Buddy 150 or something larger

[mn355]

I researched scooters for a good while and finally decided on a Buddy 150. The only problem is, now I don't know when it will show up. The dealer doesn't know either I'm afraid (not their fault at all). To make sure this was not a cosmic push to look for another scooter, I went to a dealer to check out the Fly 150. Was not impressed. It's not a bad scooter, but I like the Buddy much better. Then I sat on a Vespa GT200 - it's too expensive anyway, so what could be the harm? Problem is, I really liked it. The dealer also has two of them from '06 that they have reduced the price on. So here are my thoughts. This is my first scooter (or anything of the type) so please help me out.

The pros for the Vespa (over the Buddy) are

• Bigger chassis - just sitting still I get the feeling that I will feel much better at speed on the Vespa. It just feels more substantial - like I could take it on any surface street, where the Buddy, I may be more selective.
  More/better storage. There is room under the seat for 2 helmets and the glovebox is lockable.
  Fit and finish is really nice.
  Hydraulic brakes and disk front and back.
  Little things that show the 'quality' like the button that opens the seat without the key and the bag hook being a loop that will close over the bag and fold flat into the body when not in use.

The cons are

• More expensive to purchase.
  More expensive to maintain/repair.
  Less MPG (65 vs 89).

My big worry is the confidence at speed. The storage and other items are nice, but is the heft of the chassis going to be the difference between feeling at home on any road, or just the ones that are under 55 mph with less traffic. I'm a complete noob, so even if I got them to those speeds during a test drive, I could not make an objective decision.

So what am I missing good or bad about either scooter? Don't get me wrong, I really dig the Buddy. I had never even entertained the Vespa because of the price before, but now I wonder. A friend suggested some other big scooters, but the modern maxi scooter is not the look that I am looking for. The People 250 kind of fit the bill, but I really don't like the looks of them. Oh ya, I'm a 5'11 170lb guy. Very confident on bikes (I ride pretty aggressively off-road and ride a road bike as well), but have never owned a two wheeled vehicle that I didn't power myself before. I'm looking to make this my daily commuter to work any day the weather allows along with any errand that I can pull off on a scooter. (Sidenote: my 7 year old son told me today to start riding my scooter to work every day so my already 10 year old BMW will still be around for him to drive! Smart kid).

If I do look at the Vespa, what is a good strike price for an '06 that has sat on the dealer floor the whole time? An '08 would cost about $5950 going by sticker plus fees and tax. I sat on an LX150 (Vespa's smaller chassis). Nice scooter, but not enough to sway me away from the Buddy. For some reason, the GT200 made me take pause though.

So lets have it. Vespa guys - explain to me how the plastic badge that says 'Vespa' is not the most expensive part of the bike. Buddy guys - make me believe that the olive green beauty will showup and make me forget all about that GT200.

[Christy]

ok i just want to ask if you sat on a Vespa S. it's essentially the same as the buddy international... I love, love, LOVE the squared headlight and mirrors. It's not as expensive as an LX but it's still 1k more than the buddy.

i'm just saying...

I'm a HUGE fan of the buddy and highly recommend it, but I really like the S.

[ZeroImpact]

I just got my 2008 Buddy Italia 150 about one month ago. I love it! I have dressed it with a windscreen, front rack, and trunk. I'm now looking forward to picking out one of Crystal Water's hot seatcovers! I'm 5'6" and about 170 lbs. The bike jumps off the line, keeps up with traffic, and seems stable at speed (50-55 MPH - still breaking her in). We have had a bit of wind (25-35+) lately and it knocks you around a bit, but I expect that would be the case on any scooter. Put it this way, I have never felt uncomfortable on this bike. I think you have made a good choice in the Buddy 150.

Gosh, it seems like everyone is waiting on the delivery of their new bikes now. I feel lucky to have taken mine from dealer stock. Sorry, I don't mean to rub it in.

Pete

[addictionriot]

Insurance is probably going to be more expensive for the vespa too.. The parts cost more. If all else fails get the Buddy and if you hate it I'm sure there would be tons of people that would take it off your hands. Vespas are all over the place and arent going anywhere.

You can also buy a top case for more storage. And think of all the extra money you will have left over to customize it.. alarm, locks, mods, better jacket/helmet..

[goofy_foot]

I think the biggest factor to consider is what you are going to be doing with the bike. How fast is your commute? Will you ever be on the freeway? If you are on surface streets 80% of the time or more, stability at speed isn't going to be a concern. If you're doing a lot of city driving, the Buddy is actually the better choice because it's more nimble.

I'm about the same size as you and I like the seating position of the GT better though. I have huge feet (especially in boots) and I like to sit further back on the seat. I feel a bit more cramped on the Buddy than I do on the GT or the GTS.

