You know I'm researching (seems forever, hunh?) buggies after some of my posts. Trying to decide whether to buy outright, or try to build something. However, I built a dog house once.....and the dog wouldn't go in it!?!?....just to let you know my building skills. I've got a friend, for now, who will help me build it, I think.

Anyway, the question....I don't see a lot of good reviews, or comments on PL buggy's.....and especially not on the PL Folding buggy. I like the portability of it, and I don't intend to do much more than just ride it around a field, or parking lot. Of course, that'll include some sliding in the turns in the field. But, no jumping, or really rough treatement.

Does anyone out there actually OWN a PL folding buggy?? If so....would you please let me know what YOUR assessment of it would be? How long have you had it, and what are the pro's and con's? Would you buy it again?? Woud you sell it to me?.....if so, why???? :o

I ask about this specific buggy, because I keep getting drawn to it for the portability. I know the non-folding PL comes apart fairly easy as well....at least the removal of the rear axle, but not so sure it would still fit in as small a place as the folding one.

Any advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated. I'm in no rush......I just wish I had a buggy.....NOW!! Ha!

Lobo :singing:

I've seen the PL folding buggy ridden on pretty hard and it should stay in shape in all but the most extreme conditions. It's something of a mechanical curiosity as it's folded form factor is not much different than the regular XR+ with the back axle off, which also happens in the same amount of time with no tools- just un-doing some seat straps. I regularly put the XR+ with wide tires in the back or a Toyota Rav4 and even in Prius hatchback with a seat folded down. You could argue that the XR+ is more portable since the axle phisically seperates giving you more packing options. I stack it with one wheel in the seat and the other sitting over the headstock on a foot peg with the front wheel turned to one side.
The XR+ is very sturdy with thick wall tubing and stupid thick axle bolts.
I will say that the grade of Stainless is not as great as the Flexi bug. My PL has small rust pits after a year and a half of harsh salt spray and sand, where as the Flexi is clean and shiny in the same conditions and time. But the PL is just as sound overall.
Some don't like the lack of back support in the PL, but I found a $15 camping/ stadium seat took care of that.
I have a 36" waist and am snug in the PL with a harness. The Flexi is about 2" wider and I have room to slosh around. Better back support there as stock.
The Flexi needs a couple of wrenches (comes with, as does the PL) and extra time to take the back axle off.

hey lobo
i have a folder. which i will sell to you for 250$.
i used it for like 5 yrs and never had a problem with bending or breaking. i had to put over 5000 miles on it. the only thing i did is reinforce the seat. i weigh 175lbs and the folder feels fine under me. i have since got 3 libre buggies and i don`t use it anymore. when i did travel with it. i was able to get the whole buggy with wheels and tires in one suit case under the 50lb airline limit. i would say if you weigh over 220lbs you might have a problem with bending. i had my folder up 49mph out at nabx a few years ago and i have to tell you the buggy was at its limit at those speeds. i too liked how small it gets when fully taked apart. i did come in first at all 3 npw races we had at nabx a few years ago using it. if you are interested in it. give me an email at
buggymangp@yahoo.com but i might take a week or so to get back to you as i`m very busy right now.
you can ask anybody about me and how i take care of my stuff.
thanks.

Quote:

Originally posted by bugymangp hey lobo i have a folder. which i will sell to you for 250$. i used it for like 5 yrs and never had a problem with bending or breaking. i had to put over 5000 miles on it. the only thing i did is reinforce the seat. i weigh 175lbs and the folder feels fine under me. i have since got 3 libre buggies and i don`t use it anymore. when i did travel with it. i was able to get the whole buggy with wheels and tires in one suit case under the 50lb airline limit. i would say if you weigh over 220lbs you might have a problem with bending. i had my folder up 49mph out at nabx a few years ago and i have to tell you the buggy was at its limit at those speeds. i too liked how small it gets when fully taked apart. i did come in first at all 3 npw races we had at nabx a few years ago using it. if you are interested in it. give me an email at buggymangp@yahoo.com but i might take a week or so to get back to you as i`m very busy right now. you can ask anybody about me and how i take care of my stuff. thanks.

Thanks buggyman......I just sent an email to you.

