In the end, I went to Mexico and became a normal tourist taking organised tours, booking hotels, waiting at bus stations and getting used to all the occasional sellers in the capital's tube.
Although I enjoyed my days in that country, I would have been really happy to have a motorcycle available, it would have saved me time, given me the chance to go anywhere and organise my own breaks, timing etc.

I tried to get in touch with the recommended guy in Mexico City to hire a bike but I was not lucky.

I would have also considered buying a 125 cc but we were 2 people and it would have been unconfortable and slow together with luggage.

$45 usd per day sounds very reasonable, I would have gone for it unless you bought a 125 cc "together" with another traveller who would get it off you at the end of your trip but I don't know how easy it would be to arrange this or to sell the bike at the end of the adventure.

It sounds more feasable the rental option, whatever you decide I wish you good luck and also some feedback would be nice :thumbup1:.

Marco

As long as this thread has been bumped to the top, I'll offer another option. Go to the Dominican Republic (easy and fairly cheap from USA or Europe) to rent a bike. In Cabarete and Las Terranas 150-250 cc enduro-style bikes, Japanese or Chinese, rent for US$25-40 per day. Bring some straps and a waterproof duffel and, if you're picky, a helmet.

I'm no expert, but I've seen some fun riding, not too much traffic, minimal security concerns, nice scenery and very friendly people. Prices are low for the Caribbean, high compared to Central America. Landscapes are similar, and there's enough to stay busy riding around for a couple of weeks--longer if you stop long enough to tan something besides face, neck and hands.

This was my backup trip to the hoped-for-but-never-achieved Cuba trip. If I don't get sucked into the work vortex too quickly I'll write a separate report.

Hope that's helpful to someone.

Mark

I followed your suggestion and did a little Googling. Looks like you can rent a Yamaha DT125 dualie for as low as $25/day here:
Easy Rider - Cabarete, Dominican Republic

No idea if that is a reputable rental shop, but it looks like renting a small bike for a few days is quite doable.

There are at least a half-dozen rental shops in each of the two towns. I don't like tiny bikes and I don't like 2-cycle engines, so I went for a Honda 200cc dual sport---was supposed to be a 250 ("It's my own personal bike. I used to race motocross. Everything works perfectly. Just got a new battery two days ago." etc. etc. etc.).

I don't think I'd take one of those DT's for a thousand km all over the island, but they'd be fine for buzzing around town. Should be able to get it a bit cheaper unless right in the middle of spring break. All prices are at least somewhat negotiable if you rent for longer than a few days.

Mark

(from wherever I got to on the Autopista Duarte when it started to rain late this afternoon: headed back to Cabarete to return the bike and think about flying home)

Hi All,
I would go for the 250-400 cc rental in mexico por 45 dlls.. Can you give me more information about where did you find this deal ? i might go there in summer.

thanks,

If you are asking me, I rented in the Dominican Republic, not Mexico. If you're asking someone else, maybe they'll respond. I was responding to someone looking for a cheap, short riding holiday coming from Europe.

Whenever I've ridden in Mexico I've brought my own bike from that large, ungainly country to the north.

Mark

I was the one who posted about the $45/day offer. I'll send you a PM.