Question on renting a cycle

Ok, so I am gonna be in Jamaica at about 2 pm on Saturday. I have already decided to rent a cycle for this trip, not so much to save on cab fares but more for entertainment, I want to get out and look around more this trip.. Explore y know..
Also I intend to pack fairly light, realizing I always take too much with me.. Just basic clothes, bathroom stuff, and my iPad. If I can make a big backpack work, is there a good/better deal on a rental at MBJ or in Montego Bay for a motorcycle? I would consider a scooter But must have a big enough motor to hang with traffic on the highways, cause like said I want to really get out of negril and ride..

Otherwise - if I wait till I get to negril to get a bike I will probably just get a dirt bike.. I have rented one of them before from jah b's but just for one night.. What should I expect to pay for a 7-8 night rental negril? Mobay?

Thanks

if you do the smart thing it will cost you zippo...don't! I rented a bike(shadow) for a month......the strategy in Negril with rentals is that he for whom the bike breaks down owns the problem. Thus, the tires are bald, brakes shaky, etc etc. This says nothing of the traffic issues, road conditions, etc. As a rider myself it was my "fantasy" to rent a bike and ride. The fantasy and the reality just don't match up.

i am quite confident there is a well maintained motorcycle to rent. If it is junker I won't rent it.. I have ridden there before, and they do drive crazy, but had no problems.. Sorry u had bad luck, but have heard way tool many great stories about exploring the hills around negril..

good luck

I don't know of any in Mobay...but check with Banmark in the West End for motorcycles...

Gas rents great motorcycles and scooters on the cliffs next to Blue Cave Castle. Take peoples advice on this topic. Rent from someone reputable and be careful. Take time dated photos of the entire scooter/motorcycle when you rent it....especially if there is any existing damage. I have not have any problems with Gas as he is honest. I have had troubles in the past with other companies accusing me of damaging a scooter that I did not do. It can make for a very tense and awkward situation.

Jasperso:

Last reach, I rented a scooter for my last day from the guy at the end of Seastar Lane...$30. I know someone who got a scooter from him for a week for around $23 a day...($160). I don't ride motorcycles but the scooter had some guts to it...it was MORE than fast enough for me.

As far as the experience: wow. It changed the entire perspective.

My own fault, but in the past I have been held prisoner by the "dreaded" trip to the ATM via cab eating up an hour of time, or bounced out of plans with folks because of the "perceived" pain/cost of grabbing a cab and going somewhere only to find that nothing is going on at the place in question...etc...

The scooter was like having wings bro. Awesome. I feel dumb for waiting so long to try it.

(Yes Gerry and others. You told me so.)

EDIT: I would not personally recommend Gas.

Definite pros and cons to renting these. I have rented in past trips and very much enjoyed the experience. It was a LOT of fun. There have been plenty of previous posts on the topic. Some bad experiences with road rash, damage to bikes, false accusations of damage etc.. Then there is the insurance issue. You need to fully understand the insurance contract in order to know what risk your assuming. There is likely no physical damage coverage for the bike itself and although it covers injuries and property damage that you cause to 3rd parties, it won't provide you or your passenger with any benefits. Knowing all that I still rented and had a blast.

The goig rate for a scooter is about $30 per day. Your negotiating skills and length of rental might get that down below $25 per day. Maybe. :)

Good luck and safe riding.

This my 20th year coming here & I always rent a big bike..Shadow..I do business with Prento every year..cause he treats my good. Never had a break down & I do take long rides in country. I call ahead & have him reserve a nice bike. He's by the Coral Seas Garden in town...his cell#876-412-8607 tell Jack from Chicago sent you..can't hurt! Where ever you decide to rent remember to switch the fuel petcock back to (ON)...they always rent it with it the (RES) mode & then you know what happens in a few dashes around town. Good Luck

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Originally Posted by brasi

EDIT: I would not personally recommend Gas.

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You are the first person I have ever heard say that. Gas has quite a large fan club.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Twister

You are the first person I have ever heard say that. Gas has quite a large fan club.

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Not everyone had good experiences with Gas. Check out GerryG123's trail of ashes thread. Personal threats???? Come on.....is that a guy I want to rent from? Hmmmmmm

Thanks for the info guys.. Looks like negril is the place to rent then.. Soon come..

