Motorcycles/Scooters in Cities

viewpoint says on Jan 13, 2005, 11:06:

Michael Don't even think about it. Cars, trucks and buses have no respect or consideration for motorcycles or scotters in Medellin. You will be separated from a leg or an arm or your life. Use the buses and taxis if you can't afford a used car.

While you are in Medellin you will see plenty of evidence supporting what I am saying when you notice people with no arms or legs. Most people will bring the cycles (of all kinds) into their home whenever they are not riding them, otherwise they will be stolen. Only an experienced person from Medellin would survive the odds that are stacked against them driving cycles in that town.

If you are determined to put yourself at great risk then rent one for a few days and see if your heart can handle the trama. Outside of Zone 2 (Poblado) seven cars out of ten are yellow, just raise your hand and one will magically appear from nowhere to take you where you want to go for almost nothing (little money).

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tzion says on Jan 13, 2005, 11:08:

Hahah :)))))) Thought so. Thanks.

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British Paisa says on Jan 13, 2005, 11:29:

Go for it......CHICKEN!.... If you plan on staying in Medellin for a while I would get one, I live in Medellin and have a motocycle that I use when I can't be asked to use my car and get stuck in traffic (rush hour), you should look for a bike that is not on the theft hot list, i.e don't get a kMX125 / RX125 / DT125-175 or any Kawasaki as you will more tha likely be subject to a gun being pointed at you and having to hand over your bike, get a scooter or a large bike like a Freewind / GS500 or XR, there is no guarantee that these won't get taken from you but the odds are more in your favour that if you are on one of the others. If you like Vespas I can guarantee you that these won't be stolen.
Traffic in Medellin is ok, you just have to ride defensively, ride in the middle of the lane, don't give the car the chance to push in beside you and force you over, I have been riding for about 6 years now and "touch wood" have never had a bike stolen or an accident.
Insurance for motorcycles is practically impossible unless you get a new one and if you can insure a second hand one it will probably be quite expensive, running costs are minimal.

Anyway, if you do plan on getting a bike make sure that is is up to date on impuestos, etc as these can be a big "chicharon" later on.

All the best!...

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jan 13, 2005, 11:40:

Cali the largest hospital in Cali has a special wing for people injured in motorcycle accidents...it's called Pabellon Kawasaki.
Cheers,
Desi

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Crazy4Cali says on Jan 13, 2005, 11:41:

tag-em During my visit to Bogotá, I noticed the motorcycle riders had bright vests with the license tag number on it...Then I noticed they had their license tag stenciled on their helmet as well.

I wondered why...until I saw a car-truck-motorcycle accident and realized that was to help identify which parts belonged to which vehicle.

Riding a bike there lost some of its appeal at that point.

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miamimike says on Jan 13, 2005, 11:50:

Include Miami in that list also !! Don't even think about driving a 'Cycle in Miami either. We have the same driving mix(drivers)as found in south america or the Carribbean and your personal physical well being is in High Danger here also. People constantly run stop signs, redlights ect.Harleys and the high-end Sportbikes are#1 on the list for theft rings and the chop-shops. A Harley on South Beach chained to a light-pole has a life expectancy of 10 minutes or so if it is out of your direct line of sight. Daily riders here get nailed or T-boned by cars/trucks with fatal results.I have an old Beemer(bmw) classic 100RT(1000cc)I restored 2 years ago and its for sale as the Danger factor is overwhelming and to me simply not worth risking my life over. Ditto for Bicycles--lots of them getting nailed also. Many idiots here drive with Helmets as they do not value the Gray Matter located between their ears! Best defensive vechicle here in Miami is an 8000 lb. HUMMER with Dark Glass!

No hay Peor Ciego que el que no quiere Ver o Sordo que el que no quiera Oir--Soy Yo, Sarah Palin, Wasilla Alaska.

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miamimike says on Jan 13, 2005, 11:52:

sp-helmets should read "Many Idiots here drive "without" helmets.

No hay Peor Ciego que el que no quiere Ver o Sordo que el que no quiera Oir--Soy Yo, Sarah Palin, Wasilla Alaska.

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RicardoS says on Jan 13, 2005, 16:15:

In Bogotá... If you want to keep your sanity, and your life, I suggest public transportation, is easy and cheap. Traffic in Bogotá (I can't speak of Medellin, cause I don't live there) is a mess, there's jams in every street, people drive carelessly everywhere, and I think 50% of the people that have a car don't know how to drive it. Also, gas prices? i think we have the most expensive gas in the whole world, seriously... it's a robbery.

In anyway cruising the streets in here takes a mix of atention and patience, with that you'll be allright.

