Motor bike companies in the DR

Nov 10, 2010
146
2
0
Hi guys.... thanks loads for answering my harley questions from a previous post

my question has changes slightly to consider other companies that make motorcycle cruisers/ muscle bikes / v-twins or 1300cc plus sized motorcycles.
In the USA price range of $10-12000.00us

for example
yamaha star stryker
honda sabre stateline

Im particular i'm interested in the following;
which motorcycle companies operate in the DR that bring in the 'cruiser/muscle bike? (honda, yamaha etc)
Do they actually bring in these models, or do they only supply the 125cc market?
Sales and service is a priority? Have you used these companies that you might recommend to me?

cheers and thanks
 

Bryanell

Bronze
Aug 9, 2005
694
83
48
Hi guys.... thanks loads for answering my harley questions from a previous post

my question has changes slightly to consider other companies that make motorcycle cruisers/ muscle bikes / v-twins or 1300cc plus sized motorcycles.
In the USA price range of $10-12000.00us

for example
yamaha star stryker
honda sabre stateline

Im particular i'm interested in the following;
which motorcycle companies operate in the DR that bring in the 'cruiser/muscle bike? (honda, yamaha etc)
Do they actually bring in these models, or do they only supply the 125cc market?
Sales and service is a priority? Have you used these companies that you might recommend to me?

cheers and thanks

George Butler of Moto Butler is one of the leader motorcycle authorities in the country, I've PM'd you his email address. he should be able to answer all your enquiries.
Bryan
 

cobraboy

Pro-Bono Demolition Hobbyist
Jul 24, 2004
40,964
936
113
You won't find dealers stocking the variety of over 125cc bikes here as where you came from. They won't be sitting on the showroom floor.

You'll most likely have to go to the direct importer in Santo Domingo and pay cash in advance to have them order the bike you want.

You will pay about 45% more for the same bike.

You will not be able to get "full" insurance.

Magna Motors imports Harleys.

Bonanza imports Suzuki.

Agencia Bella imports Honda.

I think Santo Domingo Motors imports Yammies.

BMW, KTM, Kawasaki, I have no idea.

George @ Moto Butler racing focuses on sport bikes and aren't a dealer per se. Very knowledgeable about bikes, but more of a race prep shop than anything else. He's a lawyer, BTW. Bikes are a passion.

I wouldn't focus on what kind of bike to buy until you gain some experience on the roads here. Did I understand correctly you have little experience in the DR and no motorcycle riding experience here? What is your blood type? Organ donors are always welcome...:classic:;)
 

ohmmmm

Bronze
Jun 11, 2010
619
36
48
I would echo cobraboy's advice. I am only a month or so in the DR and you would not belive the roads, the way people drive here, the unexpected potholes, livestock on the roads and on and on. I want to buy a motorcycle as well but it will only be for driving during the day a mile or a few miles to the ferreteria (hardware store) or to lunch. Nightdriving is a deathwish I am sorry to say. I was thinking of buying an on/off road bike, but I'm also considering a larger scooter (over 200cc) so I can carry a passenger or if my SUV is in the shop, I can get around for a longer distance if necessary.

From what I can tell, the Chinese bikes are still crap and break down quickly and often and get rusty quickly. I will be looking for a Yamaha, Suzuki or Honda and that's it. I'm up on the north coast (Cabarete) and if anyone comes accross a bike for sale that is in good condition I will be interested.

Good luck wth your search, but don't spend a lot of money on a bike until you have been here and drive on the roads. I drove with someone else in Santo Domingo once and Santiago three times and I had white knucles driving in a large car and SUV. If you go ahead with a bike right away, please wear a helmet and some protection at the very least...

Best wishes!
 

cobraboy

Pro-Bono Demolition Hobbyist
Jul 24, 2004
40,964
936
113
Long post that will hopefully help folks who want to ride and buy a bike in the DR.

All motorcycles are a series of compromises in ergonomics, performance, engineering, and cost.

Each genre of bikes...sportbikes, cruisers, tourers, standards, dirt/enduro bikes, dual-sport, scooters, motards...are designed and engineered for a specific purpose. When a bike is in elements it wasn't engineered for, bad things can happen rapidly.

If one isn't concerned about the probability of those "bad things" happening, then ride anything you want in any condition you want. Just be aware the emergency medical system in the DR is about non-existent, and you'll likely get man-handled by a bunch of well-intended Dominicans who will throw you in that back of a pick-up without regard for your injuries.

