuries. I strongly urge you as a fellow prospective rider to take said class, even if you never intend to go above 50cc. A good class sets you off on the right foot.

Hope we've helped arm you with enough information to decide what you'd like to do, keep us posted!

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 11:03 pm

skully93 wrote:If you're riding 2-up all around, you might want to get a 125cc+ beast.

You mean like Tinkerbelle, our Buddy 125

. Actually, the 125 Buddy makes for an interesting discussion. The engine has enough power to pull two riders around town IMO. but the passenger portion of the seat is so cramped that the 2nd rider may not appreciate the favor.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Mon Oct 21, 2013 1:33 am

ravenlore wrote:While I realize there are folks to whom "under the radar" is a very important consideration, my opinion of 50's has declined from "might be appropriate as a first scooter" to "dangerously unable to keep up with traffic under ANY circumstances"

Not if you understand their capabilities and how to ride within them.

And your insinuation that their only value is somehow underhanded is unfair.

Stitch · Post by **Stitch** » Mon Oct 21, 2013 2:47 am

A buddy or a Yamaha zuma or a kymco 50cc will take 270
Lbs. It won't be very spacious, and I wouldn't try it for long distances, but it will do it. Please do not haul a passenger if you are just learning. I would recommend a rider course, or at the very least some experienced riders to
hang out with to help you get competent at riding.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Mon Oct 21, 2013 11:04 am

1. Thank you, Eric. 2. All good advise being given. 3. Welcome to the best
forum around!

lovemysan · Post by **lovemysan** » Mon Oct 21, 2013 12:14 pm

ravenlore wrote:While I realize there are folks to whom "under the radar" is a very important consideration, my opinion of 50's has declined from "might be appropriate as a first scooter" to "dangerously unable to keep up with traffic under ANY circumstances"

125cc's is the learner size in much of the scooter-riding world, and I think they've got it right. 125cc will enable you to keep up with urban traffic on surface streets comfortably, though i wouldn't recommend highway riding. 125cc's will also facilitate 2-up riding for folks of the body types you describe.

To answer your question, I sincerely believe that the performance and usability advantages of a 125cc bike absolutely justify the minimal effort required to get legal.

Also, welcome to MB!!

I think there are lots of uses for 50cc scooters. My good friend commutes daily on a roughhouse. He weighs 160lbs with gear. $200 worth of parts will make a 50cc a decent commuter bike. It wasn't too bad stock either. It certainly was not able to keep up with traffic with me at 250lbs. It was too slow up the hills. I do however recommend the 125 over the 50 simply because it does everything short of riding on the highway.

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Mon Oct 21, 2013 1:20 pm

TVB wrote:
ravenlore wrote:...

And your insinuation that their only value is somehow underhanded is unfair.

Totes not my intention. Sorry about that. In many states 50cc bikes must be registered and insured, so it's not a universal that 50's go under the radar. In Minnesota, for example, 50cc Buddies do have to have reg and ins, but DO get legit sidewalk parking privileges. For college students or folks who commute within the city to downtown Minneapolis, that's a advantage that is difficult to pass up. Also, OP IS working within the laws of MA. So no, not underhanded at all.

And in an urban environment a 50cc might be enough, I suppose. But here the vast majority of streets have 30 or 35mph speed limits. And that means that a 50cc Buddy is maxed out just to meet the speed limit, which is often exceeded by traffic by 5+ mph. So unless you're truly just using it as a neighborhood runabout...OR absolutely need the parking privileges...i just can't recommend a 50. (Now kitted to 70 ticks the capability up into the "safe for city streets" category imo, but that also technically negates all the advantages enjoyed by 50's)

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Oct 21, 2013 4:52 pm

Boston (a city that I happen to love) is actually a HUGE market for 50cc Buddys. It took only a couple years for Scooters Go Green to become one of the top dealers in the country. I've heard nothing but good things about them.

jav · Post by **jav** » Mon Oct 21, 2013 8:35 pm

I live outside of Boston and getting a 50cc that fell in the moped catagory was very important to me. The Buddy does. Many 50's don't as our state has a list the RMV goes by to determine compliance (Vespa 50's don't comply although people have been known to sneak non-complying 50's through less vigilant state employees).

