Buddy 125 vs. hills?

redscooter · Post by **redscooter** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:21 am

Wondering if anyone has a lot of experience with the 125 on hills. I am about to trade in my Buddy 50 and am wondering whether the 125 will be powerful enough. Will it keep up a reasonable speed or would I be better off waiting for the extra torque in a 150? I know there haven't been any real world comparisons yet... but anyone care to take a guess?

weaseltamer · Post by **weaseltamer** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:32 am

i would say it depends on the hill. from my experience in KS even if the hill is a bit steep (read: KU) 125 makes it, BUT if the hill is long, like riding from topeka to lawrence on 45th St. (aka 442) it will struggle a bit. These are wide, less-steep hills. going full throttle i can come down one at 65-68 mph, but by the time i am getting to the top of the next i'm only 40mph. 145lbs, full throttle. No prima atm.

Honestly, i just avoid that road anymore. Hwy 40 is more fun and more scenic.

Kaje · Post by **Kaje** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:35 am

I am wondering about this as well. I am trying to decide if the 150 is worth the extra $400 for 25cc's more, a different color scheme, and a stebel horn. My drive to work and school has a few hills as well.

redscooter · Post by **redscooter** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:48 am

That 40mph at the top of the hill is just what I'm concerned about. Thanks for sharing which hills you mean, I used to live near Lawrence so that helps a lot. I've moved down by the Hill Country area of Texas which is so scenic I've been dying to ride through them for some time... But with 55 - 65 mph speed limits I don't want to end up with angry drivers on my tail, and my 50cc trickled down to 28mph on the first foothill I tried so I can't go anywhere near where I want to.

If only they would make a Buddy 200 or 250, I would know exactly what to buy!!

wben55 · Post by **wben55** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:50 am

That’s one reason why we traded our Yamaha C3’s (50cc) that we had for less than 3M’s in for Buddy 125’s. There’s a hill in my area that has all the TV antennas due to its height. Has a 2 lane road that I wouldn’t dare go up on a 50. Slight hills were 20- 25mph max. Second day out, I mastered that hill on the Buddy. Minimum speed is 45mph.and had no trouble maintaining speed with plenty throttle left and I’m no lightweight. The other, we are surrounded by 40-45 mph roads and didn’t feel comfortable going all out on the C3 with nothing left for emergency maneuvers. You’ll be impressed with the Buddy 125. Very quick and responsive, but I can’t compare it to a 150 since I haven’t ridden one.

Sunil · Post by **Sunil** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:03 am

I'm lucky enough to ride curvy hills every day on my commute and I've never felt that the 125 was short on power. That said, If I was in the market now I'd wait for the 150. That extra 25 can't hurt! (also i ride 2 up with my girlfriend alot and it feels a bit sluggish then.) Hopefully there will be a kit available so if the 150s really do perform the rest of us can upgrade.

toddrw2251 · Post by **toddrw2251** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:19 pm

My 125 tackles Cincinnati's hills no problem. These hills are all on city streets, but I have no problem keeping up with the speed limit or exceeding it.

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:35 pm

The only hills we have are on drawbridges and parking garages, but my Buddy eats them for lunch.

rajron · Post by **rajron** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:01 pm

My morning commute is up the mesa @ 6 – 7% grade for about ½ mile. No matter how I do it I can never go faster than an indicated 47mph, sometimes I go into the wind and speed will be slightly less, when the wind is behind me I go only slightly faster. I weigh in at 175 – 180 dripping wet

Eddy Merckx · Post by **Eddy Merckx** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:09 pm

I go in at 210lbs...and have gone up some two and a half mile hills that are about 4 to 8 percent grades with no issues, I was not at full throttle going 45/ 50 mph, now granted I"ve not tried to go 55 / 65mph up the same hills but if you weigh in at 150 lbs ish I would think the 125 would work well....you said you deal with traffic thats posted at 55 to 65 mph , if thats the case for alot of your rideing a large scoot or small motorcycle is most likely a better choice....jmo of course.

Keys · Post by **Keys** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:15 pm

To see how a Buddy 125 handles mountains (not simply hills) check out my blog at www.skutergruven.blogspot.com and archive it back as far as Aug. 2006. I have put on 15,000 miles...most of it up and down mountains. They do splendidly. I suspect the major advantage to the 150 will be the ability to maintain a wee bit more speed in the hills. I doubt it will do much more.

--Keys

HipCat · Post by **HipCat** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:24 pm

Birmingham is very hilly, and the Buddy does just great. I have a 125cc, though. My driveway is very steep; I was worried about it initially, but it does well on the sharp incline.