Want a B125 and have a few questions

mandyscoots · Post by **mandyscoots** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 6:45 am

I am obsessed. NO seriously I have a problem. I found a Buddy 125 on craigslist and I have be researching scooters since.

I just had a few questions on how they handle. I am a bigger person (around 200#). I have about a 20-30 minute drive everyday. I'm curious if anyone takes their Buddy for long drives. On steap hills, I hope I can make it up them. LOL
Comments on driving the Buddy at night? I will be driving on non-lit country roads. What about really hot weather?
How often does it need maintence and what kind?

Anyways any comments on performance. Or any other information would be helpful.

And last but not least. Does $1500 for a 2007 buddy with 500miles on it sound like a good price?

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:38 pm

Mandyscoots,
I do not have a Buddy, but there are many people in your same situation that do have a buddy.

You can check out Keys blog www.skutergruven.blogspot.com. He knows a thing or two about hills.

I will let the rest of the actual Buddy owners answer the rest of your questions.

And 1500 sound good. Have you seen it in person? Make sure to check it out and ask them where they have had it service, then call the shop as well.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:20 pm

Please show us the link, we wont "steal" the bike from you.

If not, then do this for me. Has the bike had any service done? Has the bike been dropped or scratched? Any problems? Add ons/accesories?

If everything comes out clear, BUY IT. If it's a 50cc I wouldnt 50cc is too weak for a person your size, 125cc would be much better.

The 50cc itself has problems climbing hills, it takes forever, but the buddy 125 just zooms over them because it has more than twice the power of the 50cc version.

Working on these bikes are simple. Theres an oil change tutorial in our "technical" forums and it has step by step pictures! Oil change is the major thing you really do when maintaining the bike. Changing tires and brake pads usually a dealer would do that.

You can do tire pressure checks, oil change, and other small things yourself. If you have problems just go to the dealer and let them take care of the big stuff and major checks. Usually nothing ever goes wrong with these bikes, but there is always a chance.

maribell · Post by **maribell** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:32 pm

$1500 sounds really good. Almost too good to be true. Make sure there is nothing wrong with it.

I weigh about 200 lbs. and commute 25 minutes on Buddy during the week. I try not to run it with the throttle wide open the entire time. Although I drive on city streets with decent traffic. As far as climbing hills, for really steep ones I can't get Buddy over 35mph.

As far as night driving is concerned, the Buddy does have high beams and you can upgrade the bulb to an HID one. Just watch out for deer.

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:34 pm

mandyscoots wrote:
I just had a few questions on how they handle. I am a bigger person (around 200#). I have about a 20-30 minute drive everyday. I'm curious if anyone takes their Buddy for long drives. On steap hills, I hope I can make it up them. LOL
Comments on driving the Buddy at night? I will be driving on non-lit country roads. What about really hot weather?
How often does it need maintence and what kind?

Anyways any comments on performance. Or any other information would be helpful.

And last but not least. Does $1500 for a 2007 buddy with 500miles on it sound like a good price?

That sounds like a ridiculously good price... low enough to seem like there's something wrong. Are you sure it's a 125?

The Buddy is pretty great on long drives- not the most comfortable touring scooter by any stretch, but comfy enough. It does pretty great up hills... wait... I wouldn't know, I live in Florida where the only hills we have are in parking garages and landfills.

As for seeing in the dark, it's a little sketchy. The 2007's have a much better headlight than the 2006's and it can be upgraded to be a bit brighter. But the biggest problem with them is many people here have said that their dealer didn't properly adjust the headlight. Most of them are pointed pretty much straight down. I had to adjust mine up 30 inches to be right. Still, it's not like driving a car with the high beams. It's pretty much like driving an older car with weaker headlights on normal. Things can jump out at you pretty quickly.

So far really hot weather hasn't been a problem for me. The biggest problem is how much gear you can tolerate in hot weather (what gear to get and wear is a whole other discussion).