Having said that- the 50 has been great for me. I have no problem keeping up with traffic with the usual "setup" and if traffic is really speeding (and I'm very rear view aware), I favor the shoulder and they pass rather easily. I see no need to do 50MPH even on my daily commute to work and I've ridden mine on route 1.

I have ridden the buddy 2 up- it's doable in a pinch, but definitely not comfortable as a matter of routine. I'd say the frame size is a bigger factor than the engine size. Yes, 50cc is labored once you get above 260 lbs but seat, leg fit and suspension travel is the bigger issue in my book.

I've ridden motrocycles for years. Owned Harley's and sports bikes alike. What the 50cc moped class does in Massachusetts, is fill the niche for very low cost - efficeint transportation available without a motorcycle license. Anyone who has ever dealt with our RMV department, understands the appeal of avoiding typical registration.

I for one, also enjoy no mandate for insurance/liscensing. I never insured or received training for my bicycle and I survived. Some of it may have been luck in the learning phase but some was being smart about riding... I think small motorized vehicles such as this should enjoy similar freedoms and protections from mandates that are more about money than actual safety.

That's not to say I am anti training or safety. I've taken motorcycle safety training and made my son do the same before letting him get a Motorcycle liscence. BUT training and liscensing alone will not prevent you from getting hurt! Stupid is a much bigger problem and I suspect that will always be the case.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Mon Oct 21, 2013 8:43 pm

ravenlore wrote:And in an urban environment a 50cc might be enough, I suppose.

I'm so relieved that you think so. I'd hate to think that I've spent the last 22,500 miles just getting in people's way.

So unless you're truly just using it as a neighborhood runabout...OR absolutely need the parking privileges...i just can't recommend a 50.

So I guess those 1000-mile road trips I've taken around the state on mine must not have worked out, after all. Bummer.

Anthonyf953 · Post by **Anthonyf953** » Mon Oct 21, 2013 8:51 pm

I live in Boston and have a Buddy 125. If you're going to be riding two up this would be the better choice imo. It has plenty of power and can keep up on any road ; however, The 50 will be easier to find parking for. You won't get bothered by meter maids with a 50, but you're gambling with the 125 .

jsm · Post by **jsm** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 1:33 am

Genuine Roughhouse 50, look at and test ride one, might be enough power and is larger than most.

NeoGenesisMax · Post by **NeoGenesisMax** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 3:06 pm

Go for at least a 125cc. I learned on a very heavy 150 that lacked power for the weight and my 50 almost got to the same top speed but my kymco 163cc is a whole other story. I say stay away from 50. I had to ride a 50 cuz my dui. They hold up traffic everywhere and slowdown on even the smallest hills . I felt like such an asshole riding it in traffic. When i did 2 up on it we never broke 30mph and on hills it was 10 to 15mph. If you want to be a burden to others go 50. If you want to flow.with traffic 125 and up.

Tomato Bisque · Post by **Tomato Bisque** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 4:10 pm

I had originally not envisioned going over 35mph but boy am I glad I got a 170 instead! My first consideration was being able to zip out of certain situations and not having the juice but now I go over 50mph daily on my commute. I just don't think I foresaw how much I would be riding.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 6:28 pm

NeoGenesisMax wrote:Go for at least a 125cc. I learned on a very heavy 150 that lacked power for the weight and my 50 almost got to the same top speed but my kymco 163cc is a whole other story. I say stay away from 50. I had to ride a 50 cuz my dui. They hold up traffic everywhere and slowdown on even the smallest hills . I felt like such an asshole riding it in traffic. When i did 2 up on it we never broke 30mph and on hills it was 10 to 15mph. If you want to be a burden to others go 50. If you want to flow.with traffic 125 and up.

