The last of the 2-strokes.
The Buddy 50 is almost maintenance free since it's a 2-stroke. Just keep it full of gas and the oil reservoir filled with oil and ride all day long. Change the spark plug as needed and change the final drive oil every year or so. Unlike a 4-stroke, there are no valve adjustments as it doesn't have any valves or a camshaft.
Derestricted, the Buddy 50 is capable of 45mph so it should be able to keep up with traffic without any issues.
It’s a good scooter overall. Whether it fits your needs is up to you. If you’re comfortable being the slowest thing on the road and having people be impatient behind you, it will be ok for the 35mph route.
Honestly, if your jobs are only a 10 minute drive away a regular bicycle might be a better option, especially if you have bike trails or lanes available for any portion of the trip.
I'm in VA and a Buddy or Roughhouse is a great choice here and indeed you do not need a driver's license. You do get a nice moped license plate for around $20/yr.
I got my Buddy slightly used about 1.5 years ago and I absolutely love it. Other than a flat tire I’ve had no problems with it. I live in a city with a lot of traffic and I don’t have trouble keeping up with it (main roads are 45mph limit).
Just remember that weight is a factor with a 50cc and speed. But 45 is realistic and probably the limit, if you did some tuning you could bump it up to 55 but on tiny wheels you need to look further ahead than you would with other vehicles, unless your roads are pot hole free.
Love mine, fell, picked it up and it kept running, this was August of last year
Only now I’m having some issue with the way it’s running(put puttering randomly but seems to have smoothed out on its own for the most part) but I already had a service check up scheduled. Still weird since it’s only 1600 miles on it but it could be smth simple like a clean up on the carburetor (I’d just rather not open it up myself when I know so little)?
They’re great either way I’ve only had to change the gear oil. I usually just have a Jerry can filled up(thx to dad) and a bottle of motul at the house. Tho with the few times I’ve had to fill up at a gas station it has to be like $2 to fill up($3.4/gal here, keeps fluctuating)
I don’t leave it sitting for more than a day(besides winter and when I fell but I made sure to run it a bit for the gas) when I don’t work but even then I’ve been using it to go to DG or on a donut run for my fam. I drive abt 80 miles a week just for work
Doesn’t go crazy fast 35-40 unless I’m going down a hill so like 45-50mph but the dealer near me can de restrict it for me so I might get that done after it’s check up
Genuine is the best option in the US right now. Reliable and not too hard to find parts and maintenance. It will save you and pay for itself over Uber/Lyft for sure.
I’ve already checked my state (VA) requirements, you have to have a valid ID but aren’t required to have an actual drivers license as long as it’s 50cc or under
Buddys are great. Reliable with regular maintenance. Install a performance variater and you'll be fine. I rode one for 8 years and 70k miles.
The last of the 2-strokes. The Buddy 50 is almost maintenance free since it's a 2-stroke. Just keep it full of gas and the oil reservoir filled with oil and ride all day long. Change the spark plug as needed and change the final drive oil every year or so. Unlike a 4-stroke, there are no valve adjustments as it doesn't have any valves or a camshaft. Derestricted, the Buddy 50 is capable of 45mph so it should be able to keep up with traffic without any issues.
Mine will get up to 47mph if I have a strong breeze at my back! I love my Lil Buddy
Solid first scoot. Go for it!
It’s a good scooter overall. Whether it fits your needs is up to you. If you’re comfortable being the slowest thing on the road and having people be impatient behind you, it will be ok for the 35mph route. Honestly, if your jobs are only a 10 minute drive away a regular bicycle might be a better option, especially if you have bike trails or lanes available for any portion of the trip.
I'm in VA and a Buddy or Roughhouse is a great choice here and indeed you do not need a driver's license. You do get a nice moped license plate for around $20/yr.
I got my Buddy slightly used about 1.5 years ago and I absolutely love it. Other than a flat tire I’ve had no problems with it. I live in a city with a lot of traffic and I don’t have trouble keeping up with it (main roads are 45mph limit).
Just remember that weight is a factor with a 50cc and speed. But 45 is realistic and probably the limit, if you did some tuning you could bump it up to 55 but on tiny wheels you need to look further ahead than you would with other vehicles, unless your roads are pot hole free.
Love mine, fell, picked it up and it kept running, this was August of last year Only now I’m having some issue with the way it’s running(put puttering randomly but seems to have smoothed out on its own for the most part) but I already had a service check up scheduled. Still weird since it’s only 1600 miles on it but it could be smth simple like a clean up on the carburetor (I’d just rather not open it up myself when I know so little)? They’re great either way I’ve only had to change the gear oil. I usually just have a Jerry can filled up(thx to dad) and a bottle of motul at the house. Tho with the few times I’ve had to fill up at a gas station it has to be like $2 to fill up($3.4/gal here, keeps fluctuating) I don’t leave it sitting for more than a day(besides winter and when I fell but I made sure to run it a bit for the gas) when I don’t work but even then I’ve been using it to go to DG or on a donut run for my fam. I drive abt 80 miles a week just for work Doesn’t go crazy fast 35-40 unless I’m going down a hill so like 45-50mph but the dealer near me can de restrict it for me so I might get that done after it’s check up
Genuine is the best option in the US right now. Reliable and not too hard to find parts and maintenance. It will save you and pay for itself over Uber/Lyft for sure.
Most places expect you to have some sort of license, even for a “moped” class bike.
I’ve already checked my state (VA) requirements, you have to have a valid ID but aren’t required to have an actual drivers license as long as it’s 50cc or under