Buddy 50 side car

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Clydeo
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Buddy 50 side car

Post by Clydeo »

A company called Keltic evidently makes sidecars for Buddy 50s (and a bunch of other bikes). A sidecar on a 50cc bike sounds rather ridiculous. Has anyone here actually tried, or even seen, such a beast?
Suzuki TUx 250, Kawasaki Vulcan 900 LT, Genuine Buddy 50 “Brit”
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eggsalad
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Re: Buddy 50 side car

Post by eggsalad »

I looked at their website and watched the Buddy installation video. Wow, is that ill-conceived! I don't even know where to start. A 50cc scooter can barely get out of its own way with a single rider. The Buddy installation appears to use the centerstand mounting points, but it places a torsional load on them, something they certainly weren't designed to handle! The wheel/hub/tire looks like it's from the front of a small riding mower. It might possibly be road-legal, but I suppose it doesn't matter, since you wouldn't achieve any sort of speed with this rig. I'm frightened, very frightened.
Clydeo
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Re: Buddy 50 side car

Post by Clydeo »

Those were pretty much my thoughts as well. I can’t even imagine putting one on a 125 or 170! The light weight, short wheel base, and rather sparse frame just don’t bode well.
Suzuki TUx 250, Kawasaki Vulcan 900 LT, Genuine Buddy 50 “Brit”
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Dooglas
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Re: Buddy 50 side car

Post by Dooglas »

I agree with the skepticism. I have also seen photos of a hack mounted on a Buddy 125. Again, doesn't have the power or suspension for that job. I have owned a Stella 2T 150 with a Rocket sidecar, and a Vespa GTS with a Texas sidecar. The Stella really didn't have the power for the job either. You could ride it in a Saturday afternoon parade with a dog in the hack, but not much beyond that. The GTS was getting closer to real sidecar capability, but the suspension still had some issues. And, of course, riding a scooter with a hack is a whole different experience than a two-wheeler.
Buddy Kick, Vespa GTS/ABS, Buddy 125 (my SO's ride)
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