My experience with a 50 has been much more positive than this.

tspinning · Post by **tspinning** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:12 pm

I just picked up a Buddy 125 two weeks ago and can't believe I waited this long...

Oh, and I live in Somerville so we're in the same topography. I decided I wanted the option of going >50cc so I studied the RMV Motorcycle license manual one morning for about 4 hours, went to Boston RMV and walked out with a beginner moto permit in less then 1.5 hours! Test was pretty easy for someone with a license and >10 years driving experience, except I didn't study much (or any) of the punishments for drivers 18 or younger and literally 1/4 - 1/3 of my test was on such topics... silly for someone 29 years old, but whatever. I passed and went away with a smile knowing I could test a number of scoots that afternoon.

Next stop, <a href="http://www.scootersgogreen.com/">ScootersGoGreen</a> in South Boston. Spent the rest of the day there talking with their service guy and one of the owners, tested a bunch of 50's and 125's and realized I made the right choice with the license. At 6' and 160lbs the 50cc's just couldn't get out of their own way and I didn't feel safe. The 125cc I tried felt great, and while I'm sure I'd have LOVED the 150 or 170i I was trying to keep costs down. A quick call to Progressive later and I was driving off with my new Buddy "Fluff" that same evening. As I drove home I wondered why the hell I waited so long, this is THE WAY to get around this town!

Side-note: my commute is about to grow from 2 to 4 miles (yay new job) - will still be Somerville to Cambridge and I'm sure it will continue to be a blast.

In short, head over to SGG and check out the 50's at least (they'll let you test those without a license) and you can determine if you should take the test and go a little bigger, but in honesty I'd say just go for the test and the 125cc option. You certainly won't wish you went <i>smaller</i> next summer.

Dirvin · Post by **Dirvin** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:17 pm

I have a 2008 Buddy 50 which has 14,000 miles on it, all within a 10 mile radius of my home, all on roads with speed limits of 25-35 mph. I have no regrets whatsoever, and it has met MY needs perfectly. Recently, I did the 70cc upgrade, and now I feel totally comfortable on roads with speed limits up to 50mph. And yes, I like the licensing savings, and parking advantages

The Buddy 50 has its applications and value, depending on your individual requirements for a scooter. Different strokes for different folks, IMHO. Whichever way you choose, you're going to get a quality vehicle.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 1:26 pm

ericalm wrote:
tortoise wrote:For posting the same query on NUMEROUS scooter forums! Per this thread
Yeah, so? That's allowed.

Tortoise has earned a ban for his constant hostility to new members despite many warnings. We've tolerated it for a very long time but it's apparent he has no constructive interest here other than to harass others when instead of just walking away.

Adios.

It really is a shame. The guy actually was very knowledgeable and could have been a valuable member of the forum. Unfortunately his caustic personality seemed to constantly get in the way.

I'm not sure who'll take over his self-appointed role of reminding folks about the search function.

Rob

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 2:53 pm

tspinning wrote: in honesty I'd say just go for the test and the 125cc option. You certainly won't wish you went <i>smaller</i> next summer.

Seldom were truer words spoken.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 4:55 pm

I am not going to take the job for sure. I are not a Troll!

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:07 pm

My overall scoot experience went like this:

50cc to save on gas and insurance. Parking was also a problem because each house has like 5 vehicles, and 2 days a month you have to park on one or the other side of the street. I like the Zuma, but it was kinda slow for what I ended up doing. It was still a lot of fun and a good bike. I sold it about 5 months later.

Got my buddy 150. I had 4500 miles on it before I could blink. Now at 1.5+ years it's nearly at 10k.

Also bought a Kymco 250 for a frequent commute to a town 35 miles away. This was pretty hip for most things, though it was tough to keep up on the highway (mostly because everyone likes to go 80 all the time). The Buddy also works for this if you take back roads, but I didn't want to do a 2 hour each way commute in the winter when you can do 45 min on the highway.

