Like the look but not the ride....Stella.

lovemysan · Post by **lovemysan** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:55 am

Has anyone else experienced this. I test drove a Stella but felt it wasn't safe. The handling, braking just felt pokey. I've riden a bajaj legend before and it seemed to handle better. Stopping of course not. I guess the braking was the scariest part. It seemed to move around when applying the front brake.

EvilNerdLord · Post by **EvilNerdLord** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 7:25 am

Mine seems fine...apply the front too hard and feels like it wants to do a stoppie, pick a foot and press the pedal and it stays verticle.

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 7:51 am

Mine feel cool. Maybe you just wern't use to it.

pattio · Post by **pattio** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 12:56 pm

That's what they're like. Remember this is basically a small, road-going airplane. It was invented to dance over cobblestones while talking with your hands. I remember when I first started riding them I felt like I was on a carnival ride teacup gone off the rails! I guess I still do, in a good way.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:06 pm

if the suspension of the Stella is as dated as its styling i would expect it to be somewhat unstable feeling in some circumstances when compared to other scooters

is it as dated? and is it in fact crude by today's standards? say a 2010 Stella Vs. 2010 Genuine Buddy. is their a discernible difference in stability and ride comfort? how is one suspension set up different from the other on those two scooters?

lovemysan · Post by **lovemysan** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 3:58 pm

I guess I had a romanticized notions of what it would feel like. It doesn't help that I'm riding a warmed up buddy. The stella even with a 226vintage pipe and ggr reeds stands no chance in the acceleration department. It pulled cleanly up to 57 mph indicated and still felt like it had more to go. I'm not sure what that would mean indicated. I'm still probably going to buy the stella as it will give me something that my wife and I can ride 2 up. I do like the shifting. The buddy is a scosh small for us.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 4:20 pm

lovemysan wrote: I'm still probably going to buy the stella as it will give me something that my wife and I can ride 2 up.

I can certainly see a Stella for those who like it's classic appearance and the romance of a "shifty". I can't see primarily choosing a Stella to ride two up, however. In my opinion, the power is not there. A used Vespa GT200 would be an excellent choice for a two up ride in my opinion. Adequate power, stable with good suspension and brakes, solid build, roomy seat, reliable, good buys available. Just my two cents worth of course - we all make our own calls.

lovemysan · Post by **lovemysan** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 4:25 pm

Dooglas wrote:
lovemysan wrote: I'm still probably going to buy the stella as it will give me something that my wife and I can ride 2 up.
I can certainly see a Stella for those who like it's classic appearance and the romance of a "shifty". I can't see primarily choosing a Stella to ride two up, however. In my opinion, the power is not there. A used Vespa GT200 would be an excellent choice for a two up ride in my opinion. Adequate power, stable with good suspension and brakes, solid build, roomy seat, reliable, good buys available. Just my two cents worth of course - we all make our own calls.

On a date night we probably won't exceed 30mph or take anything but back roads.

SonnyD · Post by **SonnyD** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 5:23 pm

I like the way they ride. I mean, I've ridden most everything in all my years of riding...it rides better then some full size bikes I've ridden, but different then a Buddy.... If I can find a nice 2T model in the right color, that is probably what I'll buy....hopefully it will be durable for me....

EvilNerdLord · Post by **EvilNerdLord** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 8:24 pm

every time I ride I get an overwhelming need to chain smoke, point with my chin at the the ladies I pass say 'caio bella'...

magnato1 · Post by **magnato1** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 12:26 am

It definitely rides like an old bike and it definitely leans a little under hard braking, but...it's like any other bike, you have to get used to it. It's really fun to cruise around on and I especially enjoy having a shifty. I get really bored on a twist and go. But the Stella is not for everyone.

