I know it's been asked, but I haven't seen any recent updates since the US stopped being a shit head to Cuba: Can you rent motorcycles in Cuba? If so, where? It doesn't have to be a BMW (in fact, I'd prefer something more low key), but it just sounds like the perfect trip, doesn't it?

The USA has done lots of stupid stuff to Cuba, but it had nothing to do with the no-rental policies of the Cuban government. So no, it hasn't changed. Your options are to bring your own bike, or to have someone else bring one on your behalf, paying them handsomely.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

I've been researching Cuba. Can't ignore the challenge anymore. For a 2-3 week visit (non tour) the cost of shipping seems prohibitive. Scooters aren't appealing. A couple years ago I had a similar problem trying to ride through China. With the help of HU "Prince666" I did ride China. He helped me buy a new Shineray 250 in Kunming, China for $1300. I sold it on the street for $300 3 weeks later. I doubt they even have new motos for sale in Cuba. But is there a chance of buying and reselling in Cuba. New or used. And what type of paperwork/time might that require. Also I rode through China without a required Chinese drivers license. Does Cuba require any special permits.



I know Throttlemeister, who shipped his bike from S.A. to Cuba in 2012. But 8 years is ago long time.

You need to do some better research on Cuba. Tourist transportation is a big money maker for the government, so they are not exactly offering any bargains. For example, any rental car there costs $100 per day. Car/ scooter rentals are run by the government.

Cuban taxi cab drivers make more than doctors. The Cuban taxi drivers are notorious for trying to rip tourists off.

I rented a 50cc scooter one time for 7-10 days at $30-35 per day. This was a lot to pay for a little Chinese scooter, but I enjoyed it and knew that it was by far the least expensive option to see Cuba by moto/scooter.

The best way to do Cuba in my opinion is to get 3 other friends and go in on a car rental for 2 weeks. Than, your transportation cost comes out to $25 per day each which is reasonable for a 1 time experience that you will probably never get to see again.

If you are into bicycling you could also do a big bicycling trip in Cuba. Make sure to check that the airlines in your country will allow you to take a bicycle on the airplane to Cuba. The USA restricts passenger luggage to Cuba, so you can not take Bicycles. Some Canadian airlines also do the same thing. You can rent good touring bicycles in Cuba, but it will be $25-30 per day for quality bicycles.

I wouldn't try to buy a bicycle or motorcycle in Cuba because the prices for anything there are ridiculous. It is mostly all low quality Chinese stuff at inflated prices.

Your post has a bit of cognitive dissonance to it. You want to go to Cuba because it is different than any other country, but than you complain about transportation not being the same as other countries.

Cuba might not be for you. If you need to buy something simple like sunscreen it is not easy to find there. You will think that the lodging is also a ripoff. The Cuban internet is a pain.

The time to see Cuba is in the next year or two, because I think it will change soon and overnight it will lose its charm.

__________________
http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

While it's still a scooter, this might be an option for some.

https://www.daiquiricuba.com/

They rent Piaggio MP3 scooters, E-bikes and Campers. Not cheap but I've been in contact with them and there are no restrictions on where you can take the equipment within Cuba. They're based in Havana.

...Michelle

I have seen that the Stahlratte occasionally does a run that involves Cuba, and you can see the country overland on your bike as part of it: https://www.stahlratte.org/?page_id=19 and scroll to the bottom. Arriving in Cienfuegos on May 10th, leaving from Santiago de Cuba on May 29th.

I think that getting a bike on Mexican or South American plates and riding in Cuba with it as part of this trip, is your most likely and easiest bet for seeing the country on a motorcycle.

Did you ever ride one. I had an MP3 3 in the past. It weights over 500 pounds. I actually have a 300 cc scooter and it weights 365 pounds. If memory serves me well it is heavier by about a little more than 150 . It is heavier than a lot of 750 cc.

It is not as easy to ride as the people would like to think. It is very preferable to be an experience rider.

The dual wheel electronic system is not always flawless and would suggets not use it.

I rode mine over 20,000 km, and I enjoyed it. I got rid of it before having problems finding parts in Canada where I live. If I was living in europe I would have kept it.

Their not taking any more this year from Mexico to Cuba. They don't have a schedule set for 2021 yet. Send a message to them and they will put you on their email notification list.

Cuba

I flew myself and my bike from Caracas Venezuela to Havanna Cuba in 2004. It was not an easy task, getting the bike into the cargo plane was the most difficult. As I was the second motorcycle traveler to collect his bike at the cargo terminal at Havanna airport (a Japanese rider had been the first, according to the head of customs) it was not that difficult to get it out and on the road. They have a standard process with forms to fill out, and I had to get a Cuban numberplate.

So, you can fly your bike to Havanna, if you find an airline willing to take it.

But I would say, that renting anything with engine is the better option, if you can find somebody willing to rent. In 2004 I met one traveler in a rental car.

I did not like Cuba at all, so I only stayed for ten days before boarding a sail boat.

Enjoy your journey.
mika

No more room on the Steel Rat this year. They don't have a schedule for next year yet.

My friend Mika, you've been many places that others can't get to.



The problem with renting is, small unmaintained machines and you are not allowed to take them out of the district you rent from. I will look at shipping from Toronto. They are the closest Canadian airport from south Ohio. My other option is riding from Phoenix to Cancun and shipping. But that restricts me to the sailing schedule. Shipping to SA to ship to Cuba is too troublesome and expensive.