scooters/motorcycles?

Which island? On STX, it might be doable, depending on where you lived and worked, but it would be dangerous and limit your ability to explore the island. On STT and STJ it would be a mistake. Have you ever been here? If so, does it seem like a wise choice? If not, you need to visit before making any decisions.

no I haven't been there to STX. I've read alot about the narrow roads and see some pic of downtown and plus reading about people hitting stuff with large trucks/SUV and thought it sounded reasonable that's why I was asking. maybe I'll bring a small compact like an escort/ side kick or something along those lines, but still, curz'n to work on a bike sounds mighty nice.

I've been on bikes here on STT for the last 8 out of ten years here...if you are an experienced rider and can 'learn' the ways of the road here, you will be fine. The scooter rental places rent a bunch of 'em, but someone crashes one just about everyday cuz they don't understand how to drive here.

As far as shipping, I'd save the hassle and buy one (bike, scooter or car) here...

Gas on STX is around $2.90/gal...while on STT, I just saw high-test for $4.13 at Friendly's...

This subject comes up periodically, and the most common advice is NOT to risk your life on a 2-wheeler. Many of the roads on STX are narrow, curvy, hilly, pot-holed, and overgrown with brush, and many of the drivers are bad (but courteous). Also, rain happens. Buy a cheap used car instead.

I do know on STX there is a Harley shop, so there must be enough riders to keep him in business.

for mardi croix there were 5 harley riders and 1 honda,we've had 3 or 4 motorcycle deaths here in the last few months,it's just not a real smart option. i drove over to carambola last night and going around a dark unlit curve i nearly slammed into one of the horse tour operators with his tourists, yet another dumb thing to see, no markings on either horses or tourists to reflect light at night on a road with alot of cars going to carambola for the pirates buffett

Where's the Harley shop????

It's not a whole lot different than riding a motorcycle anywhere else... cars don't see you, there's oil slicks, flash rain floods, etc.. All of the recent deaths are thrill seekers on crotch rockets slamming into something stationary or flying into oncoming traffic. don't be intimidated. also you don't need a moto license to ride here -- hence more accidents. If I could, I would get a solid old honda CB550 '76ish or a big XT or XLR enduro with new on / off tires. i wouldn't go the little scooter route cause you need the power. but people do. you won't regret it when flying past all the chumps stuck in traffic which rivals my old commute to from Brooklyn to Manh. also a worry is theft. you must store your bike inside (period). good luck. can you bring down a bike for me? :0 CG

When you are flying past all the chumps stuck in traffic, isn't that illegal? Also, that appears to me to be about the most dangerous situation you can put yourself into on a bike. It's very trusting that some driver in a car isn't going to swerve over a bit at just the wrong time.

Enduro was what I was thinking too. I'm looking for a place that I will able get in a hiding spot or indoors but not to many places have commendations like garage/ shed. I'll buy big @#%$ chain and lock made stainless steel, taken all night to get through it.

I thought it was illegal too & have almost hit motorcycles pulling that stunt when they're in my blind spot. I thought they had to follow the same traffic rules as the rest of us "chumps." I mentioned a while back about the dumb tourist that turned over riding in the culvert in front of Hooters.

illegal only if they see you, but you're right not to smart and I'm guilty of it but in the states you have a wide emergency lane no sure about there YET

erkm, I must apologize...I am having a little chuckle at your expense. There are NO wide emergency lanes....NO emergency lanes....and NO wide lanes! STX is doable on a bike, if you have a brain, but I sure wouldn't want to ride on STT. Good way to get your brain scrambled. There are always those who have ridden for years with no problem. Doesn't mean it's a good idea.

I had a scooter down here for a bout 6 months one time. It didn't really have... brakes. But was pretty fun.

You gota be slow.
Learn where all the potholes are. They are huge huge huge.

Allot of the roads here are not typical pavement. but cement so any steep ones are just impossible on a scooter.

I took it out on a couple dirt roads up around the top of the mountain and out around botany bay.

Was quite fun only dropped it maybe 3 times.

What I would like to do is get a ATV.
I finally say one.. on ST John.
With plates and everything so I know it can be done.

I think if I did a bike again id for sure go with a dirt bike. Strapped on top of a tank.

In regard to us bikers driving down the middle,/n between cars...it's illegal, yes. But it's also 'accepted'. I've driven by cop cars stopped in traffic, I've stopped to ask cops if it was OK and gotten a 'sure', I've even met a motorcycle cop doing the same thing coming in the other direction and we had a heckuva time getting past each other, but once we were past each other we wished each other well...illegal? Yeah, but accepted....

Marty,

Was driving down the middle between cars what landed you in the hospital? I remember you telling the board you had a serious wreck on your bike but I don't remember if you mentioned the cause of the wreck.

It is 'illegal' everywhere but California... Most motorbikes are air-cooled and with a big engine sitting in traffic the bike will overheat in hotter climates. As for the risks -- you are on a motorcycle -- that automatically puts you in the 'risk-taker' category. As for checking mirrors and changing lanes, I always check when changing lanes but that's cause I ride a motorcycle / bicycle. The fact is most cars don't yield to motorcycles. It's a dangerous world out there.

It's illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving (thank God) & I know people who've gotten stopped for doing it but I've seen cops driving & talking on one too. 🙂

On STX, If you bring one, bring extra parts and know how to fix most things yourself. Only one guy I know on stx that does repairs to bikes. However Autoworld is selling bikes and scooters and aparently they will fix their own, but refused to work on mine...

I was laughing to myself a few weeks ago. I was driving and was cut off by a lady that was talking on her phone, not wearing a seat belt and was drinking beer. I don't know how she accomplished all this but she did. I know that driving with a beer in hand isn't really frowned upon but probably should be. It's really ironic that you will more likely get pulled over for talking on the cell phone than holding a beer.

I once got pulled over for my passenger not wearing a seat belt. She was wearing one...the officer argued with me and accused me of calling him a liar. He even had his son get out of his SUV to call us liars as well. My friend wanted to argue with him. I calmed her down and knew that it was a no-win situation so I apologized. He huffed and walked away.

As for the bikes, I see them here on the island but don't think they're very safe outside of downtown or Red Hook. There are a LOT of potholes and some very bad drivers. The smartest thing I've seen is a dirt bike. I also get unnerved seeing mopeds and bikes passing in traffic. I close my eyes and hope that they don't get hit.

This has been very helpful. I just asked about this very thing (along with a few other things). Should've read on first huh!?

I'm a first year rider, so I'm thinking this would be a big mistake for me to bring mine next year when I'm hoping to be there. I will begin looking for a buyer here in Ohio!

Thanks to all!

Tracy

lol morna i used to drive with a bottle of vodka and a beer and never got harassed here even when i would stop and chat with a couple of police officers i knew back then, as long as you are wearing your seat belt and not being overly stupid you're fine,on the other hand my now deceased sister would drive 75 on the interstate,checking messages on her cellphone and put on her makeup with the cup of starbucks between her legs

Dntw8up,

In regard to the accident that landed me in ICU for six days...nope. There wasn't even another car on the road...just the of-duty cop that hit me...

TRW, I've seen some pretty crazy things while driving. When I was stateside I'd see crazy things that people would try to accomplish while they drive. Reading the newspaper, tweezing eyebrows, you name it...I've probably seen it, lol. One time I saw a deaf couple have an argument while going down the road....talk about scary. The lady's hands were hardly ever on the wheel.