Are most all the buggies that are longer and beefer race buggies? I want a buggy that has great back support and one thats great for cruising.

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Originally posted by BeamerBob Quote: Originally posted by Powerws I just went to Popeye the welder................ man those buggies are works of art. Beautiful. I'm sure they are expensive. Anyone have one? I bought the Hero buggy from him when he was here for NABX this spring. Yes it is a work of art. It is too small for me but my sons really appreciate what a nice ride it is. My avatar pic is Popeye and I with my son Wexler sitting in the Hero.

You remember the deal we have for me to get the 1st crack at buying the " Hero " once Wex' grows out of it ??
Me neither but we just made it !!!!!

Popeye's buggies are similar in price to middle priced buggies such as the MG aero. The problem is shipping, especially a dominator. He had a deal on one to ship to a fireman in NY city and it fell through based on shipping cost. Other style PTW buggies would be more shippable since the parts break down smaller. Consider that you are getting a custom buggy made to your specs with all Popeyes experience and craftsmanship rolled into it.

Blade, to my knowledge you are the first one to ask for dibs on the Hero if it becomes available someday. I have 2 boys and who knows how long it will be regularly used. That thing is pretty just hanging in the garage, but it needs to always be somewhere that it gets properly exercised.:bigok:

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Originally posted by Powerws I want a buggy that has great back support and one thats great for cruising.

I had to smile when I read that only because those were my words exactly ;-)

I have ridin quite a few different buggies since then, (going back about a dozen yrs or so) and I can honestly say that I would not trade my ride for anything else out there. Sure there may be some bias to that based on that is what I am use to and once a Ford, Chevy, Toyota...etc...etc guy, it takes a lot for anybody to convert over to something else. I personally, have not found that yet for myself.


I do feel compelled to maybe insert my opinion (like earlier stated, every one has one) in regards to starting off with a lighter vs a heavier buggy. There is definitely some concerns about the safety of starting off with a heavier buggy. The biggest is that it does take a moment longer to get that mass rolling. The softer the surface, even more so. What I have seen happen is for somebody that hasn't quite got it down yet to have too big of a buggy, grab too much power and in fairly soft sand... get lofted. The power is going to move something and it doesn't care if it's the pilot and the buggy or just the pilot.

Of course there are quite a few variables in this situation that one can overcome by knowing this and taking some precautions. This is also where proper safety gear is paramount. A helmet of course being the minimum.

If one does decide to start off with a lighter buggy (a vmax being my personal choice) it won't be a wasted investment by any means. It can either be sold off or what I and many others have done, is to use the lighter buggy as a trainer and/or also a tandem buggy. With very few exceptions people that love this sport also like to share it with others. You are seeing this first hand

With the safety concerns as mentioned earlier to train with and with how pretty exciting it is to take somebody (typically kids, but by all means not limited by) on a tandem ride and hear them laugh uncontrollably, there is always a place in my arsenal for such a buggy.

Good luck and welcome to the sport.

Sunset Jim............Most enlightening advice I originally wanted the V MaxII based off the conversations I had with John at KBSS. I found him at the beginning and he was most helpful. I also looked at the Black Widow II demo that is on here for sale. I will buy one of these. I do want a MIDI wheel setup, because they could get through some soft stuff, but will add some cushion on the hard pack. You going to WildWood Buggy Bash? I really want to meet all of you guys. All of the sports from Motocross, to BMX, and to all of the extreme sports I have done, Kitting is no exception,...............Fine people trying to help to newbies! I love it! Thanks!

I wish I could go. My goal is to be able to attend every annual event at least once. When you say a MIDI wheel setup, does that also include bigfoots? On beaches, wheel barrows are ok, MIDI's are better, but bigfoots are even better yet. Now I'm running grooved beach racers and having the time of my life.

Have fun at WWBB. But beware of a little Canasian that's going. I hear that he has a thing for pink skirts.....:evil:

Sunset Jim is right especially about getting the mass moving. In thick grass at the sodfarm, with the Ivanpah I had at the time, there were a couple times I did what I termed a "pegstand". Just like Jim said, I bit off a bunch of power coming out of a turn and for an instant was heading straight towards the kite while it was powering up strong. For an instant, the kite would lift me out of the seat but not enough that I couldn't keep my feet on the pegs, and then when the buggy caught up, both times I ended up settling back into the seat. If I was lighter, I would've gotten launched out the front of the buggy. A lighter buggy wouldn't have had the lag to accelerate.

lets see if your rear still comes out of the seat and you do a peg stand now that you have the apexx.