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webmanco says on Jan 13, 2005, 17:33:

go for it Motorcicles in Bogotá and in cities with car restriction "pico y placa" on certain hours of the day to circulate, is the best choice to get around and get there on time and safe.

What is not too good about riding motorcycles is rain, other than that is the best transportation method every where.

Although it is dangerous in the way that in an accident whoever rides the motorcycle gets injured badly, also I do recognize that we the motorcycle drivers got more room and could react faster than car drivers. I would enjoy riding all over Colombia on a motorcycle, the best way to know the country. Here "Publimotos.com" is a link of a motorcicle magazine in Colombia, there is a link to restrictions on different cities, one of the most common rules is not to allow passengers -more than one person on the motrocycle- , mostly men.
Another link is the Asociación de Motociclistas de Colombia Asomocol

Note motorcycles don´t pay toll charges "Peajes"
When travelling to Villavicencio, motorcycles are not allow to go thru the tunnels, must use the old road.
Moto Club


40 Friends of Colombia and Colombians all over the world an counting

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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lpdiver says on Jan 14, 2005, 03:54:

My observations in Medellin Every traffic light was like the start of a motocross race. The motorcycles inch up front between lanes of traffic and onto the sidewalks. They wait for the green ligh revving and filling the air with smoke then there off. Traffic thinks nothin of making a left turn from six lanes to the right. They is an incredible amount of jockeying for position and fist waving and gesticulation. I laughed my ass off one day when a bicyclist took on a bus and won.

Personally I take taxis they are cheap. My only problem is that I am very tall, somewhat fat, and have big feet. Getting in and out of most of the taxis is my biggest challenge on my typical trip to Medellin. Entrance is usually easy but exits can be spectacular; varing from hands first to ass first to olympic ten pointers. I usually request to ride in the front next to the driver and am usally accomodated. I have my wife wave off some of the tiniest ones.

Have fun.

Antony

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

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juanalejo says on Jan 14, 2005, 11:22:

gossip This is how gossip in Colombia starts spreading around. Crazy4Cali the bright vest is to give more visibility, the license plate number both on the helmet and vest are there in response to journalit Jaime Garzon´s assasination by two people on a bike and who were not able to be identified by the witness due to the small print on the motorbike´s license plate. Through out the years many of the journalists and politicians who have been killed have been through this modus operandi and hence the reponse to make bikers easily identifiable. The Harley crowd were very upset about the law as their nice gear was going to be ruined but had to comply at the end with it. A passenger on a bike is also restricted on specific ocasions like elections etc.

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caslug says on Jan 14, 2005, 12:25:

passangers on bikes?.. I didnt know it was not allowed. I remember in Cali i saw many bikes/scooters have passanger on the back. I was usually their girlfriend, so i thought it was OK. Are those people all doing it illegal?

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lpdiver says on Jan 14, 2005, 12:27:

donno He said it was restricted ONLY on CERTAIN days like elections. Not every day.

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jan 14, 2005, 12:28:

passangers on bikes I remember in Cali seeing four or five people on a bike...three on the back seat, two on the gas tank and two driving....and no, not one of them wearing helmets....
Cheers,
Desi
(very illegal, right?)

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Crazy4Cali says on Jan 14, 2005, 12:39:

yeah, but... ...some people just take things too seriously :)

I'm sure there was a good reason for putting ID on the vest and helmet, but you gotta admit, gruesome as it may be, it _could_ come in handy for insuring the right parts went into the right bag after a bus and a bike meet in an intersection.

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ARMacleod says on Jan 14, 2005, 14:31:

MC accidents My missus lost her brother as a result of a motorcycle accident in Colombia. I have personally given First Aid to four MC accident victims.

In fact if anyone cares to check, there is not a country in the world that does not have disturbing MC accident statistics.

These machines are (in England) responsible for many more deaths than murders and accidental deaths in the Construction Industry combined.

Take a taxi.

Be Happy (and alive)

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

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spigrimace says on Jan 19, 2005, 16:12:

You're an organ donor if you ride a moto en Medellin. I am saddened by the unusally large number of people you see there missing limbs. When you get there, look at the streets, the city paints a star/cross with a moto inside when someone dies from a moto accident. They do the same by painting a figurine inside the cross/star when a pedistrian dies when crossing the street as well. There must be 10's of thousands of these and this is only when someone passed away. How many more accidents are there??? In my last 4 month stint in Medellin, I was a witness to 3 moto accidents. If you value your life, please think car or taxi.

