Looking for new scoot...Buddy or Scarabeo or...?

[khaiku]

Well, I know there'll be a lot of bias on here because it's a Buddy forum, but here goes...

I've had three scooters in the past
1) 1999 Scarabeo 50 (pre-ditech)
2) Vespa ET 4
3) Vespa GTS 250 ie
and now I find myself scooterless and looking.

I like the Scarabeo, but found the 50cc a little slow. I really liked the 150cc of the ET4, but was commuting a long way and moved up to the GTS 250 ie. The GTS was lots of fun, but ultimately, I found it too large and the Vespa dealer too annoying. Overall, the ET4 was my favorite. But, again, don't want to deal with the dealer.

So, I'm looking at the new 2008 Aprilia Scarabeo 100 and a new 2007 Genuine Buddy. I test drove the Buddy but only a 50cc Scarabeo. The price (including rear rack and top case added) for the Buddy is $350 less than the Scarabeo. I found the curved footboard on the Buddy odd.

Buddy fans! Why should I buy the Buddy (or not)? I would be riding mostly in town in Austin, TX (slightly hilly, crazy traffic). Help me out! I really want to stay in this price range or less and also 100-150 ccs.

Thanks!

[1cyl]

Buy the Buddy. The Scarabeo 50T 4-stroke is a pooch, even de-restricted. The Scarabeo 100 is the 1st Aprilia-Chinese scooter attempt.

[toddrw2251]

Buddy 125 is more nimble and quicker than et4. I have never ridden a Aprilia Scarabeo 100. I also found the curved footboard odd, but I have size 11 shoes and it doesn't bother me when I ride.

[Witch]

1cyl-- just FYI, a pre-diTech Scarabeo 50 is usually a 2-stroke. (At least all the ones I've met have been, anyway.) But yeah, I've heard the 4-stroke ones are pretty pointless.

I haven't owned or even ridden a Buddy, but it's high on my list of considerations to buy.

That being said, I will give you my experience with a Scarabeo. I also had a pre-diTech 'beo 50. Mine was kitted to 70cc with a touring exhaust. If you do that, you'll practically have a little racing machine. When tuned up right with the proper roller weights, I could hit well over 60 (of course, that's on flat ground with no wind... but still). That's a little scary on such a small bike, but it was nice to have the extra power in regular traffic. It's also really amusing to piss off the old P2's at rallies with. As far as speed and performance, it might as well have been a small 150.

The guys at AF1 Racing (they were in Austin before they moved to San Marcos) got ahold of a Vespa ET4 125 at one point, and dyno tested it compared to my bike. The stats were nearly identical as far as power and top end, but with the Scarabeo weighing less of course. So you can guess which bike actually went faster.

Definately take a good look at getting a Buddy... I've heard way too much good about them to not seriously consider it. But if you still have the 'beo, and you're willing to put a little more into it, don't count it out. I got around Austin with absolutely no problems on mine. Even made it up Transmission Hill (you know the one... Spicewood Springs) with a passenger. To date, I still count it as the most fun bike I've ever ridden.

[gt1000]

I've test ridden a bunch of Scarabeos, including the 2 stroke 50, 4 stroke 50 and an older vintage 150. They're all nice scooters and they compare pretty well to the Buddy.

Overall, I give the Buddy higher marks in reliability and engine performance but the Aprilias have slightly better build quality and a better tuned suspension. Personally, I also had a pretty bad parts experience with my old Mojito but most scooters suffer from haphazard parts availability. I guess I'd just recommend you test ride both back to back and choose the one that fits you best.

I'm curious though. Isn't your Aprilia dealer also your Vespa dealer? Or do you have multiple Aprilia dealers nearby?

[IndieJones]

I originally wanted to get the Scarabeo 100. I loved the look, size, and the handling. Unfortunately the engine sucks. It's more like a 50cc than a 100cc. I talked the local dealer into testing it on some of our hills and it's top speed up our worst residential hills was... 10mph. Yes a whole whopping 10mph. I'm surprised it didn't just fall over.
I don't know if this is because it's made in China, or just that something went wrong with the new engine, or what... but it seriously is pathetic. (I'm just a tad annoyed, can you tell?)

[ysofisonly50?]

On looks alone:
Scarabeo = yuck
Buddy = yumm

On performance: you think there'll be Significant difference on these small engines? it's all in your wrist, me thinks; maybe you should ask which one has better brakes.
Or which one turns you on More !! Hey, I like that last line !

[Scootnva]

I have owned and ridden many scooters and "real" bikes over the years. I currently own a Burgman 650 (for touring), Piaggio MP3 (wifes bike), Vespa GT200 (great ride), a classic Honda CB350F and the Buddy 125.

From your description of riding and needs - the Buddy is perfect fit. It's just zippy enough, but is very light and agile. Your only question may be deciding on the 125 or the 150. The 125 has more than enough top-end and off the line power for the average commuter.

Enjoy the ride.

[1cyl]

1cyl-- just FYI, a pre-diTech Scarabeo 50 is usually a 2-stroke. (At least all the ones I've met have been, anyway.) But yeah, I've heard the 4-stroke ones are pretty pointless.