Regarding riding two up, I don't think it's a particularly comfortable option for the passenger. The biggest problem is there isn't really a good spot for the passenger to put their feet. I have fold up pegs on mine, but they're not a good option. I've talked to others about the pegs that attach to the cowl protectors and not heard much good about these either. My girlfriend will ride short distances with me two up, but she doesn't love it.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 1:41 am

Dooglas wrote:
lovemysan wrote: I'm still probably going to buy the stella as it will give me something that my wife and I can ride 2 up.
I can certainly see a Stella for those who like it's classic appearance and the romance of a "shifty". I can't see primarily choosing a Stella to ride two up, however. In my opinion, the power is not there. A used Vespa GT200 would be an excellent choice for a two up ride in my opinion. Adequate power, stable with good suspension and brakes, solid build, roomy seat, reliable, good buys available. Just my two cents worth of course - we all make our own calls.

A GT200 is terrible for the pillion...I've been there a few times. The foot pegs are at about the worst position anyone could have thought of!

lovemysan · Post by **lovemysan** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 3:02 am

Well I bought the Stella. It is fun to bomb around on. The PO installed a hid that's now broken and an "acorn" rear taillight which is nowhere near bright enough. I prefer not to be plowed over so a lighting upgrade will be performed.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 5:55 am

Are you talking 4T or 2T?

And congrats!

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 12:00 pm

Congrats!

We want photos!!!!!

lovemysan · Post by **lovemysan** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 2:06 pm

Pics in a few days. It's an orange one with black stripes and ku stickers all over. I already removed the windshield. It has fa italia rims that are black.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 4:00 pm

I have a set of those FA rims nice! Just be sure to wear heavy leather gloves when working on them...the edges on those things are sharp as razors! Don't ask how I know...OK...I sliced myself up on them!

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 4:01 pm

BuddyRaton wrote:A GT200 is terrible for the pillion...I've been there a few times. The foot pegs are at about the worst position anyone could have thought of!

Depends on the size and inseam of the passenger. Now, have you ever ridden two up on a Buddy? How did that go?

mattgordon · Post by **mattgordon** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 4:41 pm

BuddyRaton wrote:
Dooglas wrote:
lovemysan wrote: I'm still probably going to buy the stella as it will give me something that my wife and I can ride 2 up.
I can certainly see a Stella for those who like it's classic appearance and the romance of a "shifty". I can't see primarily choosing a Stella to ride two up, however. In my opinion, the power is not there. A used Vespa GT200 would be an excellent choice for a two up ride in my opinion. Adequate power, stable with good suspension and brakes, solid build, roomy seat, reliable, good buys available. Just my two cents worth of course - we all make our own calls.
A GT200 is terrible for the pillion...I've been there a few times. The foot pegs are at about the worst position anyone could have thought of!

There are workarounds for the passenger pegs on that series of scooter, which (if you're willing to spend the considerable $$$ for..) make it a non-issue anymore.

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:09 pm

BuddyRaton wrote:I have a set of those FA rims nice! Just be sure to wear heavy leather gloves when working on them...the edges on those things are sharp as razors! Don't ask how I know...OK...I sliced myself up on them!

FA Italia Club represent!

I have a set of black with the polished lip on the P. Accented it with chrome bolts and acorn nuts to 1up a clubmate who beat me to the install and claimed I was copying him.

As BuddyRaton said, check for casting flash and trim it before install. Finish with a high-grit paper and touch-up as needed. I've got over 10K on my rims and I've been very happy with them.

SonnyD · Post by **SonnyD** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 10:03 pm

lovemysan wrote:Pics in a few days. It's an orange one with black stripes and ku stickers all over. I already removed the windshield. It has fa italia rims that are black.

I know that one.....Katie hooked me up with her Friend Deb.... I would have traded her for my Buddy, but I just can't go Orange again.....

lovemysan · Post by **lovemysan** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 10:16 pm

SonnyD wrote:
lovemysan wrote:Pics in a few days. It's an orange one with black stripes and ku stickers all over. I already removed the windshield. It has fa italia rims that are black.
I know that one.....Katie hooked me up with her Friend Deb.... I would have traded her for my Buddy, but I just can't go Orange again.....

Yep that's it!

Modern Buddy

Like the look but not the ride....Stella.

Like the look but not the ride....Stella.

Workarounds