Yeah, no rentals in MoBay that I am aware of. Get the bike when you arrive, or the next day.

I am fond of Tyke's (by Catcha and Seastar) and Jah B on the beach road, but Banmark's bikes look really nice.

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Originally Posted by ohliz

Yeah, no rentals in MoBay that I am aware of. Get the bike when you arrive, or the next day.

I am fond of Tyke's (by Catcha and Seastar) and Jah B on the beach road, but Banmark's bikes look really nice.

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Tyke's is straight up. No problems. Quick and easy rental, it was in great shape, fair deal for a single day rental ($30).

If Bnewb recommends Banmark, he's gotta be good, too.

'Nuff said about Gas.

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Originally Posted by Craig123

Not everyone had good experiences with Gas. Check out GerryG123's trail of ashes thread. Personal threats???? Come on.....is that a guy I want to rent from? Hmmmmmm

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I read the thread about the scooter being wrecked and damage trying to be hidden until some kids told Gas about the damage. You are also only hearing one side of the story. I also read the previous trip report about riding though road blocks drunk, stoned with no helmet. Is that someone you'd want to rent your scooter too?

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Originally Posted by Craig123

Check out GerryG123's trail of ashes thread. Personal threats???? Come on.....

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I didn't threaten Gas too bad, ha ha ....

Prento and Banmark are the places to go for renting a motorcycle or dirt bike for sure. Both have bikes that in great condition - my friends rent from Banmark for 2 months. The tire on their bike was worn but he replaced it within the week.

There is nothing like riding around the island on a motorcycle. We rent them sporadically (2 days, 3 days, 5 days at a time) while we are here. We just did a ride up the North Coast and it was fabulous. If you know how to ride and you are familiar with the roads and driving styles in Jamaica go for it.

Prices range from $50-$80USD for a Shadow depending on how long you rent it for.

My husband must have a cycle and he rides alot! We have rented from Gas, Prento and Jah B without any problems - depends on who has the bike he likes the best each year. Last year he put on over 1000 miles riding around the area. If you are going to do that he recommends you get a roadmap to use. Shell makes one that is the best he has found. He used the map to find his way around and that eliminated the need for the bike guides who want to lead you anywhere you are going. This year he didn't have any problems with them being too persistent because he has learned to say "no thanks, I'm good", but that was a problem for him the first year.

Maybe Gas had a right to be upset and charge Gerry for the damage---or to not rent him a scooter ever again. But threats? Unacceptable. There is a way to do business and a way to be a thug.

First-hand experience: I returned my scooter to Tyke with a tiny aesthetic dent in the front fender. I showed it to him, "no problem, man." All he asked is that I rent from him next time I am in Negril. He could have charged me $xx for a repair...and I would not (could not) have complained...but he never even got disrespectful...and earned a renter for life.

I'm not one of those people who expects to pay nothing for my mistakes (denting a fender), or who tries to nickel-and-dime every last purchase I make, or gets angry when I order bacon and I instead get ham, or when my room has only average AC. That's all subjective small stuff. No worries. Big deal.

But where theft or danger can be avoided---I'll speak up.

Whether or not GerryG is an ideal client etc is a moot point. Gas made threats. The end, for me.

I would never rent from Gas either. Listen to Brasi..bad bad, i will spare the negative details, but NO DAMN WAY would i even talk to gas. Try Jah Bs

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Originally Posted by brasi

Whether or not GerryG is an ideal client etc is a moot point.

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Here's my side: I've rented a total of 26 days with him over two trips. Even though he overcharged me the second trip, I was loyal to HIM as opposed to the other way around. I did scratch it on my last day, but I restored it PERFECT and paid him 50 dollars for the hassle. I ain't such a bad client ....

I never inferred you were MC.

Well I went to tykes, got a scooter for the trunk space, $25 a day. I am very happy.. $150 for six nights, 150 cc deposit. I think I did ok..

Definitely a square deal in my very limited experience...and the lowest I've heard anyone paying is $22/day for 8-9 days.

Do you have the white scooter? LOL If the trunk smells like rum...wasn't me! Tell Tyke Brasi soon come!

Have a great trip!

Glad it worked out. I've always had a good experience with Tyke's.