Is this a pre-Genuine Buddy?

scootERIK · Post by **scootERIK** » Sun Mar 08, 2020 9:59 pm

While looking at Facebook Marketplace I came an interesting scooter. Not sure what the story on it is but it looks like a 2006 or earlier small headlight Buddy(or PGO Bubu.) It looks like a 50cc, but it has an oil filler so it might be a 4 stroke. It also appears to have a 125/150/170 sized front fender, and a different rear fender. It doesn't have the handlebar mounted turn signals that the Buddy has.

It would be cool to know the story on this scooter. In the ad the seller says it's a 2004 Dong Fang DF, though it says "Junwei" on the front and side. I tried to do some research and I couldn't find anything.

The Facebook ad - https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 998522082/

sc00ter · Post by **sc00ter** » Sun Mar 08, 2020 11:44 pm

I've seen Zuma clones, Honda PCX clones, a Burgman 400 clone, a Ruckus clone and numerous others, but never a Buddy clone until now. I personally wouldn't take it for free but I would like to see one in person.

Stanza · Post by **Stanza** » Mon Mar 09, 2020 3:25 pm

Body panels look somewhat legit, is it possible it was another importer before Genuine picked up PGO?

scootERIK · Post by **scootERIK** » Mon Mar 09, 2020 4:17 pm

I was wondering if it was a rebranded PGO that was sold overseas then imported to the US(a grey market scooter.) Though there is a chance this picture wasn't taken in the US.

If I lived closer I would go take a look just to take some pictures and get some more information.

JettaKnight · Post by **JettaKnight** » Mon Mar 09, 2020 4:49 pm

Overseas, the Buddy is the Bubu. So I don't know if this a rebrand, a clone, or a one-off relabel.

The the handlebar turn signals are strictly an American thing.

Did you see the description? "This is a vespa scooter ..."

scootERIK wrote:If I lived closer I would go take a look just to take some pictures and get some more information.

Tipton is bit too far for me. Well, maybe next weekend as I'll be in Indy...

And just looking at the overall scene, those pictures are 100% from the Midwest.

vintagegarage · Post by **vintagegarage** » Tue Mar 10, 2020 3:14 pm

I have a 2003 PGO MyBubu 125. It also has the turn signals located where they should be. I got interested in PGO/Genuine scooters after renting a PGO Ligero in Bermuda. When I got home from Bermuda, I researched the PGO Ligero and discovered Genuine Buddys..

See:
https://oleandercycles.bm/sales/pgo-scooters

and:
http://www.scootersales.com.au/news-rev ... eview.aspx

This is my MyBuBu 125:

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 2:17 am

My Buddy has its turn signals where they should be too. Not sure how that happened. The lower handle bar cover shows no indication that anything has ever been mounted there.

vintagegarage · Post by **vintagegarage** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:03 pm

Also, the speedometer on my MyBuBu reads in KPH instead of MPH. I wonder if the Junwei's reads in KPH?