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Scooter rental on St. John

Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 11:14 pm
by Waterbugs
Are there any scooter rentals avilable on STJ or is the hilly terrain too much to handle on a small scooter? Looking for a 1 day rental on a day trip to STJ. We have driven the roads there before and never saw a scooter but would still like to try. Anyone out there try this???

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:00 am
by nothintolose
My younger brother rented one and rode it all over the island. He said that the road to East End was the scariest part of it.

I, personally, would not rent one there but heck, I don't even drive there - my SO does. We are flatlanders.

He rented from Scooters in Paradise, but I couldn't find their site - only found this one: http://www.beachscooters.us/scootersbikesjeeps.html

I would take out insurance though :lol:

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:08 am
by Wakeclt
We rented a scooter last year and had a ball! I was there with my parents and sister and brother-in-law, so it gve my girlfriend and I a chance to have a day on our own, without renting a car. I loved the freedom it provided. We spent a full day and a half on the scooter going all over the island, including the newly constructed road heading out Ditleff Point (Awesome Views there!).

The scooter was very new, and had plenty of power for two people and a heavy backpack to go up the hills. We did have a tire blow out on us, and nearly caused a serious wreck near Starfish, but it was due to an improperly inflated tire. Very scary, but a one-in-a-million occurrence.

We took only the necessities with us due to space in the backpack, but that made for a better beach-going experience anyway.

I would really only recommend this to someone with motorcycle experience though, due to the switchbacks and steep inclines. The girlfriend tried to drive at one point with little experience, and was not comfortable at all driving.

Cost was minimal in my opinion for such a great day!

Here's a pic of the scooter:

Image

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:09 am
by Wakeclt
Oh yeah, and we also rented from Scooters in Paradise, AND when we had the tire issue, they were there to fix it in NO time. Good service from those guys.

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:16 am
by liamsaunt
I've certainly seen people driving them. You'd have to be a LOT braver than me to get on one of those things on St. John!

Cute photo, wakeclt!

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:03 am
by Connie
Scooters are so much fun. I own one here in PA, but i don't think I would rent one in STJ or STT. The roads are completely different then any in the states.

Although, if you're use to driving a motorcycle, I'd say go for it and just be extremely careful.

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:22 am
by Pia
I've seen too many people "wipe out" on the switchbacks as well as use one of their feet to kick the wall to help them get around a bend when they find themselves too close.
As the cost is within a few dollars of a car rental, personally I would just rent a car :)

Pia

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:04 am
by Bug
I ride motorcycle here at home (PA) but wouldn't even dare ride on STJ. Almost been crushed by water trucks and construction trucks too many times in a car to even think about a scooter!

XOXO
Bug

PS Connie - we both ride and we're both from PA, we should get together sometime:)

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:21 am
by Connie
Funny blu, but I only have a 50cc Honda, so i don't think i could keep up with you. :lol:

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:00 am
by flip-flop
Maybe MAYBE if I were an expert motor cyclist I would consider a scooter but probably not. My hubby, who has his motorcycle license but no motorcycle - we live in the DC area and I won't have roadkill for a husband - wouldn't consider a scooter on STJ.

We are not scooter averse, we rented one in Negril & Bermuda and loved scooting around, but the roads there are totally different. The switchbacks would freak me out. Who am I kidding they freak me out in a 4wd!

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:08 am
by MrB
bugblu98 wrote:I ride motorcycle here at home (PA) but wouldn't even dare ride on STJ. Almost been crushed by water trucks and construction trucks too many times in a car to even think about a scooter!

XOXO
Bug

PS Connie - we both ride and we're both from PA, we should get together sometime:)
connie wrote:Funny blu, but I only have a 50cc Honda, so i don't think i could keep up with you. Laughing
I am ALSO from PA, and ride a scooter almost 5 days a week during the summer, and as much as I can in spring and fall. I lived in England and drove on the left for the entire time. That being said, I would not scoot in STJ...just not worth it IMO.

Connie, do you have that Metro? They are kinda cool. Mine is a Helix.