One thing you may want to consider is finding a bike used. Look how many people drop their brand new pride and joy! (It's way way too common.) Plus, once a bike is purchased used, it really isn't going to depreciate much more. You can ride it for a year and then move on to something else and (unless you rack up a TON of miles) you can probably almost break even on the cost.

Admittedly, you will probably have a hard time finding a Buddy used because nobody sells them but I know there are several folks selling used Vespas around the country. A Vespa 150 LX used or even an older Vespa 150 ET4 would be a great bike. Both would be as reliable, if possibly not as fast off the line as a new Buddy.

Why buy Vespa? Well, why did you buy your BMW? Does the blue and white roundel on the hood make it cost more than say, a Mitsubishi or is there honestly some quality there too that comes along with the cachet? Yes, the Vespa is expensive and in all honesty, it's a bit overpriced for what you get. But it is also a really really nice bike.

[jmazza]

My big worry is the confidence at speed. The storage and other items are nice, but is the heft of the chassis going to be the difference between feeling at home on any road, or just the ones that are under 55 mph with less traffic. I'm a complete noob, so even if I got them to those speeds during a test drive, I could not make an objective decision.

Vespas are beautiful machines. I definitely have some latent feelings for them... and maybe someday will own one.

Having never ridden one though, I'll just make some comments on the Buddy.

The Buddy handles really well and is very responsive. I've read that it is because of the low center of gravity (not much weight above the motor because it's all frame and plastic). This is why so many of us will tell you it's a perfect scooter for in-town traffic.

I wouldn't say it's unstable at high speeds (and I'm talking max speeds- 60-70+) but I also wouldn't say it's super smooth. To me, it definitely feels like a tiny, light bike racing down the road on tiny tires (the GT200 has 12" tires right? Smoother but less agile). However, I ride at that speed all the time without a bit or concern. It's just a little more like pushing a Toyota Corolla up to 90-100mph vs a big Buick. You feel the speed quite a bit.

But, like goofy_foot said, if you're talking 50-55mph mainly, that's a whole different story. To me, that's the Buddy's sweet spot. 50-55 feels GREAT on my Buddy, very stable. It's not until I get up above 60 that I even check the speedo and wonder how fast I'm going. And it's still very maneuverable at that speed (in deep city traffic).

So... I don't know that this helps at all. There are lots of factors weighing on your decision but as far as speed, unless you're talking freeway speeds, I think you'll be very happy on the Buddy.

Oh- one other scoot to maybe check out that seems to get a lot of love around here is the SYM HD200

[mn355]

Thanks for the input folks. My drive will usually be on roads with a posted max of 45-50. I don't think that I want to get on the freeway with any scooter, mostly rural driving (suburbs, Cinci has a huge sprawl to it) - just don't want to have to be selective about surface streets.

Goofy_foot, I bought my BMW because a friend of mine was selling it still under it's new car coverage for a song. But I get your point, I was looking (lusting) over it because I love BMW's! It also brings up something that I hesitated to state in my last post. This decision strikes me like trying to decide between a Toyota and a BMW. The Toyota is a great car and it does everything you need, but there is still something about a BMW. The feeling that I got sitting on the Vespa was probably very similar to the feeling of sitting in a BMW for the first time. Not dogging Toyota or pimping BMW, substitute any common uber reliable car for Toyota and any higher end expensive ride with a cult following for the BMW and you get the same comparison. I even told my wife that I sat on the Vespa for the same reasons I sit in the Corvette ZR1 when it is at the dealer - I can't afford it, but damn it looks good on me!

[jmazza]

Yup, you just hit it on the head. I feel the same way about Vespas. I was looking at an Aprilia Mojito 150 (not a Vespa but still has that "thing" about it) before buying my Buddy.

I don't regret the Buddy at all, but there are still some Vespas (and that darn Mojito) that turn my head. Not enough to make me regret my decision though. It's hard to have regrets when I'm doing my daily commute with a huge smile on my face. For surface streets with 45mph speed limits (50-55 actual) the Buddy is a perfect ride.

I don't think anyone's mentioned this but the fact that the Buddy is plastic panels makes it easier/less expensive to repair, which is good. The all-metal body of a Vespa often means big bucks if you lay it down.

And again, I've never owned or even ridden a Vespa but I don't think you'll get any arguments that the name "Vespa" is definitely a significant part of the price. I wouldn't at all go so far as to say that ALL you are paying for is the name, but I've read quite a few Vespa owners comments both here and on modernvespa.com admit that they are over priced for the machine that they are. Then again, you maybe could find something less expensive than the Buddy that one would argue is "just as good" of a machine (Kymco Agility 125 maybe? I know I don't think it's as good but some do).

