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I found this L.A. Times Article about Genuine Scooter Company, with an interview with CEO Phil McCaleb today, and I had to brag.
Looks like Genuine's projected total sales this year will top the 11k mark, beating out Ducati's motorcycle sales for the year. Good on Genuine. And as an employee of Genuine's No. 2 dealer nationwide (sorry no link, but I'll show you the plaque if you visit me) I have to feel like I played a role in that achievement.
The rest of the article is pure L.A., taking the Buddy 150 on the freeway and making much of the lines and finesse of the Buddy's style. But, all in all the review is much like the one I'd write. The Buddy 150 is fast, slick and a hell of a lot cheaper (Around 3400 out the door) than its supposed competitor, the Vespa LX 150, with its staggering MSRP of $4299. Right now, I'd say the Genuine, with its two-tone color and surprising pickup, is my favorite automatic.
But I don't necessarily agree with the writer's assertion that the Buddy wants to be a Vespa. At the risk of attributing far too much human emotion to this assembly of plastic and steel, I think the Buddy has no such goals.
There are significant style differences if you look a little closer: no faux "cowls" like the Vespa, a more contoured seat to accomodate a wide range of inseams, plastic panels rather than steel (part of the price difference) and a narrower, more sprightly profile.
The biggest difference I see, though, can be summed up in its friendly little name. The Vespa, well, the Vespa wants to be a Vespa. At the risk of sounding cheesy, the Buddy wants to be your friend, your companion, your trusted steed.
But then, if you're in Europe or Asia, it's the BuBu. And I've gotta say I'm not quite sure what that could be construed to mean.
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