Helmet laws on STX?

yep... sad but true

I just watched a tourist get knocked off his scooter by a Coca Cola truck down town.

thanks jnrhome!

Hey Matt and jnrhome...

What kind of bike do you have (are planning to acquire)?

--HC

jnrhome now has better sense than to contemplate a cycle...yes, it was in his dreams after all. The dream died a sad and tragic death shortly after Jeff's arrival on island and his first foray into rush hour mania through Sunny Isle. Thank goodness...another life saved....

*lol*

Becky R,

Yeah, Sunny Isle isn't quite the island scenery I picture in the backround when I imagine myself on the back of a Harley with the sea breeze in my hair and the sun on my face.

And another premove fantasy meets the reality of STX rush hour as an islander...and rush hour wins again. Dang!

--HC

HC,
I have an old Kawasak KZ 900, and hope to bring it with me when I move to STX in a year or two. But I didn't want to bring that hot helmet. I know , I know..... "helmets save lives" but that's the thing I love about STX, they (you'all) don't have the "IDIOT" laws (except the helmet one)like the one that allows the crook who cut himself BREAKING INTO your house to SUE you, or when your new hammer has sooooo many warning stickers on it that it slips out of your hand and pops the next guy in the head! Oh, and I love the one I saw on my grill lighter--it said "KEEP AWAY FROM OPEN FLAME"!!!!!
Sorry, just venting!
Anyway, I've ridden motorcycles since I was about 12, haddent had any serious accidents and hope to be riding when I'm 63!

Matt

Matt,

Sounds like a shorty helmet in the "just legal" category, with the obligatory "Helmet Laws Suck" sticker, is what we'll most likely find in your luggage.

My first long-term riding partner owned a "Cow900" -- have a lot of fond memories of that bike. For my first ride on it, we took it on one of the wettest camping adventures I've ever had -- got all of our gear (sleeping bags, tent, and clothes included) packed on the bike and rode from mid-Michigan into Canada and up the Lake Huron coast to a fabulous isolated campground. That's when the rain started. After three days of being wet and stuck in the tent or the local diner, we packed up the bike, drove back into Michigan, making a detour to our favorite tattoo artist's shop, got inked, and then drove the last 60 miles home -- all in the rain. This actually started a tradition in which we ended up getting a new tattoo every time it rained when this friend came to see me. 🙂

Got me hooked for life. Ended up buying my own Harley (a '69 Servicar that was a former Baltimore Police vehicle) but had to give up the bike and riding when I finally conceded it was time to start using a wheelchair. I still miss being at the Blessing of the Bikes -- and the Blessing weekend festivities at a dear friend's house -- every May. (Really want to go there once again -- I'm sure I would be a shoo in for the "traveled longest distance" trophy!)

Am dying to hear the stories behind your idiot laws mini-rant -- how about pencilling me and the Hip Hubby in for dinner and story hour once you make it down here? (Don't have the bike anymore, but my sense of biker hospitality runs as strong as ever.)

Let us know how the move plans are progressing and if there's anything else we can help you figure out as you move forward.

--HC

Hey Matt,
I'm deciding on which vehicles to sell or bring with me to the isles. Probably gonna sell my 'vette and Honda Shadow. Will keep my Ford F-250 work truck most likely. I, too, love bikes, but after reading a little about the cost to bring them in.....they're gonna charge a pretty penny for anything foreign (i.e. Kawasaki and Honda) I love my Shadow, but will probably be better off selling here and buying another down there. Just something to think about bro...

