Genuine Buddy 50, 125 and 170i Key Replacement

Quick answerEvery Genuine Buddy, from the 50 to the 170i, uses the same plain cut key with no chip. The seat is released by pushing and turning the key in the ignition, so there is only one lock that really matters. A lost Buddy key is cut to the scooter with nothing to program.

Genuine Buddy 50, 125 and 170i key quick facts

Genuine's parts supplier lists one key blank for all Buddy displacements and says it fits the ignition cylinder, seat lock and glove box.
To open the seat, the Buddy manual says to press the key inward toward the front tire while turning it counterclockwise in the ignition switch.
The fuel cap is under the seat and unscrews counterclockwise.
Helmet locks are two posts beside the seat hinge: the helmet's D-ring goes over a post and the closed seat traps it.
The ignition has ON, OFF and LOCK, with LOCK holding the handlebars at the full-left stop.

Genuine Buddy 50, 125 and 170i key types by year

Years	Models	Key type	Chip	Notes
All years	Buddy 50, Buddy 125, Buddy 150, Buddy 170i	mechanical cut brass key	no	One blank across the range. Genuine's owner's manuals describe no immobilizer. The Buddy Kick is different and has its own page.

One key, whatever the engine size

The Buddy has been sold with a two-stroke 50cc engine, 125cc and 150cc engines and a fuel-injected 170cc engine, in many colours and special editions. Underneath, the lock hardware stays the same. Genuine's parts supplier sells a single key blank described as fitting all Buddy models, and it is an uncut blank that any locksmith can cut from an existing key.

That is good news for anyone hunting a spare, and it tells you something about security. There is no electronic check between the key and the engine. The steering lock is the theft deterrent, in Genuine's own words.

Need a key for your Buddy 50?

Call or text with the year and where the bike is parked.

Call (805) 429-8452 Text your year, make and model

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Everything runs through the ignition switch

Genuine's Buddy manuals describe the following, all from one keyhole:

ON: power on, engine can be started, key cannot be removed
OFF: power off, key removable
LOCK: handlebars turned fully to the left stop, then the key turned to LOCK and removed
Seat: from the ignition, press the key inward toward the front tire while turning counterclockwise, and the seat lifts off its latch
Under the seat: the fuel cap, the storage tub and the two helmet posts by the hinge

Common Buddy lockouts

The key under the seat is the classic. You open the seat to refuel, drop the key in the tub while you find your wallet, and push the seat shut. It latches by itself. The fix is to open the seat without force and, if that was your only key, to cut a spare then and there.

The second is the push-and-turn itself. Any key and switch wear with use. If the seat release becomes hit and miss while the engine still starts fine, a freshly cut key may bring it back. If it does not, the switch may be the worn part.

The third is the no-start that is not a key problem at all. The Buddy 50 and Buddy 125 manuals describe a kick start lever as an alternative to the electric start, so check the battery before blaming the ignition switch.

No keys at all

We ask for photo ID and the registration or title, or the moped paperwork for a Buddy 50 where that applies. A key is then made to the scooter's ignition and tried in ON, LOCK and the seat release. Because the seat opens from the ignition, your helmet on the post and anything in the tub are back in reach as soon as the key turns.

If a previous owner added an alarm or a hidden kill switch, tell us before the visit.

Where to find the key code

Genuine says it does not cut keys by VIN, and the Buddy manuals do not describe a key code tag. Look on the original keys and in the dealer paperwork for a stamped number, but expect the key to be made from the lock on the scooter.

What to have ready

Have this ready when you call or text

Year, make and model of the bike
Where the bike is parked
Whether you have any working key, a broken key or a key code
Photo ID and registration or title (we verify ownership before making a key)

Genuine Buddy 50, 125 and 170i key FAQ

Is a Buddy 50 key the same as a Buddy 170i key?

They use the same key blank. Genuine's parts supplier lists one blank for all Buddy displacements. Each scooter's key is still cut to its own lock.

Does the Genuine Buddy have an immobilizer?

No. The owner's manuals describe an ordinary ignition with ON, OFF and LOCK, and the factory key is a plain blank with no chip.

How do I open the Buddy seat?

With the key in the ignition, press it inward toward the front tire and turn counterclockwise at the same time. The seat pops off its latch.

Can Genuine send me a key from my VIN?

No. Genuine says it does not cut keys by VIN. A locksmith makes the key from the scooter's own lock.

More Genuine Scooters models

Services for this bike

Locked Your Keys Under the Motorcycle or Scooter Seat?Keys get locked under the seat because most seats latch shut with a push and need no key to close.
Can a Locksmith Make a Motorcycle Key From the VIN?Sometimes, but not directly.
Scooter Key Replacement: Shutters, Seat Locks and ChipsYes, a key can be made for almost any scooter, and on most 50cc to 150cc models it is a plain metal key with no chip.
Does Insurance Cover Lost Motorcycle Keys?Usually not the key itself.

Where we come to you

Sources

Page last updated November 14, 2026.