Service is pretty minimal. Read around here for a while and you'll see the Buddy is a pretty solid bike. However, you will need a good scooter repair shop somewhere close for services and things like that. The warranty won't transfer to you so you don't need to worry about adhering to "dealer-only services" so even if you have a good Vespa shop they should be able to get you through the normal service stuff. But if something big happens you'll need a Genuine dealer.

The Buddy is great. Period. I waited and waited and obsessed before getting mine and wish I had done it so much sooner.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:34 pm

If you're breaking in the buddy, it isnt going to want to climb the hill or accelerate up it, but the trick to go over a hill and still "maintain" your speed is to speed up before the hill. If you're going 35mph on a flat road, then up comes a hill, go to 40-45mph before the hill. You'll lose some speed and be back around 35 when you're off the hill.

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:39 pm

There's a few riders who top 300 lbs, and we all do fine. Happy shopping!

mandyscoots · Post by **mandyscoots** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:35 pm

Thanks for all the great info and I would appericate anything I can get from you all.
I am going to go see the bike today, or tomorrow, this person has been slow about emailing me back. From the pictures it looks awesome. I can't see any damage at all. I attached the two that are on craigslist.
But I am with all of you it does sound a little too good to be true!
What should I look for when I go, and what should I ask?
It's ok to ask to ride it right? lol
If it is awesome I'm even going to see if she'll take 1200!

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:42 pm

I dont mean to be rude, but if this bike is really good in condition, 1500 is cheap as dirt for a scooter of this quality!

When you go ask

1. Miles on bike
2. Damage?
3. Service/maintenance dates and what was done
4. Dont believe her if she says "warranty still good" warranty cant be transfered
5. see if the tires look new or good, if there isnt much tread, you may need to buy new tires after purchasing the bike.
6. Anything at all wrong with it mechanically.
7. Ask to see it started up and ridden around a bit

Dont ask to ride on it unless you have a license, many people think riding a scooter is easy as pie, but it takes some practice before you can go out and ride like a pro. If you dont have experience riding motorcycles or scooters, you could wreck or drop the bike and it isnt even yours yet.

Just ask for her/him to demo the bike and ride it around if possible, seeing it run and ride will let you know the bike works.

maribell · Post by **maribell** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:58 pm

If you search on craigslist Boise it will come up. You're lucky they only want $1500. I paid more for my '06 pinky. If you love it enough, you'll wind up saying yes (which totally happened to me). Sometimes, I like my scooter more than I like my boyfriend.

I wouldn't take it out on the street your first go-round. I drove mine around my apartment complex for a week before going out on the road. Even after riding for two months, I still don't feel like a pro.

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:09 pm

Might be worth calling the local dealer, a couple other MB'ers looking at low-priced bikes on craigslist have called their local dealer and found that the bike in question was damaged or had other issues that were forcing the seller to unload it cheap. Sure, they *might* just be saying that to sell you a new one, but most Genuine dealers are pretty decent people and they know you'll come back to them for service and accessories if they're honest with you.

If it is a solid bike, $1500 is totally reasonable.

Bb.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:12 pm

Going out on the street even with temps is a bad idea if you have 0 experience. You will crash and burn if you try. Have a vehicle to transport the bike or if the person is within 30 minutes distance, ask them to ride the scooter to your home and you can drive them back in a car or have them arrange their own ride back to their own home.

Dont wanna ruin a bike you just bought.

mandyscoots · Post by **mandyscoots** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:46 pm

do you think it will fit in the back of my chevy blazer with all the seats down?
Probably not huh. Too tall.

The lady still hasn't emailed me back about going and seeing it. Hopefully it isn't too good to be true.

You guys are great about the advice! I will take all I can get. Any info or tips you have about your buddy please tell.

Thanks again

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:50 pm

Take the mirrors off and it'll fit. You may need to take the back seat out or push it up all the way until it touches the front seat.