Jeff

Whatoozy, I have been here for about a year and a half now, thought I would comment on your posting. Because japanese bikes are not produced domestically, there is a significant excise tax on them. As a result, however, there is not much of a selection here on island as far new or used bikes go. (at least on St. Croix). In addition , as a person that has rode for about 25 years (STurgis and daytona Bike Week numerous times, never on a trailer) the roads and rididng opportunities are such that a big machine is not of much use, or really even needed. The speed limit is thirty five throughout the island, except for about a four mile stretch on the Evans Highway where it is 55. Yes, some of the scenery is spectacular as you ride, but you won't need a big machine. I did not bring my Royal Star with me here and I am glad I didn't. If I was to get a bike here it would be something fairly small less than 500 cc) and probably something dual purpose. Getting one here might be an issue, however, as the nearest retailer for any brand of bike is in San Juan. Additionally, since not many bikes are on the road, the drivers are not accustomed to sharing the road with them. That can cause problems.

Finally I see where you are considering bringing over your F250. I brought over a 4x4 long bed F150. If I could do it over again, I would have sold that stateside and brought over something MUCH smaller. A vehicle that size is difficult to park and get around the narrow and congested roads here. Unless you will need something that big for work,I would strongly re-think bringing over something that big.

Just my .02 cents

Thanks all! Good info (I also have an older F250 w/ snow plow ) I'm sure I'll sell that here! I'd like to bring a 1-ton dump truck and backhoe or skid loader, any thoughts on that?
Matt.
P.S. HC- I will keep in touch, thanks for the invite!

Hey bnk,
That's invaluable info...thanks!! I may just sell my F-250 also then if you recommend it. I'll need some kinda pickup for painting, but a smaller one sounds better and would get better gas mileage. And you think I should purchase that here on the mainland and then have it shipped? or just buy down there?

Where did you move from bnk? And if I may be nosey...where do u work on the island? Glad to meet ya and I apologize if I'm making you repeat anything from an earlier post......that goes for all of my postings actually.

Jeff
Ft.Worth, TX

Whatoozy, I am originally from NY, but lived most recently in Iowa before coming to the USVI. I work at the hospital in the Office of Strategic Planning. Reagrding my commenst about the truck, be aware that although I think a F250 is too much truck here given its size, there are planty of them on the road here. I am only basing this on my experience trying to get around in the limited apce avaiable for parking and the narrow roads here. If you are going to sell your F250 and get something smaller, I would do it stateside. Many of the used pick trucks I have seen here look pretty rough, much more so than the cars you see here, and many of the cars are in pretty rough shape. I think you mentioned getting rid of your Corvette, good idea. Very few 'vettes on the island (I have seen maybe 3-5 total), I had a '77 a while back before I moved here. I would have never brought here, the roads are in such poor repair it would wreck havoc on a 'vettes undercarriage.

Yea I hear ya bnk, I've always said that the people in charge of the road maintenance should have to ride around in a 'vette to check 'em out. As bad as I hate to...my vette will be the first to hit ebay (in a couple of weeks). That car is better than therapy (had to edit that one). Jump in that baby, hit the Sirius radio and I can forget about all the days problems for a little while.

The more I've thought about it....I like your idea. I believe I'll sell my F-250 here and then get something like a Dodge Dakota. I bought an F-250 because I've got a trailer to haul around sometimes for bigger jobs. Dakota will get better gas mileage anyway. Just need to make sure I buy domestic.

Hey Matt- just thought I'd mention that I brought my 1980 Kawasaki 250 down from Pittsburgh when I moved here 5 years ago. It wasn't all that expensive to bring in, about $800 or so, I think. Trying to acquire a motorcyle here is quite difficult. You basically just have to watch the paper and wait for someone to sell theirs, or try to buy one off-island, which can be a logistical pain. If you want to ride when you get here and can bring your own, I think that's your best bet. BTW - I just managed to buy a 2001 Harley Sportster from someone who was leaving island! 🙂 The bad drivers do make it difficult, and I wouldn't even go near Sunny Isle, but it is good practice! Always looking for someone new to ride with, so let me know if you're interested when you get here.

After living here for a year and a half, I finally bought a Harley V-Rod in the states and shipped it down. A lot of fun to ride but the helmet law takes away on the fun just a little.