Sold the Kymco, bought a Scarabeo 500 and did some inter-state trips 2-up. Pretty awesome, but for the cost you could also get a good motorcycle. I had it because of the ease of use/storage, which I need for work. It continues to be a great bike, and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it a few thousand miles at a time.

We also scored a deal on a Honda Helix (250), but that's a whole different story.

Anyway, the point is that to avoid wasting time/money, look at what you want to do, and maybe think a little past that. This way you can get the bike you need the first time

.

If a 50 meets the needs, you can't help but be impressed by the power of a buddy 50. 2-up...maybe not. If you're going to be 2 up constantly, a slightly bigger bike will be comfortable, and the brakes will actually be able to keep up. 2 50's can work just as well!

What they neglect to tell you (but are happy to SELL you!) is gear. You need hot weather gear, rain gear, and sometimes even cold gear depending on your comfort level. Between us we have 3 helmets, 6 jackets, multiple gloves each, glove liners, heated grips, solar battery chargers, blah blah blah.

Good luck and keep us posted!

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:00 pm

skully93 wrote:
...

What they neglect to tell you (but are happy to SELL you!) is gear. You need hot weather gear, rain gear, and sometimes even cold gear depending on your comfort level

...

Good luck and keep us posted!

And possibly multiple pairs of motorcycle-purpose footwear. You don't have be Imelda Marcos to need a couple different pairs for different purposes.

climbguy · Post by **climbguy** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:50 pm

having to get an M-Class or buy insurance isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Taking the MSF class statistically lowers your chance of getting in an accident.

The insurance is cheap, I pay about $100/year. I think it is a good thing to have, you never know when a kid could run into the street after a ball or something.

Anyway, I live in DC and have a 170, i like having the extra speed when I need it. Also keep in mind, it isn't just about what your max speed is, it is about acceleration.

If you are going up a hill 2up good luck on a 50.

I ride in bike lanes all the time and have yet to have an issue

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 4:33 am

climbguy wrote:having to get an M-Class or buy insurance isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Well said!

lilguy · Post by **lilguy** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 2:47 pm

I had a 50cc in Boston and rode it year-round for 3 years. I just moved to CA and now I'm riding it here. A 50cc is great in Boston. I rode it from Jamaica Plain to Somerville or Roxbury to Watertown for work every day. The first summer I had it I even drove down with a friend (on her own Buddy 50) to Rhode Island. It was a blast! Now riding 2-up is another story. It's just not comfortable. Sometimes my boyfriend and I would do it when we wanted to eat in the North End, knowing that car parking is a nightmare. I also drove some friends around just because they wanted the thrill of the ride. I'm 5'8'' and they were 5'3'', it was not comfortable at all. If you both get a scooter, I would say go with a Buddy 50. If you want to ride one together, don't even get a Buddy.

Oh, and definitely invest in safety.

Happy scooting!

vdeschamps · Post by **vdeschamps** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 7:39 pm

climbguy wrote:having to get an M-Class or buy insurance isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Taking the MSF class statistically lowers your chance of getting in an accident.

The insurance is cheap, I pay about $100/year. I think it is a good thing to have, you never know when a kid could run into the street after a ball or something.

Anyway, I live in DC and have a 170, i like having the extra speed when I need it. Also keep in mind, it isn't just about what your max speed is, it is about acceleration.

If you are going up a hill 2up good luck on a 50.

I ride in bike lanes all the time and have yet to have an issue

Hello from Arlington! I just got a Buddy 170i to commute to D.C. on a daily basis. I really like the extra power the 170 has over the 50 (which I tested as well).

