Bringing Harley Sportster on Move to STT

Send Marty a PM. (Although I personally thinking you're taking a huge financial risk bringing a bike that nice into an area where things tend to get stolen quite easily.) Also, road conditions are poor here, and not very conducive to motorcycles and scooters at times. Just my opinion...

Good luck!

Thanks for the props, Flops! Funny, I've lived here for over 12 years and never heard of anyone stealing a Harley...other bikes, yes, but a Harley? The person that steals a Harley, especially from any of the Brothers of Carib Riders M/C ( http://www.myspace.com/carib_riders) better move off island...cuz their days would be severely numbered here! Haha!

But, Flops is definitely right about the roads (and the people) not being conducive to riding...the roads are like ice after just a little rain, as all cars seem to leak oil onto the pavement, we drive on the left, which takes a little getting used to, the roads are in awful shape here on STT (STJ makes for a nice ride, though...STX is better than STT for roads, but not as good as STJ) and one needs to become very familiar with them to be a safe rider...many of the locals are a bit jealous of bikes (and their ability to bypass traffic), so one needs to be very aware of things like doors flying open, swerving to hinder the bike's progress, spitting or throwing things out the window, etc. Bikes and scooters have become much more prevalent on the islands in the last 10 years, so awareness is becoming greater, but we still have a long way to go. As far as maintenance is concerned, most of us do our own, but there are a few of us that will do the work for you (Marty's Mobile Mechanic Services 340-643-4922 marty_fredericks@yahoo.com)...be prepared to do a LOT of cleaning, as the salt air pits your chrome in no time...send me an e-mail or PM and I will send you some contact info for other like-minded folks...

Just saw a ton of motorcycles acting as race marshals in the Triathlon on St Croix this morning..

the roads are in awful shape here on STT (STJ makes for a nice ride, though...STX is better than STT for roads, but not as good as STJ)

Ummmm.... maybe if you stick to Centerline Road only, the roads are better on STJ! There's a reason I ride a dual-sport and not a roadster, guys. 😎

Been all around all three islands, many, many times...my opinion remains...the roads on STJ are in the best shape, then STX, then STT...although the roads on STT have had some improvements lately...but when the Carib Riders hosted the Rain Riders, of STX, a few months ago, every one of them commented on how much nicer the road conditions were on STJ than STX...they are by no means in the same condition as roads in the U.S., though...not trying to argue here, just stating my opinion...

Hi Marty. How have the electrical connections on newer bikes been holding up in the environment. They claim they are sealed and water tight but I wonder how some DI electric grease would effect things ? Still bringing my 07 FLHX. You know even being state side when I bought a bigger bike,stepped up from a wide glide. People seem to see the bigger bike a little less,go figure.

I, personally, haven't noticed any difference between the older and newer...go figure....as far as being seen goes, down here, it seems as though no one is looking, so I run drag pipes to make sure they hear me...didn't make darn bit of difference when I was going up Donoe and passed a car...I downshifted to 2nd and laid on the throttle, but the guy in the car decided to be cute and swerved towards me as I neared him...he swerved too far and took me out...6 days in ICU, thirty grand in bills, Traumatic Brain Injury, loss of 4.5 months of memery, re-learning how to walk, talk, tie shoes, ABC's, etc....but he was an off-duty cop, so of course it was my fault...funny, why are the marks where I went down on the OTHER side of the road? Can't fight crooked cops.......

"many of the locals are a bit jealous of bikes (and their ability to bypass traffic), so one needs to be very aware of things like doors flying open, swerving to hinder the bike's progress, spitting or throwing things out the window, etc."

Holy Crap!
Never had one throw things out the window or spit!(The spitter would end up with a big wad of mud, or if it's dry, a wired jaw, or a really stinky oozing bag of garbage).<<<Cars are VERY easy to catch in traffic, & pay backs a bitch!)

I had several taxi drivers try to run me off the road, into a guardrail etc. when I first started riding a few years ago.
I used to carry a rock, the size of a softball & keep it handy then.
Sooner or later, even a 50CC scooter will catch them when there's traffic.
i would go right after them, drive past them in the opposite direction & lob the rock into the air @ windshield level(never hung around to see what happened).
Funny thing, taxi drivers don't play with me anymore!

You must have faith in the coconut telegraph, if you fight back, word will get out it seems.

Occasionally, I'll have one follow me too close, I speed up then, slow way down & wave them past me when nearing a hill or curve.
Very few(I'm surprised) are stupid enough to pass me!

Just keeping the faith!

DUN, what idiotic behavior. Throwing rocks in traffic, really??? People doing dumb stuff like that is what makes nonriders hate bikers. Thanks for doing your part to make things worse for the rest of us. :X

DUN, what idiotic behavior. Throwing rocks in traffic, really??? People doing dumb stuff like that is what makes nonriders hate bikers. Thanks for doing your part to make things worse for the rest of us. :X

I didn't throw rocks in traffic idiot!

Your comment suggests you are a rider & a coward!

Do you scream like a little girl when cars try to run you off?

I suspect you will be found squashed from some car as you don't know how to stand up for yourself.
They will be able to make a positive I.D.of your smashed remains as you will have a wired jaw, & spit oozing from your ear!

