The motorcycle popularity explosion?

We have noticed such an explosion in the number of young Jamaicans buying these 150cc and 250cc bikes I assume they are Chinese built motorcycles and we are wondering how much they cost and how they are afforded?

I think this is a real safety issue in Negril and there doesn't seem to be a thing being done about it. We saw them zoom down the sidewalk, zoom down beach road with three people on one bike honking and passing cars all the while. It has turned us off on renting scooters and after the incident last week we will watch where we walk. They are also obviously modifying the exhaust so they sound like a lawnmower on steroids at night.

,
I hope Negril does something as this has made the town a whole lot less tourist friendly as far as walking and getting around on a particular mode of transportation yourself.

1. Only a learners permit needed to ride
2. Unlike a car you can buy it and drive off the lot with no insurance or registration

Jamaica is averaging one bike fatality a day on bikes.

The new road safety act is addressing this situation.

Cap

Thanks Cap, I hope it gets cleaned up before too many kids are hurt or killed. They all look so young!

Sounds a little like the jetski problem...just on the road. Such a sad state...all the senseless deaths.

Met captain Moses's guy Spongebob last year and this fall he was involved in a bike crash.. Not fatal but serious... Sad and scary. I ride a small Harley but the way they ride them there is frightening!

The noise from the motorcycles on the west end drove us back to the beach.

I stay deep west and found the bike noise on the beach road much more offensive.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ras Walleye

The noise from the motorcycles on the west end drove us back to the beach.

---

Yeah, it is a real issue. I sleep very soundly but at night when they brought out the modified bikes and were racing up and down beach road it was ridiculous. When dining in the cliffs we would notice that the problem was there as well.

I'm not a MC hater, I have two Harley's but I am vey respectful of my neighbors as far as the noise goes. I don't do the crazy loud type of pipes that cause the bad feelings.

yeah dem Jamco(sp?) motorbikes and you can buy dem second hand for a likkle over a $1,000us here.......
dem aren't well made and der a ton of dem in Jamaica.......and dem modified to be loud
der definitely a problem here.......overtaking anything standing in der way.....ugh
very few wear helmets here.......and seems like dem the number one killer of young guys here
mi wish sumthin could be done about dem........and so it goes......

on another note.....boy mi tell ya.......it's great going to da beach and not hearing dem jetskis.......

Cool Runnings, Marko

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marko

yeah dem Jamco(sp?) motorbikes and you can buy dem second hand for a likkle over a $1,000us here.......
dem aren't well made and der a ton of dem in Jamaica.......and dem modified to be loud
der definitely a problem here.......overtaking anything standing in der way.....ugh
very few wear helmets here.......and seems like dem the number one killer of young guys here
mi wish sumthin could be done about dem........and so it goes......

on another note.....boy mi tell ya.......it's great going to da beach and not hearing dem jetskis.......

Cool Runnings, Marko

---

It's funny as soon as we heard them we both commented they need to go the way of the jet ski. Just like the jet ski ruined the beach vibe and increased risk, the MC does as well, only 10 fold.

Need to go back to the old days when it was a risk passing station with 3 on a bike or no helmet. A licence should be required so riders at least study the road code, the permit situation is a death trap. But simply,, more bikes need more enforcement.

Note... I ride a Honda scooter as my A to B.