Genuine Hooligan 170i Key Replacement

Quick answerThe Hooligan 170i uses a plain cut key on the same blank as the Buddy. There is no chip. What is different from the Buddy is the main switch, which releases the fuel cap as well as the seat. If the key is lost, a new one is cut to the scooter and nothing needs programming.

Genuine Hooligan 170i key quick facts

Genuine's parts supplier lists one blank for all Buddy models, the Blur 150 and the Hooligan.
The Hooligan manual gives the main switch three positions: power off with the key removable, power on with the key held, and handlebar locked.
Push and turn counterclockwise opens the seat.
From the off position, push and turn clockwise opens the fuel cap, which is closed again by pushing it forward.
The steering is locked by turning the handle all the way left and turning the key from off to the lock position.

Genuine Hooligan 170i key types by year

Years	Models	Key type	Chip	Notes
All years	Hooligan 170i	mechanical cut key, Buddy-type blank	no	Fuel injected, with an engine management light that tests itself for about three seconds at key-on. No immobilizer is described in the owner's manual.

A rugged scooter with a five-function switch

The Hooligan is Genuine's rugged-styled scooter built around the 170cc fuel-injected engine. Its owner's manual numbers five functions on the main switch. Three are positions: all power cut with the key removable, power on with the key captive, and handlebar lock. Two are actions: push and turn counterclockwise for the seat, and, starting from the off position, push and turn clockwise for the fuel cap.

That last one is the difference from a Buddy. On a Buddy you open the seat and unscrew a cap underneath. On a Hooligan the cap has its own release, driven by the key in the ignition.

Need a key for your Hooligan 170i?

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

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

Or read first: all services · common questions · about us · contact details

What this means when something sticks

Two release mechanisms hang off one lock cylinder, and both depend on the key being pushed in before it turns. A key that has worn short at the shoulder, or a cheap copy cut slightly shallow, can start the engine perfectly and still fail to trip one of the releases. It can look like a broken fuel door when the key is the problem.

Before assuming the worst, try your spare if you have one. If the spare works every time, retire the worn key and have a new one cut to the lock.

Hooligan habits worth having

Push the fuel cap forward to lock it after filling, and check that it has latched
Do not turn the key to the lock position while moving. Genuine's manual warns that control of the scooter will be lost
Lock the steering every time. It is the only built-in theft deterrent
Keep the second key somewhere other than under the seat

If the key is gone

We confirm ownership with photo ID and the registration or title, then make a key to the main switch. Afterwards we run through all five functions with you: off, on, lock, seat and fuel. If an existing key works the ignition but not the releases, we can cut a fresh key to the lock instead of copying the worn one.

Because the Hooligan shares the Buddy blank, getting the right key is not difficult. Getting it cut accurately is what matters.

Where to find the key code

Genuine says it does not cut keys by VIN, and its manuals do not describe a key code tag. The Hooligan manual does not mention a key number, so the key is made from the lock.

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 Hooligan 170i key FAQ

Does the Hooligan 170i use the same key as a Buddy?

The same blank, yes, according to Genuine's parts supplier. The cuts are individual to each scooter.

How do I open the Hooligan's fuel cap?

Put the key in the main switch, keep it at the off position, then push and turn clockwise. Push the cap forward to lock it again.

Is there a chip in the Hooligan key?

No. It is a plain cut key and the manual describes no immobilizer.

My key starts the scooter but won't open the fuel cap. Why?

The release needs the key pushed in fully before it turns, and a worn or poorly copied key may not reach. A key cut fresh to the lock often fixes it.

More Genuine Scooters models

Services for this bike

Worn or Bent Motorcycle Key: Signs, Risks and the Right FixA worn motorcycle key shows up as a key that needs wiggling, works in one lock but not another, or works worse than the spare.
Motorcycle Gas Cap, Seat or Steering Lock Stuck? What to DoStuck gas cap, seat and steering locks on motorcycles usually come down to grime or corrosion in an exposed cylinder, a worn key, a stretched seat cable, or parts under tension that hold the latch closed.
Motorcycle Key and Lock Care: What Makers RecommendKeep water and grit out of the locks, use a small amount of a dry or lock-specific lubricant instead of oil, and replace a worn key before it fails.
Does Insurance Cover Lost Motorcycle Keys?Usually not the key itself.

Where we come to you

Sources

Page last updated November 14, 2026.