Sounds like we gotta biker war startin...YEEE HAWWW......As a biker myself you do have to make a point to those few who like to test your resolve....either by eye to eye contatct ,WTF hand gesture or even acting like a crazy man as DUN suggests...you learn to ride to stay alive first ...then deal with trouble as it comes8-)

I had several taxi drivers try to run me off the road, into a guardrail etc. when I first started riding a few years ago.
I used to carry a rock, the size of a softball & keep it handy then.
Sooner or later, even a 50CC scooter will catch them when there's traffic.
i would go right after them, drive past them in the opposite direction & lob the rock into the air @ windshield level(never hung around to see what happened).
Funny thing, taxi drivers don't play with me anymore!

DUN, this statement suggests that you are throwing softball-sized rocks in traffic at taxis' windshields. If you mean something else, it sure the hell doesn't sound like it. Reread what you wrote, and work on clarity for the future if you had a different meaning.

There's no point in attacking me personally here. What you described is a really horrible thing to wish on anyone, especially a fellow biker. You don't know me at all or you would have a VERY different impression -- and you would definitely not say such a thing to my face! LOL!!

FDR,
You'r twisting my statement to what it's not.
I don't think you understand.

You asked about ridding conditions, my comment to your original question was to inform you how hostile some of the drivers are here, how they will continue & what it takes to stop them.
Marty tried to express these sometimes hostile conditions to you as well(fighting the cops is a hell of alot harder than the taxis though I stopped the cops last week from towing my scoot BC I didn't have a helmet as it was just stolen, I also had them take back the tickets).

Let me clarify something else, the spit would be from a driver you were too wussy to stand up to, the wired jaw is from me LOL!!!

Here's some advise, why don't you have some nads shipped down with that bike.

When you get here, USE THEM!
Better yet, use them before you ride next time, I don't want to see a fellow biker die.
We need to Stand up to inappropriate behavior from other drivers that can kill us!

Staying alive is priority 1, whatever it takes as poorthang says!

Good luck to you & safe ridding

OK, you just threatened me. This goes to the moderator.

Also, again, work on your language skills. You will then be able to see that I am not the original poster. Geez, you can't even keep track of whom you're insulting!

Well, we can finally agree on something!
I did mistake you for the original poster as you pointed out.
My mistake, my apologies to marunner!
And were also in agreement that it was you I was insulting.

And your comment "OK, you just threatened me. This goes to the moderator".

I get it, your a girl!!!!

No wonder we look at threatening Drivers differently!
And, if your a girl, I rescind my threats to you(I was being a man & standing up to what I perceived a threat from another man).

If you want to continue this, I suggest PM as now we are acting like a old married couple & that's not the point here.

again, safe riding

Folks:

Take it easy. I appreciate all the advice on riding the roads. I have driven on STT and can see the dangers.

Bikers are a unique group of folks who, I think, live life to the fullest. We should stick together in order to convince others of the need to watch for bikes.

As an aside, if those bikers would put decent mufflers on their machines, maybe people wouldn't have such a negative response to them.

As an aside, if those bikers would put decent mufflers on their machines, maybe people wouldn't have such a negative response to them.

A short time ago I had the same view regarding loud exhaust systems.
I know for a fact the cars cannot see the bikes(when I'm driving my car or SUV, I have the same experience, I get startled when one passes).
I made a remark regarding Marty's loud pipes in a negative way, when he explained the logic of getting people to HEAR what they don't SEE, it made good sense to me(even if I'm not crazy about the noise pollution).

I think Poorthang said it best priority one is staying alive!

Loud pipes or not, at least the taxis give me a wide berth:D

Well, I was thinking more about enjoying the peace and quiet of a Sunday afternoon when they suddenly sweep down on a favorite beach... If they stay in their lane, there is no problem seeing them.

Got startled myself when a 2 wheeler passed me illegally and almost clipped off my side view mirror. He keep moving forward in traffic riding the middle line along the Waterfront, so he can be first out of the gate. It wasn't even rush hour traffic. He just wanted to go fast. Saw him do this more than once. I don't care how the loud the pipes are. If you have your windows up, AC on, talking, or listening to your favorite radio program/music, you're still not going to hear them coming. Just stop riding lines and passing illegally(stay in your lane) and you will be safe and not splattered on the side of the road. What beach are you talking about, EE?

Ok Ladies it's obvious you've never ridden before because people cut in front of bikers all the time,tailgate also and any other encroachments you can dream up ......Just like they do for cars...sometimes you have to use evavsive tactics to avoid a bad situation.to stay alive ....If I have to pass you up cause your a lousy driver or feel boxed in ,yes I will do whatever it takes to avoid CONTACT with you...Don't be upset ...just understand most bikers will not get a second chance when they take a hit ....Now if they cause themselves to die or amputation because they were a dumbass then don't feel sorry for them.... just grab a big plastic bag and start pickin up the "debris":-o

Had I known they were ladies EE,BB, DUN, etc. I would not have complained.

what a crazy post! Damn....stop hatein start lovin!...the only bikes I hate are the fags that ride bicyclists up and down the road like they own it....Now they Piss me OFF, with their gay shorts and Alien Helmets!!!! Don't hate on the bikers......as far as all of us are concerned tho....The RIGHT of WAY should be,,,,,,
1. Handicapped/pregnant woman...(no matter what her means of transport are, they are just crazy)
2. Pedestrians
3. (and I hate this one) Bicyclists
4. Mo-peds/ motorcycles
5. Cars

No matter the way of transport, it's crucial to be respective of others lives (and I say this with a gray heart, I hate bicyclists!) But STILL, we are all human with families and lives. Respect even the little you can find in others.

Btw, Martey....if I read that right (sry, been drinking),,,,,I am sorry that happened to you, that is just f*cked up!