Motorized Scooter

[Retagger]

I am Interested in purchasing a motorized scooter for my home in Aruba. I saw a nice one for sale at Pricesmart for around 1,100 US dollars. I know the roads are not the best but this would only be used to go back and forth to the beach.

Does anyone know if I need to register the scooter and is insurance required?

Regards,

[Schnauzerjoy]

Hi David
I am pretty sure that you need the same things that I did with my ATV, which is license plate and insurance. That would also require that you have a tax number, which you probably already do.
Some insurance companies (like Fatum) will not insure it, but India Insurance normally will.

I buy a lot of things from Pricesmart, but are very reluctant to buy anything that is likely to need a warranty. Best case they will give you 30 days, and remember they do not have anyone that are a mechanic there. BTW a lot of the shops downtown more or less only give you OTD insurance (Out The Door), so be sure to ask.
I saw the same scooter there and was tempted, but I know it will break (hard environment and bad quality) and then what?
I will buy from one of the resellers that have their own mechanics. They will normally give you longer warranty and even if it does break later, they will give you a good deal to fix it.
I bought my ATV at a shop where they mainly sell small motorcycles and scooters. I have forgotten the name, but it is ScooterPlan or something like that, it is owned by a couple of really nice guys.
If you drive from Pricesmart towards Koyman (Dakota), then go left in the last crossing just before Koyman (a small shop on the corner Shabby Chic) and they will be on your left just after you turned. I would recommend trying to get them to give you a good price (use the Pricesmart price as leverage ;-) ).
Even if you don't buy from them, go in there and ask what you need to do if you buy a scooter, they will give you all the right answers.

Carsten

[Retagger]

Thank you for the information Carsten.

Maybe I will just buy a few mountain bikes. This way I can get exercise on the way to the beach.

Once I get there in September, I will go to the store that you recommended and see what type of deal they can offer me.

On a side note - I plan on adding an internet camera on the outside of my home in Aruba so that I can at least see the weather conditions while I am home in cold New Jersey. I am testing one now that is fully movable and programmable via the internet. It will even email me a photo when it senses motion.

Thanks again,

[Schnauzerjoy]

Hi David

A great shop for bikes are in Santa Cruz. There is a Dutch guy there who has a big store purely dedicated to bicycles including a repair shop.
You can get cheaper bikes elsewhere, but if you want quality and service go to him, we bought our mountain bikes there. He also have racer bikes if you want .
The shop is Tri-Bike and is on the main street in Santa Cruz, just before you leave the city going south on your left hand side. http://tribikearuba.com/

Regarding cameras and weather, I am with you all the way .
I have put up a full semi-pro weather station on my house and added a great 24/7 live weather camera, so I you just want that I can give you a link to mine , otherwise I can give you info on what I use.
Regarding other cameras I have gone a bit overboard, but I love to sit across the world and watch my house, garden, pool, living room, dining room, car, ATV boat etc etc, so I now have 3 cameras on the inside of the house and 7 cameras on the outside. They are 3 different brands and with different capabilities. They all have motion detection and most have pan/tilt/zoom, but there are so much quality difference on both picture and motion detection, so be careful about what you buy.
But it is a joy to everyday just take a peek on how everything is doing, and it gives a great peace of mind as well.
I automatically get emails, when the pool guy, gartner, security guy etc are entering and moving on my property as well as recorded video, so that I can go back and check if i.e. the alarm goes off, I can quickly check if anyone entered the property, well you get the picture .
And yes it is ok to call me a gadget freak .

Carsten

[lizzardo]

I brought a scooter with me - I ended up selling it - roads are a little too crazy for me to drive it. I think you are better off with a bike.

You do need a license and insurance for a scooter.

[Shnyda]

I like the bike idea - I had been considering buying a bike for down there. Something in the sub $300 range.... wish I could bring my beautiful Cannondale from home down - but the airline wouldnt appreciate that.

[Schnauzerjoy]

Buying a sub $300 bike for use in Aruba seems.....well adventurous .
If it is just for the paved roads, it might hold for a while, but I you go off-road you probably have to triple that amount (if it is a new one).

Normally it is no problem at all to bring a bike on the plane, but the will probably charge you around $100 to bring it.

P.S. Remember that a stick is part of the standard equipment for biking in Aruba.

Carsten

[lizzardo]

I have a "cross over" bike for better words - handles dirt and roads -
I love it. One thing to consider if you buy a bike is to have some
place to store it - otherwise it will rust really quickly!

Other tip - waterpistol / squirt gun with a tiny bit of vinegar in it
for any four legged "joggers" that might want to join you.

[Shnyda]

I have a crossover or hybrid bike at home. I mainly use it on the roads - but enjoy a little light off roading with it - nothing like I used to do when I was a kid though.

[lizzardo]

Here you are sometimes or often forced to use the dirt on the sides of the road - no bike lanes here!!!