I understand the allure of cruisers, as I've owned many, the last being an '04 Honda VTX 1800C (yes, an extreme case for a cruiser, a 750lbs/105hp/110ft.lbs. beast.) The cruiser is an American idea to this day, and was designed to go in a straight line on smooth pavement comfortably at a decent speed with two people for short stretches. The riding position is more laid back with the riders weight more on the tailbone with arms extended, legs more forward,the classic "cool" Easy Rider look. The disadvantages: very heavy, NOT good on curves because of the physics of weight, wide wheels/tires and lateral/longitudinal CG, NOT good on rough roads due to stiffer suspensions to carry heavier weight, poor in crowded conditions, murder in potholes and speed bumps because of low road clearance.

Sportbikes, really fun machines in the right conditions, are mission designed to accelerate/decelerate rapidly, and turn quickly on smooth pavement, have low/narrow CG due to shorter wheelbase and low riding position, and are extremely light. Disadvantages: terminally uncomfortable very quickly for the average human who isn't an in-shape athletic jockey, murder on rough pavement, smaller wheels, and offer no real suspension "cushion" for potholes or speed bumps. I have seen riders launched off a sportbike after hitting a medium pothole because the smallish front wheels and stiff suspension just don't give and ride through. They tend to be fairly inexpensive, a LOT of "go" for not a lot of dough. Personally, I'm too old and large a human being to ride one anymore. 15 years ago was a different story

Tourers, like the ST1300, Gold Wing, FJR, and BMW LT's are designed to do a single mission well: gobble long distances of good tarmac in great physical comfort. Disadvantages: no-go in twisty's, hard to maneuver in narrow and and crowded conditions, heavy, expensive. But slick.

Standards, like many street fighters, are all over the place, different mixes of sport bikes and cruisers. Some are more cruiser, some more sport bike and their weights reflect it. Depending on the sport/cruiser ratio, the advantages/disadvantages above are still true. For instance, the Suzuki B-King is more sport bike based on the guts of the monster Hyabusa, and the Triumph Bonneville is more of a cruiser, based on old Brit technology and style with better suspension and motor. Both are "standards" and depending on how nuts you are for going reallyreally fast, these make decent overall urban rides. The ergos are good, with a more upright seating position.

Dirt/enduro bikes are tall, rugged, mission-specific, have big wheels and knobby tires, fairly light, smaller/medium displacement one-cylinder engines (more torque), mushy brakes and narrow seats. They are designed to ride on dirt and gravel first and foremost with the rider standing up and not sitting down much, and can bang over speed bumps and through potholes easily. They can handle really bad conditions. Disadvantages: tires not made for street performance, poor braking on pavement, uncomfortable and "buzzy" due to the tall gearing made to get into the flat part of the engine torque curve at lower speeds. However, change tires to more knobby street tread and they can handle the DR streets well. They can be reasonably priced or very expensive (like an enduro Husky.)

Dual-sports, like the V-Stroms, TransAlps, BMW GS's, Tenere's, KTM Adventures, ets, are a mix of sport bikes with dirt bikes: long wheelbase, tall, street/dirt tires, sport bike motor, dirt bike suspension, and street bike ergos. They can carve twisties, they can fly along the autopista, and can whip gravel roads, not as well as a sport/dirt bike, but a good compromise. The ergos are good, with a more upright seating position. This is the type of bike we use as they are perfect for OUR needs. Each dual-sport is a mix of sport and dirt bike. For instance, the KTM's are 40/60 sport/dirt, while the V-Strom is 70/30 sport/dirt. They can be reasonably priced.

Scooters: this is the right bike for most applications in the DR with small displacement, short wheelbase, light, easily managed and often with no clutch. They are fine for short hops on the shoulder of the road. Not real motorcycles in the purest sense, I am surprised the larger scooters like the Bergman and Silver Wing are not more popular. Cheap and easy to maintain with simple tools and minimal mechanical aptitude, parts are cheap and plentiful.

Motards are another type of bike I think is excellent for many of the conditions in the DR, and about the only place I've seen them is Las Terrenas. A motard is a smaller displacement dirt bike with a street seat and big, fat, soft balloon tires. They can be ridden on sand and dirt, no problem, do fine on the street and offer decent pothole/speed bump protection. KTM makes some awesome, but pricey, motards. If I wanted a bike to putz around town on at slower speeds, I'd prolly go with a motard. And they aren't that expensive.

Really, one must assess what their riding conditions and habits are to choose the right tool for the mission. Sure, you can ride a sport bike in town and a cruiser in the mountains, just like you can drive a Hummer H1 in town and a tiny HiJet on the autopista. But it's not the right tool to do the job safely.

