| Author | Message | ||
     Barker |
Buell Blast vs. Genuine Buddy 125 Why compare these bikes? I needed a "get around town" bike. I did not have a blast anymore, but as a buell freak I went looking for another blast. On the other hand, scooters seemed like another option for the type of riding I wanted to do. I had to choose between a blast and a scooter. If I had known this information before I got the scooter, it would have helped make the choice. I hope this information can help someone understand these bikes and or assist in the future purchase decision of a bike. You also might be a little surprised with the scooter. First off, I am not a moto-journalist, but I have owed both bikes. Some of know I have had owned a scooter for a while. I have logged 3000 miles in 2 months. I have waited a few miles to draw any conclusions but now I think I am ready. I think after my time in both saddles I can make a better comparison. The Bikes: Buell Blast 492cc air cooled single 360lbs dry 5 speed http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes/blast/blast/featu res.asp Genuine Buddy 124.9cc air cooled single (4stroke) 212lbs dry Automatic CVT transmission http://www.genuinescooters.com/buddy.html Why I bought the bike. Blast: Could not afford a firebolt @ the time, “First street bike” Purchased used. Buddy: My wife wrecked it on the test drive. Purchased a new bike, with a few scratches. It was the buddy or the Yamaha Vino. That’s a whole caparison in itself. http://www.genuinescooters.com/feat/Buddy125_Vino_ review.pdf (Spoiler Buddy wins) Price/Warranty Blast: MSRP $4695 2 year unlimited miles Used good condition, $2500 +/- Buddy MSRP $2599 2 year unlimited miles 1 year roadside assistance. Will haul bike anywhere not just a dealer. $150 per incident limit. Used good condition, $2000 +/- holds resale very well. Hard to find used. Reliability: Blast is considered by most to be the most reliable bike to come from the HD family. I had a few parts fall off the bike, and it used oil Buddy and its manufacturer(PGO) have a decent track record. The buddy has only been in the US for 2 years. But I have seen many over 10k miles with no problems. They have one of the best warranties in the scooter biz. No problems so far @ 3000 miles. Performance: Rider 250lbs +/- passenger 130lbs Blast: Hands down winner of 0 to 60 to 0 34hp Top speed flat 95 mph indicated felt fine cruising @ 70mph. Never road 2-up on interstate, but it did fine 2-up @ 55mph Good brakes Handles well, east to ride, aggressive cornering will drag pegs. Non-adjustable suspension. Can put on pipe and re-jet for more sound and power. Buddy: Brisk acceleration, beat a few dump trucks off the line. 10hp Top speed flat 70mph indicated, felt fine cruising @ 55mph. Down hill 10% grade 78mph felt stable. Never road 2-up on interstate, but it did fine 2-up cruising @ 50mph. Brakes a not that great especially 2-up. Disc front, drum rear. Handles well, east to ride, aggressive cornering will drag center stand (only drags on left side.) About the same as a blast’s cornering clearance. Non-adjustable suspension. Little wheel make bumps and potholes an event. Put on pipe and re-jet drop in a set of lighter roller weights and a racing variator and you have a wheelie machine! Comfort/Ergos. I prefer the buddy over the blast. Fits me better. Blast seems to be too small. My legs were cramped on the blast. I have seen happy buddy riders 5 foot tall to 6’2”. I’m 5’10”. Wife prefers the ergos of the buddy solo and 2-up. The buddy’s little wheels make bumps and potholes really hard hits. The buddy can take potholes, but you just might crap your pants. Luggage/Storage. Blast, not much stock. A little under seat storage. Factory soft bags available. Buddy, defiantly wins this category. Lots of luggage available in the factory and after market. Hard top case from factory is $100. Also a front rack can add a lot more carrying capacity. My buddy is stock. I go get groceries for me and the wife on it. I can put an XL full face helmet under the seat. Or a gallon of milk and 8 cans of veggies. Large front dash dwarfs blast storage