I forgot how tall the buddy is without the mirrors, but if I remember right, it's 4 feet 5 or 6 inches. I measured with the center stand up, so that added some height.

make sure you also have a 8-10 feet wooden board from the hardware store, I used a 5 foot board oh man, too steep!

mandyscoots · Post by **mandyscoots** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:00 pm

Maybe I will just have to borrow my hubby's truck. Do you think 2 men could just lift it up into the truck?

I"m so excited.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:04 pm

I would worry about doing this. The buddy isnt like a box where the weight is even and the shape is even, it has many curves and moving parts, I'd be afraid of lifting this.

Getting a wooden board and pushing it or throttling it up is the best. You will need at least 2 people to put the bike in and take it out.

There also isnt any spot for you to lift unless you try lifting the rear passenger bars, but that's plastic and isnt meant to carry 223lb's of force.

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:39 pm

Illnoise has great advice there about checking with local shops...

You could also just explain that you don't know much about these scooters and so you'd like to meet the seller at a shop so you can have the shop mechanic give it a look while you are there. Then you know what you're getting into for sure. If it had been in a wreck and gotten new plastic panels, the damage could be pretty hidden, and it would look like new.

As far as test driving it, use your gut feeling. I agree it's probably not the best thing to do if you don't have much experience riding but I wouldn't totally rule it out. I tested a few scoots after not having ridden for many years and did fine. But if you're at all unsure, it's probably best to not do it. If you fall, even if you don't get hurt you'll pretty much have to buy the scooter!!

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:13 pm

jmazza wrote:As far as test driving it, use your gut feeling.

If nothing else, have them put it on the center stand and make sure the rear wheel is off the ground and start it up. Rev it into the middle revs and make sure it sounds smooth and even and doesn't stall out, and that the electric start works, etc. Check all the lights and horn, etc. A lot of people ride their scooter for a summer then put it up for the winter, don't prep it properly, and then in the spring when their battery is dead and the carburetors are clogged up, they just sell it because they don't want to deal with it anymore.

Then kill the engine and roll it around a bit and see if the brakes squeak or grab weirdly. Look for cracks in the engine case or globs of oil leaking from anywhere there's a seal.

Don't rev the crap out of it, and hold the bars tight. don't forget if that back wheel touches the ground, it's going to take off down the street, so be careful.

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:57 pm

AND DON'T FORGET TO GRAB THE FRONT BRAKE LEVEL HARD !
You don't want someone putting their hands down on the seat, the rear tire gets some grip and the scoot goes flying sans rider.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:44 pm

The bud is about 45 inches tall (without mirrors). If you are trying to fit in in your Blazer, I'm guessing your loading floor height is only about 30-35 inches with the seat down, so it wouldn't work. If you have access to a truck, that would be great... It wouldn't be too heavy to lift into the truck, but like they said, there really isn't a good place to hold on to, so some kind of ramp would be best. Make sure you don't put a cover or tarp over it while it's going down the highway or it will wreak havoc on the finish. Sounds like you are in for a lot of fun (assuming this lady is on the level)... Good luck!

mandyscoots · Post by **mandyscoots** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:21 am

one more question. How do the brakes work? I have only rode dirt bikes before. I am assuming they are handle brakes? Is there one for front and one for back or are they combined?

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:29 am

No clutch, so the brakes are like a bike, rear brake is the left handle bar lever, and the front is the lever on the right handle bar. You just slowly grab them with your fingers and slowly grab harder until you stop smoothly. Dont just grab them as hard as possible or else you will lock up the tires and skid.

