New Buddy 125 and New to the Forum: A Mini Review, Too!

Rusty Shackleford · Post by **Rusty Shackleford** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:06 am

Greetings from Richmond, VA. I just got my GF a black 2012 Genuine Buddy 125 as her 1st bike so we could go riding together. I have a Honda motorcycle and she's always wanted a scooter, so here we are. I've lurked a little on this forum as it came up a lot in Google searches for various Buddy related topics and I've noticed you guys are aware of Richmond's scooter theft issues. Well, sadly it's true.

I lock this one up pretty hardcore, but I look forward to learning more about scooter security from you all.

My "1st impressions" of the Buddy 125? Wow, what a fun little machine! I've been riding motorcycles for several years but this is the 1st scooter I've ever ridden. Afterwards I gave myself a crash-course via internet research on how CVT automatics actually work. Very interesting! I cracked the throttle at a green light, the engine revved up, then the CVT pulled me seamlessly all the way up to an indicated 63mph... and I'm 200lbs... and it's still being broken in. I was impressed. The lady at the scooter shop, who's my GF's size, said she had a Buddy 125 to an indicated 72mph before, which I understand the speedo is a little optimistic, but still.

Possibly my favorite thing about her having the scooter is amount of space under the seat. Whenever we take the bikes anywhere now, we can put riding gear in there and hook the D-rings of the helmets on the posts under the seat and lock it shut. No cargo to carry around! Beats the heck out of backpacking everything riding 2-up on my motorcycle, and more comfortable on top of that. We're totally loving the Buddy so far and I look forward to contributing and learning here!

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:25 am

Welcome aboard!
Great bikes, aren't they?
I wonder how long it will be until you add another scooter to the stable so you have even more storage.....

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:31 am

Congrats!

I really do love the little things. I don't get a chance to stretch my 150 very much, so I guess I've had it to an indicated 65 or so.

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:33 am

I've been over 70 bmph a lot lately

Rusty Shackleford · Post by **Rusty Shackleford** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:53 am

My GF thinks I should get the Blur 220i, haha! Honda has a new naked/standard bike called the NC700S that hasn't hit the states yet but many of us are holding out for. It has an optional dual-clutch automatic, gets 65mpg, and has a storage compartment where the gas tank usually is (which has been move to under the seats). Hm... choices, choices, choices.

The Blur is $4,000...

The Honda NC700S will likely be $8,000...

The problem is I want both!

gbjbany · Post by **gbjbany** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 4:26 am

I agree the buddy is a great scoot, always seems to be underestimated by others on two wheels.
Thre are other options besides a motorcycle, maxi scooter for example , loads of storage, long distance 2-up cruising and fun in the twisties.

Capt_Don · Post by **Capt_Don** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 6:00 am

If I get my way, in five years time, I will still have my buddy going strong and a new motorcycle.

BootScootin'FireFighter · Sat Jul 28, 2012 8:33 am

Sweet! Chelsea runs a great business down there at Scoot Richmond, surely she was very helpful and informative. I'm 100 miles away, and that's become my go-to shop, even though there are two others close by. RVA has a vibrant scooter scene, if she's interested, have her look up the 7 Hills Scooter Club. Their next big rally is Indian Summer, in November. They also do local rides regularly. Just an awesome group of people to get involved with. Get a beefy chain and comprehensive coverage too, that's the downside of RVA.

Rusty Shackleford · Post by **Rusty Shackleford** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 6:03 pm

Yeah, Chelsea's awesome. Thanks for the heads up on 7 Hills Scooter Club. I wonder if my GF rode with them one Sunday they'd let me tag along on the Honda.

BootScootin'FireFighter · Sun Jul 29, 2012 3:57 pm

Rusty Shackleford wrote:Yeah, Chelsea's awesome. Thanks for the heads up on 7 Hills Scooter Club. I wonder if my GF rode with them one Sunday they'd let me tag along on the Honda.

absolutely.... they have several members with S.O.s who have motorcycles, and some club members themselves ride both. They usually meet for brunch and a group ride the first Sunday each month.