Keep in mind a really good, experienced, knowledgeable technical rider can ride any bike well. But we're talking less than 10% of folks who ride motorcycles, and almost all of them started riding in dirt as a kid. Just because you haven't crashed a bike doesn't mean you're a good rider. And let me say this: of all the guests Motocaribe has had I'd rank their skillset, top to bottom, as:
  • Dirt Bikers
  • Sportbike riders
  • Cruisers

The best, most skilled riders, to a man/woman, are sport/dual-sport riders who cut their young teeth on dirt and arrive with full riding gear: helmets, armored jacket and pants, boots, full gloves, raingear, etc.

The lowest skilled, least technical riders we've seen are generally the cruiser crowd who got into riding as an adult for "lifeestyle" reasons and would never consider being seen on a "rice burner" or "Jap crap." Not all, but they do congregate toward the bottom in skill. They arrive with jeans, maybe a denim jacket, fingerless gloves and half-helmet.

We've come to learn we can predict what kind of rider our guests are by the kind and quality of riding gear they bring along...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Keith R
Nov 10, 2010
146
2
0
George Butler of Moto Butler is one of the leader motorcycle authorities in the country, I've PM'd you his email address. he should be able to answer all your enquiries.
Bryan

Thank you very much for your assistance
i will contact him shortly

cheers
 
Nov 10, 2010
146
2
0
You won't find dealers stocking the variety of over 125cc bikes here as where you came from. They won't be sitting on the showroom floor.

You'll most likely have to go to the direct importer in Santo Domingo and pay cash in advance to have them order the bike you want.

You will pay about 45% more for the same bike.

You will not be able to get "full" insurance.

Magna Motors imports Harleys.

Bonanza imports Suzuki.

Agencia Bella imports Honda.

I think Santo Domingo Motors imports Yammies.

BMW, KTM, Kawasaki, I have no idea.

George @ Moto Butler racing focuses on sport bikes and aren't a dealer per se. Very knowledgeable about bikes, but more of a race prep shop than anything else. He's a lawyer, BTW. Bikes are a passion.

I wouldn't focus on what kind of bike to buy until you gain some experience on the roads here. Did I understand correctly you have little experience in the DR and no motorcycle riding experience here? What is your blood type? Organ donors are always welcome...:classic:;)

yes you understood me correctly, i am heavily still considering a smaller car. I am also still considering the trike idea. I am not a speed freak although that protects me none against other drivers stupid actions. I'm just fully doing my research and will eventually come to a decision. I have visited many times and seen the driving standard. I have riden a bike for 10yrs in another 'trying' locale............... anyways!!!!!!!!!!
 
Nov 10, 2010
146
2
0
You won't find dealers stocking the variety of over 125cc bikes here as where you came from. They won't be sitting on the showroom floor.

You'll most likely have to go to the direct importer in Santo Domingo and pay cash in advance to have them order the bike you want.

You will pay about 45% more for the same bike.

You will not be able to get "full" insurance.

Magna Motors imports Harleys.

Bonanza imports Suzuki.

Agencia Bella imports Honda.

I think Santo Domingo Motors imports Yammies.

BMW, KTM, Kawasaki, I have no idea.

George @ Moto Butler racing focuses on sport bikes and aren't a dealer per se. Very knowledgeable about bikes, but more of a race prep shop than anything else. He's a lawyer, BTW. Bikes are a passion.

I wouldn't focus on what kind of bike to buy until you gain some experience on the roads here. Did I understand correctly you have little experience in the DR and no motorcycle riding experience here? What is your blood type? Organ donors are always welcome...:classic:;)

thanks for the update, i tried the internet and had trouble understanding if the larger bikes are brought in ............. my feeling is confirmed with your reply... thak you very much for the response
 

cobraboy

Pro-Bono Demolition Hobbyist
Jul 24, 2004
40,964
936
113
Don't fool yourself: trikes are NOT safer. In fact, just the opposite. The only advantage is you don't have to put your feet down at a stop, period.

There area slew of physics reasons why trikes are vastly less stable than a regular motorcycle when moving. And keep this in mind: not only are they less stable, when something bad happens it's 90+% of the time going to be a high-side "launch" forward and to the side...into oncoming traffic or toward the side of the road or into the next lane of traffic...the WORST kind of bad thing.
 

Peterj

Bronze
Oct 7, 2002
1,461
346
83
Dominican Republic
I drive this:
Image608.jpg

(Honda XR400R, 400cc, 4-stroke, air/oil-cooled with self installed electric-starter)
(But I also have a car when mother nature is doing her watery thingy...)

It is, IMHO, the best bike for this country: you can take a pothole (policias costadas I take with 40km/h), it has good power so you are always overtaking cars and other bikes, it's high so you have a good view of everything, tires can go through a lot of garbage and even nails without problems, it's very tough and can stand a good hit!

