Future
The Classic hasn’t hit the supermarket shelves yet but the team at Buzz are already planning what comes next. On the list is a battery quick charger, a smartphone app, a computer chip designed to coax more performance out of the current model, a full range of vintage style accessories for the Classic and a new scooter design to add to the stable.
Before any of that drops, however, to commemorate their entrance to the game, Buzz is building a limited run of 500 tricked up Classics to be called the ‘Genesis’
Genesis
The Genesis will come in pearlescent titanium paint and in addition to all the Classic has to offer, buyers get a host of extras including: a numbered gold plaque on the bike denoting its production number, an authentication certificate and Genesis key fob. The colour scheme is destined for this model only, as are the carbon fibre look mirror/indicators, and a pair of clear walled brake fluid reservoirs, which really are things of beauty. There are other goodies under consideration but one that is confirmed is a special edition Buzz Roof helmet per purchase, numbered to match the scooter.
Pricing for the 1,000W Classic is around $5,500 USD (£4200) whilst the 3,000w will set you back around $7,500 USD (£5700). Early adopters will score 20% off those listed prices and in the UK may even qualify for a further discount via the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant.
Buzz is a small company aiming to produce modest volumes. In Pat, it’s run by a scooterist with a strong history in the industry and a hands-on business owner’s can-do mentality. Buzz was born out of these qualities and the Classic is its precious first offspring. As sorted as they are though, like with any ‘start-up’ there’s a chance they’re wasting their time on a lemon. Maybe, but from what I’ve learned about the Classic thus far, I wouldn’t like to bet against them having made anything but a tall glass of cool, delicious lemonade.
Words: OlaDele Akinsehinwa
Pics: Patrick Joynt
Saigon
For the story behind Buzz, Sticky’s already done a decent job of interrogating Patrick about it here: but by way of a catch-up:
Things kicked off for Pat (a Vietnam resident for 22 years plus) when he realised the scooters folk were paying silly money for back in the UK, were the exact same models the Vietnamese locals were gagging to get shot of, and for a price that made buying and shipping them back to Blighty a “nice little earner.” That earner developed into a business that grew to include a workshop, restorations, the sourcing and selling of parts, a retail showroom, a Segway franchise, petrol to battery conversions (Ebrettas and Vtronics)… Buzz.
Contact here
You can find out more about Buzz by contacting Pat at Saigon scooters here. Although they’ll be celebrating the New Year on February 5th so give them time to get over their hangovers.
Buzz development gallery
Get your kit from the SLUK Shop
I really like the design of it but I wish it didn’t have such a cheap looking front wheel/fork, the previous iteration looked much better. But still, good effort and I would definitely consider one, much better than Piaggio’s terrible Elettrica!
I totally agree. The Mark I was a truly lovely designed scooter which I fell on love with after first sight. But the current design is way inferior. The basic look of the rear part of the scooter would be ok, if it wasn’t ruined by that ugly seat. it looks a bit like these Asian flat sport seats for smallframes that simply suck ergonomically and from the point of design as well.
and then the front. ok, the headset/light unit is ok. why not. but the fork looks horribly cheap, like straight off a trashy Chinese twist an go scooter. the fender is fixed with a weird angle, it simply doesn’t look right. the horncast – better don’t get me started. it’s about as ugly as the new GTS design. honestly the indicators are a minor weakness as far as I am concerned. the mirrors themselves don’t fit the classic scooter with their “sporty” plastic looks. for God sake use Chrome mirrors and fix the indicators on the headset like on the bajaj classic models.
I am sorry, but I really loved the original design. maybe pat and his colleagues can make adaptions that will result in a nice scooter after all.
I was over at Pats during the new year. The Mk3 Buzz looks really nice quality scoot.
The Mk2 is brutal looking compared too the Mk1 still if I was too chose an electric scooter then Retrospective Scooters would get my cash for the small frame Vespa and the latest Lambretta