Modern Buddy

Still a Buddy fan, but I needed something with a little more "ooomph" to tackle the highway leading from Paradise, CA to Chico, where my family, and most of the shopping, reside. An elderly gentleman responded to the ad, came by ON TIME to look her over and take a 20 minute test drive, and asked if I could come down a bit on the price. My neighbor informed me the gentleman in question was retired and didn't have a lot of money to begin with...so he got a good deal, I wasn't in it for the money, had some good times on "Scootie Blue", but two scoots in the garage made no sense. Wife wasn't interested in learning to ride. So now my scoot is in the possession of someone who will have the time to ride and appreciate her. All is good.

Tenchi wrote:Still a Buddy fan, but I needed something with a little more "ooomph" to tackle the highway leading from Paradise, CA to Chico, where my family, and most of the shopping, reside. An elderly gentleman responded to the ad, came by ON TIME to look her over and take a 20 minute test drive, and asked if I could come down a bit on the price. My neighbor informed me the gentleman in question was retired and didn't have a lot of money to begin with...so he got a good deal, I wasn't in it for the money, had some good times on "Scootie Blue", but two scoots in the garage made no sense. Wife wasn't interested in learning to ride. So now my scoot is in the possession of someone who will have the time to ride and appreciate her. All is good.

The best kind of deal is where both parties walk away feeling good about it so it looks like you made that kind of a deal. Congrats!

Bill in Seattle but currently wintering in Tucson
'09 150 Blackjack
'12 170i Italia (AZ scoot)

Tenchi wrote:Still a Buddy fan, but I needed something with a little more "ooomph" to tackle the highway leading from Paradise, CA to Chico, where my family, and most of the shopping, reside...

Years of happy ownership plus recycling to a happy new owner. It sounds to me like life is good. I had a look at Skyway Rd from Paradise up to Chico on Maps. It looks like a very nice drive, but it's all uphill, isn't it? I'm betting that was hard work for the Buddy in a headwind. Anyway, don't be a stranger just because you sold the Buddy.

Was in Paradise yesterday.
Many hills. The 170i might be up to the task, if the task is climbing at ~45MPH.
A superscooter would be a good call up there.

Tenchi that was a fantastic transition from "your scoot" to "his scoot". When I bought my Buddy I didn't need my 50cc. A neighbor needed it so I sold it for a good price.

So what do you want now? A used GTS 250-300 can be had for reasonable. The only problem I have with a Vespa is the cost of ownership. I have nothing but love for their bikes.


Edit-I am assuming it's the Kymco.

I almost forgot. My brother went to Chico St. and lived in Paradise for over a decade.

The Skyway is a bear if you are riding a small scooter (less than 200 cc). The speed limit varies between 50-55 mph, but very few vehicles adhere to the law. The city recently installed radar sensors which flash your speed as you approach...found out my speedo is about 10% off, which isn't unusual. The Kymco can hold 60 actual mph up the grade with throttle left...my Buddy MIGHT have made 50 if there was no headwind.... I had taken it a back way to Chico prior to selling it, and 53 was tops going uphill. Too dangerous. A nice plus on the Kymco is a FAT 12 inch rear tire and an extra 100 pounds of heft...big rigs coming from the opposite direction would literally push my Buddy sideways...the Kymco, not so much. I will miss my little Buddy, but I know she will be taken care of.

Hey Tenchi, I thought a Kymco 250 might be a good choice for me. I have never taken a ride, but have sat on one. the shape of the seat felt funny to me. Seems like my tailbone was riding on the ridge where the seat starts to rise up to the passenger area. Is that something you had an issue with? Maybe I would adjust to it, but not sure. Give me your thoughts on the seat.

The Buddy seat was far more confortable...the back rest on the Grand Vista pushes you toward the handlebars...probably will remove it. I guess the folks in Taiwan don't have gorilla arms like me....but other than that, great scoot.

Tenchi wrote:... but two scoots in the garage made no sense.....

I have to object to this part of your post!

Three makes even more sense. (Is there no end to this man's madness?)

I'm up to 4, and I don't even have a garage.

Raputtak wrote:

Tenchi wrote:... but two scoots in the garage made no sense.....

I have to object to this part of your post!

Three makes even more sense. (Is there no end to this man's madness?)

skully93 wrote:I'm up to 4, and I don't even have a garage.

Lightweights!

BuddyRaton wrote:

Raputtak wrote:

Tenchi wrote:... but two scoots in the garage made no sense.....

I have to object to this part of your post!

Three makes even more sense. (Is there no end to this man's madness?)

skully93 wrote:I'm up to 4, and I don't even have a garage.

Lightweights!

Preach it, brother!

Two scooters in the garage doesn't make sense until one of them stops running.