But if you love it you love it and if you can afford it you should buy it.

[AxeYrCat]

Just to chime in here: I had a Buddy 125 in Cincinnati for a year before I moved to Greenville, SC, and I can say with a great deal of confidence that you'll be absolutely fine.

From Beechmont Ave to bombing across the length of the Norwood Lateral, the Buddy will do everything you want it to -- and I had lower displacement than you're going to!

I don't particularly recommend highway runs on it, but I really just hate riding on the highway in general, even on my motorcycle, so that might just be me. Anyway, the scoot will be totally capable of getting you around, even if you're making short jaunts.

I rode in daily from Oakley to Downtown, and it was a fantastic lil' commuter vehicle... There are a lot of Cincinnatians on this board, BTW, and there's a lot of love for Metro Scooter as well.

[toddrw2251]

I was in Metro on Tuesday and they said they are due for a big shipment towards the end of this week/early next weekish. Maybe they are all reserved, but I don't think so. I'd give them a call again or stop in. Metro is a great dealer.

I have a b125 in Cinci and it gets around great.

[mn355]

AxeYrCat, Beechmont eh? That's one of the roads that gets me from home to work. I plan on taking Clough most of the time (Beechmont traffic is horrible!!). I live on the east side and work near Lunken, so there are some hills, but nothing too bad.

The guys at Metro have been a great help as well. Honestly, that would be a con for the Vespa, the leftover '06 isn't there. I could ride the Vespa home and will need to have the Buddy delivered - but after a week of riding, that problem would be gone. Just don't want my first ride to be from Metro out to the east side. Want to get used to things in my own area - back roads that I am used to.

BTW, smart move going to SC. I should be so lucky. Oh well, Cinci summers are pretty good (ya, I like hot and humid).

[mn355]

Well, if a 150 Italia is in that shipment, then this is a dead thread. I have my name on it (unless I'm second or third in line ). I think they were expecting a shipment of 125's before the one that mine is expected in though.

It's looking like I will just wait it out. I will probably not be riding a scooter until sometime in July, but oh well. I can take the wait. I just don't want to end up with something that limited the roads that I could take with confidence. It sounds like it is not a concern with the Buddy. Sitting on the bigger chassis just put some doubt in my mind.

I'll probably test ride one this weekend if I have time, just to entertain myself if nothing else. And unless they want to give the thing to me, I will end up with the Buddy (eventually). Hell, if they want to give the thing to me, I'll end up with a Buddy and a Vespa... and an angry wife.

[MikieTaps]

It's not until I get up above 60 that I even check the speedo and wonder how fast I'm going. And it's still very maneuverable at that speed (in deep city traffic).

60mph in traffic? You sir, just may be crazier than I...

I definately use the nimbleness <--- word? of the buddy in downtown traffic, but I weave through slow moving cars while I am going 20-30 tops. 60 in downtown seattle.... The state would be glad I signed the back of my license.

[Christy]

It's not until I get up above 60 that I even check the speedo and wonder how fast I'm going. And it's still very maneuverable at that speed (in deep city traffic).

60mph in traffic? You sir, just may be crazier than I...

I definately use the nimbleness <--- word? of the buddy in downtown traffic, but I weave through slow moving cars while I am going 20-30 tops. 60 in downtown seattle.... The state would be glad I signed the back of my license.

I caught myself going 65 just yesterday and I still had throttle to go...I wasn't trying to open it up, just keep up with traffic. this was around noon in Frisco TX where the roads are 6 lanes and the speed limit is high...

[Dooglas]

Sounds to me like the Buddy will do the job for you. On the other hand, the GT 200 Vespa is a truly beautiful scoot with more top end capability. Most of us ended up with our Buddy's because they are a lot of scoot for the money and inexpensive to maintain. If the Vespa calls to you and the cost isn't a problem, I sure would not say it is the wrong thing to do. In the end, this sort of thing is a very personal decision once you have sorted out the pros and cons.

[jmazza]

It's not until I get up above 60 that I even check the speedo and wonder how fast I'm going. And it's still very maneuverable at that speed (in deep city traffic).

60mph in traffic? You sir, just may be crazier than I...

I definately use the nimbleness <--- word? of the buddy in downtown traffic, but I weave through slow moving cars while I am going 20-30 tops. 60 in downtown seattle.... The state would be glad I signed the back of my license.

Well, I'm on US1 which is a crazy 3-lane highway a lot every day and though the speed limit is 45, 55 is the norm and 60-65 is seen quite a bit. Obviously it's not bumper to bumper like that but it's SUV land where you either keep up or get swerved around all the time.

It's definitely fun.