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lpdiver says on Jan 19, 2005, 16:54:

Spigrimace Interesting, Inever saw one of the stars or crosses on my last two visits. Of course I wasn't aware of them and thus looking. I will look on my next trip.

tony

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

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Sunsetsrbest says on May 25, 2005, 09:15:

Motos... Eeeeoooowwwwwwwwwwww! I am moving to Columbia and either Cartegena or Bogota... and I was seriously moving my moto with me... maybe I should not? I have a class1 Superbike Suzuki Katana that is highly modified for racing (one of my hobbies) and love my bike. It will do 155mph easy without blinking and I love it! It is definately way to big to keep in an apartment, and I definately don't want to get killed for it or on it.

What does an average used car cost? a average small one in good condition that won't be stolen? I want to blend in, not stand out with a sign that says "hey look at me..."

Any info is appreciated...

Thanks

Gringo rojo :-)

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N2Aquatix says on May 25, 2005, 12:32:

He he he If they pull on a gun on you, just run them the f#ck over. If you're the predator, you're less likely to be the prey.

Jay

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quindioman says on May 25, 2005, 12:54:

sunday drivers bikes are death machines in my eyes...i've seen people die, i've had close friends die....i've had a muppet drive me and then have the slowest accident ever witnessed by Cuyabros....I've just given in to my trophy girlfriend who wanted a bike...she wasn't happy with just shooting her left thigh for xmas, now she wants to increase her chances of having more surgery done to that left leg of hers...
People in Colombia have a blatant lack of respect for the roads (there's a joke about a promiscious woman that's called semaforo 'cause no-one respects her)...bikes are extremely popular in Colombia, however I would follow some people's advise on the forum...

* if you are buying a bike buy second hand (less attractive to potential thiefs)
* i know that 2 men cannot ride a bike together in big Cities (a man and a woman is acceptable)
*insure yourself (that should be the first thing you do)
* Go for a smaller bike or scooter/moped
* drive carefully (SERIOUSLY....PEOPLE IN COLOMBIA DRIVE LIKE LUNATICS)
*i would personally stick to taxis and buses

Good luck and take CARE

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kernow62 says on May 25, 2005, 12:57:

Used cars in Colombia tend to be quite expensive, there are plenty of online ads selling them. Motos are cheaper but not like yours, I did see more Ducatis in Bogota in a couple of weeks than I see in a year here.

The traffic in Bogota is much crazier than Cartagena, and a bus will flatten any moto no matter how fast, there are 55,000 of them to contend with, and forget about just hopping over the kerb to escape, the kerbs are a foot high. If you go to Cartagena observe the custom of hitting the horn at each and every intersection.

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quindioman says on May 25, 2005, 12:58:

observe the custom of hitting the horn EVERYWHERE in Colombia....man this guys hit the horn for hitting the horn sake

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 25, 2005, 13:08:

confirmation of something please I've been told by numerous people that during the Escobar era both Medellin and Bogota banned the wearing of helmets by motorcyclists because there were so many moto assasination where the perp couldn't be identified because of a helmet.

Can DWMTE or anyone else who was here during that time verify that this really happened?

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quindioman says on May 25, 2005, 13:27:

yes that's true not only in Medellin and Bogota but a whole lot of cities too....that was precisely banned...not even your own mother would recognise you if you were wearing a helmet

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highenergy2003 says on Sep 17, 2005, 09:00:

My wife has concerns over me wanting to own a large (1100 cc) bike in Barranquilla. Apparantly "highway robbery" is big here as well. Well, yesterday I went to Homecenter and purchased a rather large machete. Fortunately, I have previous experience with this blades of wonder. Let someone try to steal my bike while I'm riding it. :)

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webmanco says on Sep 17, 2005, 09:19:

Machete-less

Chances are you will be machetes-less as well.

Just kidding.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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lalablu3 says on May 15, 2006, 14:38:

The fact of the matter is Traffic in Colombia is out of control no matter where you are. In Bogota, eternal traffic jams are an everyday thing, theres always the taxi driving between two lanes to see who he can get in front of first. Motorcylcle are def the fastest but there is always the risk of injury, just asked my Dad and his pinky (crushed when he was 20 in Bogota), but it seems like every one owns a bike at some point in their lives.

Ps. Ive seen the stars painted on the street in Bogota too.

♥
Laura

♥ Laura

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greganchors says on Nov 20, 2008, 12:45:

Im an American in Medellin.I want to moto around S America.I want to buy a used bike no more than 1 million pesos.Can anyone tip me off to a seller? I hear about police impounded motos.Is it possible to buy them in auctions here,like in th U.S.?Please advise an inexperienced Yank.Thankss.................

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vicshere says on Nov 20, 2008, 13:45:

you are not going to get anythinf for 1 M to take you around SA...your dreaming

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