New or used?
 

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the community and I am looking for a scooter to commute to work. I was seriously interested in a 2008 Buddy 125 with only 600 miles on it. But while waiting for the seller to return my phone call, I stumbled a buying guide that discussed the value of new Chinese scooters. And in looking those up from some sellers recommended on this site, it seems like I could get a new 150 for less than the $1,800 wanted for the used Buddy. With all of the options and pros and cons, I'm a bit overwhelmed. And, since everyone has one (an opinion that is), I'd appreciate some opionons on a used 2008 Buddy for $1,800 vs. a new, less expensive scooter.

Thanks!

Asher

Asher, Give this one some thought... :tup:

Why buy other peoples junk/troubles that you don't know how well they took care of it.

For a slightly bigger bike, with some speed, a warranty, and potential to mad ( if you get into that :) )
http://www.powersportsmax.com/index.php/cPath/38_94

Hey, thanks guys! I was thinking along the same lines, that with a 3rd-hand bike (the seller bought it used) there could be some real unknown issues. It definitely looks great, but it seems like I could get a lot more for the same money these days.

Also, techie610, not sure what "mad" is; but I'm always curious!

Thanks again!

Asher

My apologies. Mod. Modding.
Not mad.. lols

Got it! No worries, and as experience with scooters grows and interest by the kids I might be into mods - thanks again!

Twice now I've purchased used bikes "cheap". In both cases, I spent a LOT of time tinkering, fixing, adjusting and sometimes "undoing" all that was wrong with it. I enjoyed every minute of it because it's a nice way to distract my brain and deal with stress. If you're like me, and you want to and are willing to learn, then going used and cheap *might* be the right thing for you. If not, then I agree with everyone else that it's not in the least worth it. My plan however was always to start small and cheap and learn as I went along until I knew enough such that I could do all my own work. Once I reach that point (maybe sometime late next year) I will drop real $$$ on a nice ride that I can enjoy and feel good that I can fix anything that might go wrong with it. =)

Agreed, Ebuddy. However, without extensive knowledge, it might be better to get a new one, because when something does go wrong, he could take it apart from the correct form. No telling whats been 'rigged' on some bikes.

I bought used majesty in 2010. I was able to only ride it a few times as my knee was in such bad shape. Turns out I bought some one elses junk. The engine had been run with bad aircleaners on it. The majesty design is a bad bad thing, one of being where it draws clean air from under the front wheel. Long story short I have a grand more than it is worth in it, a top end over haul and it is now running good.

Buying some one elses junk sucks.

Thanks everyone! With 2 kids, a dog, brother-in law living with us, I think the new scooter plan would be the right fit. I'm still looking forward to doing my own PDI and new scooter maintenance, but I don't have a whole lotta time for more than that. Thanks again!

Asher

I would go New, if you are not a tinkerer , I was not ..

But after buying my first scoot, I found an 2011 ATM-50 ended up buying it for $100, it needed some work, and so I have used it to learn , now I have no fear to work on my main scoot should it need it ..

p.s. now my ATM-50 runs circles around my new scoot ...

Asher, Heres another thought.

Check out the Sponsors on here and see what deal they can offer you on a new scoot. :).

http://www.scootdawg.net/forumdisplay.php?f=55

For a couple hundred more...you could buy a brand new SYM. With a two year warranty it's a no-brainer. "Life's too short to ride a crappy scooter"

Thanks all. I also like the Roketa Heritage 150. I'm gonna ride my wife's Buddy when she's not taking it in to get a better feel for the commute and to see if I really want a scooter. She does a good job of helping me cool my jets!

check superiorpowersports ,
they generally have the cheapest chinese bikes on the market.
They've increased in price, but sometimes still have good deals, like this one:

http://www.superiorpowersports.com/2...250sc-68a.htm#
For under $1800 delivered at your doorstep.
http://ifutureweb.com/superior/morei...50SC-68A-4.jpg

If you're not too much into that model, they do have the MC-54-250-b for $1900 delivered.

But if you ask me, the best deal for a 2 wheeler on that site still is this one:
http://www.superiorpowersports.com/1...rk127mc-05.htm
http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn....jpg?1323383354
For $1040, you got a manually geared motorcycle. It needs a bit of mounting before you can use it, but it's fun, nimble, weighs just about as much as a 50cc scooter, and with a $50 sprocket change (I sell mine for $35), you can get 95MPG, upto 65MPH out of this 125cc bike!

Aside from that, I'd probably look into this scooter as well:
http://www.superiorpowersports.com/1...k150sc-123.htm
http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn....jpg?1372867879

It's an 80% sized scooter (like the ATM50), but with a 150cc engine in it.
Super nimble, accelerates fast, and with some tuning goes 60+MPH est top speed is 65MPH; because the body is so small, it creates less wind drag.
The 150cc engine shoots the thing forward like a rocket!
And for $940 delivered, it's a steal!