compartment. Also has a Curry hook where I can put a bag of groceries on it between seat and forks. You should see me come out of the grocery store with a buggy full heading to the scooter. Some people stop and watch me get it all on the scoot. There always amazed. The Ride: Blast, fun thumper. Shakes a bit at a stoplight, handles well. Great beginner bike. Interstate worthy. I could not stand the ergos for a log trip. I think my firebolt is more comfortable. Buddy: fun little thumper. Low CG and light as a feather. I can sling it really easy. No clutch lever to pull on and twist and go makes it great for stop and go traffic. I have done two 300 mile trips on it lots of fun. Great for 55mph or less roads. don’t put it on the interstate. Bumps and potholes are ruff. Beer run test. Blast: I got one six pack safely on the bike Buddy: Stock, 4 cases of Beer I saw a friend go get 5 cases of PBR and 2 cases of MGD on his buddy. (He has front and rear racks) Do-dads/Features Blast is nice. Yall are probably all familiar with it so I will not bore you. Buddy, once again wins this category. 12v accessory great for charging your cell phone that is in the dash. Led Brake lights Side and center stand Fuel gauge Two helmet locks Hazard lights Free factory service manual and parts manual. (Engrish) Grab rails for passenger Dash for storage Great lights for a single lamp, better than my firebolt with PIAA’s Fuel economy, not EPA, what I got, real world Worst and best when I tested. Blast 55-68mpg Buddy 69-98mpg One ride 2-up 72mpg Basic Maintenance Blast: Oil and filter change 2500 miles 2 quarts Transmission oil change 5000 miles 1 quart No valve adjust Buddy Oil change 1000 miles .6 quart Oil Filter change 4000 miles Transmission oil change 5000 miles 4 ounces Valve check/adjust 4000 miles, easy 15 minute job, easy access, Nut/screw adjustment. Replace roller weights 10,000 miles or as needed easy 10 minute job, new rollers are $20 +/- My biggest gripes Blast: Used oil. Uncomfortable for long trips. Kinda ugly. Buddy: Service manual is in “Engrish” Little wheels good for mpg, bad for bumps. My biggest praises Blast: easy to ride. Buddy: fun, great mpg, comfortable, and I can haul alotta crap around. Believe it or not, is a chick magnet, they think its cute and they want to ride. Never got that on a blast. My bottom line. Blast: If you want “learn to ride” and/or you are 5’ 8” shorter the blast is for you. For some this can be a great commuter for interstate roads. Can be fun for pleasure rides and twisties. I would suggest this bike over other beginner bikes a rebel or ninja 250. Buddy: If you want a great little commuter for non-interstate commutes or speed limit pleasure rides go for the buddy. Just as much fun as the blast in the tight twisties. Great to run errands and ride around town. Fun for pleasure rides and twisties. Great scenic parkway/picnic bike. Great MPG. It makes a great complement to my moto stable as my in town ride. I recommend it to most. 3000 miles in 2 months! (Message edited by barker on October 30, 2007) | ||
| Barker |
Genuine Buddy as seen on "Desperate Housewives" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxtY-3hVj68 | ||
| Damnut |
I just bought my girlfriend a 2007 Vespa GT 200. That thing SCREWS!!!! All my friends thought that it was a goofy machine until they took it for a ride. They ALL came back with big grins on their faces and were surprised how fast the thing actually was. | ||
| Glitch |
Say, Barker, when we gonna see you draggin knee on Killboy's home page? Scooter high sides-knee draggin-WTF | ||
| Barker |
Planning a scoot adventure for the dragon soon. You might see urs truly in full leathers, knee down w/ sparks, on a scoot. | ||
| Glitch |
I don't doubt it one bit! | ||
| Diablobrian |
That looks like a HOOT! | ||
| Brumbear |
stopppppp iiitttttt come to your senses please | ||
| Hammeroid |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpj51NVHWlY | ||
| Cityxslicker |
My buddy, my buddy, I take him where-ever I go.... dude that jingle alone should keep you from that.... But I do see they have one in orange. |
