u/Edie_T — reddlx

damage pictured for a 2007 Buddy in a Craigslist ad

Hi! New rider (just took a motorcycle safety course and about to get the license) searching for a starter scooter to buy. I liked the Honda Metropolitan I rode in the class.

In this CL ad for a 2007 Genuine Buddy, they call the damage "superficial" and say the scooter runs perfectly and has never been in an accident.

I haven't contacted them yet for the story of how it happened. Does it seem plausible that something could crunch into the front and break this much plastic but not harm the frame or bend or twist it? Like could someone slowly back a car against it and stop when they hear the crunch?

This bike costs about half what all the other comparable ones in my area are listed for. This listing is $850, and the other Buddys and Metros are in the $1500-$2200 range, variously from 2002 to 2022. There are some Vinos out here too, they are in the $1200-$1500 range, model years 2006-2009.

Re: this Buddy, in the rest of the pictures everything looks good and the ad says "clean title" and shows a VIN report page from online.

All thoughts appreciated.

Today was day 2 of our moto class: 8 motorcycles and 4 scooters. Each day we had morning classroom and afternoon range. CMSP (California Motorcycle Safety Program) course.

I passed! The range test will sub for a driver's test at CA DMV, I can now take the written test and get an M1 license. I learned on a Metropolitan, it was fun!

Is it money pit time? Maybe I get the license, update my insurance, and buy gloves and a helmet so I can test drive used scoots in the area.

Of course I'm not even close to having the experience of taking a corner at road speed. How do people do it? More classes? Parking lot practice? Slow neighborhood streets then keep pushing the comfort zone to faster places? All of the above?