Motorcycles in the DR

cobraboy

cobraboy

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I know there is some "scooter trash" ;) on this board, and I'd like to solicit their opinions.

If you wanted to do a tour of the Dominican Republic-the whole thing, valley, mountains, desert, beach areas, everywhere-what do you think the ideal scoot would be, taking into account initial cost, ease and cost of maintenance, road conditions and speed, cost of fuel, long term durability, power, parts availability, load carrying, etc. for solo riding? For two-up riding?

How are bikes insured?

I'm pretty sure those 100-150cc two cycle scoots are out of the question.

What would be the maximum and minimum size you'd ride?
 
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Rocky

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cobraboy said:
I know there is some "scooter trash" ;) on this board, and I'd like to solicit their opinions.

If you wanted to do a tour of the Dominican Republic-the whole thing, valley, mountains, desert, beach areas, everywhere-what do you think the ideal scoot would be, taking into account initial cost, ease and cost of maintenance, road conditions and speed, cost of fuel, long term durability, power, parts availability, load carrying, etc. for solo riding? For two-up riding?

How are bikes insured?

I'm pretty sure those 100-150cc two cycle scoots are out of the question.

What would be the maximum and minimum size you'd ride?
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I've done it on a Yam DT125 and it was fine.
Passengers would extremely uncomfortable.
The rear pegs are mounted to the swing arm and do not move in unison with the frame, so your feet are liable to slip off on bad bumps, ripping the skin off your ankles.
Other than that, it's reliable, cheap, and goes everywhere and anywhere.
 
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Chip00

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Rocky said:
Not being enforced right now around here, but, yes, there are.
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Well it depends on the mood of the AMET personnel. They seem especially tempted when they see a white "tourista" gringo like me riding around. They already took my bike once and an AMET called out on his bullhorn to me at el elevado in Stgo. "deten el motoi" whereupon I made a quick exit!
 
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Chip00

Guest
Suzuki Vstrom 650 or maybe a Sporster for those Harley lovers. I've neve ridden it but with it's relatively light weight and low center of gravity not to mention a novelty item such as shocks, it should be able to handle stretches of graveled road ok.

I wouldn't reccomend two up riding here because it really should be on a big bike. Then again Motorcycler of DR1 seems to do ok.
 
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laurapasinifan

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Sep 19, 2005
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MY buddy brought in a BMW that I never had heard of before. And now he does a lot of cross country with groups he has met with similar bikes.

His is a 1200CC!!!!!!!!!!! BMW which kinda looks like a space age dirt bike....the seat is very low( hes short) in a deep V....but he has all kinds of gadgets on it already......that has to be the ultimate bike for that countries varied road conditions.....but it is an expensive bike!!!!! and the taxes alone are outrageous! ha ha ha ha......

he once had a police dept specialist sneak up to him on our other buddies Yamaha street bike and yank the key right out of the ignition , so he couldnt drive away. He was looking for bikes stolen in america and shipped to the DR!

bob
 
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Chip00

Guest
laurapasinifan said:
he once had a police dept specialist sneak up to him on our other buddies Yamaha street bike and yank the key right out of the ignition , so he couldnt drive away. He was looking for bikes stolen in america and shipped to the DR!

bob
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Amet did that to me becasue I was on my bike without a helmet and white(there were at least 5 other bikers next to me).

When I asked him why he said well you saw me coming and if you are just going to sit there like a "pariguayo" you deserve it!" (true story)

Anyway, I go to the Fort the next day to get my bike and a couple of the AMET guys were giving me a hard time saying that these are the laws and you have to follow them, not noticing some AMET officers coming to work on their bikes w/o helmets.

Lesson learned - I ain't no Pariguayo and I got eyes in the back of my head!
 
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tflea

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Jun 11, 2006
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The ultimate

I've opted for an R100GS-PD and couldn't be happier. Used is better. Importing is prohibitivelivly expensive.
 
cobraboy

cobraboy

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What are the new duties with DR-CAFTA? I haven't slugged through the final document yet, maybe somebody knows. How about importing sapre parts for the bike?
 
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something_of_the_night

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cobraboy said:
What are the new duties with DR-CAFTA? I haven't slugged through the final document yet, maybe somebody knows. How about importing sapre parts for the bike?
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Good question, cobraboy. The Kid would like to move home and drive a Mini Cooper, but I've heard they are very, very expensive in the DR.
 
cobraboy

cobraboy

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JDJones said:
If I was just bopping around town, then something of this type would be OK, but I would prefer something like the Kawasaki 4 stroke that Scandall bought.

But, the OP was asking about touring all over the island, from sea to shining sea, and purple mountains majesty, and a 100 is waaay too small for touring like that.
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I'm thinking a simple, quality Jap bike in the 650cc range might be the ticket, maybe 750cc for two-up, windshield, bags, and a "bitch back". That's plenty of power, not a lot of stress at autopista speed, light enough for gravel and dirt roads, decent mileage and cheap maintenance. Any suggestioins for models? I don't know what bikes are imported to the DR?
 
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Rocky

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JDJones said:
If I was just bopping around town, then something of this type would be OK, but I would prefer something like the Kawasaki 4 stroke that Scandall bought.

But, the OP was asking about touring all over the island, from sea to shining sea, and purple mountains majesty, and a 100 is waaay too small for touring like that.
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An R100 is a 1,000 cc bike.
 
cobraboy

cobraboy

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JDJones said:
Not from me, I don't crap from crapola when it comes to rice burners. There's lots of guys that do the touring thing on them, but they look as uncomfortable as hell, more so for passengers.
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I've got a Honda VTX1800C, a really big bike. I don't see it as an option in the DR. Too much bike, waaaay power overload, bad mileage.
 
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laurapasinifan

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Sep 19, 2005
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cobraboy said:
I've got a Honda VTX1800C, a really big bike. I don't see it as an option in the DR. Too much bike, waaaay power overload, bad mileage.
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you know the brother of the guy with the big bmw bought one of those 1800CC hondas at the same time( dont know the model ). they shipped them over together....cost about $16K US in fees( taxes, payoffs, shipping )( does not include the price of the bikes) for both bikes to make it over. It was half that price when they went into the container...but once in transit...they deal GREW!! ha ha ha...dont cha love the DR!!!!...and they thought they had a connection...


bob
 
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something_of_the_night

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JDJones said:
Not from me, I don't crap from crapola when it comes to rice burners. There's lots of guys that do the touring thing on them, but they look as uncomfortable as hell, more so for passengers.
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True dat!

The Kid once had a ZX7-R Ninja, and once I got off, I'd feel the discomfort. But it's far better to look good than to feel good.
 
cobraboy

cobraboy

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Not all Jap bikes are sportbikes. Some of the best cruisers are Jap bikes, like mine. I just don't see a massive bike being good for daily long distance traveling in the DR.
 
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Chip00

Guest
Recommendations

DL650K7.jpg


http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/DL650K7/Default.aspx

S50K7.jpg


http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/S50K7/Default.aspx
 
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Chip00

Guest
...and for those traditionalists...

pnw_spXL883_dom_C01_stw_t.jpg


This is a pretty good deal at $6600 considering it is possible Aduans will not charge inport fess(right?).

The only drawback will be early's 20's technology(can you say "side valve lawnmower engine" haha) and the fact that one will need a new kidney after a days ride but hey while you're on the dialysis machine the mechanic can tighten all of the loose bolts and replace the ones that fell off! :glasses:
 
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