What a blast!

dkw12002 · Post by **dkw12002** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 8:21 pm

I like 50cc scooters, but it all depends. If you have good shoulders or passing lanes or the traffic is so heavy where you ride that nobody can go very fast, then the 50 cc. works well. I ride my 50cc on the shoulder when cars come behind me..not 100% of the time though...more like 90% because sometimes there is no shoulder or there is gravel or other debris in it. You have to be careful that the shoulder doesn't end on you or that it is well-maintained and not slanted or too narrow though. Several good things about the 50 cc....cheaper usually, better mileage usually, perhaps safer because your speeds are slower, but that's debatable. I like all these things plus each ride is an adventure. You have to plan trips a little more, sometimes even using the Google maps for bicycle routes in order to avoid certain roads, but I enjoy that. I do like fast bikes as well. Remember the 50 cc Buddy is a 2 stroke too, so it is more like a 100 cc. 4-stroke in performance. 125 cc is a very good size too. To do serious interstate riding though most feel you need to jump up a lot...maybe to 300cc, but there again, I ride 125cc bikes on the interstate all the time. I took the Buddy 125 and the 170i both on the interstate to check out top speed and how the tires and suspension worked. The tires are a little squirrelly being 10 inches and I doubt a new rider would feel at all comfortable riding those bikes on the interstate. 12-inch tires and up work a whole lot better for fast riding. One reason I like the 50cc bikes so much is because I have other bigger bikes to use when I feel the need. I still put by far the most miles on my Metro 50cc beater scooter though even though 38 mph is top speed...over 1000 miles in the last month.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 9:58 pm

dkw12002 wrote:Several good things about the 50 cc....cheaper usually, better mileage usually, perhaps safer because your speeds are slower, but that's debatable.

We all like what we like

. I have to comment though, that the price difference to the 125 Buddy is fairly small, the mileage of the 125 Buddy is about the same, and you are right about any safety difference being debatable. A read of the "Who's Crashed" thread indicates that top speed is not much of a factor.

kooky scientist · Post by **kooky scientist** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 12:22 am

FYI, you aren't supposed to ride 2 up on a scooter unless you have a Motorcycle endorsement on your license in MA. An unrestricted 50cc scooter in Boston is perfect. Technically, unrestricted 50cc deserves an LU plate but they will never know. A sticker on a 50cc can park on sidewalks without any hassle and is a very important consideration. I personally own 2 50cc scooters, 1 Buddy 50 with LU plate and 1 Roughhouse 50 with a sticker and ride 12 months up in Salem, MA. Ride in to Boston fairly frequently also with no problems. Have fun...

dkw12002 · Post by **dkw12002** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 1:31 am

My dealer wanted $600 more for the 2014 Buddy 125 over the Buddy 50...with my trade-in Metro it would have been $1700 OTD vs. $2300. In my case it was not about money, but you can ride a lot for $600 in gas....about 20,000 miles in fact at todays prices. My 2006 Metro is worth $600 on a trade-in and about what they were offering...and I bet unless I trade it in, it goes and goes for years, which is the main reason I am keeping it. It is already fully depreciated yet runs very well.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 12:41 pm

dkw12002 wrote:My 2006 Metro is worth $600 on a trade-in and about what they were offering...and I bet unless I trade it in, it goes and goes for years, which is the main reason I am keeping it. It is already fully depreciated yet runs very well.

When I first got my Buddy, I decided to keep my Met because it was so darned fun. Problem there, the Buddy was even more darned fun! I hardly rode the Met, it just sat there in the garage. Move ahead three years, I can't get it to run! I 'sold' it two weeks ago at a loss primarily because I needed money....

(Twas very sad to see it go)

dkw12002 · Post by **dkw12002** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 3:29 pm

I know what happens when you don't ride a scooter for some time, and it's always bad. The good news is that's how I got my free scooter. I got it not running from a guy who had it hooked up to a battery tender for 2 years, but never ran it. The battery is still good though. LOL in this case, all it really needed was a little engine starting fluid to get the gas flowing through the gummed up carb, then to run the thing through a couple tanks of new gas to clean out the jets, etc.

Modern Buddy

First scooter purchase, 50cc or greater??

First scooter purchase, 50cc or greater??

OOOOH, BURN!!!

Re: First scooter purchase, 50cc or greater??

50cc

New Boston rider, was facing similar questions/choice...

Re: New Boston rider, was facing similar questions/choice...