I had a few instances already where I would have been yanked out of the buggy if I were in anything other than the apexx. But instead it just lifted me in the buggy off the ground a little and I kept my butt in the seat

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Originally posted by DAKITEZ lets see if your rear still comes out of the seat and you do a peg stand now that you have the apexx. I had a few instances already where I would have been yanked out of the buggy if I were in anything other than the apexx. But instead it just lifted me in the buggy off the ground a little and I kept my butt in the seat

If only everybody had a large bum... :moon:

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Originally posted by DAKITEZ lets see if your rear still comes out of the seat and you do a peg stand now that you have the apexx. I had a few instances already where I would have been yanked out of the buggy if I were in anything other than the apexx. But instead it just lifted me in the buggy off the ground a little and I kept my butt in the seat

For sure, if it got me out, I wouldn't plop back in again! You don't just sit in the Apexx, you engage it. Lock and load.

Which Apexx's are you on?

For the record, the Ivanpah buggy is inspired by Popeye's creations and built with the same high standards and craftsmanship. The cougar and superbug are the buggies the Ivanpah is modeled after. I worked with Popeye for about a year and a half on the design of the Ivanpah before it was finished and released.

For comfort, there are very few buggies on the market that would be as comfortable as the Ivanpah. Stability at high speeds, back support and comfort are what the Ivanpah was exclusively designed for.

The stainless steel version is hand polished to a ultra high gloss shine and you have your pick of several colors for the seats/rail covers to choose from. Also, the seats, rail covers and bags are all custom made for the Ivanpah by Buggybags - one of the best built buggy seats in the industry.

Also, the Ivanpah is hand built right here in the U.S.A. and is the only buggy on the planet to come with a 5 year warranty. IMO, this makes the Ivanpah the best production buggy on the planet. Others may argue this fact but they will have a hard time trying to prove it.

The other buggies in the same class of the Ivanpah like the Libre, MG, Sysmic and Apexx are also very good buggies. Owning any one of these buggies is owning one of the best. I am of course bias about the Ivanpah as I am the one that builds them. Even though, the facts are what they are.

Good luck with whatever you decide to purchase. Any one of these buggies will be a great choice.

The Ivanpah is no doubt the best bang for your buck here in the states. The Libre and Ivanpah are roughly in the same price range so it makes them two buggy to compare together. The MG, Apexx, or a Popeye buggy are much more expensive cost (double - triple in some cases) so its hard to classify them together.

Unlike many people I have owned most all these buggies you are looking to compare. PL xr+ and xr+ big foot , Libre full race, mg, apexx, flexifoil (new and old). I never owned a Ivanpah but I have driven one. So I have first hand knowledge on them all. For the type of riding you describe I would say the ivanpah is a good fit for you now. There will be a good selection of buggies at wild wood including some apexx's and I think there is an Ivanpah or two around there as well?? So it might be beneficial for you to wait and give some different buggies a try before you buy.

Also just wanted to say I laughed when you said you wanted the best no matter the cost .... then found out what that really meant and had a change of heart LOL .... Don't worry that happens alot! People sit in my apexx and start to drool on themselves. They say I have to have one!!!! Then I tell them what one costs and they jump out of the seat like they just got bit LOL

+1 Ivanpah

If you are looking for great back support, higher side rails so you sit in as opposed to on the buggy, something tough and made to cruise...yep, Ivanpah.

Angus accurately describes it "A Lazy boy on rails" Not to mention it's priced right!

In Aus, our main choices are Libre & Sysmic in the cruising buggies. I once sat in an Apexx and did the obligatory drooling thing. JD's got a Dominator from Popeye and it sure is a work of art. I ended up with the Vmax and it has been great. I made a back support for it and I can cruise for several hours at a time in comfort. Sysmic is well regarded here too - a few of the locals have the S2 and they are comfy and stable. The Sysmic's are very good value here - a little cheaper than the Vmax with a bit more bang for your buck. They were not available when I bought the Libre and it would be a tough choice if I had to make it again. My next bug could be a Sysmic S1 or a Libre Dragster (if I ever have the spare coin!!)

The Vmax is hard to fault. Nothing's come loose or fallen off in 2,500km. And it's not easy to get pulled out of it accidentally either - excellent side support. Heel straps make a big difference for me too - I can completely relax my legs without fear of them coming off in bumpy conditions (legs coming off the foot pegs, that is.)

Dakitez, so funny. One more to choose from! When I first started looking at the buggies, I saw the Sysmic S1 and fell in love! What a work of art and from what I understand these highly engineered buggies are well balanced! Wildwood isn't coming fast enough. I assuming that there will be buggies for sale there. I will be taking your advice and waiting until I go to buy one. My only concern is that this will be the first time sitting in a buggy. My 3m Ozone Method will be here today, and will be flying this weekend in North Myrtle Beach. I will be doing my figure 8's on foot to get exhausted and get familiar with the action. Last thing I want is to sit my butt in a buggy at wildwood (for the first time) and not know what I'm doing. Could be embarrassing.

