Picked up my Buddy 125 today!

heavypetting · Post by **heavypetting** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:03 am

After almost 2 weeks of waiting, I finally got to pickup my "birthday Buddy" today.

Over a year ago, I fell in love with the Sunset Buddy 125 at our local Vespa dealer. I come from a motorcycle background, my last bike was a Kawi 750, so I'd really never considered getting a scooter until a friend got a 50cc do-it-yourself scoot. I'd forgotten how much I loved being on 2 wheels!

I picked up my Buddy just hours before a HUGE thunderstorm rolled in. Just enough time to rack up about 15 miles. Luckily, in my bliss, I thought to check the gas gauge. The dealer must have only put in a few ounces of gas because the needle couldn't have been more buried into that E.

I only have 2 complaints...
It takes much more throttle to get rolling than I'd have thought. Once it gets going, it's awesome. (I actually rolled backwards rolling on the throttle the first time!)

My ignition is very stiff. I read the manual to make sure I was working it correctly. I'm hoping it needs a break in period. If not improved by Monday, I'm visiting the dealer.

p.s. The manual was a hoot to read. Talk about "being lost in translation!"

I was very relieved to find a Buddy community. I look forward to learning alot!

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:18 am

Congratulations, your background is similar to mine. Now, just be careful and while you learn your Buddy's traits and enjoy the ride!

As for your throttle issue, you are going to notice a much more relaxed throttle roll on with pretty much any scoot compared to a motorcycle in first gear. But, I'm wondering if your throttle might need adjustment. Try finding a nice level spot after your scoot is fully warmed up and stop fully on that spot. With your feet touching down lightly, start rolling on the throttle. If you can twist it more than a few mm's with nothing happening, you probably have too much free play in the cable and an adjustment will make all the difference in the world.

Also, the engine is pretty tight for the first few hundred miles. Once you get past break-in, it starts to loosen nicely by 1000 miles.

Welcome to scooters! Coming from a moto background, you're going to have a blast!

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:54 pm

congrats on the new Buddy! Yeah that manual is definitely a source of entertainment (that manual is embarrassing...lol)

louie · Post by **louie** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:37 pm

Corsair wrote:congrats on the new Buddy! Yeah that manual is definitely a source of entertainment (that manual is embarrassing...lol)

cudos to the editer.

heavypetting · Post by **heavypetting** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:37 pm

Update:

Took Buddy to the dealer for aforementioned issues. A squirt of WD40 in the ingnition and some vigorous key action made it much better. Locking is still a bit wonky, but working.

For my sluggish throttle, they adjusted the controller at the top of the cable (behind the black rubber accordian thingy.)

Perfecto!

No complaints now except crappy scootering weather

Saving up for a Gorilla 2 way Alarm and a throttle lock.

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:45 pm

heavypetting wrote:Locking is still a bit wonky, but working.

Do you mean locking the steering column? Because they are all like that. The handlebars need to be turned ALMOST all the way to the left but not quite... so it sort of becomes like working a clutch... you have to wiggle the handlebars a bit while turning the key to make it work.

heavypetting · Post by **heavypetting** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:59 pm

Took the Buddy to my parents house.

Mom had a fun test ride. She was so excited, I haven't seen her smile like that in a long time!

She was so excited she gave me money to get the Gorilla Alarm. Unfortunately, everyone locally is sold out so I'll have to wait until next week to get one.

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:37 pm

heavypetting · Post by **heavypetting** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:15 am

Okay, so I went for my second fill up today because my gauge was on E. It was sooner than expected, but, whatever.

I filled up with 1.3 gallons but after my fill up the gauge didn't move from E. It wasn't until I got home and locked the front wheel, then it mysteriously moved.

Huh?

ranpianoman · Post by **ranpianoman** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:41 pm

My gas gauge is slow as well, no biggie... The manual on the other hand... I am a keyboard guy and when Yamaha , Roland and Korg first started importing gear in the states (80's), all of their manuals were just like Buddy's... 20 sumpin years later... they're still a hoot.

I'm a little surprised the guys at Genuine haven't tackled rewriting it, or maybe they think the entertainment value adds to the Buddy ownership experience!

Christy · Post by **Christy** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:05 pm

I'm a new buddy owner too and I have a couple of question, if I may...

What size is the gas tank?

Does the mpg improve as it gets broken in?