Assistance in AZ

Legend · Post by **Legend** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:30 pm

New to this forum and will be geting a scooter very, very soon. Reasons are several fold.

Help the enviroment
Save dollars on gas, insurance and other vehicle related expenses.
It will be main source of transportation for work...(outside sales)

here is the question....at 5'11" and 215 lbs...what sccoter do I go with? I personally prefer the retro look.

the short list is,
vespa S
Buddy 125
Kymco people 150

All seem to be about the same. reliability is key as well as having a bit of fun.

Thanks for the advice in advance

Parkerl · Post by **Parkerl** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:16 am

I have a Buddy and i love it! the only other scooter i have rode is a honda Metropolitan. so no help on the other ones but from what i hear buddys are one of the most reliable scooters out there!

250koala · Post by **250koala** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:29 am

You may find the Buddy very short on leg room, I'm 5'1" and it fits me well.

toddrw2251 · Post by **toddrw2251** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:41 am

I'm 5'9" and I have no problems.

thing2 · Post by **thing2** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:10 am

I'm 5'11" and my buddy 125 fits me perfectly. I only weigh around 175, but I'm sure it could handle you just fine.

I also just bought a Kymco people 250 and really enjoy it as well. While I can't personally speak about it's longevity and reliability, I've heard nothing but good about Kymco from the dealer and other Kymco owners and reviewers. Unfortunately I haven't seen a 150 in person.

The main thing to consider is what type of riding you will be doing. I personally LOVE my buddy, and I will never like the Kymco more, but the bigger wheels on the Kymco do make a huge difference when traveling at higher speeds. My suggestion is that you check them both out in person, make sure to sit on them for as long as you need, and decide which one is more comfortable. Compare that to which looks you like better and that will help you out.

Also, take into account what things you will be taking with you when riding and compare the underseat and other storage available on the scooters you're considering. That really makes a big difference. For example, I love the bin storage on the front of the Buddy and find that's what I miss the most when riding my People.

Hope that helps.

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:16 pm

I'm 6' floating around 200lb and the Buddy works for me

Honestly, all three are great choices. If money is a factor then you're looking at the Buddy or Kymco. If money is not then you can't really go wrong with any of the three. The best thing you could do for yourself is go sit on them all, take em for a ride, and decide on which one fits you best. All three have good reputations and good build quality (some are going to save you quite a bit of money OTD while the other tends to have higher resale, if you care about things like that).

twharton · Post by **twharton** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:23 pm

Buddy 150 is the answer!

Scootnva · Post by **Scootnva** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:23 pm

I can't speak for all the bikes personally, as I own a Buddy 125 and a Vespa GT200. I'm 5' 11'', size 9 shoe, 175 lbs. Both bikes fit me fine, as I like to slide-n-bac on the saddle on ALL my bikes.

The Buddy is much more light and agile, while the GT200 is more powerful (obviously) and smooth. The GT200 fits me more like a fine Italian glove, but you don't wanna wear Italian loafers to the corner greasy spoon - do ya?

Find the bike that fits your most important criteria ("realiability & fun" - add affordable and that spells Buddy).

Ride On

jperkins · Post by **jperkins** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:36 pm

The question you need to be asking your self is " what are you using the scooter for"

I have a People 250 and two buddy 125's. I use the scooters for two entirely diffrent purposes. the people is good for longer trips and highway riding because of the 16" wheels. It is a much smoother ride.

the buddies are much better and more fun for shorter slower trips. The 10" wheels are alot more fun in traffic and easier to manuver. That is not to say that the buddy is not capable of loong trips, have taken a few myself. But the People is a much more comfortable ride for longer trips.

Valgal20 · Post by **Valgal20** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:53 pm

Welcome new AZ Scooterist, I too will be joining the Scooter Scene as soon as I sell my freekin stupid van! Hope to see you scooting about soon!

pcbikedude · Post by **pcbikedude** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:55 pm

I have both the Buddy 125 and Kymco People 150.

People 150 is taller and much tamer ride than the Buddy. My favorite bike? The People for everyday and the Buddy for rallies.

The Vespa S is a sexy scooter too.

All 3 are great scooters. This is a win-win-win situation.

Valgal20 · Post by **Valgal20** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:04 am

PS- Go to Scooter Invasion, they are awesome! University and McClintock

dannyW · Post by **dannyW** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 6:15 am

i had a buddy 125 and now have a vespa ET4

I am 6' 5" and weigh 170 lbs wet.

the buddy fit me fine, and my wife would ride on the back.

the buddy is extremely light and zippy

the vespa s is going to be more refined and stable.

ride as many scooters as you can, take the safety class, get a full face helmet, and enjoy whatever you get.

Keys · Post by **Keys** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 2:56 pm

Valgal20 wrote:PS- Go to Scooter Invasion, they are awesome! University and McClintock

If you want awesome, go to Scoot Over in Tucson...many on this board can attest to that...

--Keys

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 3:30 pm

Keys wrote:
Valgal20 wrote:PS- Go to Scooter Invasion, they are awesome! University and McClintock
If you want awesome, go to Scoot Over in Tucson...many on this board can attest to that...

--Keys

The OP first reason for wanting a scooter is to help the environment. So you're telling him to pass up his local dealer and drive 2 1/2 hours to another?

Valgal20 · Post by **Valgal20** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:47 pm

YEA- And unless you want to brave the I-10 (I think thats the one from Tucson to Phoenix) on a scooter, I would say Scooter Invasion! The guys there are very nice, and patient (Though I think Im wearning their patience thin, I keep coming in and cant buy my scooter yet

) PS- YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BUY #12 BLUE SCOOTER, IT IS MINE!

You can, however buy #16 blue

. AND THE TOP CASE FOR THE BLUE IS MINE TOO

! Thank you.

Legend · Post by **Legend** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:58 pm

Thanks all for the great advice. I will paying a visit to a few dealers this weekend to narrow down the choice to only one scoot. Hey val...I may just take that blue scoot just because.

Seriously, I have found alot of great info on this forum and appreciate everyones comments. The only wrench is that I really like the look of the Stella. I wish they made the Stella in a 4 stroke as filling up would be alot easier than having to carry 2 cycle oil with you all the time. Anyone have to deal with this and have advice?

I have almost eliminated the Vespas as they are 1500 more for the same transportation....KYMCO is still in the running but I really am leaning towards the Buddy in the 150. Will update as I make decisions and should have a scoot within two weeks.

Feel free to PM me if anyone wants to ride locally.

Thanks,

Lloyd

Keys · Post by **Keys** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:52 pm

Dave wrote:The OP first reason for wanting a scooter is to help the environment. So you're telling him to pass up his local dealer and drive 2 1/2 hours to another?

Maybe that's YOUR first reason for wanting a scooter...not mine.

And I could give you other good reasons for making the trip (which, even when I was driving a loaded truck never took 2 1/2 hours), but my mama taught me that if you don't have anything nice to say about someone, don't say anything at all. I have an entire scooter club who feels the same way...we can't ALL be wrong.

--Keys

JokerJim · Post by **JokerJim** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:20 pm

2 thumbs up for SHELBY and the crew at SCOOT OVER - Tucson.

See you guys soon.

Joker

Modern Buddy

Assistance in AZ

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