John, Sunset Jim, made a great point about the LIBER V maxII. I could always sell it, or use it for a tandem unit. I want the Sysmic S1 but think it may be too big to start off in. I will look at the Black Widow, The VmaxII, and the Ivanpah. I really do think these would be the best choice for me to start off in. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the bigger tires would be the way to go, even just starting off. For comfort as well as allowing more space to learn on the beach, since our beaches aren't the biggest. I will be making a trip to Jekyll Island this fall I hope.

I've had barrows, wides and bigfoot lites. In any terrain other than a dry lakebed, the bigfoot lites give a nice cushion over rough stuff, float you over any soft sand, and you can either let air out for more traction or pump them up hard for low rolling resistance. If you end up with a buggy with high side rails, grooves in the tires will allow you to hold more power down. Btw, the Ivanpah is ready to roll as is with any of these tire sizes without changing any forks or downtubes. As far as looks go, most buggies look more substantial and balanced with the bigfoot lites mounted.

Oh come on powerws I have a sysmic 1 that is my demo waiting for you. JUST KIDDING the Black Widow, Ivanpah or a VMaxll (there is a used one for sale on this forum) sounds like a great choices
.

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Originally posted by jellis Oh come on powerws I have a sysmic 1 that is my demo waiting for you. JUST KIDDING the Black Widow or a VMaxll (there is a used one for sale on this forum) sounds like a great choice.

Wow, I had not looked into the Sysmics in some time. They are in Apexx price category but also a nice looking buggy.

Jellis, what are these "campers and treck" devices as shown on the Libre dragster page?

"Optionally with back axle with campers and treck devices or with standard axle"

The Expeditionbuggy was setup for the Gobi dessert in Mongolia and large quantities of water and gear are needed.
http://www.libre.de/Eng/ExpeditionBuggy.html
Look for a new race buggy from Libre the MAJESTIC.

I will post pictures of the MAJESTIC as soon as i can figure out how to cut and paste from a PDF email.

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Originally posted by jellis I will post pictures of the MAJESTIC as soon as i can figure out how to cut and paste from a PDF email.

When u can see the pic... Hit print screen, go into mspaint, then paste... Bam!

This buggy was setup for the Gobi dessert expedition so they can carry the water and gear needed.
http://www.libre.de/Eng/ExpeditionBuggy.html
Also coming soon a new race buggy from Libre the MAJESTIC.

I caught a glimpse of that gear rack before the link went away, wow! I just wish I had an expedition to somewhere that I need it for!! Would like to see pics of the Majestic, though. hey, I can dream, can't I?

edit: oh, that link is still there, sorry. so cool!

When I buggy, which is rare these days, I ride in my PL CompXR which is a great little buggy for getting around. I can dismantle it and stuff it in my trunk along with a lot of gear. Works great. However, if money and space were not an issue, I would probably lean towards the Libre SuperTruck. I've ridden in a few of those, and I really like them. I really havent take an Ivanpah for a long ride, but I've sat it in before. Comfortable buggy, but a bit low to the ground for my tastes.

Buggies seem to be a very personal thing. Much like harnesses and other things. You need to find what works for you. There will be a lot of buggies at the Bash in Wildwood. Test them out. Don't be shy. You see something that looks interseting, walk over and say hi. Just don't take off for an hour before you've checked with someone first..

If you are coming to WWBB, my demo Black Widow buggy will be there. It's used but only about 3 or 4 times?? I don't really consider my buggy production buggies but they are built with care and thought to the final use of the product. It is not stainless, but will give you years of usage. It is built here in Texas in my garage in a gated community . Pretty soon they will kick me out for welding in my driveway ... lol .. I don't really make any money of these buggies at the sub $1K price that I sell them for including splash guard, custom seats, and buggy bags. Oh also wheels and tires .. heehee .. no kites, but I might throw in a free t-shirt :P . Rich has the demo buggy so if you want to try it out, it will be at WWBB. Thanks guys for the support I get for my buggy building.

btw .. just for size comparison ...

Black Widow on left , Apexx on right .. basically about the same size.

I ride homemade one with a backrest... it's mounted with bigfoot tires...

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Originally posted by awindofchange ...the Ivanpah the best production buggy on the planet. Others may argue this fact but they will have a hard time trying to prove it.

I wonder how Big Kid would react to this statement?