Now I have to say that I drive these "off road" bikes since I am 16 in Europe, Cura?ao and here in the DR (5 years in Santo Domingo) and have more than +100,000km experience. Only 1 time a slight "bump in" with a car (besides the dozens of times falling off when doing off road at too much speed..:bunny:); I had nothing, bike had nothing but front-bumper of car was destroyed! I never drive my bike when I consumed alcohol and never when I don't feel 100% fit to drive it.

I always (ALWAYS) wear a helmet (like this one
thor2010forcecarboncandyblue.jpg
, not a cheap one they use here, jeans (if you go down, which you will one day, with shorts....:dead:), closed shoes(never ever wear flip-flops or other beach-things!!) and have 1 rear-view-mirror; I like to know what is behind me, although with this bike it's not a lot...
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: cobraboy

ohmmmm

Bronze
Jun 11, 2010
619
36
48
To the person who sent me a pm offering a honda 125, for some reason my messages are gone in my folder. I am interested in a motorcycle...please try my regular email address which is jimstrack@gmail.com

Thank you
 

cobraboy

Pro-Bono Demolition Hobbyist
Jul 24, 2004
40,964
936
113
I drive this:
Image608.jpg

(Honda XR400R, 400cc, 4-stroke, air/oil-cooled with self installed electric-starter).
Very nice bike! :D

But those tires are made for the dirt, not pavement. When you need traction most on pavement, you have traction the least. Additionally, stopping power on pavement is significantly reduced by those tires.

Like I said, all bikes are a compromise, and one needs to choose how they will actually be using the bike to select the correct one for the intended use. The wrong bike for the mission compromises saftey; then you really need the best protective gear!

Two websites for riding gear:

Motorcycle Superstore - Motorcycle Accessories and Motorcycle Gear-these guys have a massive selection of everything and almost all brands.

Moto Direct Ltd - Distributors and Manufacturers of quality motocycle clothing/accessories and high end carbon cycle products. -these guys have decent gear at outrageously low prices.

One of our V-Strom DL650's:
RtSide.jpg
 

Peterj

Bronze
Oct 7, 2002
1,461
346
83
Dominican Republic
Hi Cobraboy,

This is not a picture of my bike, was just to show the type of bike I have.
You're absolutely right about the tires of the one in the picture; mine has a combination-tire: 80% road/20% dirt which works great.
 

bachata

Aprendiz de todo profesional de nada
Aug 18, 2007
5,341
1,246
113
I drive this:
Image608.jpg
That is the kind of bike I like, I always rode off road motorcycles when I was young, Yamaha Enduro 100 CC / Honda XL 100 / Honda XL 125 / Honda XL 250 and the last one Yamaha DT 125 stolen from my house's driveway three months after I bouth it brand new.
No more bikes for me...

JJ
 

amp

Bronze
Oct 5, 2010
730
8
18
cobraboy post #6 was very helpful, i'm looking to get some type of bike myself and that breakdown was indeed quite informational.


Peterj, about how much does a bike like that cost used in the DR?
 

Brigg

New member
Dec 4, 2010
6
0
0
Moving to Haiti

Hi,

Im start a new role in Haiti in Jan 2011. Im a Harley Rider back her in the UK and ride with the HDRCGB and the AAVMCC.

I had been hoping to find a used Sportster (or even an old Pan) but from what I gather HD's are not suited to either Dominican or Haitian roads.

I will be working for an NGO whilst there I be in asecure compound, but I guess owning anything in Haiti will be at risk of theft, would you consider this the case?

Is there a used market in either country or is best to import in from the USA. a lot of the models quoted in these threads are alien to us in the UK.

Although Im sure its just branding...

Are there any Beull Trailies to be had Ulysese?

Brigg
 

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
18,948
514
113
I understand that there is a used car market for Bradleys... and for the old Russian Armed Personnel Carrier...those are perfect for Haiti.

And any good Toyota Land Cruiser will also do the job.

good luck..do good work.

HB
 

Brigg

New member
Dec 4, 2010
6
0
0
I understand that there is a used car market for Bradleys... and for the old Russian Armed Personnel Carrier...those are perfect for Haiti.

And any good Toyota Land Cruiser will also do the job.

good luck..do good work.

HB


Think that answers my questions, I am going to find it hard not riding for a couple of years. Thank goodness Im home every 6-8 weeks... But then I have the possibilities of Stugis and Daytona beach.... Cant be all bad
 

Rbrown2

New member
Mar 11, 2011
1
0
0
I am planning to retire to the DR this summer. I am looking to get a new bike maybe a Suzuki S50 what do you think?