I haven't owned or even ridden a Buddy, but it's high on my list of considerations to buy.

That being said, I will give you my experience with a Scarabeo. I also had a pre-diTech 'beo 50. Mine was kitted to 70cc with a touring exhaust. If you do that, you'll practically have a little racing machine. When tuned up right with the proper roller weights, I could hit well over 60 (of course, that's on flat ground with no wind... but still). That's a little scary on such a small bike, but it was nice to have the extra power in regular traffic. It's also really amusing to piss off the old P2's at rallies with. As far as speed and performance, it might as well have been a small 150.

The guys at AF1 Racing (they were in Austin before they moved to San Marcos) got ahold of a Vespa ET4 125 at one point, and dyno tested it compared to my bike. The stats were nearly identical as far as power and top end, but with the Scarabeo weighing less of course. So you can guess which bike actually went faster.

The 2-stroke Scarabeo 50 was a swell bike. (We sold 'em with much success 'till the USA supply was totally exhausted) The Scarabeo 50T, which replaced the 2-stroke, were real dogs. De-restricted, they would not sustain 30mph up any hill. Many dealers returned their scoots to Aprilia, in fact. Aprilia introduced the Chinese Scarabeos this last year in 100 and 200cc varieties. Yes, they are from China and we, and many other dealers, chose not to order any.

FYI: The Vespa ET4 is a 150cc scooter.

[1cyl]

I've test ridden a bunch of Scarabeos, including the 2 stroke 50, 4 stroke 50 and an older vintage 150.

The 2-stroke Scarabeos were GREAT! The 4T was a dog. If you rode a Scarabeo 150, and not a Mojiti 150, you'd have found it's power to exceed many 250cc scooters. Most Scarabeo 150s had a Rotax engine and were well-known for tremendous power. The '07 Mojitos have the same "Piaggio Leader-4" engine as a the Vespa ET4. (And they don't do 70mph out-of-the-box like the Buddy 125 does.)

[Drumwoulf]

I like the Scarabeo, but found the 50cc a little slow. I really liked the 150cc of the ET4, but was commuting a long way and moved up to the GTS 250 ie. The GTS was lots of fun, but ultimately, I found it too large and the Vespa dealer too annoying. Overall, the ET4 was my favorite. But, again, don't want to deal with the dealer.

So, I'm looking at the new 2008 Aprilia Scarabeo 100 and a new 2007 Genuine Buddy. I test drove the Buddy but only a 50cc Scarabeo. The price (including rear rack and top case added) for the Buddy is $350 less than the Scarabeo. I found the curved footboard on the Buddy odd.

Buddy fans! Why should I buy the Buddy (or not)? I would be riding mostly in town in Austin, TX (slightly hilly, crazy traffic). Help me out! I really want to stay in this price range or less and also 100-150 ccs.
Thanks!

Well it appears to me that you'e looking for some kind of scooter perfection here, no? One scooter's too slow. Another is fast enough, but too large. Another was Jusssst Right, but the dealer wasn't! (Sound like Goldilocks And The Three Bears to anyone?)

So taking that into consideration, and the fact that you've already owned 3 scoots, I wouldn't dare recommend anything to you on the premise that you might just be looking for someone else to tell you what to do so you can blame them if you again don't get exactly what you desire in a scoot!
I say, test out what you can and make up your own mind... No one really has to be satisfied about what scooter you ride, but you!

Myself, I like both my Buddy 125 and my Vespa GT 200. But they're totally different scoots, for different kinds of rides. AFAIC there's really no singularly perfect scooter that does absolutely EVERYTHING well! (Such as what you appear to be seeking..?)

[Witch]

FYI: The Vespa ET4 is a 150cc scooter.

In North America, yes. But apparently someone tried to smuggle a foreign ET4 125 in from somewhere else, didn't to the paperwork on it right, and it got impounded. The shop bought it at auction just to play with it, and maybe nick some parts. It was a neat comparison bike though, because there weren't any 4-stroke 125's in the US at the time (at least none that I know if, being sold new).

I must say I'm dissapointed to learn Aprilia is doing Chinese Scarabeos. Way to ruin a good brand. They just don't make 'em like they used to...

[ysofisonly50?]

I must say I'm dissapointed to learn Aprilia is doing Chinese Scarabeos. Way to ruin a good brand. They just don't make 'em like they used to...

yeah man.. totally.. Chinese Aprilia? wazz up wid dat?

[1cyl]

Aprilia is owned by Piaggio. Piaggio has been selling many Piaggios, like the Typhoon, for years. Yes, they're from China too!

[IndieJones]

Maybe it has nothing to do with being made in China. For all I know it's an unfortunate side effect of sticking extra emission controls onto a brand new engine for the American market without enough testing. I mean, the Scarabeo looked well-put together to me. (not that I know enough to judge).

[FA-Q]

Are all new Scarabeos made in China? I know the Piaggio Fly is.

[khaiku]

I'm making myself crazy. Eliminated the Scarabeo because of the Chinese thing...

Also looking at a 2006 Piaggio Fly, which is made in Italy that year. Want the dealer to come down another $200...