Need advice : Any scooter drivers & southeast Asia?

Linh Nguyen

New member
Aug 11, 2014
11
0
0
I really enjoy riding around on a scooter. My experiences doing this were mostly in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand where traffic is really dense. There are a lot of unwritten rules. Use the horn to let people know you're passing, be decisive, bigger vehicle = right of way, etc.

Is the Dominican Republic the same? Will I be fine? Would you guys advise a traveler against it (theft)?

I will mostly be centered along the northern coast.

Thank you for any insights.
 

HUG

Silver
Feb 3, 2009
3,940
1
0
Everyone uses bikes, you'll be as safe as you are competent at predicting what unpredictable traffic may do. On the Northcoast the issue isn't the density of the traffic, it is people out of control of their vehicles, going too fast to react to you. I don't know if they still have the bike jackers around Cabarete, you'd be advised not to ride at night and ignore anyone pulling you over for help during the day. Bikes are great on the Northcoast, just be aware that there are lots of people around you that do not have a clue.
 

windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
42,211
5,966
113
The only place I have seen worse driving is in Sri Lanka where everyone tries to pass everyone else all of the time and they also drive on the wrong side of the road. As a small scooter driver, you have to be passive aggressive, not overly aggressive because the larger vehicle wins.
 
W

wilsonc

Guest
yes is pretty much the same thing just be aware of big truck and sitrabapu buses they are a bit unpolite on the street, other then that you will be fine. good luck.
 

malko

Campesino !! :)
Jan 12, 2013
5,545
1,327
113
A couple of days ago, on the main road POP Navarrette, there were 3 gringos on rented bikes ( I am guessing ), 2 with Gf on the back.
They were driving inthe middle of their lane!!!!! Lorrys and buses and jeepetas whizzing past....... one of the bikes ended up going crosscountry. Hahahahaha.

So stick to ure right,especially on open roads....... they WILL push u off the road otherwise.
 

zoomzx11

Gold
Jan 21, 2006
8,367
842
113
youll be fine. You dont need no stinkin helmet. No need of mirrors. No need of license plate. No need of insurance. No need of drivers license. No need of lights. Pass on right. Go wrong way on one way streets. In Santo Domingo you are welcome on the sidewalks when traffic is heavy. Having a scooter means you can do whatever you like, wherever you like. Just be sure the horn works and use it all the time.
 

Criss Colon

Platinum
Jan 2, 2002
21,843
191
0
38
yahoomail.com
I had a Honda 750 when I lived in Thailand, MANY years ago.
And was in Saigon as well.
If you can survive the "ORIENT" you can survive here, MAYBE!!!!
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
 
If you have control you'll be fine. Yesterday along the main street in Puerto Plata which has a barricade going down the center with occasional openings a pasola was sitting with his front wheel thru the opening waiting, when I was within 8 feet he lurched forward and I hit the side of his tire and twisted it sideways. He didn't go down and I didn't slow down. Hope everything was fine with him. But our traffic here in Puerto Plata is worse than anywhere else in the country as far as the % of motorbikes.
Der Fish

Did you get some satisfaction of taking him down? I don't know how many times they have lurched out right in front of me in that area! Grrrr! I really don't like driving my moto in POP at all!!!
 

Linh Nguyen

New member
Aug 11, 2014
11
0
0
Great! Thanks for all your advice. I once rode a scooter halfway the length of Vietnam, honestly driving on country roads in between cities is pretty damn scary! All those big trucks whizzing by! Haha

The traffic in sosua/cabarete seems really tame. If it's not as bad as Asia, I'm no longer worried.

Do restaurants and establishments typically watch your vehicle if you're a patron like they do in Asia?

What should I expect to pay 5-10 usd a day?
 

Linh Nguyen

New member
Aug 11, 2014
11
0
0
Funny story. I once got caught driving through a park sidewalk (shortcut) in HO chi Minh, went to jail for a few hours and got my scooter impounded! I also once ran into a storefront messing up first gear! Dropped 100 usd and left, Haha

I think I'll fit right in with those people in DR who have no idea how to drive!
 

windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
42,211
5,966
113
Great! Thanks for all your advice. I once rode a scooter halfway the length of Vietnam, honestly driving on country roads in between cities is pretty damn scary! All those big trucks whizzing by! Haha

The traffic in sosua/cabarete seems really tame. If it's not as bad as Asia, I'm no longer worried.

Do restaurants and establishments typically watch your vehicle if you're a patron like they do in Asia?

What should I expect to pay 5-10 usd a day?

I have never heard of a restaurant watching your scooter here. Could be a new business for them.

As I mentioned before, if you can drive in Asia you can drive here.
 

DRob

Gold
Aug 15, 2007
8,234
594
113
More like $50 a day!
They restaurants WILL watch your scooter, then when they are sure you aren't looking, STEAL IT!!!!
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

Looks like cccc is in one of his moods today, lol. If you're in Cabarete, go to Easy Rider they rent bikes and scooters for about 18 usd per day. If you go somewhere else (there are TONS of people and small shacks renting motos) DO NOT leave your passports with them, as some will ask. Have fun, don't do any distances at night, and wear a helmet.
 

Linh Nguyen

New member
Aug 11, 2014
11
0
0
Where are you planning to ride in the DR?

Yes North Coast. To me, there's nothing like having scooter freedom.

I am staying in Perla Marina, which apparently is a community between Sosua and Cabarete (which is why I want a scooter.)

One last question.

Are there general use parking spaces in Sosua? I was planning to ride out to Sosua and go snorkeling, but curious where people put their scooters?

My main concern is theft really.
 

windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
42,211
5,966
113
There is a parking lot at the Casino side of the beach in Sosua that is probably your best location. Otherwise, don't park by the yellow curbs in town. Theft could be an issue.
 

Linh Nguyen

New member
Aug 11, 2014
11
0
0
There is a parking lot at the Casino side of the beach in Sosua that is probably your best location. Otherwise, don't park by the yellow curbs in town. Theft could be an issue.

Appreciate the insight everyone, looking forward to next week!