Potential Buddy Owner and Have Questions

[AAABuddy]

I am wanting to get a scooter as my main transportation. I have no clue about scooters so I am looking for some help in my buying process.

I am either going to:
Purchase a new 2016 Buddy 170i
or
Purchase a used 2008 Buddy 125

I went to see the used Buddy and it had minor dings from a few drops but nothing crazy. One thing that confused me was that its a Electric Kick Start.
I could not physically kick start it everyday as I am a tiny non athletic women with a bad knee...LOL could you imagine?
So I think this guy is not experienced with scooters, he must have fallen a few times and called it quits that's why he is selling.
He seemed to believe that you had to hold the break, hold the electric start button and hit the kick start(maybe some throttle too). What a mission!!

I noticed that the first few times of doing it the way he said that the electric button when pressed would make a ticking sound which some time during the 100 times I tried to kick start it, stop happening.
But not knowing anything about scooters myself figured that he must be right.

Well to wrap it up I left defeated and without buying it cause there was no way I could do it. He called me back and said after reviewing the manual believes that it should just start with the electric start and that the battery must be died. That made sense. He is going to charge it up and send me a video if it works. Till then I am considering my option of having to get the new one.

The used one is $900 and the new one is close to $4000 with accessories and taxes which I would have to finance which I don't really want to do that. The point is to save money.

In your experience does this scooter still really have to be kick started every time or can I count on it being an electric start as long as the battery is charged?

And does it sound about right that it could be the battery? If so I would like to replace it with a mid level battery, price wise.... whats the best GEL/AGM and what brand?

Depending on which I get I will have questions, if the used one plenty.....so hope you guys can help!
Thanks!!

[babblefish]

Buying used can certainly save a lot of money, but there are also certain pitfalls. In your case, it sounds like the potential scooter has a dead battery. Also, you don't use the electric start and the kick starter at the same time. It's one or the other. If the engine is in good tune and the gas is fresh, then the kickstarter should start the engine even with a dead battery. Since I never use the kickstarter, I can't remember if the brake lever needs to pulled in when kickstarting.
When using the electric starter, the battery must be good and fully charged, the cut-off switch on the right side handlebar must be in the "run" position, either front or rear brake lever must be pulled in, then just push the yellow "start" button.

If the battery is still the original factory unit or more than three or four years old, then chances are it will need to be replaced. Good AGM type batteries are available through Amazon for $30-50. There are a couple of threads here that talk about this. For the record, I bought a $30 Mighty Max battery for my Blur about two years ago that so far has been working well. Here is an example for one that fits the Buddy:
https://www.amazon.com/YTX7A-BS-12V-Sea ... er+battery
This one is a little more expensive, but has a better warranty:
https://www.amazon.com/PowerStar-YTX7A- ... er+battery

From your description of the seller, I'd be a little leery of any service, if any, done on the scooter. Ask for proof that oil and filter changes, engine and transmission tune-ups were done on a timely manner. Also, don't forget to check the condition of the tires. If they are the original tires, they will need to be replaced, so factor that into the purchase price.

I recently bought a used 2008 Buddy 150 myself that required a little bit of work because the original owner lost interest in it and let it sit for over a year. It had been dropped a few times, actually more like it had been thrown over a cliff once or twice, but I'm slowly getting it back in shape. Luckily, I didn't pay much for it.

Of course, the advantage of buying new is the 2 year warranty, the satisfaction of breaking-in a new scooter, and the security of dealer support.

There's advantages and disadvantages either way you go, so best of luck to you.

[GregsBuddy]

If you're not handy with hand tools, buy new.
If you're not handy with hand tools, but are willing to learn, keep looking for one in better shape and learn for yourself on small details as they crop up.
Battery changes are simple once you've done a couple. However, as a previous poster noted, this person doesn't sound like a good one to purchase a used scoot' from. He hasn't kept the battery up and body damage of any kind aside from a very minor scratch is to be avoided by the hand tool challenged, even when they want to become handy! Scratches come with stories from conscientious owners.

[DeeDee]

Buy the used 125, and save yourself the 3k. I've owned both, and I believe the 125 is a better scooter.

The 125 is an extremely well built simple machine.

A 125 with up to date maintenance and a new battery should almost never need kickstarted. This is as long as you ride it regularly or have it on a tender when not in use. I'm an hour away from you in Denver. PM a link of the 125 you're looking at, I'll gladly give you my opinion.

[giddyup98]

My advice is to keep looking. I paid $2200 for my wife's flawless, 200 original miles, 2012 Buddy 170i. I paid $1000 for my seafoam green 2009 Buddy 125. It had less than 100 miles on it and was also in flawless condition. Just because they are your only choices at the moment, that doesn't not mean you have to buy one of them right now. Keep looking and something better will come along.

[skipper20]

My advice is to keep looking. I paid $2200 for my wife's flawless, 200 original miles, 2012 Buddy 170i. I paid $1000 for my seafoam green 2009 Buddy 125. It had less than 100 miles on it and was also in flawless condition. Just because they are your only choices at the moment, that doesn't not mean you have to buy one of them right now. Keep looking and something better will come along.

I second the above 100%. The $900 Buddy you're looking at does not give me a good feeling. Something better will definitely come along. Be patient.

Bill in Seattle
'14 170i Hooligan Matte Green

[Syd]

Got a friend with a truck, AAABuddy? Take a ride to Denver, I see several Buddys on CL there.

[ucandoit]

I bought a 2008 buddy 125 from a guy to kept saying, "i know nothing about this scooter". I didn't know much either. But it ran and I took it for a drive and Buddy has a very good reputation, so I got it and studied a lot, etc. & learned about how it works and how to fix things and how to ride it.
You do NOT need to squeeze one of the brakes in order to kick start the scooter. But kick starting can be difficult, IMO, until you catch on and even then I have trouble sometimes. I like having it available, though. I doubt most people ever use it.
As others have said, because it does not start and you can't test it out, I would look around for another used, perhaps newer, Buddy 125. If a scooter sits for years, not ridden, the carb. gums up, the battery dies, etc. but a few steps can take care of all that. And that scenario is not unusual. I think many people get scooters then find it's not their thing, so keep looking.
I'd also take some time watching youtube videos on how to operate scooters; electric start button, kill switch, etc. I watched a good video on how to put the scooter up on the center stand. It's easy and You do not need to be strong. If you find another used Buddy and have questions about it, use this forum to ask. there are a lot of good mechanics and riders on Modern Buddy. Good luck.