GaryEPSP · Post by **GaryEPSP** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:45 am

Ask if you can take it to a dealer for a check-up and offer to pay the cost. It may cost you a hundred bucks. But, it's worth it because the warranty is non-transferrable. For me, it would be worth the 100.00 gamble. It's a fantastic price.

madtolive · Post by **madtolive** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:53 am

i asked the guys at the local shop about checking out a buddy i was going to buy on craigslist...they said they'd do a complete look-over for $30. they said its a service they usually do for sellers, not the buyers, and that they'd rather not have the transaction go down at their shop, so they wouldn't have to mediate for either party. very small price to pay to make sure that, as has been mentioned, the fluids haven't been stagnating inside the poor buddy's guts, or that the frame is not all mangled underneath new shiny body panels.

rajron · Post by **rajron** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:27 am

I would be concerned with ridding at night on hilly unlit roadways.
The Buddy does not do well on hills.
How steep are the hills are you going to be going up? Anything over 6% will be very noticeable.
By the way I’m talking about a 125, the 150 should be better. @ $1500.00 I suspect your talking about a 50cc which will have less performance than even the 125.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:37 am

Nope, this is 125cc. I found it on craigs list too!

2007 Pink Buddy, by Genuine Scooters. Www.genuinescotters.com. 500 miles, 125cc, 100+ miles per gallon, great condition. Contact for more info. or if interested.

Cant really tell from the pictures if it is 125cc for real or 50cc, but I trust that it is 125cc.

I'd look at this bike and get it checked out at a dealer before buying. A 100 dollar check is nothing compared to buying a "nice" bike, then finding out it needs 500 dollars work done and it isnt covered since the warranty doesnt transfer.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:57 am

It does say "125" in the top picture... Even if it ended up needing 500 bucks of work, it's still a DEAL!

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:02 am

KRUSTYburger wrote:It does say "125" in the top picture... Even if it ended up needing 500 bucks of work, it's still a DEAL!

I was so into looking at the mechanics, I forgot the badge itself says the cc amount

GaryEPSP · Post by **GaryEPSP** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:03 am

madtolive wrote:i asked the guys at the local shop about checking out a buddy i was going to buy on craigslist...they said they'd do a complete look-over for $30. they said its a service they usually do for sellers, not the buyers, and that they'd rather not have the transaction go down at their shop, so they wouldn't have to mediate for either party. very small price to pay to make sure that, as has been mentioned, the fluids haven't been stagnating inside the poor buddy's guts, or that the frame is not all mangled underneath new shiny body panels.

They will give it a once over for thirty bucks? That's a dealer I want to work with.

You got yourself a good dealer. Most dealers in my area charge between 70 and 100 bucks just to look at it.

mandyscoots · Post by **mandyscoots** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:03 pm

She finally emailed me back. I'm going to go see it on Monday. O joy. I got to go get some $

mandyscoots · Post by **mandyscoots** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:11 am

Just picked out the perfect "Hello Kitty" decal.

Any suggestions on helmet type. I will be doing longer rides at higher speeds. I am used to a motocross type helmet with goggles. Maybe a full face helmet would be good.

mandyscoots · Post by **mandyscoots** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:33 am

So I bought the Buddy!!! JOY!
I pick her up Today! I tried to talk her down on the price but after careful consideration she didn't budge. Which I don't blame her. I still feel like I got a steal!

I'm so excited I swear I haven't slept for like a week!
I will post pics when I get them!

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:12 pm

If possible, just ride in the neighborhood until you really learn how to ride it. Remember to slow down and use your brakes smoothly before a curve or turn. Usually if I am in a long curve on a country road, I just let off the throttle and keep it minimal, then once I am about to straighten up, I accelerate.

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:12 pm

Mandy, CONGRATULATIONS !

The helmet is also rocking !

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:16 pm

I kinda like all these designs only meant for woman, they never make anything cool like that for the men, always some weird flaming or lightening design, that's why I just bought a pure silver helmet.

maribell · Post by **maribell** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:35 pm

Congratulations!!!!

Modern Buddy

Want a B125 and have a few questions

Should I buy it???

Want a B125 and have a few questions

Re: Want a B125 and have a few questions

Thanks

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