Lobo :singing:

Quote:

Originally posted by acampbell I've seen the PL folding buggy ridden on pretty hard and it should stay in shape in all but the most extreme conditions. It's something of a mechanical curiosity as it's folded form factor is not much different than the regular XR+ with the back axle off, which also happens in the same amount of time with no tools- just un-doing some seat straps. I regularly put the XR+ with wide tires in the back or a Toyota Rav4 and even in Prius hatchback with a seat folded down. You could argue that the XR+ is more portable since the axle phisically seperates giving you more packing options. I stack it with one wheel in the seat and the other sitting over the headstock on a foot peg with the front wheel turned to one side. The XR+ is very sturdy with thick wall tubing and stupid thick axle bolts. I will say that the grade of Stainless is not as great as the Flexi bug. My PL has small rust pits after a year and a half of harsh salt spray and sand, where as the Flexi is clean and shiny in the same conditions and time. But the PL is just as sound overall. Some don't like the lack of back support in the PL, but I found a $15 camping/ stadium seat took care of that. I have a 36" waist and am snug in the PL with a harness. The Flexi is about 2" wider and I have room to slosh around. Better back support there as stock. The Flexi needs a couple of wrenches (comes with, as does the PL) and extra time to take the back axle off.

Really good info and review, acampbell! Thanks a bunch. It's amazing how we forget to look around us, take the blinders off, and spend $15 on an item that saves a lot of grief and complaining, hunh?!

I'm 33" waist....so, not a lot of difference. Weigh about 165 lbs, so I could easily "fit" the PL looks like.

Thanks again for the info and advice!!

Lobo :singing:

The PL folding buggy was my 1st buggy. I really like it. I've had absolutely no problems with it as opposed to my Rockville buggy. It folds up nicely and I can get about 7 kites, my buggy and landboard in the back of my Camry with a little room to spare. With one bolt tightened I'm ready to go. I do agree with ac re: the back support but I like to think that it just saves me from doing sit ups! I wish the rear axle was a little longer for more stability but then again that would defeat the primary purpose which is saving space. Plus with the slightly shorter axle, I have no problems going over the obstacle course at Elmer's. My Rockville axle looks a little too wide and would probably break if I tried it.

...so long story short... from me!

BTW AC

Quote:

a $15 camping/ stadium seat took care of that.

That is a great idea...I love simple solutions!

Got the idea here, I have to say, but cannot remember who to credit. The seat I have is by Crazy Creek...
http://www.crazycreek.com/
and has mesh pocket on the back.

Would take a picture but it is in a box in a hotel in 'Vegas waiting for me for next week...:singing:

Hey AC,

Now that's what I'm talking about...going to my local park to kite on my lunch hour and if there's no wind, might have to make a run to Sports Chalet and pick up something similar!

BTW, no problem re: the pic; I was probably going to track you down at NABX and ask you a few questions about living in the Southeast...Love that beach :P

Lobo,
looks like a good deal on that buggy, and no bad reviews. get it and get to NABX next week. quite typing and get to ordering. Just have bugymangp ship it to vegas and I will pick you both up

Lunchbox
Look me up for sure; I'll be driving down from LV Monday.

Quote:

Originally posted by dlish89 Lobo, looks like a good deal on that buggy, and no bad reviews. get it and get to NABX next week. quite typing and get to ordering. Just have bugymangp ship it to vegas and I will pick you both up

Ha! That "sounds" great! Wish I could. Maybe next year! Someboody's got to stay here and "mouth off" on this forum....I seem to have talent for that!!! Y'all have fun enough for all of us.


Yeah, maybe if I get bugyman's folding PL, I'll just sit in it a lot and see if anything it's been through at the "masters" hands will rub off on me. I just hope it don't decide to "run" wide open before I'm ready. :wow: It's gonna be used to being "let lose"! I might have to put it out to pasture every once in a while where it can run. With an old fogey like me drivin' it, it'll think it's put out to pasture to die......we ain't gonna let that happen.

Lobo :singing:

Any more input!!

This is a call for unbiased opinion, which I know we have thus far....but, negative reactions are also good information for the decision-making process. Not asking for complaints....just good pro/con opinions. :puzzled:

Thanks!

Lobo :singing:

Hmmm.....I see I'm now a 2-wheeler and I ain't even got a buggy?!?!? How'd that happen......big mouth?!?!?! :wow: :puzzled::wow:

Ha!

Lobo :singing:

Here's a PL that folded up last Friday in the desert.
All too common occurence in our part of the world but good for a laugh.
My Mrs is smacking me in this vid for being nasty.

Link:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vldfBRscWdw

FWIW, that looks like an older model PL with the thinner tubing. They haven't sold those shocks in a while. Newer XR+ are a lot beefier

Quote:

Originally posted by acampbell FWIW, that looks like an older model PL with the thinner tubing. They haven't sold those shocks in a while. Newer XR+ are a lot beefier

You are absolutely correct. This bug must be at least 8 or 9 years old.
Its owner hasn't use it all that much & it has had a fairly easy life until the last few weeks.
We all owned PL's here at one time & they all fell to pieces fairly rapidly.
PL had made himself a pretty notorious reputation for making rubbish particularly those that he had made on the cheap in China.

He must have realized that if he wanted to stay in business, he have to build something that didn't fall apart so easily, hence his more recent bug with 20mm rear axle bolts etc.